What is the Difference Between a Full Face Lift and a Mini Facelift?

In my experience, a “minfacelift” is usually not indicated in most patients as it is a minimal skin tightening procedure only that lasts for a short time period.  A real or full LIFT and FILL facelift reshapes your lower face and neck area and restores your central facial fat loss so you have a truly natural and youthful face and not one the is windswept! The major key to success in cosmetic facial surgery is how well you choose your facelift surgeon so please make sure you have a true expert in facial aging and cosmetic facial surgery and that they are board certified in plastic surgery.  They should also have expertise and significant experience in facial cosmetic surgery, especially facelifting and necklifting surgery.

As you see from the responses, the answer really varies- some people consider a mini lift a shorter incision and less treatment if the underlying SMAS layer, others consider a full facelift if a the brows are also treated at the same time, some people use the term 'less invasive' to refer to the type of anesthesia used (I perform my procedures under local anesthesia and patients consider that less invasive). 

You should consult with a surgeon and discuss your concerns along with the recommendations and expected results. Good luck and don't be nervous to ask questions and relay any concerns. 

There are so many different buzzwords around facelift surgery, that it is sometimes difficult to understand exactly what each procedure actually entails. In general a mini-facelift has shorter incisions and usually the muscular layer under the skin (SMAS) is lifted with sutures rather than being lifted from underneath (sub-SMAS). For most people, they are better off undergoing a true "full" facelift to attain a significant and long-lasting result. I usually only recommend a mini-facelift to patients who are younger (e.g. in their 40's) with minimal jowling along the jawline. It is not a good procedure for patients with significant extra skin and laxity in the lower part of the neck.

Hi Fif628 If your skin is loose, sagging or creating the appearance of jowls you may be a good candidate for Concept™ Facelift Surgery. This type of Rhytidectomy is unique as the facelift is performed under local anaesthetic, and is less invasive than traditional methods, meaning the cosmetic surgery has a significantly faster recovery time.The cosmetic procedure is similar to a mini facelift as it is performed with a short scar that runs in front of the ear, down to the ear lobe and tucked behind the ear. There will be no dressings or drains afterwards. This is performed as a day case, walk in-walk out procedure with minimal bruising and downtime.Do your homework and find a qualified and reputable surgeon. Best of Luck

A mini
facelift procedure is a technique that benefits a person with relatively early
features of facial ageing, including facial sagginess with deep facial lines (termed
nasolabial folds) with or without early jowls (softening of the smooth jaw
line) and some skin laxity in the cheeks and lower face. Key for suitability
for a mini-facelift is relatively good skin elasticity and relatively mild
changes in the lower third of your face and neck. The advantages of a mini
facelift are a small incision and hidden scar with rapid recovery after
surgery.

There
are circumstances where a mini-facelift procedure is not adequate. If you have
is substantial skin laxity, marked jowls, droopiness in the neck including
vertical bands (termed platysmal bands). With these features usually from your
50s, a full facelift is required to provide a natural rejuvenation. A full
facelift requires a larger incision as more surgery is required to lift and
rejuvenate the face. The incision is longer as it needs to extend behind the
ear into the hairline, principally to treat the increased skin laxity. At the
same time the incisions can be largely hidden in natural creases and contours
to avoid visible scars after surgery. The recovery from a full facelift is
approximately 2-weeks, although the final result is 6-12 months later.

Key to
a natural rejuvenation in both mini-facelift and full-facelift techniques
include a meticulous attention to detail, lifting beneath the skin including
the SMAS and deep soft tissue layers (to avoid a wind-swept appearance) and multi-layered
closure (to avoid visible scars). Both techniques are effective at rejuvenating
your face depending on your clinical needs, and an assessment is required to
determine your individual needs and suitability for this facial surgery. Both
techniques may be completed with other facial techniques including
blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), fat transfer (volume rejuvenation), PRP (platelet
rich plasma) and CO2 laser resurfacing to augment the natural results.

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.A mini-facelift, or "short scar facelift" or as I call it in my practice, Lite Lift addresses all of the above except for the lower neck. The difference is that the incisions are shorter - basically the same description in front of the ear and temple scalp but ending at the level of the earlobe (in front or in back) - as much as 40% less scarring. Non board-certified surgeons sometimes just pull the skin back which certainly will not last as long as the procedure I just described.Having performed both procedures for more than a decade, the results last about the same time however for redundant lower neck skin a traditional facelift is preferred. Most important choose your board certified plastic or facial plastic surgeon well and let him/her make the best decision for you.

The mini-facelift is an excellent operation for the  patient who has facial laxity, jowling and some neck laxity.  A traditional facelift is a better operation for the patient who has more extensive facial laxity, jowling and a large amount of fatty tissue in the neck or a large degree of muscle banding (platysmal banding) in the neck.  The traditional facelift has an additional incision under the chin which allows for the muscle bands in the neck to be tightened and for the excess fatty tissue to be removed.   From the description of your facial aging, you would be an excellent candidate for a mini-facelift.  As far as the laser part of your question,  I have a Fraxel Repair laser which is the most advanced, effective laser to resurface sun damaged, wrinkled skin. I often do Fraxel resurfacing after a facelift to address the fine wrinkles that the facelift doesn't take care of. 

A traditional facelift is a great option for a patient with more advanced
 signs of aging who wants to refresh their neck, jawline, and cheeks. A mini 
facelift rejuvenates the lower third of the face, including the jowls and 
neck. With a mini lift, there will not be as long of an incision, and the
 dissection is not as extensive. You will be in surgery for less time, the
recovery is easier, and the cost is lower. Depending on your individual 
circumstances, a mini facelift may be of benefit to you. Laser resurfacing will not
 address loose skin if it is present. It is difficult to provide you with any
 specific advice without seeing photos. I would recommend an in-person consult 
with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. He/she will be able to advise you 
following an exam. I hope this helps, and best of luck.


A full facelift takes care of aging from the lower eyelids to the clavicles. A mini facelift or any lesser procedure of a different name limits the treatment area to the cheek down to the angle of the jaw.

A mini facelift refers to a short scar, minimal dissection facelift which can be beneficial in certain patients, though they tend to be younger with minimal aging sequelae.  As the skin is not elevated much and therefore can't be redraped as well, there can be some facial distortion.  A full face lift has longer incisions, more dissection but also can correct a wider range of problems seen in the aging face.  Done well, the full face lift has a short recovery time, gives the longest lasting results, and should leave the patient looking refreshed and natural, not operated on.