Face Lift, popularly known as lifting, is a group of cosmetic procedures aimed at improving the signs of aging on the face, such as the sagging seen over time.

“Although today we have many energy machines, injectable fillers, lasers, neuromodulators, biostimulators, etc. for anti-aging treatments, there is a critical point beyond which all these are not enough to achieve a younger and more natural appearance. Then, surgery is the only solution to eliminate the signs of aging, as well as to avoid the unnatural appearance caused by overcorrection due to fillers”, emphasizes Dr. Panagiotis Mandalos MD, PhD Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon Director of Clinical Aesthetics and Metropolitan General of Plastic Surgery and adds: “This procedure may include surgery to correct the eyelids, forehead and eyebrows, mid-face, or lower third of the face and neck.”

How is the operation performed?

“There are many techniques we use and vary, in terms of incisions (full, mini, small scar, ‘S’, MACS, behind the ears, etc.), or involvement of the Superficial Myoaponeurotic System (SMAS), ( full undermining, extended SMAS, SMAS-excision, partial undermining, Deep-plane or Plication).We do not apply the same technique to everyone.We choose the most appropriate technique depending on the individual’s anatomy, the degree of sagging and laxity, age , skin elasticity, skin thickness and preferences.The usual techniques we use in the Face Lift procedure are: MACS-lift and extended-MACS, Dr Ellenbogen, SMAS-excision, and Round Lift technique by Dr Little and Dr Pittanquy”, explains the expert.

“Nowadays” he notes “the tendency is to favor milder (non-aggressive) techniques with low morbidity, after which whoever undergoes them can quickly return to their social and professional daily life. Also, the new trend is to add volume in some way to the face, since with age the volume of facial fat decreases. Fat originates (micro-fat or nano-fat) from the neck or abdomen and is transferred to the suborbital area, cheeks, lips, eyelids, temporal areas, etc. In this way, in addition to adding volume, we have the added benefit of stimulating the anti-aging process with fat transfer stem cells.”

“Lastly, we perform a modified mini-lift version of the MACS-lift (Minimally Invasive Cranial Suspension Lift). This technique is considered a mini-lift (i.e. with a small scar), and its main differences with the more classic lifts are:

• Smaller incision
• Less trauma
• Less chance of complications
• Faster return to work
• More natural effect

It is usually done with local anesthesia (and mild sedation) and allows the same-day discharge from the Clinic”, notes the doctor.

In more detail, the reasons that make the difference in this technique are:

• The incisions are hidden in the temporal area, just after the first hairs, and along the furrows of the ear. With these, no part of the scalp is removed, so the normal hairline is not pulled back. As a result, we have a more natural appearance, which does not “disappear” the normal hairline, like classic facelifts.
• The undermining of the skin flap is much less, compared to a classic facelift.
• The risk of injury to nerve branches is eliminated. In addition, because simple liposuction of the neck is applied instead of fat removal, the possibility of hematoma is avoided.
• Due to minor trauma, the return to work becomes shorter (8-10 days).
• Because with the MACS-lift we do not pull the skin laterally, but vertically straighten the tissues, which have fallen over the years, the result is very natural. In addition, there are no signs of classic lifting (spots), such as: a) alopecia or extended hair on the temples (due to skin tension or direct removal), b) visible auditory canal of the ear, due to displacement of the orbit by horizontal tension (c) parallel wrinkles cheek, like the Nike mark (Nike sweep deformity), d) incisions behind the ear (the most obvious, in a facelift). The MACS lift additionally corrects blemishes from previous facelifts.

What is the process, its duration and the result?

Depending on the case, the operation lasts 2-4 hours, is performed under local anesthesia and “sedation”, unless one prefers general anesthesia (rarely), and is a Day Hospital operation.

The incisions are hidden in the natural lines or wrinkles of the face, the sideburns and the furrows of the ear.

Also, depending on the outcome of the operation, you can return to work in 9-12 days, while the result of the operation will last from 8-15 years.

Advice: “The best/recommended age for this type of face lift is 45-65 years. Safety and the natural effect are always requested.

In connection with the face-lift, we almost always apply fat transfer to particular features of the face in order to benefit from the anti-aging properties of stem cells.

The face-lift can also be combined with forehead lifting and eyelid surgery, as well as neck wrinkle surgery. In addition, it is not prohibited for smokers.

In conclusion, we can apply, to each patient individually, the best technique to achieve the best natural result, depending on their anatomy, age and hereditary factors”, concludes Dr. Mandalos.