Board-Certified Expertise Backed by Craniofacial Training and International Recognition
Advanced Facial Rejuvenation by Dr. Gregory Mackay
When considering a deep plane facelift, the most important factor is not the technique alone, but the surgeon’s depth of training, anatomical understanding, and real-world experience performing advanced facial surgery and facial rejuvenation. At Silk Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gregory Mackay brings a level of specialization that extends well beyond standard cosmetic training.
Craniofacial Training at the Highest Level
Dr. Mackay completed his plastic surgery training at Emory University, where his mentors included the President of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the former President of the American Society of Aesthetic Surgeons. He then pursued advanced craniofacial surgery training at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Human Appearance, where his mentor held the position of President of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons.
His path to the deep plane technique was deliberate. In 2017, he attended a surgical conference in Chicago where Dr. Andrew Jacono of New York City presented his deep plane facelift approach. Impressed by what he saw, Dr. Mackay traveled to New York in 2019 to observe Dr. Jacono directly in the operating room, learning his specific techniques firsthand. He has since pursued additional advanced training with Dr. Ben Talei in Los Angeles, one of the most respected voices in deep plane and composite facelift surgery. That commitment to ongoing learning is not a footnote in Dr. Mackay’s career. It is a defining characteristic of it.
This level of training matters for deep plane facelifts specifically. Working in the deeper structural layers of the face means working in close proximity to critical facial nerves and tissues. Craniofacial training develops a precise, thorough understanding of that anatomy, the kind that takes years to build and cannot be shortcut.
Director of Aesthetic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic
Before joining Silk Plastic Surgery, Dr. Mackay served as Director of Aesthetic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, one of the most respected medical institutions in the world. That role reflects not just clinical skill but the trust of an institution that holds its physicians to extraordinarily high standards.
Award-Winning Published Research
Dr. Mackay co-authored the first published paper on endoscopic brow lifts alongside Dr. Foad Nahai, a landmark contribution to the field of facial surgery. That paper received the Best Paper Award from the Southeastern Society of Plastic Surgery, recognition from peers who understand the work at the highest level.
International Recognition as a Teacher and Speaker
Dr. Mackay has been invited to teach and lecture by the Indian Association of Aesthetic Surgeons, with presentations in both New Delhi and Agra, and by the Brazilian Association of Aesthetic Surgeons, where he lectured in São Paulo. He has taught a fellowship course in facial cosmetic surgery for five consecutive years, and in 2025, he participated as a faculty member in a Master’s in Surgery deep plane facelift teaching course in South Florida.
Most recently, he joined the Sciton laser teaching faculty, completing advanced preceptorships in Dallas, Boca Raton, and Nashville in 2026. He brings that same laser expertise into his facelift practice, as laser resurfacing and fat grafting techniques are, in his view, essential complements to deep plane surgery for achieving truly natural facial rejuvenation.
Surgeons who teach other surgeons are held to a different standard. Their techniques are scrutinized, questioned, and evaluated by peers. Dr. Mackay has sought out that level of accountability throughout his career.
After an extensive amount of research, I chose Dr. Mackay to perform my facelift. Following my first consultation, I was completely confident I had chosen the right doctor. He is extremely respected in his field, passionate about his profession, and a perfectionist. He and his whole staff are so kind, and it is extremely obvious they all enjoy their work, and ensuring their patients are well looked after. I truly cannot say enough to relay what a positive experience I had with Dr. Mackay and his team, and I am just two weeks post surgery. I am SO happy with the results…
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical approach that addresses facial aging at its structural root rather than its surface. The procedure releases the key ligaments that anchor the face’s deeper tissue layers, repositions the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System), and restores volume and position to the midface in a way that skin-only or more superficial techniques cannot achieve.
Dr. Mackay describes facial aging not simply as skin drooping, but as the face lengthening and deflating inward. Gravity affects the underlying structures. Volume is lost from the cheeks, lips, and temples. The ear lobe lengthens by as much as 30 percent. The upper lip lengthens, causing loss of the cupid’s bow. These are subtle changes individually, but together they define what we recognize as an aging face.
A deep plane facelift addresses those structural changes directly. When combined with carefully placed fat grafting to restore lost volume and with newer laser resurfacing techniques to improve skin quality, the results are both comprehensive and natural. The goal is never to produce a pulled or windswept look. It is to restore the face that was there before aging changed it.
What Deep Plane Facelift Can Address
Sagging in the midface and cheeks Pronounced nasolabial folds Jowling along the jawline Loose or lax skin along the neck Loss of facial volume in the temples, lips, and under the eyes An overall tired or aged appearance that fillers and non-surgical treatments are no longer able to fully correct
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Deep plane facelift tends to be the right conversation for patients who are experiencing moderate to significant facial aging and are looking for results that are durable and natural rather than temporary or overdone. Candidates are generally in good overall health, non-smokers or willing to stop smoking well in advance of surgery, and have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot achieve.
Because Dr. Mackay’s approach to a 40-year-old patient looks quite different from his approach to a 75-year-old patient, there is no single template for who this procedure is right for. That determination is made together, in a consultation, based on your specific anatomy, your goals, and an open conversation about what is achievable.
Why Choose Deep Plane Over Traditional Methods
The superiority of deep plane facelift over conventional techniques stems from its ability to address fundamental anatomical changes rather than surface-level concerns:
- Natural-looking results that never appear “pulled” or artificial
- Comprehensive rejuvenation of midface, jawline, and neck in one procedure
- Results typically lasting 12-15 years due to deeper structural repositioning
- Enhanced healing with improved blood supply to tissues
- Significantly reduced risk of requiring revision surgery
- Superior improvement in cheek projection and nasolabial fold reduction
What to Expect
Consultation
Dr. Mackay spends significant time during consultations understanding not just what you want to change, but what you want to preserve. His goal is always a result that looks like you at your best, not like someone who has had surgery.
The Procedure
Deep plane facelift is performed under general anesthesia, typically requiring four to six hours. Incisions are placed carefully within natural creases around the ears and along the hairline to minimize visible scarring. The procedure is performed at surgical centers affiliated with Northside Hospital.
When appropriate, fat grafting is incorporated to restore volume to areas that have deflated over time, such as the temples, under the eyes, the cheeks, and the lips. This combination of structural repositioning and volume restoration is central to Dr. Mackay’s philosophy of full facial rejuvenation.
Recovery
Most patients plan for one to two weeks before returning to work and light social activities. Swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first several days and gradually resolve over the following weeks. Final results continue to refine over three to six months as the tissues settle.
Because the deep plane technique works at a structural level rather than simply tightening the skin, results tend to be significantly more durable than those from more superficial approaches, with most patients enjoying their outcome for ten or more years.
Maintaining Your Deep Plane Facelift Results
While your deep plane facelift provides comprehensive, long-lasting rejuvenation, strategic maintenance can help preserve your results. Our team develops personalized long-term care plans that may include:
- Neuromodulators: Botox, Dysport, or Daxxify to prevent dynamic wrinkles
- Dermal Fillers: Restore volume as natural aging continues
- Laser Treatments: Address sun damage and maintain skin quality
- Medical-Grade Skincare: Consistent regimens with retinoids and sun protection
Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Plane Facelift
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Ideal candidates are generally healthy individuals in their 40s-70s experiencing significant sagging in the cheeks, jawline, or neck. Non-smokers typically heal best, though previous facial treatments don’t disqualify you from surgery.
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Deep plane technique repositions deeper facial structures and fat pads, creating more natural and longer-lasting results compared to traditional methods that primarily tighten skin.
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Most patients return to work within 2-3 weeks, with swelling and bruising resolving over the first month. Final results are visible after 3-6 months once all healing is complete.
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Yes, it’s commonly combined with neck lift, eyelid surgery, or brow lift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation tailored to your specific aging concerns.
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Results typically last 12-15 years due to the comprehensive repositioning of deeper facial structures, making it one of the most durable facial rejuvenation options available.
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The deep plane technique specifically avoids the “pulled” appearance of older methods by working with deeper tissues, resulting in natural-looking rejuvenation that maintains your facial character.
Why Choose Silk Plastic Surgery for Deep Plane Facelift in Atlanta
Our practice combines exceptional surgical training with artistic vision to deliver results that exceed expectations. Memebers of our surgical team possess dual certifications from both the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery, representing the pinnacle of plastic surgery credentials.
Having served as directors of aesthetic fellowship programs and craniofacial surgery departments at renowned medical centers, our team brings unparalleled expertise to this advanced procedure. We prioritize facial harmony and natural beauty, never artificial or overdone results.
From consultation through recovery, your experience is guided by attention to detail, surgical excellence, and a commitment to helping you achieve your most confident self through the most advanced facelift technique available.
About Silk Plastic Surgery
At Silk Plastic Surgery, we blend advanced surgical expertise with a personalized, compassionate approach to help you look and feel your best. Our team includes double board-certified surgeons, who trained at prestigious institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and Emory University. We are dedicated to achieving natural, refined results that enhance your unique beauty. Every detail of your experience is designed to make you feel comfortable, confident, and fully supported from consultation to recovery.
We specialize in a comprehensive range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for the face, breast, and body, offering both transformative enhancements and delicate restorative care. Whether you’re seeking subtle refinement or a significant change, our commitment to safety, precision, and artistry ensures beautiful, lasting results. At Silk Plastic Surgery, your goals inspire our work, and your confidence is our greatest success.
Discover the Deep Plane Difference in Atlanta
Ready to experience the most advanced facelift technique available? Contact Silk Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation with our fellowship-trained surgeons and discover how deep plane facelift surgery can help you achieve natural, lasting facial rejuvenation that reflects how vibrant you feel inside.