Face lift
Why choose a face lift?
As we age, the structural support of the face gradually weakens and begins to descend under the influence of gravity. This becomes visible in the form of so-called jowling, the familiar “hamster cheeks” that blur the once well-defined jawline. Often, these changes are first noticed when bending the neck forward, such as during eating. A photo taken at the dinner table can sometimes be unexpectedly confronting. The corners of the mouth may also begin to droop, contributing to a tired, sad, or even angry appearance.
At the same time, the skin under the chin often begins to sag as well, softening the angle between the jaw and the neck and leading to the formation of skin folds.
Although the cosmetic industry frequently claims that injectables or “energy devices” can correct these issues, the reality is that a visibly sagging jawline and neck can only be effectively and safely addressed with a surgical facelift, such as the MACS-lift.
What is a MACS-lift?
Unlike traditional facelifts, which typically involve pulling the skin diagonally backward to tighten the face, the MACS-lift focuses on repositioning the facial structures that have descended due to gravity by lifting them vertically. This upward approach restores the original facial contours in a natural way, without creating the unnatural tightness often associated with backward skin traction.
One of the key advantages of this vertical technique is that, in cases of mild skin laxity, the procedure can be performed through a short incision that does not extend behind the ear. This makes the surgery less invasive and allows for a quicker recovery.
The MACS-lift also differs from most other facelift techniques in that it avoids operating in the deeper layers of the face where the facial nerves and muscles responsible for expression are located (as is the case in the so-called deep planefacelift). Deep plane facelifts carry a higher risk of injury to these delicate structures. Although this method is often praised in the media, multiple comparative studies have shown that it offers no advantage over the MACS-lift — neither in short-term nor long-term results.
The MACS-lift was developed in the early 2000s by Dr. Tonnard and Dr. Verpaele, and is now used by plastic surgeons around the world who aim to achieve natural and safe facial rejuvenation.
