As one of the important ways to treat facial rejuvenation, rhytidectomy has a history of more than 100 years. After experiencing the process from shallow to deep and from simple to complex, its surgical methods have been developed in a multiplane and multi-level direction, and gradually tend to be minimally invasive or even non-invasive. In addition, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which gradually thins and relaxes with age, has attracted the attention of plastic surgeons due to its close relationship with facial aging. Therefore, this article reviews the current situation and development of facial aging and minimally invasive SMAS high-level lifting, aiming to provide reference for facial plastic surgeons.