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Traditional Face Lift, MACS or Short Scar Lift: What's the Difference

asked 2 years ago by Renee B2 in Vancouver, WA.
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 3,191 times
Tags: comparison

23 answers to Traditional Face Lift, MACS or Short Scar Lift: What's the Difference

+1

See a plastic surgeon who is a facelift specialist.

 I agree with Dr. Janjua, that there is only a complete facelift and various names for short cut facelifts that won't deliver the same result. See an experienced facelift surgeon and let him guide you as to the pros and cons of each.
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

+5

It the right surgeon that is important not the particular type of facelift

Dear Renee There are literally a dozen of ways of performing a facelift. Surgeons are in general moving away from the classic big omega type facelift to smaller variant types of facelift. However, the key is that whatever is chosen has to be right for you. If you have neck cord and loose neck skin, this needs to be addressed at the time of your facelift. If you have a heavy face or a thin face, the work that is done under the skin flap needs to addressed accordingly. Studies have shown... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2

Many Techniques

Traditional Facelift: usually refers to an incision that starts in the hairline above the ear, extends around the ear and curves back either into- or along the hairline behind the ear.  The lifting techique varies from "skin only," to various SMAS and deep plane techniques. MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) Lift: as the name implies, MACS uses a short scar incision, purse string sutures in the SMAS to lift and tighten facial structures. Short Scar refers to... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Different facelift techniques

There are many different variations of facelifting techniques. A short scar facelift is a technique that attempts to remove excess skin through a short scar. If there is excess skin and significant aging process, then a full face/neck lift has to be performed. Otherwise, excess pleats of skin will result with a short scar. A MACS facelift is a more vertically oriented facelift, which does not address neck issues. It does not address excess skin in the neck, muscle bands, cords or... more
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+2

It's not the name but what it does that matters

The traditional facelift involves an incision that starts in the hairline above the ear, extends along the front boarder of the ear, around the lobe, behind the ear and into the hairline. There are numerous variations on this but that's the basics. After this the skin and a small amount of fat is lifted across the entire neck and cheeks to the mid-cheek region. After this several things can be done: 1 The next layer of tissue, abbreviated as the SMAS, can be lifted onto itself and... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+2

Understanding terminology is useful in determining what will work for you

Unlike many facial and or plastic surgeons I have performed nearly every type of facelift from subcutaneous to SMAS to "Deep Plane" Composites, MACS, Short Scars and even Lifestyle Lifts . I am a facelift specialist and have performed as many as 300 in a year and 10 in a week. Recently we introduced the first laser assisted facelift the LaserSmartLift which we now perform as our standard procedure. It is a new approach that combines short recovery times with exceptional results... more
Richard Gentile, MD

Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialplastics.org

+2

Traditional, MACS, vs short scar: here are the basics

The other respondants have done a great job discussing the very important aspects of choosing a surgeon, as well as the confusion that exists due to the differing terminology used to describe a myriad of facelift procedures. To simplify, though, here are the basic answers to your question. A traditional facelift (as the term is most commonly used) involves quite a bit of tissue dissection, widespread undermining of the tissues, and a lifting or tightening of the deeper tissues. In general,... more
Patrick Byrne, MD

Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift surgery is an art form

Like almost no other plastic surgery operation, face lift surgery is an art form. The results of no 2 surgeons will be the same even with the same starting point. This is a critical thing for patients to realize! The patient should not be terribly concerned with the "name" of the procedure, ie. MACS lift, deep plane, SMAS lift, short scar technique etc. The technical details are mostly beyond the layman's comprehension and to further confuse you there is a huge amount of overlap... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Customize Facelift procedure to your needs

Traditional Face Lift, MACS or Short Scar Lift: What's the Difference? The mini-lifts may be tough to choose from because of all the brand names such as LifeStyle Lift, S-Lift, Quick Lift, LiteLift, MACS and others. They focus on improvement of the lower face and upper neck (jowls, marionette lines, upper neck loose skin). The tradition facelift/necklift is best if you have a large amount of redundant skin and fat or turkey waddle deformity especially the lower... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Traditional and Mini Facelift Procedures are not different procedures but a part of a continuum

Many patients seeking facial rejuvenation desire natural but noticeable results from a safe, affordable procedure with a reasonable recovery time. The most effective procedure for each patient can vary depending on the skill level of the surgeon and the individual goals, facial structure, lifestyle and overall health of the patient. There is no specific technique or method that separates the Mini Facelift from what is called a traditional facelift. Being more aggressive with mini... more
Boris Volshteyn, MD, MS

Reno Plastic Surgeon
+1

Differances between Traditional, MCAS and short scar facelifts.

There are many "names" given to the the facelift procedure.  Most are done for marketing purposes.  The most important issue for patients to understand is the more extensive the aging of their skin,  the more extensive the surgery must  be to correct those problems.  There is no one procedure which will work on every patient.   It should be decided, in concert with the surgeon, what corrections are being sought and what procedure has the best... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Variations in Facelift Techniques

As other posters have noted, the most important consideration (from a patient perspective) should be the Surgeon doing the procedure, not details of the technique he/she uses.  However, to answer your question, a MACS lift utilizes a smaller incision and a series of purse strung type sutures through the SMAS, without elevating the SMAS.  In the community, I have personally seen great results from this procedure, and very poor results.  It is certainly not agreed upon to be... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+1

Easy facelift ,great natural results, local anesthesia

Like most active face lift surgeons my approach has changed over the years. I originally started out doing extensive flap facelifts with SMAS work and platsyma work. This was somewhat long and involved significant recovery for the patient. I now do a facelift with shorter flaps, SMAS plication only and no platsyma work. The results are 90% as good as what I used to do...The proceedure is done under local anesthesia with perhaps a Valium added by mouth. Recovery is simple, complications are ra more
Richard Galitz, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

More Facelift Techniques than there are Faces to Lift!

While there is clearly science involved in achieving a good facelift result, there is a whole lot of art as well.  Every time one of my colleagues manages to get a good result with a slighlty shorter scar, or performs a facelift in a different plane it tends to get press. The truth is that you need a surgeon who understands your specific needs should tailor an operation for you.  Of course, the trick is the find a surgeon who shares your basic philosophy about how invasive... more
Thomas P. Sterry, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Traditional face lift, MACS or short scar lift

Names, names and more names. I see how patients can get confused what about us doctors. You must apply the correct adaptations to each face individually. The name of the type of facelift only serves to confuse us all. The latest - "Vampire Facelift" What will be next? The tie a knot in the scalp lift LOL 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choose the technique, which addresses your concerns

Historically, facelifts originated by "correcting" an aging face by pulling on the facial skin.  As you may anticipate, these techniques are associated with the "wind tunnel" or French curtain look, as the extent of skin resection, especially in older individuals with sun damaged, thin skin was considerable.  The next technique to be addressed was the SMAS (fat and muscles) and variations included folding, excising and elevating this layer.  Diving... more
Lavinia Chong, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

+1

Facelift techniques

Every patient requires something a bit different. Therefore there are many different types of facelift operations to achieve the desired goals.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

What IS in a name?

What’s in a name? These days it is hard to tell. “Traditional Facelift” usually refers to a SMAS lift, where the support layer of the skin is undermined and elevated to achieve the desired results. However, there are many ways to do a SMAS Lift and some surgeons still do a mostly subcutaneous facelift. Therefore, even for this term, it is hard to know exactly what procedure is being done. The trend recently has been to elevate the tissues more vertically and to reduce the... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Names of procedures should be the result of analysis

Names of procedures should only be used for convenience sake. Any procedure should service the anatomical goals. Thus, what you end up getting should not be pre-determined by a name or preconceived concept of a procedure, but by your individual anatomy and your desires. Start with an anatomical diagnosis of your face. Determine what will make you happy. Then, a specific procedure can be devised to produce, as closely as possible, the results you want. You can then call this procedure by any... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

The MACS-Lift, short scar Face Lift has advantages over traditional Face Lifts.

Dear Renee, I have been performing the European MACS-Lift as described by Tonnard and Verpaele, and this procedure has been warmly embraced by my patients and me. The MACS-Lift is a Face Lift that leaves a small scar in front of the ear and in the temple hairline, and may result in a natural-looking appearance that is never "wind-swept". It's a wonderful operation to rejuvenate the midface, jowls, and neck with minimal inconvenience. The principle behind the MACS-Lift is that the... more
Eric M. Joseph, MD

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Traditional Facelift, MACS lift, Short Scar

Here is what you need to know, there is FACELIFT and then a thousand different names for a minifacelift. A traditional facelift is the gold standard. All others are shortcuts which might work in a select group of patients but cannot deliver the same results as the traditional facelift which includes either SMAS excision, tightening or a deep plane elevation. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

A lot of differences between these facelift techniques

Part of the problem is that similar "words" are used for each of these techniques but the net result can be different depending on what doctor you speak with and their expertise. Then, there is the assessment of what option is best for you, your expectations and budget. Teaching doctors about the above procedures requires hours so don't expect to have a full understanding unless you are going to spend a great deal of time doing your research. Then there is the option of a laser... more
Michael Kulick, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

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