By: Eric Chang, MD

“Minimally invasive” facelift procedures offer a way for some patients to look better without requiring a big time commitment – but as a Baltimore plastic surgeon I can tell you that not all “mini” facelifts are created equal.

In general, “mini” face lifts may not be right for patients who are aiming for longer-term results. However, I have been able to achieve pleasing, lasting results with at least one minimally invasive technique: the MACS facelift.

What’s the difference?

Facial aging happens both at the surface and in the deeper muscle-level layers of the face, so an effective facelift needs to adjust sagging at the superficial skin level but also correct changes to facial muscles over time. “Mini” facelifts typically don’t address these deeper layers, but many patients choosing plastic surgery near Baltimore will still opt for these smaller-scale, shorter-term treatments because they are worried about scarring or cannot commit to a longer recovery time.

The MACS facelift has been getting a lot of attention recently because it achieves many of the deeper-level adjustments of a full facelift plastic surgery procedure while allowing Baltimore area patients shorter incisions and dramatically faster recovery.

How it works:

The MACS (Minimal-Access Cranial Suspension) facelift was designed to adjust deeper facial tissues with the smallest incisions and shortest downtime possible. Its advantages:

• Smaller incisions mean the MACS lift does not disrupt as much facial tissue, preventing extra bleeding and bruising.
• The results can last as long as with a full-scale facelift.
• The surgeon tightens the muscles and tissues at a slightly more vertical angle than other mini lift cosmetic surgery procedures in Baltimore , Maryland, so the MACS face lift tends to reverse sagging more effectively.

Is it your best option?

Most mini facelifts are geared toward younger, firmer-skinned patients in their 30s and 40s, but the focused adjustments the MACS lift offers also can create impressive results for many patients in their 50s and 60s as well. Women and men with very severe facial folds around the jaw line should generally opt for the full facelift, but in some cases a good surgeon can combine a minimally invasive lift like the MACS with a neck lift or blepharoplasty.

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