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How is a Face Lift Different Than a Mini-face Lift or Midface Lift?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 20,812 times
Tags: comparison

Quite sure I know a facelift is surgery which requires lots of recovery time. But there are doctors who say mini-lifts are good for tightening face with less recovery time reqd. Then there is the midface lift. Will someone explain the differences please!?!

24 answers to How is a Face Lift Different Than a Mini-face Lift or Midface Lift?

+1

Facelift vs minilift vs cheeklift vs midface lift

A facelift rejuvenates the face through incisions located around the ears, and usually below the chin. A mini facelift uses usually the same incisions but does a more limited lifting and pulling.  A minilift can also be performed through the front of the ear, or from the ear back, depending on whether the upper face or the lower face is the target.  We perform few mini lifts because patients are generally disappointed in the limited results they receive when they could... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+9

In short, a face lift, will address: Cheek...

In short, a face lift, will address: Cheek laxity Jowls Neck laxity It usually involves tightening not only the skin, but also underlying fat and muscle. Mini-Facelift: A mini-facelift is reserved for someone with minimal neck laxity, and usually someone younger or who has had a previous facelift. Midface lift: A midface lift repositions the cheek skin and muscle vertically towards the eyes. This is used for someone who has lost fullness in the upper cheek area due to descent of the... more
Jonathan Hoenig, MD

Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon
+9

A face lift (also known as a face and neck lift) can...

  A face lift (also known as a face and neck lift) can reverse many features of the aging face and neck. The most dramatic improvement is seen in the jaw-line and the neck. Face lift incisions are carefully placed within the natural creases in front, within, and behind the ear. After re-tightening of the deeper layers, excess skin is removed from both sides and the incisions are carefully repaired. Most experienced plastic surgeons perform a ‘deep-plane’ face lift, which... more
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+6

Dr. Naficy has given an excellent overview of the...

Dr. Naficy has given an excellent overview of the differences between a "Face lift," "Midface lift" and a "Mini face lift." It is important to note, however, that these terms are not standardized and often mean quite different things to different surgeons. In my view, a careful analysis of the facial features and how the facial anatomy has changed over time is a critical first-step in discussing any potential options for reaching one's goals. I ask patients to... more
Nick Slenkovich, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+3

Facelift and mini or midface lifts work in different areas

A midface lift works to pull up your cheek so that your nasolabial folds are improved and your cheek is lifted. This can also improve the way your lower eyelid appears in relation to your cheek. he dark circles and bags under your eyes can be improved as well. A mini lift is a variation of the facelift but just not as extensive and usually not as aggressive. A minilift limits the amount of dissection in front and below the ears and usually does not entail lifting the muscle and going deeper... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift vs. Mini-Lift vs. Midface Lift

For most surgeons, those three operations are distinct.  There are a few that might use some of those terms interchangeably, but it would not be correct to do so. Facelift in my hands addresses the sagging neck skin and bands under the neck, jowls along the jaw-line, deepend nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and drooping cheek volume.  The results of a good facelift will be improved neck line, smooth jaw line (without jowls), heightened cheek volume and decreased lines... more
Paul K. Holden, MD

Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mid-, Mini-, Full Facelift

The various terms applied to facelifts are not necessarily technically precise in that each term can mean different things; there a many different facelift techniques. "Facelift": the term is used broadly for a surgical facial rejuvenation, but is even used for non-surgical techniques (LASER facelifts, "liquid" facelift, etc.).  Surgery involves at least the lower third of the face, but the term can be used to include the middle 1/3, the brow and/or the neck... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Face Lift V.S. Mid Face Lift

Mid face lift only addresses the mid-portion of the face and does not address the lower part and neck region. Face lift typically is done to  address the entire face and neck region including the mid face region. The most important thing to remember is to focus on what part you llike to have corrected. Let your surgeon explain which procedure may be best to correct the area that is bothering you the most. Most of these procedures should require 10-14 days of recovery... more
Ali Sajjadian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

A comprehensive face/neck lift addresses...

A comprehensive face/neck lift addresses the: Jowls Facial laxity Muscle laxity Neck Skin laxity A mini face-lift only addresses loose skin in front of the ears. A mid face-lift only addresses the descent of fat in the cheek area by lifting it up. A full, comprehensive facial rejuvenation through a face/neck lift includes both a mini lift, mid face-lift, and a neck lift all combined.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+1

Facelift, Mini-facelift and Midface Lift Simplified

A full or "traditional" facelift addresses the sagging upper and lower neck skin and (platysmal) vertical neck bands, jowls, lower and mid nasolabial folds and marionette lines. It involves incisions from the temple scalp, along the front of the ear (inside the mid part for women), behind the ear in the crease then along or into the scalp hair behind the ear towards the back of your neck with undermining of the skin and tightening of underlying support tissues... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelifts vary from relatively smaller procedures to more extensive procedures, depending on the problems to be solved.

A minilift is a lesser procedure that is useful for younger patients with early problems along the jawline and jowls but no neck involvement. A Wonder-lift™ is more extensive but includes early neck problems as well. A full or traditional facelift has more extensive incisions and deals with more advanced problems. Any of these can be combined with liposuction or platysmaplasty under the chin.
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift vs. Midface lift vs. Mini-face lift

A facelift, which generally includes the neck, is a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation that includes addressing any prominent neck skin or muscle bands, skin laxity and/or wrinkles in the neck, prominent jowls, prominent folds at the corners of the mouth, as well as the flattening of the mid-face/cheek area that occurs over time.  Recovery time for this more comprehensive procedure may be anywhere from 2-3 weeks depending on the patient’s age and overall health... more
Michael R. Macdonald, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drmmacdonald.com

+1

Face Lift, Mini Face Lift

  Great question. Today there are all sorts of names, nicknames and special slogans for the various types of Face Lifts that can be very confusing. A Face Lift is a plastic surgery procedure that's designed to make an incision around the ear and typically under the chin for the sole purpose of removing excess fat and skin from the face and neck.    There are various types of Face Lifts and even different names for the same Face Lift procedure, so when reading or... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift, mini facelift or midfacelift???

Excellent question yet very confusing.  The problem is that there is no standard definition for each of these terms and a lot of confusion is created. My advise is not to look for a procedure to suit your needs, but a surgeon that can actually give you the right option for your face structure and your goals. Best of luck,   Dr Siegel Houston, TX
Michel Siegel, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mid versus Mini versus Full Facelifts

Minifacelifts, Midfacelifts and full facelifts all can vary tremendously based on the surgeon's experience performing them, and the setting in which the procedure takes place.   A minilift has many definitions, and is typically thought of as any lift with a limited incision component.  By limiting the incisions, patients may have a quicker return to work, however, that is not always the case.  When I perform a minilift, I find that incorporating some of the deeper... more
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Think of it as a chinese menu

One from column A two from column B Pick your problem and tell your surgeon, the cheeks tend to swell the most and lifting them can be part of a facelift, cheek or nidface lift. Neck lifts heel the fastest.
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

All lifts are going to have recovery time

Face-lift, mini-lift, mid-face lift. Three terms that mean something different to every surgeon performing them. In my practice I do a "face-lift" and a "mid-face-lift". Both have about a 2 week recovery time. Both give different, but good results. I don't usually waste a patent's time with a mini-lift as they have nearly the same scar with a lot less results. A face-lift primarily improves jowels and neck line with some improvement in the cheeks. There are some... more
Ivan Wayne, MD

Oklahoma City Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift recovery

I need to re-direct your thinking that a real facelift "takes lots of recovery time." A well-performed true facelift without adjunctive additional procedures typically takes 2 weeks for near full recovery to a very acceptable appearance. The pain is extremely minimal too. So, there is no good reason to have a "mini" lift that will do so much less for you because of a major difference in recovery.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift vs Minifacelift vs Midfacelift

Facelift: Improve the whole face, forehead and neck. Recovery about 2 weeks Minifacelift: Improves only jowl area with limited improvement at best. Recovery 1 week Midfacelift: Improves the cheek and the nasolabial groove (between nose, lips and cheeks). Recovery can be up to 3 weeks for swelling to go down. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Different tools for different problems

It's best to think of the face as a region of the body with multiple smaller areas, or subunits, that can be treated together or separately. The bow, the upper and lower eyelids, the cheek, the lower face, and the neck may each be addressed individually or together. The rejuvenation of one area may or may not have an effect on another area, but it is important to remember that one type of operation on one area is not interchangeable for another type of operation on another area. What do I... more
Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

Differences between Face Lift, Mini Face Lift, and Mid Face Lift

These procedures differ in respect to the result that they achieve. A Face Lift targets jowling, sagging skin and muscle laxity of the lower part of the face and neck, and restores a firm and youthful appearance. Not only are you tightening the skin, you are also tightening the fat and muscle below it. Given that, recovery time can take longer than with a Mini or Mid Face Lift. The Mini Face Lift, sometimes called a Partial Face Lift, utilizes shorter incisions and works mostly in the cheek... more
Scott W. Mosser, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift vs mini facelift

The main difference between a facelift and a mini lift is the extent of the dissection and the extent of the improvement anticipated.  A mini lift addresses the jowl area in particular.  A full facelift involves a lot of neck work  and improvement in that area.  I would recommend a SMAS plication for all facial procedures.Wishing you all the best, Tal Raine MD FACS
Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Distinction between facelift, mini-facelift, and midface lift with similar recovery times.

A full facelift fixes everything from the lower lids to the chest.  Recovery time about 2 weeks with improvement seen for several months. Mini-facelift fixes the cheeks beginning at the lower lids and extending down to the angle of the jaw.  The neck is left untouched.  Recovery time about 2 weeks with improvement seen for several months. Midface lift is performed through the lower lids and extends from the lower lids to the corner of the mouth.  Recovery time... more
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

The power of a mid-face lift and why it works

The following is my opinion. I have lectured on this very point to plastic surgeons at international conferences. Also, to clear the air - I agree with you about the extensive recovery from a thorough long lasting face lift. I believe that "mini" lifts have "mini" results and "mini" longevity to go with their "mini" recovery and still significant expense. The Mid-Face Cheek lift is my favorite procedure due to its elegance and power in transforming... more
Mark E. Richards, MD

Bethesda Plastic Surgeon

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