Your Guide To The Modern Mini Facelift

Men and women in their 40's and 50's often come to us when they start to notice the skin around their jaw and neck start to loosen. Some have tried fillers and skin tightening lasers with unsatisfying results but don't feel ready for a full facelift. For these patients, a mini-lift can fix these troubled areas without the extensive downtime of a traditional facelift. Keep reading to learn more about this popular procedure.

Are you a candidate for a mini facelift?

Wondering if a mini-lift is the right procedure for you? Here's what a mini-lift can and can't do:

What a mini-lift  can treat:

• Mild neck laxity
• Jowls
• Wrinkles and marionette lines

What a mini-lift  can't treat:

• Heavy jowls
• Sagging neck bands
• Double chin

For visual reference, pictured below are examples of a candidate for a mini facelift and a candidate for a full facelift. Notice how the full facelift lifts the cheeks and lower neck as well.

What are the main differences between a mini facelift and a full facelift?

• Area of Face: The mini-lift targets the jawline and jowls, while the traditional facelift also addresses the mid-face and lower neck.

• Incisions: Since the mini-lift only targets the lower part of the face, it can be achieved with a much smaller incision behind the ear.

• Surgery & Anesthesia: A mini-lift can be performed under local anesthesia and lasts between 1-3 hours. A traditional facelift must be performed under general anesthesia and takes around 4 hours to complete.

• Cost: The shorter duration of surgery combined with the lower cost of local anesthesia makes the mini-lift less expensive than a full facelift.

• Recovery: At-home downtime for a mini-lift is 1 week as opposed to 2 weeks for a traditional facelift.

• Results: A mini facelift can give you the result of looking 5-7 years younger. With a full facelift, you can achieve an appearance 7-10 years younger.
  

How is the procedure performed?

Plastic surgeons have their own definitions of exactly what a mini-facelift is. Here at Visage Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Anand D. Patel uses his deep-plane facelift technique with a smaller incision and limits it to the lower face.

The mini-lift can be done at the same time as a brow lift, eyelid lift or even rhinoplasty to efficiently overlap your recovery time.

What results can I expect?

Aging never truly stops but a mini-lift can turn back the clock 5-7 years. Patients with more extensive signs of aging may be disappointed with the results of a mini facelift and should opt for a traditional facelift instead. Dr. Patel will be able to guide you toward the right procedure for you.

Below are results of a female and male mini-lift. Visit our mini facelift gallery to view more before & after photos.