a mini
facelift is a modified version of a traditional
facelift. in the “mini” version, a plastic surgeon uses small incisions around your hairline to help lift the lower half of your face to help correct sagging skin.
by focusing on the lower half of the face, the overall goal of this procedure is to help correct sagging skin around the neck and jawline.
safety
while a mini
facelift uses fewer incisions compared to a traditional
facelift, it’s still considered an invasive procedure.
like all types of surgery, mild side effects are to be expected. these include
bruising, pain, and
swelling.
severe side effects are rare but may include excessive bleeding and infections.
convenience
unlike
fillers and other noninvasive
anti-aging treatments, performing a mini
facelift requires medical training. only board certified plastic or dermatological surgeons may perform this procedure.
it’s important to find a certified, experienced provider for your mini
facelift. this will help ensure a smoother recovery process, too.
recovery time takes several weeks. you’ll likely need to take time off from work.
cost
the average cost of a mini
facelift ranges between $3,500 and $8,000. these costs can vary based on location and provider.
additional costs include your hospital stay and anesthesia used. medical insurance doesn’t cover a mini
facelift.
efficacy
overall, a mini
facelift is considered effective in correcting sagging skin in the lower half of your face.
depending on your overall goals, you may consider additional procedures, such as an eye lift or
dermal fillers.
a mini
facelift is a slightly modified version of a traditional
facelift. both are invasive cosmetic procedures that involve the use of incisions to help remove and pull up sagging skin.
you may be a candidate for a mini version if you’re looking to achieve these goals with fewer incisions and you have less excess skin to remove.
despite its name, a mini
facelift is still a major cosmetic procedure. it’s important to weigh all the benefits versus the costs and risks before undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery.
the average cost of a full
facelift is $7,655. a mini
facelift can sometimes cost the same amount, due to the work done or added, with some estimates ranging between $3,500 and
$8,000. thus, you shouldn’t select a mini
facelift just because you think it could be “cheaper” than a full
facelift.
these prices cover the cost of the actual surgery only. you’ll be expected to pay for anesthesia, postoperative prescription medications, and your hospital fees separately. if any complications should arise after your surgery, you’ll need to pay for any related costs as well.
medical insurance doesn’t cover a mini
facelift or any other type of cosmetic surgery. such procedures are considered aesthetic, and not medically necessary.
to help accommodate their patients, many cosmetic surgeons will offer payment plans and discounts to help offset the costs of these procedures.
another consideration is your recovery time, which can take several weeks after your cosmetic procedure. if you currently work, you may need to factor in other aspects such as paid versus unpaid time off during your recovery.
a mini
facelift is an
anti-aging surgery that focuses on sagging skin. cosmetic surgeons address this by “lifting” your skin upwards via small incisions.
they’ll also remove excess skin during the process, which can in turn help tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
sometimes an eye lift or
brow lift is also done in conjunction with a mini
facelift to help maximize your results. this is because
facelifts only target the lower half of your face — mainly your jawline and cheeks.
as an invasive surgery, a mini
facelift requires either general or local anesthesia. once you’re under anesthesia, your surgeon will make small incisions around your ears and hairline.
they’ll manipulate the underlying tissues in your skin by lifting and then pulling them up, while also removing excess tissue.
once the surgery is complete, your surgeon will use sutures to close up all incisions.
unlike a traditional
facelift, a mini
facelift is conducted via smaller incisions. these are usually made along your hairline or above each of your ears. your surgeon then pulls your skin tissues upward through the cheeks to help correct sagging skin.
the smaller incisions used in a mini
facelift can be especially helpful if you’re prone to scarring.
are there any risks or side effects?
the most common side effects are pain,
swelling, and
bruising immediately following your surgery. these symptoms will subside after several days.
when to call the doctor?
you should call your doctor right away if you experience signs of an infection or excessive bleeding. these side effects may include:
● severe pain
● oozing and bleeding from your stitches
● fever and chills
● loss of feeling from nerve damage
after your surgery, you’ll be sent home with dressings over your stitches, as well as possible drains. these stitches will need to stay in for up to 10 days. after this point, you will go to your surgeon for a pre scheduled appointment to have them removed.
you may still experience some
bruising and
swelling after your surgeon takes out your stitches. your doctor may advise against certain activities, such as high intensity workouts, as these can make your symptoms worse.
overall, it takes several weeks to fully recover from a mini
facelift. after this point, you shouldn’t need any follow-up surgeries, unless complications developed during your recovery.
while the results are considered permanent, you can talk to your surgeon about future non invasive
anti-aging options, such as
dermal fillers, which can help maximize your results.
your doctor will provide specific instructions on how to prepare for your mini
facelift. avoid wearing makeup and jewelry to your appointment, as this can slow down the process.
you’ll also need someone to drive you home from the hospital, so plan on making these arrangements ahead of time.
it’s important to disclose all medications, herbs, and supplements you take. your surgeon may also tell you to stop taking certain over-the-counter (otc) medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. these medications can lead to excessive bleeding.
if you smoke or use tobacco, you’ll want to notify your surgeon. they may suggest that you stop smoking or using tobacco for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery.
mini facelift vs. nonsurgical procedures
a mini
facelift doesn’t involve as many incisions as a full
facelift, but it’s still an invasive procedure. like any type of surgery, it can carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and scarring.
depending on your overall goals and health, a nonsurgical procedure might be more appropriate. this is especially the case if you’re more concerned about overall volume and texture compared to sagginess.
some options to consider discussing with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon include:
●
botulinum toxin (
botox) injections if you need more smoothing effects
● laser skin resurfacing for overall skin tone and texture