What To Expect From A Mini Facelift Surgery5 min read
Dr. Phillip Chang
Board Certified By The American Board of Plastic Surgeons.
Voted Top Plastic Surgeon in Loudoun, Virginia
Offices in Leesburg, Virginia.
Our faces put up with a lot. They are in constant motion when we talk and eat, get battered by the weather, slathered in make-up and products daily, and take the brunt of our exercise and lifestyle choices. It’s no wonder the face is one of the first areas of our bodies to age. Skin becomes less elastic and starts to sag and our muscle tone isn’t as strong, causing our eye lids to droop and become puffy both above and below the eye. The layer of fat under the skin thins creating a sallow, more wrinkled appearance, and our bones degenerate and lose mass causing excess skin, wrinkles, and a looser jaw line.
But, don’t despair. We live in a wonderful age where cosmetic procedures are easily available and more affordable than ever. As techniques evolve, surgeries that were invasive and required operating rooms and general anesthetic are now not the only options. The Facelift is one such procedure that has evolved and now it has a new edition: the Mini-Facelift. It does most of what the full one does – and all from the comfort of the surgeon’s office.
What Is A Mini-Facelift?
A Mini-Facelift is a less invasive version of the full facelift. It usually involves lifting and firming the lower half of the face, erasing wrinkles and sagging by the jawline and around the mouth. The scars are smaller than in a full facelift, they’re easily hidden around the ear and in the hairline. A Mini-Facelift won’t help with a saggy, wrinkled neck or the upper part of your face – your brow area and eyes is not changed. But it is great for refreshing tired faces that have mild to moderate wrinkles. A quick, pick-me-up to the lower face.
Curious what a Mini-Facelift could do for you? Stand in front of a mirror and pull your cheeks back and up. You should see your chin line tighten, the corners of mouth become less droopy, and the wrinkles go away.
Where Do I Need To Have It Done?
The Mini-Facelift is usually performed in the surgeons clinic in a sterile environment with trained staff on hand to help. Most patients take an oral medication to help relax them and the face is loaded with local anesthetic to ensure there is no pain felt at any point. If this is something that scares you, talk to others who have had the procedure and watch videos of your chosen surgeon performing the surgery. The patients are relaxed and comfortable and their safety and emotions are considered throughout.
If you would prefer to have the surgery done under general anesthetic, it will be performed as an outpatient and you should ensure you have someone available to collect you after. No driving allowed!
Watch the video below of a live mini-facelift procedure at Aesthetica. Warning: It’s a live surgery so some footage may be graphic.
Am I A Good Candidate For A Mini-Facelift?
All candidates should be in good health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved.
Mini-Facelifts are usually performed on people in their 40s to early 50s who have mild to moderate skin sagging and wrinkles. This is a great procedure to have to halt the aging process for a number of years and give you a younger, refreshed look.
How Long Is The Recovery Time?
Because it is not as invasive as a full face-lift, it also has a quicker recovery time. You should be back at work within 1 – 2 weeks, and the stitches will be out with your hairline covering the scars. Scars will be pink at first, but fade to white. Avoid strenuous activities for around 4 weeks to give yourself time to heal.
Can I Have Other Procedures At The Same Time?
You could have upper and/or lower eyelid lifts performed at the same time along with a brow lift. These can be performed in office under local anesthetic too. Any additional procedures will extend the surgery time and should be discussed with your surgeon.
Will It Be Painful?
Many surgeons will give you Valium and Percocet to help relax you during the procedure, and your face will be numb from a local anesthetic. You will feel a tugging sensation but no pain at all. Your surgeon will talk to you to keep you calm, and let you know what is happening so you are not surprised by the tugging (unless you would rather not know!). Before you begin your surgery, your surgeon will talk over what will happen, how they will interact with you, what music you can have playing in the background. The point is to make you as relaxed and comfortable as can be.
After the surgery, there will be some bruising and swelling, and you may want to take some pain medication for the first few days. It is a personal choice. Stitches will be removed around a week after surgery and the bruising and swelling should be gone within that time frame too.
What Are The Costs?
Because the procedure is performed at the surgeon’s office rather than a hospital, costs are significantly cheaper than a full face-lift. If you plan on having a brow lift or eyelid surgery, think about having it done at the same time to reduce the overall cost of having several separate procedures.
Invitation
For those wondering whether a mini-facelift might be the best cosmetic solution for you, we invite you to simply come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses to explore whether you would make a good candidate. To find out more whether Aesthetica can help you, contact us online or at 703-729-5553 to arrange an appointment. Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.
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