Mini Facelift Vs. Full Facelift: Which is Best?

A mini lift sounds sooo much more appealing to me. less expensive...less invasive...can get rid of my sagging skin and jowls. why would i opt to get full facelift surgery?

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109 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Mini-lift for mini-problems

A full facelift treats redundancy of the face and neck. I see some patients who only have issues with early sagging of the jowls and mid-face, and the neck is not yet a problem. These patients are good candidates for a mini-facelift. Hoever, it is a mistake to offer a mini-facelift to a patient with laxity of the face and neck. These people need a full facelift.

Mini lifts for mini laxity

In a young patient with minimal skin looseness, a mini lift may be just the right thing. In older patients or patients with significant jowl and neck looseness, the mini lift simply won't have the degree of pull necessary to tighten up the jawline and smooth the neck. It may be necessary to augment lost volume, tighten and restructure loose deep tissues and perform other small procedures if the patient is to have a harmonious result. Many patients are disappointed to find out that their... more

Full Facelift, Mini Lift, Liquid Facelift Which is Best?

Surgical or even non-surgical treatment of facial aging changes must be carefully individualized to match each patient's aesthetic needs and desires. In helping a patient to make decisions about plastic surgery for facial rejuvenation, I always examine and assess how each aesthetic area or 'unit' of the face contributes to an individual's overall appearance: the brows and eyelids, the cheeks or 'midface', the lower face and chin, and the neck. An individualized plan... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

There is not an easy answer for that question. When...

There is not an easy answer for that question. When considering cosmetic surgery, determine what your goals are. Then seek out an experienced surgeon with a wide range of options to get those desired results. A "mini-face lift" is a good alternative for some people and all that some people may require. For patients with more drastic aging changes, a mini-lift can be performed, but the results will not be as dramatic or long-lasting as a bigger procedure, such as an extended SMAS or... more

D.J. Verret, MD

4 reviews

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

I'm not a big fan of mini-lifts. Anything that's simple...

I'm not a big fan of mini-lifts. Anything that's simple doesn't work long. I have performed these and results haven't lasted long, then the patients have spent a good amount of money and end up unhappy with the results. There also are treatments, such as Thermage, that can be used as facelift alternatives, but the best bet for a minimal lift is injectables. These are probably the only facelift alternatives that may work well.

When my patients ask this question, I look at the neck...

When my patients ask this question, I look at the neck area to determine which type of lift will be the most helpful. The main difference in my practice between the minilift and the facelift is the amount of correction that the neck acheives. The minilift is the portion of the facelift that addresses the midface and jowls. A facelift is the minilift component, added with the neck lift component. The necklift uses incisions behind the ear, as well as a tiny incision under the chin.The ideal... more

A mini facelift (Lifestyle Lift, S Lift etc.) produces a...

A mini facelift (Lifestyle Lift, S Lift etc.) produces a mini result that lasts for a mini length of time but has the maxi of scars. Don't deceive yourself into hoping you will get the result of a well done facelift from a mini procedure. My best advice is to use skin care, IPL lasers, Botox and dermal fillers until you are ready for the right surgery done by an expert whose results look like what you are hoping for.

The minilift alternative - sometimes yes, sometimes no

A "minilift" is an acceptable alternative if a patient has relatively minimal indications (mild jowling without significant changes in the neck). However, patients seeking correction of loose skin, moderate to heavy jowling, and/or a heavy neck will be quite underwhelmed with a "minilift" result. Another risk of "minilift" procedures (when performed for patients with the correct indications) is that if the changes aren't too bad to begin with, the result may... more

This is a more complicated question than it may seem,...

This is a more complicated question than it may seem, because there are so many variations on facelift and mini-facelift techniques, and such a range of conditions needing treatment. The key is to individualize the treatment to the condition; some may benefit from tightening the neck only, others the midface, and so on. Another key is to recognize that facial rejuvenation is a 3-dimensional issue, not one simply of skin tightening or wrinkle filling. The general trend is for less invasive... more

Full Facelift/necklift not Minilift Required to Correct Jowls and Sagging Neck

A mini facelift is just thatr -mini. A mini Facelift can improve the cheek and brow and help the jaw line near the ear. However if you have Jowls and Sagging Neck Skin you will need a full Facelift and Neck Lift. If you compromise on price and choose a less effective procedure you will be disappointed with your result, will feel you wasted your money, and probably end up having a second full lift to get the result that you had hoped for.