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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?
+14
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...
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+9
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...
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+7
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.
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+6
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...
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Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+5
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...
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Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+5
Mini Facelift vs Full Facelift
A Mini Facelift is usually a skin only facelift with minimal undermining and is useful only in highly selected patients which are younger and may have just some slight skin laxity. If you use it for more, it usually gets you a "mini result" as well. It may only last 1 or 2 years at best.
In contrast, a full facelift is the real deal and involves both wide skin elevation and deep SMAS layer elevation. I perform a component facelift based on the individual aesthetic analysis of the...
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+5
Mini lifts are for minimal facial aging
A mini-facelift or short-scar facelift is an appropriate facelift for the patient with minimal signs of facial aging, minimal skin laxity, minimal jowling and minimal looseness in the neck.
A full facelift is more appropriate for patients with greater signs of aging including greater facial skin laxity, worse jowling and more neck skin excess and looseness. The scars should be minimally noticeable with either technique as long as too much tension is not placed on the skin.
+5
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.
+5
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...
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+5
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...
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+4
Mini face lift vs. standard face lift: First consider the indications
Patients should understand that there are specific indications for both a mini and standard facelifts. When surgeons attempt to sell patients on maximal results with fewer or shorter scars, it is the patient that ultimately is left dissatisfied.
When patients do elect for a mini-facelift, it is my recommendation that they complement the surgical procedure by having less invasive and complimentary procedures performed at the same time, i.e. Botox, Radiesse, Juvederm, fat grafting, or laser...
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Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+3
Mini facelift vs traditional facelift
The debate over minifacelift vs full facelift is often discussed. The most important word in your question is "jowls". The jowl is one of the hardest areas of the face to correct in a significant way and the best way to do this is with a vertical facelift. This requires a skin elevation to the region near the mouth. The vertical facelift can be done through a short scar or traditional scar (the difference is negligable) but the skin elevation from the ear to the mouth region would...
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Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3
Tailor-made facelifts
It's important to discuss with your plastic surgeon what your goals are. These include not only what kind of result you're looking for but also how much down time you can afford. It's also important that you deal with a plastic surgeon who's experienced in treating different types of problems. When I was a resident in the early 80s, there was basically one type of face-lift. Patients came in for a consultation and my professors would either say you're ready for facelift or come back...
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+3
Many different types of face lifts that can fit your lifestyle
There are many different lifts out there that people are marketing. Mini lifts have really taken up some prominence in the media. What is a mini lift? Well, this usually entails making a shorter incision with less dissection and keeping the dissection superficial. The results from this can benefit some people but it is not for everyone.
A mini lift can help some people but the results are not as dramatic. Some people might get disappointed in the results. A mini lift can soften the...
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Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3
Mini face lift vs. full face lift
Mini-facelifts are good for patients with minimal laxity. A full facelift is reserved for patients with laxity that includes significant jowling, cheek fat pad descent, and significant skin laxity in the face and the neck.
If mini-lifts are offered to patient that require a full facelift, they usually get a "mini" result. They always are more appealing but not always satisfying for the patient after surgery if used on poor candidates.
+3
Your Goals, Your Anatomy, Your Surgeon
Hello Eileen,
This is a great question that both Physicians and Patients alike are asking and debating in offices and conferences across the country. With the advent of increasing surgical knowledge, so much marketing and consumer friendly terminology the information available to patients has gotten very confusing.
First lets define some basic terms to help answer your question.
Mini-Face Lift: a surgical procedure where extra / sagging skin is removed and the SMAS/muscle layer may or may...
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New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3
The mini-facelift is an old concept really - an idea...
The mini-facelift is an old concept really - an idea that will always sound good, except that, unfortunately, it does not result in superior, or even good, lasting results.
The procedure differs from a traditional SMAS or deep-plane facelift in the following ways:
It is performed under local anesthesia, usually with oral sedation
The dissection (the 'lift' part of the procedure) is superficial, usually below the skin only
Surgeons performing mini-facelifts usually have not undergone the...
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Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3
There are many promotions for alternatives to facelift...
There are many promotions for alternatives to facelift cosmetic surgery: mini lifts, mini tuck facelifts, thread lifts, string lifts, and weekend lifts. While each of these may have a unique approach to lifting sagging skin, the bottom line is that these procedures act as baby steps.
Minimal surgery will give you minimal results.
Even if a mini-lift won't give you the dramatic results, getting one may be right for you if you're not quite ready for a facelift;
these facelift alternatives...
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+2
It depends upon the patient
A true mini-lift should not be a limited lift, but should focus primarily on the mid-face and jawline. The appropriate patient for a mini-lift has sagging cheeks and jowls with loss of definition along the jawline. In general, the neck is still tight and does not have any banding. These patients are generally younger, but wish to correct the sagging that tends to create a more squared-off face.
A full facelift is appropriate for someone who has all of the...
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Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+2
Mini Face Lift versus Full Face Lift - Jacksonville
A mini face lift may be suitable for younger patients with less skin. The less extensive the procedure generally corresponds to less bruising and recovery. However, if you do decide to have a Short scar face lift or MAC lift or Mini face lift, make sure you visit with a board certified plastic surgeon capable of addressing the deep layer or SMAS and not just tightening the skin to avoid the wind-swept look achieved at some of the quick cosmetic centers.
+2
Mini Facelift versus Full Facelift
There are lots of names for different lifting procedures, but the most important common denominator in all good lifts is that the SMAS layer is addressed. The SMAS is a fibrous muscular layer under the skin where the surgeon finds the strength and support he or she needs to establish a natural and long-lasting result.
The word "mini" probably refers to a limited dissection and undermining of the skin, which of course is different in each individual, just as the incision length...
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Asheville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
What is a Mini Facelift
Mini Facelift is a very limited facelift. For the most it is tightening of the skin only and perhaps some minimal lifting of the deep tissues. Many people think that sounds great. They pull on their skin and their face looks great, right? The thing is skin isn't the problem nor the solution. Skin is following the shape of the deeper tissues. The deeper tissues are not sagging because of the skin, the skin is sagging because of the deep tissues. ...
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+2
Mini vs Full lower facelift
The answer depends on your age and what you desire. A full lower facelift (what most people consider a full facelift) is a combination of a cheek lift and a neck lift. Each of these done separately is a minilift. In most cases, the most common minilift, a cheek lift, is best for female patients 45-55 who have no concerns about the appearance of the neck and not underlying problems with weight.
The heavier patient with a very heavy neck or a "turkey neck" is not a good...
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Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
Research your surgery options before you opt for a Mini Lift
The term mini lift can be used to define a skin only lift or a small incision SMAS lift with limited skin elevation combined with liposuction. In the past 10 years, a lot of mini lifts have been marketed but it has been my observation that many people have gooten mini lift procedures when they needed more extensive procedures.
A full facelift also has different meaning to diffferent surgeons however a common characteristic is more extensive work under the skin and SMAS (loosely referred to...
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New York Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2
Facelift
As with any elective procedure, it is imporant to gather as much information as possible prior to proceeding. In facelifting, many varieties exist. There are a few reasons for this:
1. More and more different kinds of doctors are performing 'facelifts'
2. Our knowledge of the anatomy has increased
3. With our much more active lifestyle, lifts are expected to fit into a limited recovery period
So...what is right for you? Mini lifts (and there are many different types,...
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Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
