Combine or Separate MACS Facelift and Fraxel Repair Procedures?

In approximately 25% of my MACS lift patients, I perform a concomitant Fraxel repair treatment. The two procedures complement each other as the MACS lift changes facial volume and shape but does nothing to improve inherent skin quality, while the repair only improves skin and does little to lift or truly tighten. The surgeon's experience is paramount, though, as the repair laser settings need to be changed over the lifted skin flap to ensure proper healing postoperatively. When done... more

Combating facial aging is about treating any and all areas that age. The MACS lift is one type of Facelift that treats sagging facial tissue, muscles and jowls. Fraxel treats aging skin. If you have both conditions, it can save you two healing periods by having them together. Deeper ablative laser treatments such as CO2 or deep chemical peels need to be performed more cautiously or even better a few months after any type of Facelift.

The MASC lift is a currently popular mini facelift that uses a vertical vector on the skin. In all other facelift procedures, pulling vertically on the skin is an absolute way of looking operated on. Mini lifts usually don't last very long either. Make sure this is what you really want to do.

It would be better to separate the procedures and not perform them at the same time. It is not a good idea to undermine the soft tissues of the skin (as done during a facelift) and burn the outside portion of the skin with Fraxel repair simultaneously. Recovery time in-between the procedure should be approximately one month.

Fraxel Repair can be combined with a facelift procedure but the surgeon needs to be careful when laser is used over skin which as been lifted or undermined. On areas which have not been undermined such as around the mouth, eyes, and forehead, the laser can be used more aggressively. If laser is used with a facelift, the fractionated lasers are much safer than fully ablative devices such as an Erbium or CO2 laser because some of the skin is left in tact to help with healing.... more

Hi Lin - Combining the two procedures should be okay if your skin is not too thin. It's difficult to gauge this without actually seeing you, but the Fraxel laser isn't as powerful as a CO2 laser and you should be okay. However, if you decide to have a full facelift with the laser, consider separating the two procedures as a significant amount of skin is lifted off the face and lasering this skin may result in complications. Talk with some patients of your plastic surgeon who have had... more

The MACS-Lift short scar facelift has been embraced by my patients and me since your results are natural, and there is minimal downtime. I don't offer Fraxel treatments, but this fractionated laser treatment may be carefully combined with most facelift surgeries. I prefer to use Injectable Fillers for wrinkles, and rely on the MACS-Lift to reposition your skin and underlying soft tissue. I hope this is helpful for you.

 If you have wrinkles you need a CO2 laser which is not done at the same time as a facelift. If you have neck aging, you will be disappointed in the results of a minilift. See another surgeon who is experienced for a second opinion.

Yes the two procedures may be performed at the same time in the average patient. In patients that have compromised healing issues such as smokers or severe diabetics, I recommend that they are done in separate sessions. All facelifts affect the blood supply to the skin. Simultaneous Fraxel will increase the metabolic demand of the skin and may cause the skin flap to necrose.

The MACS mini-face lift is a great procedure in trained hands and on appropriate candidates. I have found it to produce natural and lasting results. It should be fine to combine a fraxel treatment at the same time as long as a conservative approach is taken. Ask your surgeon about his experience in doing such.