Face — Treatment
A facelift,
before one is needed.
There is no truly scarless facelift. We use the name because patients search for it, but we call this procedure honestly: a short-scar facelift. It is the operation for the patient who isn't yet ready for a deep plane facelift, but is past the point where Botox and filler are enough.
What it is & what it isn't
A short-scar facelift (also known as a MACS lift or S-lift) tightens the lower face and jawline through an incision limited to in front of the ear — no behind-the-ear extension. The SMAS layer is tightened with sutures, the skin is redraped without tension. The neck is not fully addressed by this technique.
What it isn't
Not scarless — there is no truly scarless facelift. Less scar, not no scar. Not a substitute for a deep plane facelift when the descent is significant. Not appropriate for the patient with substantial neck laxity or jowls — those need the longer incision to do honest work. We will tell you when this technique is the right one and when it isn't.
The practical detail
What you are actually committing to.
- Procedure time
- Typically 2–3 hours
- Anaesthesia
- Sedation or general
- Stay in Antalya
- Typically 5–7 days
- Flying home
- Typically 7–10 days
- Light exercise
- Typically 2 weeks
- Full exercise
- Typically 4–6 weeks
- Final result
- Typically 2–4 months
- Scarring
- Front of the ear only — no extension behind
- Permanence
- Typically 5–10 years; aging continues from there
These figures are typical ranges, for planning your trip. Your own treatment and recovery timeline is assessed and decided by Dr. Meral — at consultation, and again as your healing progresses.
How it unfolds
The consultation
Whether this technique is enough for your descent. If the answer is honestly not yet, we tell you to wait. If the answer is almost too much, we recommend the deep plane facelift instead. This procedure has a narrow indication, and we respect it.
The plan
Markings done standing. The S-shaped incision is drawn at the temple, curving in front of the ear, ending at the earlobe — no behind-the-ear component.
The surgery
Incision in the chosen line. The SMAS layer is tightened with internal sutures in a vertical vector. The skin is redraped without pulling — the lift is in the deep tissue, not the surface.
The first night
Light compression around the lower face. Most patients are surprised by how little discomfort they have.
Recovery
Easier and faster than a full facelift. Bruising peaks at day three, mostly resolved by day ten. Back in social view at 10–14 days. The result emerges over two to four months as the deep-tissue lift settles. Expect to look not quite finished for the first month, quietly different by month three.
A typical course, not a promise — healing differs from person to person. Dr. Meral reviews you at each follow-up and decides when each step is right for you.
This may be for you if
- You're in your late thirties to early fifties
- You have early-stage descent in the lower face only — no significant neck laxity, no heavy jowls
- Your skin elasticity is still reasonable
- You want the smallest version of this surgery that does the work for your stage
This is not for you if
- Your descent is significant — you need the longer incision and the SMAS work that comes with a deep plane facelift
- You have meaningful neck laxity or visible platysmal banding — this procedure does not reach the neck
- You're chasing a marketing word ('scarless'), not a surgical reality
- You smoke and aren't willing to stop for six weeks — short-scar facelift skin flaps heal under the same tension as longer ones
Begin
A conversation,
not a quote.
- +90 532 508 39 50
- info@mertmeral.com
- Hours
- Monday — Saturday · 09:00 — 19:00 (UTC+3)