What is the difference between a Lifestyle Lift and a mini lift?

Buyer beware: a number of ‘limited incision’ and ‘quick recovery’ facelift procedures are currently marketed to patients with names like “The Quicklift”, “The Lifestyle Lift”, “The Weekend Facelift”, “The S Lift”, “The MACS Lift”, etc.  As with most things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.  In my opinion, the results of surgery are in direct proportion to the time and effort that the surgeon has put into the procedure.  Most of the procedures I have listed above cut corners to arrive at a shorter surgical time and quicker recovery (which, by the way, isn’t always the case), and most of them undertreat or do not at all improve the neck.  Additionally, ‘cutting corners’ in the neck almost always leads to distortion of the neck area skin, which often is quite readily apparent in ‘before and after’ images of these procedures with gimmicky names.  Look for abnormal and unnatural-appearing skin tension lines in the lateral neck as well as below and behind the ears. I see a large number of patients who are interested in improving poor neck definition and/or loose neck skin only, but who do not want or need a full facelift.  Many of these patients are in their 30s and 40s and find that their neck is their only major facial aging issue.  However, I will also perform a necklift only for many patients in their 50s and 60s who do not want to change their upper facial appearance and who feel that it is primarily their neck makes them look older or ‘matronly’.   

I prefer the term 'facial rejuvenation' over the more antiquated term 'facelift', as many patients that I see who seek a more youthful and refreshed facial appearance undergo a set of surgical procedures very different from what would have been considered a 'facelift' twenty-five years ago.

The word 'rejuvenation' means, literally, 'to make young again'. In each individual, different facial changes occur with age. One person may be unhappy with 'baggy eyelids', while another has 'droopy eyebrows'. One person may be troubled by 'jowls' in the lower face, while another would like an improvement in their 'floppy neck'.

Surgical treatment of facial aging changes must therefore be carefully individualized to match each patient's aesthetic needs and desires. No two 'facelifts', by necessity, are the same. 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 surgical plan is then developed which addresses each patient's specific concerns and needs.

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 is then developed which addresses each patient's specific concerns and needs.

A "liquid facelift" is a procedure that is performed using temporary dermal fillers like Juvederm Restylane or Perlane. There is little to no downtime with a liquid facelift. This might be an ideal treatment for some, but the results are temporary and it does not address excess skin.

Structural fat grafting, sometimes referred to as microfat grafting can provide fullness to lips, cheeks, hollowed upper or lower eyelids and can fill lines and wrinkles on the face. Unlike the liquid facelift, the results from structural fat grafting can be permanent

Laser Skin tightening is a non-invasive treatment with little to no downtime. For individuals with early signs of aging, uneven skin tone, scarring or large pores a laser skin tightening procedure can provide dramatic results.

 Consult with a plastic surgeon who has experience and expertise in both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation to determine the treatment plan that is best for you.

Michael Law MD

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Raleigh, North Carolina

Lifestyle lift is the latest incarnation of the original skin-only facelift, first performed in 1904. This technique was abandoned shortly thereafter because it caused unsatisfactory scarring, ear displacement and short-lived results.

The latest technique is no different except that those performing the technique should know better.

The mini-lift suggests some fraction of a full facelift. This is great because not everyone needs a full facelift with the resultant swelling. However, regardless of the degree of treatment, all true surgical lifts include pulling the SMAS (muscle, fat and fascia) and replacing it back where it came from.

The Lifestyle lift website never shows patients 1 or 2 years out from surgery. The patients almost always have hair covering their ears, and in the few that you can see their ears - they are displaced.

The term mini-lift is nebulous, but is often used either to mean a facelift for the upper face alone, for the neck and lower face alone, or for a minimal skin-only facelift. The Lifestyle lift, according to its practitioners, and the post-LSL patients I have seen, involves the incisions of a full facelift, minimal undermining with no SMAS work. No SMAS work means all the volume that has descended down and rests on the jowls stays there. The loose neck muscles stay the way they are. Most of the excess skin stays where it is because it is not undermined and advanced. The lost volume remains uncorrected. So all the technology, incisions and benefits of a circa 1910 Lexer facelift...

There are three assumptions you can safely make in Facial Plastic Surgery: 

1) The more advanced the aging changes are, the more extensive your procedure needs to be.

2) Not all surgeons are equal.  As I was told in my training, " There is no such thing as a minor procedure; there are however, minor surgeons".

3) Always see a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon or Board Certified Plastic Surgeon when considering a facelift, and get a second opinion.

Lifestyle Lift is a very heavily marketed procedure, and has multiple offices throughout the country.  The procedure is performed by local surgeons at a Lifestyle Lift facility, under local anesthesia.  A significant message of the Lifestyle Lift marketing is that they offer a procedure that can be performed in about an hour, with minimal downtime, quick healing, and significant results. 

How Long Will It Last?

A one hour procedure may be appropriate in some patients, but is certainly not appropriate for most of the patients I see in SW Florida.  Longevity of results for patients typical in my practice with a 1 hour procedure?  Probably 12 months or less.  Why?  Facelift is truly a three step procedure which constitutes work on one side of the face, the contralateral side, and elevation and contouring of the neck.  If you do not address each of these elements properly in the form of carefully placed incisions, skin elevation, SMAS elevation and tightening, trimming of skin with appropriate tension, meticulous wound closure (by the surgeon), contouring of the neck, and platysmaplasty, the result is less likely to hold up for a significant period of time.  A more extensive procedure will require a variable period of downtime; some patients heal more quickly than others for a variety of reasons.  It should be stated that some patients with even the least extensive of procedures (injectables) will experience significant bruising.

Just as in every profession and job in this country, some individuals are more gifted, more capable, and obtain better results than others.  Not surprisingly, this is certainly true in Surgery.  An advertised procedure is merely an advertisement; an individual surgeons's work is an individual surgeon's work regardless of how effective his/her marketing is.

In making your decision to undergo Facial Plastic Surgery, remember that is it likely you will be spending a significant amount of money, regardless of who it is you see.  Ultimately, you will want to feel comfortable with the result that you have, the amount of money you have spent to get it, and the experience that you have had.  It is better for a surgeon or company  to underpromise and over-deliver than the opposite.  Analyze the marketing carefully, listen to word of mouth, read websites such as this, and go with your comfort level.

Hello in Chattanooga,

Having performed hundreds of Lifestyle Lifts and mini-lifts in the past I hope I can answer your question in a clear and factual manner.

"Mini-lift" on the whole implies a surgical procedure meant to address mild aging changes seen in the lower third of the face.  The tag "mini" refers to the use of smaller incisions (ie. in front of the ear only, along the sideburn only or in back of the ear only ) as well as its application to address "mini"mal signs of aging.  It can be an effective procedure for patients with very specific aging concerns, those who are younger and have early signs of aging or those who have had a previous facelift and need a little extra lift.  The "mini-lifts" do not go deeper than the SMAS/muscle layer and do involve removing skin.

The Lifestyle Lift is also meant to address aging changes in the lower third of the face but involves a classic facelift incision that extends from the sideburn along the front of the ear and along the back of the ear.  Due to the greater exposure gained from the larger incision it can address aging changes that are more advanced than seen in those who are candidates for a "mini-lift".  Like "mini-lifts" the Lifestyle Lifts do not go deeper than the SMAS/muscle layer and do involve removing skin.

Hope this helps!

A lifetstyle lift is a brand name given to a limited scar facelift and a small excision of tissue below the skin. A minilift is similar but not necessarily the same operation.  Mini-lift usually refers to a limited scar face lift and isolated treatment of the lower 1/3 of the face( jowls) and/or neck.  Remember, it is the quality of the surgeon and not the quality of the name of the operation which gives the quality result.  This operation is usually indicated for younger patients without alot of skin laxity.

The Lifestyle lift was a marketing label by a group of facial plastic surgeons who were advertising an affordable mini lift procedure in order to appeal to the larger public. The procedures are very similar although there are some subtle differences and variations depending upon the surgeon.

The mini lift was developed for (and is appropriate for) the patient who has mainly facial skin laxity and not as much neck laxity. These tend to be, but are not always, younger patients. The advantage is that they can be performed under local anesthesia and have a quicker recovery time. The results are very natural and very satisfying for the right patient. The downside is that it is a lesser procedure and thus there is the potential for a lesser result in a patient who needs a full face lift.

As with any procedure, an appropriate consultation to provide an individualized treatment plan is always best.

A Lifestyle Lift is a mini-facelift that is performed in an office setting using minimal sedation and local anesthesia. It was designed to provide men and women who would not have been able to afford facial rejuvenation surgery, or were scared of general anesthesia, a way to help improve their appearance.

A good surgeon will tell you that there is no standardized facelift and the Lifestyle Lift is no different. The important thing to remember is that the technique is not as important as the operator.

That being said, those electing to have minimal procedures need to be aware that you get what you pay for. But, in today's "on the go" society, few people are willing to sacrifice much in the way of downtime. That is why most people stick to Botox, injectible fillers, and skin care/laser for as long as possible before succumbing to surgery. Just understand that even those technologies have their pros and cons.

Ask you surgeon/dermatologist to explain all of your options to you so that you may make the best decision for your situation.

Hope this helps.