A lower facelift is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the lower half or third of the faceâeverything below the corners of the mouth, including the jawline and often the neck.
Sometimes called a âmini lift,â a lower facelift lifts and tightens the underlying facial structures that slacken with age and removes excess loose skin to eliminate jowls, better define the jawline, and lessen deep wrinkles and folds. The procedure also addresses the area under the chin and often removes excess neck fat.
Compared to a full facelift (rhytidectomy), lower facelift techniques are less invasive and require smaller incisions. An upper facelift (aka a forehead lift or brow lift) focuses on everything above the eyes, including your brow line and forehead.
Lower facelifts may also have a shorter recovery time of seven to 10 days, compared to the two weeks of recovery time thatâs often needed after a SMAS or deep plane facelift.
Related: Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift: Whatâs the Difference?
Facial plastic surgery terms are used differently by different plastic surgeons, so be sure that you and the surgeons you consult are clear on your specific areas of concern, what will be done to address them, and the expected results. âWhat a full facelift means to one surgeon may not be the same for all surgeons,â says Dr. Sam Naficy, a facial plastic surgeon in Bellevue, Washington.
If youâre looking for more complete facial rejuvenation, your surgeon may recommend combining a lower facelift with another cosmetic procedure. This could include a brow lift, rhinoplasty, laser skin resurfacing, injectable dermal fillers, or a facial fat transfer (using fat harvested from other body areas via liposuction).
