Mini Facelifts: Are You a Candidate?

 Mini Facelifts: Are You a Candidate?

The search for eternal youth spawns centuries with infinite products, routines, and diets promising to erase the effects of aging. But recently, it seems that we’ve come close to finding the mythical fountain of youth, with more people noting that humans in the past looked much older than their modern counterparts of the same chronological age. We have many factors to thank, such as medical advancements adding years to the average lifespan, societal changes improving the quality of life, and evolutions in anti-aging treatments (we’ve come a long way from the Elizabethan era, where women would put raw meat on their faces to avoid wrinkles). As we continue to push down physical evidence of a biological clock, the need for a complete facelift isn’t as necessary as it was in the past. Gone are the days of drastic pulling and tightening; now, a less invasive option known as a mini facelift can restore a youthful appearance without intense surgery. Barrett Plastic Surgery performs meticulous Los Angeles mini facelifts with less discomfort and downtime than traditional ones. Here’s how to determine if you might be a good candidate. 

What is a mini facelift? How is it different from a traditional facelift?

A mini facelift is a modification of a traditional facelift that specifically targets the lower part of the face, neck, and jawline. The procedure eliminates sagging, loose skin, and deep creases in the midface. It’s still a surgical procedure, but the surgeon makes relatively minor changes, mildly tightening and lifting the face, instead of total reconstruction. Traditional facelifts are more comprehensive and may address the jowls, but both are anti-aging surgical procedures that remove excess skin, smooth wrinkles, and restore elasticity. Mini facelifts are a step further than filler and Botox but less invasive than a traditional facelift, concentrating only on the lower third of the face and requiring smaller incisions. 

Who is a good candidate for a mini facelift? Is there an age requirement?

Good candidates for a mini facelift have mild to moderate skin sagging and wrinkles. Patients seeking a lower-risk procedure with shorter downtime than a traditional facelift may find mini facelifts a better fit. Patients experiencing facial skin drooping after weight loss are also great candidates for a mini facelift. Since we’re in the age of preventative injections like Botox delaying aging, patients often wait until they are in their 40s or 50s to consider the procedure. However, as long as there is significant enough sagging, there is no age requirement. The procedure is ideal for patients who have just begun to notice decreased skin laxity. Candidates should be in relatively good health with realistic expectations about results. Before the procedure, patients should quit smoking and find child/pet care. Each surgery is tailored to the patient's desired results; for those looking to address the upper portion of the face, mini facelifts can be combined with brow lifts, eyelid surgery, or neck lifts to make a completely customizable procedure. During the initial consultation, the surgeon provides a comprehensive exam to discuss the patient’s goals and understand whether this procedure is suitable.

How is a mini facelift performed? Is it an invasive surgery?

To perform a mini facelift, the surgeon will make small incisions in the hairline, around the upper portion of the ear, or encircling the earlobe. Then, the underlying muscle and tissue are repositioned through the opening to remove excess loose skin. The surgeons at Barrett Plastic Surgery use a unique layered suturing technique to minimize tension during the process and ensure minimal scarring. The procedure takes around five hours under local or twilight anesthesia. Technically, mini facelifts are considered invasive surgery, but they are significantly less invasive than traditional facelifts, have minimal scarring, and can be performed as an outpatient procedure. 

What can I expect during recovery?

The recovery following a mini facelift usually lasts six weeks, with four days of full downtime. Patients must find child/pet care for the four days of downtime. Some facial swelling, numbness, and tightness are typical for the first week, and stitches should remain in place for up to 10 days. The surgeon provides detailed postoperative instructions and closely monitors the healing and recovery in the weeks and months following surgery. Patients should avoid high-intensity activity, which can worsen symptoms. The results of a mini facelift can last for several years but cannot prevent the natural aging process; some people get a second procedure after 10-15 years. 

Are there any risks?

While mini facelifts are the less invasive option, there are risks to any surgery. Like all surgeries, there is the risk of blood clots, infection, and scarring. Finding a qualified, board-certified surgeon with a reputation for successful procedures significantly reduces the risk of complications. Other risks that need medical attention include:

• Numbness
• Unexpected swelling
• Oozing and bleeding from stitches
• Nerve damage

Are there noninvasive options?

For those who want to hold off on or avoid going under the knife altogether, there are many noninvasive options to reverse signs of aging. Dermal fillers or collagen induction therapy are excellent choices that don’t require surgery. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to add or restore volume, smooth lines, soften creases, and enhance face and body features and contours. Barrett Plastic Surgery offers collagen induction therapy treatments, which use tiny needles to create small punctures in the skin. This process triggers the body’s natural healing response and stimulates collagen production to improve overall skin tone, texture, and radiance. 

What are the next steps?

If you’re interested in a mini facelift, Barrett Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills offers consultations for more information. To learn more about Barrett Plastic Surgery, subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media at TikTok, Instagram, Realself, and YouTube for updates. Are you interested in getting a mini facelift? Call us at (310) 398-2648 or fill out this virtual consultation form, and we will contact you as soon as possible. We’re excited for you to take this next step!  

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