What is a Hammock Face Lift?
The term "hammock face lift" does not appear in current medical literature or established facial rejuvenation guidelines, and no standardized surgical or aesthetic procedure exists by this specific name in contemporary plastic surgery practice.
Understanding the Terminology Gap
The provided evidence extensively covers facial rejuvenation procedures including:
- Traditional face lift techniques (skin-only, SMAS plication, extended SMAS lifts) that address sagging tissues by undermining and retensioning facial structures 1, 2
- Non-invasive rejuvenation methods including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and microneedling 3
- Nanofat grafting for skin quality improvement through adipose-derived stem cells 4
However, none of these sources reference a "hammock face lift" as a recognized procedure 1, 5, 6, 7, 2.
Possible Interpretations
If referring to SMAS-based face lifting:
The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) procedures create a supportive "hammock-like" layer by repositioning deeper facial tissues 2. SMAS plication and extended SMAS techniques provide significant vertical and horizontal lift by addressing the muscular layer beneath the skin, achieving superior results compared to skin-only procedures 2.
If referring to thread lifts:
Some practitioners colloquially describe thread lift procedures as creating a "hammock" effect, though this terminology is not standardized in medical literature 5.
Clinical Recommendation
If a provider or patient mentions "hammock face lift," clarification is essential to determine the actual intended procedure. Request specific details about:
- Whether this refers to SMAS-based surgical face lifting 2
- Thread lift procedures 5
- A proprietary technique using non-standard nomenclature
The absence of this term in established guidelines and peer-reviewed literature suggests it may be marketing terminology rather than a medically recognized procedure 1, 5, 6, 7.