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MACS Facelift

What is a MACS Facelift?

The MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) facelift is a procedure that was designed to give patients a subtle, refreshed, and more youthful look, without the intense recovery period necessitated by a traditional facelift. The MACS lift efficiently addresses a number of facial aesthetic problems that can develop over time and offers a variety of rejuvenating benefits, including:

  • Removing excessive howling around the chin
  • Decreasing the prominence of the deep creases between the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds)
  • Defining and restoring the outline of the jaw
  • Tightening and lifting the cheeks
  • Re-suspending the jowl
  • Enhancing the contour of the neck
  • Providing natural-looking facial rejuvenation while avoiding the tight, pinched, or ‘wind-swept’ appearance
stock image of model showing her face with both hands

A Versatile Procedure With Minimal Scarring

The MACS facelift is also called the “short scar facelift” because it is less invasive than other facelift procedures and leaves a shorter scar. The MACS facelift supports and lifts sagging tissues in the cheeks, chin, neck, or nose area with a procedural technique that is similar to the High SMAS facelift without surgically lifting the neck area. The MACS facelift is often a good choice for patients under the age of 60 whose aesthetic goals include a subtle, mid-facial rejuvenation or who would like to reverse some of the initial signs of aging without undergoing a more invasive traditional facelift.

Key Advantages and Aspects of a MACS Facelift

Dr. Brent has a great interest in emerging techniques and what they may offer patients in his Beverly Hills and Los Angeles offices. As time passes and procedures sort themselves into niches, the MACS lift has some surprising benefits to offer. The most significant advantage of the MACS lift is that it elevates the cheek area nicely, much in the way a High SMAS procedure does. It may have a quicker recovery, especially if no incision for the neck is done.

Before and After

before after macs facelift procedure patient 1
before after macs facelift procedure patient 2

More Facelift Examples

The limit of the MACS lift is that it rejuvenates the neck to a lesser degree, and to some extent, the jowl as well. While this is not a drawback in itself, it means that patients who want to rejuvenate these areas may require an alternative procedure. Fortunately, Dr. Brent specializes in a range of facelift methods, allowing patients to see the results they want through personalized procedures.

MACS Facelift Procedural Details

The MACS facelift is performed under general anesthesia or (in some cases) local anesthesia and takes between 2-3 hours to complete. During the procedure, Dr. Brent will make strategically placed incisions along the hairline and in front of the ear in order to separate the skin from the fat and muscle, and will then lift the skin vertically (as opposed to the horizontal lifting of a traditional facelift). He will redrape (not pull) the middle layer and will use permanent sutures to re-suspend the deeper structures of the face, thereby reversing the skin-sagging effects of gravity and age.

Lastly, he will excise any surplus skin and close the incisions, leaving patients with a natural, rejuvenated look and a small, discreet scar. Dr. Brent uses his trademarked ear-closing techniques to leave patients with virtually invisible scarring. The earlobe and tragus are reformed carefully to avoid visual detection completely.

The Recovery Process

Recovery after a MACS lift is less extensive than with a traditional facelift, and although some mild pain, bruising, and swelling can be expected, the severity and duration of the healing period are shortened, with most patients resuming light activities within a week and returning to work and their normal activities in a little over a week, with exercise following by weeks 3 to 6.

After your procedure, you will be able to return home the same day and begin focusing on healing. Dr. Brent will provide you with a full set of instructions to follow while healing that helps facilitate a smooth recovery and optimal results. He also typically will see patients for a follow-up visit after their procedure to monitor their results.

Enjoying the Results of a Personalized Facelift

Following the procedure, patients will typically be able to see some immediate results. However, it is important to remember that full results will only be available once the swelling has fully subsided and recovery is complete. Patients can expect to benefit from the results of their MACS facelift for years, with exceptional results maintained by healthy lifestyle choices and good skin care.

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Is the MACS Facelift Right for Me?

Providing adaptive facelift procedures is one of Dr. Brent’s specialties. So while this means that not every patient is the right fit for a MACS facelift, it means Dr. Brent has a version of the procedure that is right for you. A MACS facelift is ideal for patients who want a subtler change, typically benefiting patients under 60 years of age the most. However, there is plenty of flexibility in this, and it mainly depends on the individual patient’s situation. To learn if a MACS facelift or another option is right for you, the first step is to visit Dr. Brent for a personal consultation. During an in-depth conversation, you can speak with a leading cosmetic surgeon to find your ideal solution.

MACS Facelift Beverly Hills & Los Angeles

At Moelleken Plastic Surgery, our patient-centric philosophy ensures that you will receive the highest quality of care throughout your aesthetic enhancement experience. We take pride in providing our patients with safe and effective cosmetic surgery procedures and beautifully natural-looking results. Our skillful staff understands how precious your time is and will take care to ensure that your surgery fits conveniently into your busy schedule. You will never feel rushed while in our care, as Dr. Brent will take the time to provide a comprehensive overview of your treatment options and procedural details.

If you would like to learn more about the MACS facelift technique or other facelift procedures, please contact Moelleken Plastic Surgery Beverly Hills today. We look forward to speaking with you and to scheduling your initial consultation with Dr. Brent.

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