Also called a lunchtime facelift, a weekend facelift, a ponytail facelift, and an S-facelift, the mini facelift goes by many names. But they are all essentially slightly different versions of the same facial rejuvenation procedure. A procedure that can turn back the clock by addressing signs of aging in the face and neck. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about a mini facelift surgery and how it can make you look more youthful.
What does a mini facelift include?
A mini facelift is a modified version of the anti-aging surgery known as a full facelift or traditional facelift. Despite its name, a mini facelift is still an invasive surgical procedure that involves making incisions (cuts) to remove excess skin, pull up loose and sagging skin, and recontour and redistribute facial fat. A facial plastic surgeon may offer a mini facelift to patients who want to achieve facial rejuvenation with a less invasive procedure and shorter incisions than a full facelift.
What are the target areas of this facial plastic surgery?
A mini facelift is a plastic surgery that primarily focuses on lifting and tightening sagging skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles through small incisions in the face and neck. The target areas of a mini facelift are mainly the lower two-thirds of the face, cheeks, jowls, and upper neck. A mini facelift can, however, be combined with a brow lift or eye lift to include the full face and maximize the results. It can also be done in conjunction with a neck lift to lift sagging jowls and correct a double chin. The key concerns that a mini facelift addresses include fine lines and wrinkles, loss of facial volume, skin laxity, and jowls.
Who is a good candidate for a mini facelift?
A mini facelift is ideally suited to younger patients who have just started showing the signs of aging. Someone with loose skin in the lower face, minimal sagging skin of the jawline (jowls), and neck aging is a good candidate for a mini facelift. Again, a mini facelift focuses on the lower half of the face, jawline, and upper neck.
Older patients who want facial rejuvenation without the longer recovery time of a standard facelift can choose a mini facelift as well. It is also an option for those who want further improvement in the lower face after undergoing a standard facelift.
What age should you get a mini facelift?
Most people develop visible signs of aging in their 30s and 40s. These are the age groups when a mini facelift procedure is most beneficial. A facelift mini at this age is ideal because it is not as invasive as a traditional facelift but can still reverse some of the signs of sun damage and aging and give the person a more youthful appearance.
Who should NOT get a mini facelift?
A mini facelift surgery is not right for everyone. Patients with moderate to severe signs of aging such as deep wrinkles and excessive skin laxity require a more aggressive technique such as a standard facelift to get the best results. Also, a patient who is mainly concerned with wrinkles and tear trough formation in the eye area would benefit from other procedures such as a browlift or eyelid surgery.
How to prepare for a mini facelift?
At the time of your consultation for facial plastic surgery, your surgeon will discuss your aesthetic goals with you. They will examine your face and take pictures. You should provide a complete medical and surgical history as well as a full list of medications, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
You may need to stop taking some medicines in the days before and after your plastic surgery as they can increase the risk of bleeding. Your plastic surgeon may also give you some oral medicines and/or topical creams to use before and after the surgery.
To reduce the risk of wound healing complications after the surgical procedure, you will need to stop smoking around the time your surgery is performed, for at least 4-6 weeks. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. Your plastic surgeons office will give you further specific instructions on preparing for your mini facelift.
What happens during a mini facelift?
A mini facelift is an invasive facial plastic surgery. It can be done either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Your surgeon will decide the best option for you. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon will make small incisions to perform the facelift surgery. These incisions do not leave visible scars as they are concealed in the natural skin contours of the hairline and ears. The facial plastic surgeon will manipulate the tissues and muscle, redistribute facial fat, remove excess skin and sagging skin, including loose neck skin, and lift facial tissue and muscle. Once the surgery has been completed, they will close the incisions with sutures (stitches).
What to expect after a mini facelift?
You can go home the same day as your surgery (you will need someone to drive you home). There will be a bandage on your face to keep the swelling and bruising down. There may also be drains (small tubes) in place to draw out excess blood and fluid from the surgical site. If you have stitches that need to come out, you will need to return to the plastic surgery office in 7-10 days to have them removed.
Most patients can move about at home 2 days after facial plastic surgery and return to work and other routine activities in 1-2 weeks.
Even after your stitches come out, there can be some swelling and bruising for a week or two. Your surgeon will advise against certain activities for two weeks, for example, saunas, hot tubs, sex, housework, and strenuous workouts, which can make the post surgical symptoms worse. You will need to be gentle with your face while you heal.
It can take several weeks to feel normal after a facelift mini surgery. After this recovery time, you will not need any further treatment unless there are complications during the surgery or recovery.
How long does a mini facelift last?
The results of a facelift procedure are long-lasting but not permanent. This is because as you grow older, your face continues to age with the development of additional loose and thinning skin, volume loss, etc. The results vary from patient to patient. In most patients, mini facelift results last 5-10 years. With a full facelift, it can be up to 20 years. You can discuss additional treatment options with your plastic surgery provider to maximize the results of your facelift, such as chemical peels, dermal fillers, and other anti-aging cosmetic procedures.
Are there any risks or side effects of a facelift procedure?
The expected side effects after mini facelifts are pain, redness, swelling, and bruising which usually resolve in a few days. Some patients feel a tight sensation due to the newly positioned facial tissues and muscle.
If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, increasing swelling, oozing from the stitches, fever, chills, or loss of sensation, you should call your surgeon right away.
What is the difference between a full and mini facelift?
The incisions made to perform a mini facelift are shorter than the ones made during a traditional facelift surgery. For example, a mini facelift incision does not extend into the upper forehead or temporal area, unlike a deep plane or SMAS facelift. This makes it a significantly less invasive procedure. Also, a mini facelift can be done under local anesthesia, while a full facelift requires general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
A mini facelift is therefore a great option for men and women who are beginning to notice the first signs of aging and want facial rejuvenation without a drastic change in their appearance. A facelift mini is also an option for those who have more extensive aging signs but don't have the time or desire to go through a traditional facelift, which is a bigger surgery. In general, however, patients who have mild to moderate neck skin laxity, loss of volume in the cheeks, jowls, and mild fine lines and wrinkles in the lower face will benefit the most from a mini facelift.
How much does a mini facelift cost?
The cost of a mini facelift ranges from $3,500 to $8,000. It is not necessarily cheaper than a full facelift which averages around $8,000, based on estimates by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Therefore, a patient should not pick a mini facelift solely based on price. It's important to frankly discuss your surgical goals with your surgeon and carefully consider their advice about the best facial plastic surgery for you. Health insurance policies do not cover cosmetic procedures like a facelift which are elective. Your facial plastic surgeon may, however, offer you a deferred payment plan to make the procedure affordable. Also keep in mind that the recovery time after your facial plastic surgery may factor into the cost if you do not have paid time off.
What are some nonsurgical alternatives to a mini facelift?
While a mini facelift is not as invasive as a full facelift, it is still a surgical procedure and carries the risks of surgery such as infection, bleeding, and scarring. If you're not quite ready to go under the knife, there are other treatment options such as botulinum toxin injections (Botox), chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermal fillers, laser skin resurfacing, ultherapy, and more. Talk to your aesthetic provider about these cosmetic procedures that can have a smoothing effect, add volume, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and sun damage, and improve your overall skin tone and texture, helping you look more youthful without surgery.
10 things to know about mini facelifts
1. A mini facelift is a modified traditional facelift that targets loose, sagging, excess skin and fine lines and wrinkles in the lower half of the face, including the cheeks, jowls, upper neck and jawline.
2. While a mini facelift is less invasive than a traditional facelift, it is still a surgery and carries some risks.
3. Side effects like swelling, bruising, and pain are expected after a facelift procedure. More severe side effects are rare but can include infection, bleeding, and scarring.
4. A mini facelift can provide more dramatic and longer-lasting results than many noninvasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures such as fillers and Botox.
5. Only a board certified plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon can perform a mini facelift.
6. You will need to take 1-2 weeks off from work as recovery time after your procedure.
7. The cost of a mini facelift may be less than a standard facelift, but can vary greatly depending on where you live and the skill level of your surgeon.
8. The results of a mini facelift are long-lasting (up to 10 years) but not permanent because your skin and face will continue to age.
9. A mini facelift can be combined with other surgical procedures such as an eyebrow lift or eyelid surgery or a noninvasive or minimally invasive treatment such as a chemical peel or dermal fillers for skin rejuvenation.
10. Patients with more severe signs of aging may not benefit from a mini facelift and may require a standard facelift to get noticeable results.
Finding a surgeon for mini facelift
A board certified cosmetic or plastic surgeon can help you determine if a mini facelift is the right procedure for you based on your aesthetic goals. The MeTime app makes it easy to find experienced surgeons for a mini facelift. You can chat with experts, send photos across, do a video consult, and book an office consultation when you're ready. Download the MeTime app today and take the first step towards a new you!
