MACS Mini Face Lift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

The mini facelift procedure is also known by a variety of other names. Some are more scientific or technical (the ‘mini rhytidectomy’) whilst others describe the cosmetic surgery technique itself such as the ‘short-scar face lift’ (S-lift) or variety of mini facelift (MACS mini face lift being one of the most popular types).

Considering Mini Face Lift surgery?

Mini face lift surgery is typically characterised by the short-scar facelift technique. This is where the scarring in the crease behind the ear and in the hairline behind the ear is significantly (sometimes even completely) reduced when the skin and soft tissues of the face are repositioned. Short-scar face lift incisions begin in the hair area, around the temples and extend downward, in front of the ear to the earlobe. Sometimes the incision can extend behind the earlobe or slightly behind the ear.  The MACS face lift (or Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) is a surgical procedure to improve a sagging mid and lower face. It is a short scar technique and does not involve a long scar behind the ear. It can restore a youthful-looking jaw line, reduce jowls, and bring back the “apple” of the cheek that tends to sag with ageing.

How will it impact on your life?

Like any type of face lift cosmetic surgery, the mini facelift aims to create a younger appearance and to improve your self-confidence. This is done by repositioning and tightening the skin and soft tissue of the face. However, the mini version of this face lift surgery procedure uses advancements in facial aesthetic surgery to limit the scarring with less invasive surgery.  On average you can expect to look around eight to ten years younger when you have fully recovered from your mini facelift. The benefits will last around ten years although this will depend on the elasticity of your skin and your lifestyle. Factors including diet, body weight and exposure to sunlight will affect your overall results and of course your skin will continue to age in the normal way.

Is a Mini Face lift right for you?

The effects of the mini facelift are much less dramatic than a traditional full facelift or full face and neck lift. This less invasive version of the procedure is best for patients in their middle ages, suffering from heavy, tired skin with a loss of elasticity. Whilst the mini facelift is not as dramatic as the full face lift, it is very good for fixing specific signs of ageing in the face as a preventative or maintenance procedure amongst slightly younger candidates. Mini face lifts are particularly well suited to patients in their thirties, forties and sometimes fifties.

Your surgeon will make incisions in your temples and in the natural crease in front of your ears. The fibrous tissues under the skin are tightened with permanent stitches fixed close to your cheek bones or the connective tissue under the skin. These stitches pass down to your neck, jowls and cheek fat pads. You are likely to have liposuction under your chin at the same time. This removes fatty tissue from your neck and “frees up” more excess skin for re-draping. If your neck is particularly saggy, your surgeon may need to make incisions behind your ears as well as to correct this. It is possible for you to have eyelid surgery at the same time. The whole operation takes about 3 hours to complete and is performed under a general anaesthetic. You will probably stay in hospital for two days afterwards.

After your surgery and beyond…

Recovery from surgery is usually quite quick. We advise taking it easy for the first week after surgery, although most patients feel quite well after a day or two. You may experience a little swelling and bruising to begin with, for up to two or three weeks. By the third week you should be looking and feeling much better. Most patients return to work ten days to two weeks after surgery. Plenty of rest helps to speed up the healing process, as does avoiding strenuous activity for at least two weeks after your mini facelift.  Mini facelift procedures are typically less invasive than a traditional facelif, because of this you can expect a shorter recovery time. For the first night after your operation you’ll wear a firm bulky bandage. You will have to have small non-suction drainage tubes inserted behind your ears. The bandage will be removed the following day along with the drains. Following this, you will need to wear a light, elasticated “chin-up” bandage for one week. You will also need to wear this bandage for a further five weeks in the evening. Stitches from your eyelids will be removed around five days after your operation and the remaining hairline stitches are dissolvable and will disappear after hair washing.