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Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center

Mini Facelift
Surgery

Loudoun – Fairfax – Northern Virginia

Everything You Need to Know About The Mini Facelift Surgery: The Ultimate Guide

From one of Northern Virginia's Premier Plastic Surgeons For Helping You Look Younger
Proudly serving Loudoun County, Reston, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Purcellville, and other ares.

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Best of Loudoun 2019
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Facelift surgery is perhaps, along with breast augmentation surgery,  one of the two signature procedures in plastic surgery.  In 2016, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 125,000 patients had facelift surgery.  Facelift surgery is as much an art as much as it is a technical procedure.  For that reason, you need to be find a surgeon that you feel has an artistic eye as  well as who stays on top of all of they many technical advances face rejuvenation and cosmetic surgery.

Evolution of My Facelift Technique

My approach to facial rejuvenation has evolved significantly since my plastic residency and fellowships in plastic surgery almost 20 years ago.  At that time Botox was not available for cosmetic purposes and collagen which lasted only 3 months was the only facial filler.  Because of the goal at that time was to produce comprehensive full face procedures that could potentially last longer, facelift techniques became increasingly complicated and invasive.  And as a consequence, recovery times were often over 3 months and with increasing numbers of complications.  It was in this environment, that I was trained to perform a facelift procedure. We’ve come so far today. Procedures now are less invasive, more effective, and with less downtime. 

In The Beginning

My approach to facial aging and how I developed my facelift technique evolved from 3 early experiences I had when I was just starting my private plastic surgery practice in Northern Virginia.  

The first experience was a live surgery seminar that I went to as soon as I graduated. It was being presented by one of the most famous plastic surgeons at the time. I had followed his work through journals and conferences for a few years and was anxious to learn his technique in person. He believed in adding volume to the face by elevating the tissue off of the bone and then folding the tissue from its underside. I had already been thinking about how volume was necessary to a youthful face. To make a long story short, I will never and have never performed his procedure. For the first time, I was able to see the staff of a famous plastic surgeon. They all looked distorted and hardly youthful. The live surgery was a mess. It was very long and there was unnecessary bleeding. I knew there had to be a better way…. 

Discovering That Less is More: The S-Lift Mini Facelift Technique

The next step in my evolution came from a local Washington D.C. plastic surgeon by the name of Steven Hoppings.  I credit him for introducing me to what would be referred to as the S-lift.  This procedure was formally introduced by a surgeon named Salyer.  This technique included a short scar technique that was shaped like an -S- extending from the temple, along the front of the ear, to just behind the earlobe.  While it didn’t add volume to a person’s face, it provided lasting elevation with almost no recovery time off of work.  That is when I realized that less could be more, and natural is even better.

Wilton before mini Face lift

Before Mini Face lift photos in New Beauty Magazine

Wilton After Mini Facelift

After Mini Face lift photos in New Beauty Magazine

Facial Volume = Youth: The Importance of Adding Facial Volume

The third and final step in my evolution came from a seminar that I attended the same year.  A plastic surgeon by the name of Sidney Coleman was popularizing a procedure he referred to as lipostructure fat grafting.  The procedure involved taking fat by liposuction and moving it to the face.  In many and maybe even most instances, he didn’t even perform a facelift procedure as the volume was often enough to gather up any extra skin.  I jumped all over this procedure.  In my early years, most of my facelift procedures were either a version of the S Lift procedure or a lipostructure fat transfer procedure…. and sometimes both together. 

The Mini Facelift and the Two Stitch Facelift can be performed in the office without General Anesthesia

My surgical facelift technique has not evolved much since then except for some minor tweaks that have allowed me to improve my scar and increase the speed and efficiency of the procedures.  One of these tweaks was adapting my facial trauma and reconstructive experience.  For these patients in the emergency room, I would often have to inject numbing solution and provide nerve block to suture and reconstruct dog bites, car accidents, and other traumatic injuries that did not necessarily have to go to the operating room.  Because of these numbing techniques, many of my facelift patients will have their procedures performed in the office with only oral sedation and numbing agents. 

My Approach to Anti-Aging

These experiences have culminated in the technique that I use today.  The following steps define how I approach aging faces and mentally decide how I could make you look more youthful.  It is very important to understand that my mental approach is very different than what we decide would be your best treatment options.  This is because the consultation should always start with YOU and what you want; there is no point in suggesting you benefit from a facelift or other surgical option when you are searching for ONLY non-surgical options.  

When you come in for your consultation, we start with how you think you are aging and what you might want me to do about it.  Many patients might then turn this around and ask for a a menu of what I think.  In the end, it is a compromise between what you want and what I think I can provide.  This is how you end up with natural results.

Discovering that less is more: The S-Lift Mini Face Lift Technique

1.  Volume Restoration
Volume loss is the significant change with age.  And replacing volume early with facial fillers like Juvederm or Voluma particularly below the eyes, in the temples, and around the mouth will slow down aging in young patients.  Older patients might benefit more both functionally and financially with a fat transfer as it requires transferring your own fat, which has no overhead.  A nonsurgical or liquid facelift refers to a procedure that uses more than 4 syringes of facial fillers to elevate the tissue.

2.  Botox for Dynamic Facial Lines
Botox is a nice addition to the dynamic wrinkles of the forehead including the horizontal forehead lines, the vertical angry “11s” between the eyebrows, and the crows feet lines

3.  Skin Tightening 
A Mini facelift, facelift, or other skin tightening is only needed if volume replacement is not enough to elevate the tissue.  I will review my exact technique below.  This procedure is the most common procedure that I perform.  It allows for the elevation of the lower face, jowls, and some of the upper neck.  If there is a lot of droopy skin or muscle looseness in the neck, then a neck lift will also be required.  Patients who only have a mini facelift and facial fillers can often return to work in less than a week.  The addition of eyelid surgery, forehead, or neck lift surgery will require 1-2 weeks of immediate recovery.

4.  Laser skin care 
Laser skin using our Sciton Laser Platform is strongly suggested to clean up the skin.

How is a Mini Face Lift Performed?

How is a Mini Face Lift Performed?

Where does the skin go in the procedure?

Your Facelift can be performed in either the Loudoun Ambulatory Surgery Center using general or IV sedation anesthesia or in our office under oral sedation. Most patients are more suited to the surgery center.

  • The green lines on the above show the mini-facelift incisions
  • The pink area represents the area where skin is lifted
  • The arrows show the direction of the pull of the skin
  • The suture marking show how the SMAS muscle layer is liftend 
  • Blue lines represent forehead and necklift incisions

What can you expect during your mini-facelift procedure?

  • Step 1: Patient is given an oral sedative if the procedure is in the office
  • Step 2: A long-acting anesthetic numbing medication called Marcaine is injected.
  • Step 3: Facelift is performed first
  • Step 4: The neck lift is performed next if needed
  • Step 5: Eyelid surgery is performed if needed
  • Step 6: Forehead or Temple Lift is performed next if needed
  • Step 6: Fillers, Botox, or Fat Transfer are performed now if needed
  • Step 7: Skin Care lasers are performed now ( last ) if needed
  • Step 8: A large bulking neck compression dressing is placed to keep the tissue elevated and decrease bruising IF there is neck liposuction or a neck lift.

This video shows a live surgery describing my technique in performing a mini-facelift procedure.  The video is graphic so do not watch if you are squeamish.  The procedure was performed under oral sedation and local anesthesia.  Patients that are interested in general anesthesia will have their procedure performed at the INOVA Loudoun Ambulatory Surgery Center in Northern Virginia.  Notice the meticulous technique including:

  • Shorter scars than most surgeons
  • Patient is comfortable
  • Notice how elevating the underlying muscle lifts the cheek and neck independant of the skin
  • Notice the lack of bruising and swelling
  • Notice the lack of significant bruising
  • Meticulous closure for the best scar 

WARNING: Graphic Images
Click the video link below to view a Live Surgery Video showing how the procedure is performed.  The video is a live surgery and is therefore graphic.  

Before face lift

Before Mini Face Lift Photos

After face lift

After Mini Face Lift Photos

47 year old female who came in for facial rejuvenation. Her main concerns were her lower facial jowling and fat in her neck. She was also concerned about the aging of her eyelids. She had a mini face lift, two stitch facelift, neck liposuction, upper and lower eyelid surgery.  Although she appears to have had a neck lift, she only had liposuction in her neck.  The surgical pull of the mini facelift was able to elevate the neck skin and jowls sufficiently.  This is not true of everyone. You can see from her preoperative picture that she had a lot of fat and some extra skin in her upper eyelids making them look heavy and aged. This was also true of her her lower eyelids. You can see from the after images that eye eyes look more refreshed and open.  The procedure was performed in our Leesburg, Virginia office under oral sedation.

before Facelift

Before Mini Face Lift Photos

After Facelift
After Mini Face Lift Photos

59 year old 3 months after a Mini Facelift, Fat Transfer, Upper Eyelid, and Lower Eyelid Surgery. Notice the improvement in her facial volume especially around the cheek and how it sweeps into the forehead. Notice the improved jawline and neck. Finally, notice that her eyes are more open and awake. Lips look good too… and age appropriate. The procedure was performed in our Leesburg, Virginia office under oral sedation.

before mini face lift

Before Mini Facelift

after Mini Face lift

After Mini Facelift

65 year old woman from Leesburg, Virginia.  Aging has resulted in a longer face with jowling.  But amazingly, she had very little sagging in her neck.  She had some skin excess in both her upper and lower eyelids, but she felt comfortable not treating her eyelids.  The only procedure performed was a mini facelift and skin care laser resurfacing for age and sun spots.  

Wilton before mini Face lift

Before Mini Facelift

Wilton After Mini Facelift

After Mini Facelift

40 year old 3 months after a mini-facelift and juvederm filler placed in the under-eye area and lips. Goals of the procedure were to lift up the lower face, improve the jawline, and provide some minimum improvement in the upper neck. Volume was added by injected juvederm into the under-eye area to improve the appearance of the lower eyelid and cheek areas as well as the upper and lower lips.

Dr. Chang is a nationally recognized as one of the Best Plastic Surgeons

  • Voted Top Doctor and Best Plastic Surgeon in Northern Virginia
  • Lectures on Facial Aging and Mini Facelift Techniques
  • Published and contributor to New Beauty Magazine
  • Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons
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FAQs ABOUT FACELIFT SURGERY

Learn More about Face Surgery in Northern Virginia

There is not necessarily a “right” time to get a facelift surgery.  Just like the concept of beauty is subjective, the concept of facial aging can also be subjective.  Facial aging begins with a loss of collagen and volume loss before the skin begins to sag.  Therefore, nonsurgical options that add facial volume is usually a first step in treating facial aging.  This is mostly true if you are in your thirties and early forties.  As you get older, volume loss is more dramatic, collagen begins to stretch.  The strategy at this time is to optimize facial volume and lifting the extra sagging tissue.  The average age for a mini facelift is about 40 years old.

Facelift techniques continue to evolve.  The marketing of plastic surgery has unfortunately led to an explosion of confusing vanity names such as the lifestyle lift, the miami facelift, or a dozen other names.  At the end of the day, there are really only a few types. The choice of facelift technique depends on a number of factors including your skin quality, facial shape, age, and goals.

  • Skin only facelifts
  • SMAS elevation facelifts
  • Deep plane facelift and 
  • Subperiosteal facelifts

There is not necessarily a single best technique.  My technique is more of a strategic approach.  My goals are to produce a natural result that reproduces the components of aging in the safest way possible.  I do this by first replacing volume with either fat or cosmetic fillers, then I lift and reposition the deep support tissues ( SMAS) along with redraping of the skin to achieve long lasting results.  This is followed by rejuvenating the skin with lasers and treating the facial muscles with Botox.

Facelift surgery is a technically demanding procedure that requires the highest level of surgical skill. It is imperative that the surgeon be highly skilled and experienced. It is also important to note that no single technique is appropriate or “best” for all patients and that facelift surgery should be individualized for each patient depending on their goals and facial characteristics.

The mini facelift is performed and reposition the deep support tissues ( SMAS) along with redraping of the skin to achieve long lasting results.   The goal of the procedure is to lift the jowls upwards thereby restoring volume to the cheeks while improving the jaw line.  You can generally also expect a modest improvement in the neck.  If you want more significant improvements in the neck, a neck lift will have to be added to the procedure.  This would be called a face and neck lift.

The goal of the facelift is to redrape the skin and SMAS.  This might restore some volume in to the cheeks but more significant volumes will require the addition of a fat transfer or cosmetic fillers.  

Volume is most often required in the temples, the under-eye area, the cheek mound, and the area in and around the lips.  

Botox can be added to address the forehead lines, the angry lines between the brows, and the crows feet lines.  Not only does the botox treatment improve the appearance of aging, but it will preserve the longevity of the results by not allowing the skin to shift as fast over time.

Skin care lasers including the Forever Young BBL, Micropeel, and Profractional Laser can help with improving the glow and radiance of the skin by reducing brown and age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.  They also help maintain your results by increasing and rejuvenating cellular DNA and collagen.

The answer will depend on exactly what procedures are added to the facelift procedure. Some general guidelines include:

  • Minifacelift – 5-7 days
  • Add facial fillers – no change
  • Add botox – no change
  • Add fat transfer – 2-3 weeks
  • Add BBL – no change
  • Add Forehead Lift – 2-3 weeks
  • Add Neck Lift – 2-3 weeks

After the surgery, you will need to avoid active activities for 3-4 weeks. You may start earlier but with the understanding that activity has the potential to prolong swelling and bruising

Feeling normal can vary as it is subjective.  Although most patients will not have a lot of pain, most patients will feel some soreness for about 2 weeks.  Minor swelling may continue for about 2 to 3 months. 

1 year.  It will take about a full year and more for your scar to completely whiten, fade, and flatten.  For this reason, scar revision procedures will not be performed for a full year.  Because the nature and quality of your scars depends on many factors outside of the surgeon’s control, scar revision procedures will require a small surgical fee.

Patients have a choice between oral sedation or general anesthesia.  The benefit of general anesthesia is obviously the ability to be put to sleep for the entire procedure; you wake up and the procedure is done.  The downside of general anesthesia, however, is the additional costs and some people don’t like the thought of being put under.  

Many patients will choose to have their procedure under oral sedation.  These patients will have a oral cocktail of valium and pain medicine to start the procedure.  Once the patient feels calm, the area that will be worked on will be injected with long-acting pain medications similar to going to the dentist.  They choose this option because of some cost savings and the ability to avoid being put under.  The recovery is easier and there is in general less swelling.  The downside, obviously, is that you are awake for the procedure.  Most patients find it very tolerable because of the calming effects of the valium

The risks of a facelift surgery are similar to the risks of any surgery.  They will also depend on if you are having any additional procedures at the same time.  The general risks include 

  • blood collections or hematomas
  • delayed healing, and 
  • infections.  

Complete symmetry cannot be expected.  Some relapse particularly in the neck is common.  Scar visibility depends on many factors outside our control and may occur.

Common complaints include:

  • scar visibility
  • mild relapse particularly in the neck
  • suture infections
  • numbness on the cheek in front of the ear
Scar healing takes about 1 and a half years.  They are intentionally created and hidden in your hair line and in the contours of the ear.  They are also easily hidden by wearing your sideburns or your hair down.  We will technically do our best to create the least visible scars possible by placing strong internal sutures and precise external sutures.  Despite these efforts, much of scar healing depend on how your body reacts to injury and other external or environmental factors.  Scarring is therefore not guaranteed.   Scar revision will require a minimal charge.

 

Mild relapse particularly in the neck is common.  Swelling will artificially make the skin look tighter and fuller than it is.  You will notice that immediately after the procedure, I would not have been able to pull the tissue any tighter without risking a pulled appearance or healing problems.  What I have been known for over time has been the ability to create for you a natural result with minimal risk.

Suture infections are common.  General infections are very uncommon.  Suture infections are usually due to the deep strong absorbable sutures.  These sutures are placed to give strength to the skin closure which will produce a better appearing scar.  If these sutures do not absorb fast enough, the body will sometimes reject them and push them to the surface where they can get infected.  The solution, however, is easy.  These sutures are simply cut at the surface and cleansed with either peroxide or surgical soap.

Numbness in front of the ear is universal.  All patients will have this experience.  It will go away in about 3 to 6 months.

Roughly 60 to 70 percent of patients will have their facelift procedures in the office under local anesthesia and oral sedation.  The most common reasons are cost and the avoidance of having general anesthesia.  

About 60 percent of my patients have a mini facelift making it the most common procedure that I perform.

  • Mini Facelift – 60%
  • Face and Neck lift- 30%
  • Quick Lift – 10%
The choice of procedures obviously depends on how you appear to be aging as will as your age.  Patients in their thirties obviously do not have a long of visible aging but as they approach forty, some patients will have some jowling as well as some loss of facial volume.  These patients might be perfect for a quick lift which is a “quick” procedure that involves a small incision hidden in the temple and fillers to replace facial volume. The temple incision is used to find and elevate the SMAS fibrous layer that causes the jowl.  Recovery to return to work is 3 days.
 
The majority of my patients will have a mini facelift.  This procedure is most commonly performed in my patients who are in their 40’s and 50’s.  Their main concerns are jowling and deepening of the facial lines.  The mini facelift will elevate and redrape the SMAS fibrous layer back into the cheek, reducing the jowling, creating a better jaw line, while reducing the appearance of the nasolabial fold and marionette creases.  Most patients will need fillers or a fat transfer to augment volume to the temples, under-eye area, and the area around the mouth.  
 
The face and neck procedure is really a combined mini facelift and neck lift.  The mini facelift will lift the lower face as stated above but it will only create a modest benefit for the neck.  Patients in their 50s might already have a drooping neck and might elect to have a more dramatic improvement in the neck by adding a neck lift to their procedure.

Anything that decreases the break-down of collagen will help preserve the benefits of your facelift procedure.  Anything the decreases the movement or stretch of the tissue will help preserve the collagen in your tissue.  In addition, there are some techniques and options to adding or rejuvenating your existing collagen.

Botox –  Botox stops the dynamic facial muscles from working.  Treatment of the glabellar lines between the eyes ( that normally pull the brows down ) keeps the brows elevated for longer.  Treatment of the crows feet lines ( that also normally pull the brows down ) keeps the brows elevated for longer but also prevent the movement of the thin skin around the eyelids and temple.  Fat volume is better preserved in the temple while the eyelid skin does not stretch and break down as fast.

Facial Fillers like Juvederm or Voluma – Facial fillers will distend the facial skin so that there is less movement.  Less movement will in turn slow the breakdown of the tissue collagen and therefore slow down facial aging

Facial Lasers and Skin Care – Facial lasers including the Forever Young BBL, Micro Laser Peel, and the Profractional not only treat the visible effects of aging including the brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles, but they all add and reorganize collagen.  Adding collagen will slow down facial aging

Fat Transfer- Fat transfer can be thought of as a natural facial filler.  One of the benefits that fat cells contain stem cells that continue to stimulate cell growth as well as stimulating the production of collagen

Sculptra- Sculptra is another facial filler.  It is unique amongst the facial fillers in its ability to stimulate the production of your own collagen.  

PRP-  PRP stands for Plasma Rich Protein.  It is a technique that includes taking and processing your own blood to extract growth factors and stem cells that are located in your platelets.  After extracting the factors, they are re-injected either into skin and tissue to stimulate the growth of your own collagen.  

 

More Pages on Facial Rejuvenation Topics

Forehead and Temple Lift

Forehead and Temple Lift

Forehead and Temple Lift procedures are designed to elevate the brows.  Falling brows contribute to the heavy feeling in the upper eyelids which may also close off the eyelids

Nose Reshaping

Nose Reshaping

Nose reshaping is often called a nose job.  The medical term for nose job is a rhinoplasty.  The the nose can be reshaped surgically or may often be performed with facial fillers.  Common concerns include the nasal hump and a large nasal tip

Beautiful woman hiding plastic surgery

Facial Fillers

Facial fillers are injection products that can add volume to areas that are lost with aging.  Common options include Juvederm, Voluma, Sculptra, Radiesse, or your own fat for transfer.

Neck Liposuction

Neck Lift

Neck lift surgery elevates the neck.  Common concerns include the extra skin below the chin, the platysma muscle bands that split in the front of the neck, and neck fat.  The procedure is commonly, but does not have to be, performed with a facelift surgery

Are you ready to look younger?

Roll back the wrinkles and tighten loose skin with either nonsurgical facial procedures like Botox or with a Mini-Facelift - connect with us today!

Dr Phillip Chang - Plastic Surgeon Leesburg

Dr. Phillip Chang M.D

Dr. Phillip Chang is a leading plastic surgeon in Loudoun County who specializes in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the breast, body, face, and skin.

He is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the founder of Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Leesburg, VA.

Dr. Chang believes combining attentive care and minimally invasive techniques is the best avenue for achieving beautiful, natural-looking results.

Education & Training

Dr. Chang graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and completed his general surgery training at the prestigious Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California, where he was fortunate to train with prominent cosmetic surgeons in Newport Beach and Beverly Hills.

Awards & Recognition

Dr. Chang has been featured in New Beauty Magazine and listed as one of the “Top 10 Plastic Surgeons” in Loudoun County for the past three years according to The Prime Buyer’s Report in addition to multiple additional awards including:

  • Top Doctor for Plastic Surgeons Virginia Magazine
  • Published and contributor for New Beauty Magazine
  • Best Plastic Surgeon in the Loudoun Times Mirror
  • Top Plastic Surgeon Health and Beauty Magazine
  • Top Plastic Surgeon Posh Magazine
  • Top Plastic Surgeon Modern Mom Magazine
  • Top Doctor Recognition by Vitals
  • Patients’ Choice Award by Vitals
  • Super Doctor for superdoctors.com
  • Honor Roll by Healthgrades

Hear From Actual Customers
The Reviews Are In

5 star rating
"Best plastic surgeon in Virginia - I was referred by friends who had breast augmentations with Dr. Chang. They were extremely happy. I just had my Mommy Makeover and I couldn't be more thrilled. He is no doubt the best plastic surgeon around!"​
MK
"For a long time I had imagined what it would be like to have breast reduction surgery, but I always thought it was only other women who could do such a thing, not me. From the day of my consultation through a month post-surgery, I have had nothing but outstanding care and service by Dr. Chang, his staff, and the outpatient surgery clinic where I had the procedure."​
JG
"I had a tummy tuck, breast lift and reduction, and liposuction and he performed these procedures beautifully. I now have a waist and flat tummy; two things I never dreamed could be possible."
MS
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