Are Dermatologists Qualified to Perform Mini Lifts?

asked 2 years ago by booboo in davie, fl
Latest answer by Babak Azizzadeh, MD
Question viewed 555 times
Tags: face, dermatologist

I am considering a Facelift. I am fearful of a full Facelift, general surgery, recovery, costs and am finding it difficult to find one I feel comfortable with.

My dermatologist, is starting to perform Mini facelifts. I would like him to perform it, but doubt it would produce best results. Can you get the Mini Facelift and have them performed more often for desired results?

9 answers to Are Dermatologists Qualified to Perform Mini Lifts?

Who can perform a mini facelift

Unless your dermatologist is a board certified plastic surgeon, you should not undergo a mini facelift with him. Perhaps your dermatologist is performing a liquid facelift, but calling it a mini lift? A non-surgical facelift using injectables like Sculptra, Restylane, Botox, etc. can provide great results and can be performed by either a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. If you are truly seeking a mini facelift, you should see a qualified and experienced facial plastic surgeon for a... more

Babak Azizzadeh, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialplastics.info

Facelifts performed by a dermatologist

Would you let your 747 pilot "give it a try" now that he has partially trained on a bush plane? Probably not. You should start your search with board certified plastic surgeons. It takes 1000's of cases for an expert facelift surgeon to hone their technique and create natural spectacular results. The most disfiguring facelifts are inexpertly done minilifts. Remember, this is your face!

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Dermatologists performing facelifts

This is a good question. Many patients psychologically think that, if a procedure is performed by a medical specialist, such as a dermatologist, rather than a surgeon, it isnt' as intimidating. However, I would not recommend having surgery with anyone who is just starting to perform a procedure---probably after watching some videos or taking a weekend course. Board certified plastic surgeons usually train for a minimum of seven years before becoming board eligible and going into practice.... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

The quick answer is NO

Especially since he is just 'starting to do minilifts'. This implies less experience. I would agree with the other posters that the MINILIFT is one of the hardest procedures to do properly since there is a shorter incision and less exposure. Go to a Facial Plastic Surgeon that has a lot of experience with MiniLifts.

Sreekant Cherukuri, MD
Munster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Do Not let a Dermatologist perform your minifacelift

Respectfully, I would provide you the answer of a resounding NO. Dermatologists have no formal surgical training unless they've completed a Mohs microsurgical fellowship. But during this 1 year program, there is 0 exposure to cosmetic facial surgery as occurs in face lifting. Both Board certified Facial Plastic Surgeons and General Plastic Surgeons have over 6-7 years of surgical training and in the setting of Facial Plastic Surgeons all of that is operating only in the... more

Shepherd G. Pryor, MD
Scottsdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mini lifts

I have to say I do not think a dermatologist is a qualified doctor to do face lift surgical procedures. I would reserve that for a plastic surgeon of a facial plastic surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Would Not Recommend Mini Lift By Dermatologist

The answer is - no. Dermatologists are not considered specialists normally associated with performing surgical procedures like a mini facelift. You will be much better off in the end having your procedure done by someone board certified by either the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

John M. Hilinski, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dermatologists

NO, Dermatologists are not trained surgeons. Plastic surgeons are trained in general surgery and Plastic surgery, a total of seven years of surgical training. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only recognized specialty in COSMETIC SURGERY by the AMERICAN BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES. Do your research before you commit.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Minifacelifts and Facelifts

Physicians and Surgeons can be trained to do cosmetic procedures. This training either comes from formal fellowship training or post-graduate training. All physicians and surgeons are required to have post- graduate training in the form of conferences and/or hands on experience. This is because cosmetic medicine and surgery is a constantly evolving field. So even plastic surgeons that may have had formal fellowship training 10 to 20 years ago must learn new techniques all the time,... more