MACS Facelift

The MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) facelift is designed to give patients a subtle, refreshed, and more youthful look, without the intense recovery period as compared to a traditional facelift. Sometimes, it may be called a mini-lift.

It is done with small incisions made. Beginning at the hairline just above the crease of the ear, and end at the earlobe. It lifts the subcutaneous tissues to create a lifted look. Because it’s a less extensive procedure, the MACS facelift has a quicker recovery time than a full facelift.

However, MACS Facelift tends to be more suitable for patients with moderate sag.

While preparing:
– It is recommended to stop smoking at least two weeks before the operation.
– Stop certain medications such as blood thinners and anticoagulants.
– Avoid wearing makeup and jewelry like earrings on the day of the surgery.
– It is also helpful to have someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night.


The MACS facelift is performed under general anesthesia or (in some cases) local anesthesia and takes between 2-3 hours to complete. Beginning from incisions made at the top crease in front of the ear to the earlobe. Multiple sutures with then be inserted into the deep tissue, lifting and securing it into a higher position. As the lifted tissue heals in its new position, it leaves scar tissue, which keeps the lift in place after the sutures have dissolved.

For the first 24 hours, you’ll have to wear a large dressing around your head, over the incisions.

To reduce the swelling, you can ice your face for 30 – 40 minutes, elevate your head while sleeping or at bedtime and take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

After the first week, your surgeon will remove your outer, visible stitches, but the dissolvable sutures will stay in place.

Most patients can resume light activities within a week, and returning to work and their normal activities in a little over a week, with exercise following after 3-6 weeks.

Patients can expect an average of four weeks before they look completely fine after a facelift.

Many doctors say results from a MACS facelift can last up to 10 years, but it depends on your muscle tone and skin laxity. Maintaining a healthy diet, minimizing weight gain, and reducing sun exposure can aid in longer-lasting effects. Natural aging will take over.

Some side effects may include:

Bruising.
Complications of anesthesia.
Damage to the facial nerves controlling muscles, usually temporary.
Hematoma.
Infection.
Loss of hair around the incision site, but this is uncommon.
Numbness, which can improve within days or weeks.
Scarring.
Skin necrosis, or tissue death.
Unevenness between two sides of the face.
Widening or thickening of the scar.