Does a mini facelift include tightening the muscles?

It will depend on the surgeon if the underlying SMAS layer is tightened as well as the skin. Personally, I do tighten the SMAS layer as well as the skin when performing a mini facelift, as I find that it provides longer lasting and better results. A mini lift will generally be less expensive than a full facelift, but you should never decide on a surgery based on price. Surgical procedures should be done in accordance with what is necessary to achieve the patient’s goals. If you will benefit from a mini lift alone, go ahead and do it, but if your skin is sagging enough to warrant a full facelift, I would strongly consider having the full facelift instead of the mini. I hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting a wonderful, and common question. I think most plastic surgeons would agree that even a smaller facelift (ie a mini-facelift) should have the muscles tightened. Specifically, the SMAS layer of the lower face should be tightened to give most of the actual result. The skin is also tightened, but not to the same extent as the muscle (to prevent scarring and pulled earlobes). I would avoid any procedure that does not tighten the underlying muscles. As far as cost, minilifts typically cost anywhere between 55-75% of the full cost of a lower facelift/necklift. Depending on where you live, you can expect to spend anywhere from $3500-$9,000 for this procedure. Be sure to seek a board certified surgeon who performs this procedure weekly in his/her practice. Good luck!

FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime.​ Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

A #facelift is a surgical procedure designed to remove the major folds and wrinkles that form on our faces with age. Gravity, sun damage, smoking, living in a dry climate, and a variety of factors contribute to the aging process of our faces. Facelift techniques vary from patient to patient to give each person a procedure tailored to produce the best possible surgical result. A facelift will smooth out major folds and #wrinkles, #tighten the tissues beneath your skin, remove #sagging and excess skin. A facelift can also reduce excess skin around the #neck and #jawline.  

There is not just one facelift procedure, but a whole range of #facelift procedures. These different techniques have been developed over the years, involving different incisions and lifting the skin to varying degrees. A facelift may also involve the tightening of certain muscles and tissues, or liposuction of areas such as the jowls or chin.It is important to understand that facelifts are meant to remove major folds and wrinkles, not fine wrinkles. A facelift which removes every line and fold would be too aggressive and would result in an unnatural result. Fine lines and #wrinkles are better addressed by skin treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, which we also offer at our office. Incisions vary depending upon whether the patient is male or female, the hairstyles, hairline, age, previous surgery, and other factors. Generally, the #incision starts in the temple, in front or within the hairline. It continues in front of the ear, sometimes partially hidden within the ear. It then goes under the earlobe, behind the ear fold, and ends within the hairline or at the hairline behind the ear. The newer, shorter scar #techniques, which do not include scars in or by the hairline, can be used for most patients. Frequently another small and hidden incision is made under the chin in a natural skin fold. This allows fat removal and tightening of the platysma muscle in the neck if required.During your #consultation, your skin texture and elasticity, as well as your underlying skin structure and your facial bone structure will be evaluated. Based on this evaluation, your board certified plastic surgeons will create a custom surgical plan, detailing specific techniques and recommendations to meet your goals. In doing so, he or she should be sure to have a full understanding of what results you expect. If you are not a #candidate, your surgeon can make other suggestions to address your concerns and objectives.

Hi WhatcanmynamebeThanks for posting your question. Our mini face lift does tighten the muscle, however not all of them do.Our Concept Facelift is less invasive than a traditional facelift and there is less scarring, bruising and swelling for a significantly quicker recovery period. This innovative procedure combines the latest surgical techniques with the use of local anaesthetic to dramatically reduce the risks associated with traditional facelifts, while significantly reducing the bruising and downtime of your recovery, from months to a matter of days. This is a combination of a SMAS lift and skin tightening that allows the procedure to have it's longevity without the trauma and invasiveness of a traditional facelift.There is minimal bruising and swelling, especially when compared to traditional faceliftsAs the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, you can go straight home following the procedureFull recovery in a matter of days rather than monthsSignificantly less risk than Facelifts performed under general anaestheticFresh, youthful and long lasting resultsDo your homework and find a reputable and experienced surgeon to talk over your desired results.

When I perform a minilift, I elevate and tighten the underlying thick
connective tissue (SMAS layer) and the skin. Addressing the SMAS layer is key
to having excellent long-term results that can set the clock back 10-15 years.
Minilifts can be divided into 2 basic categories: minilift of the face and
minilift of the neck. A minilift of the face addresses the cheek and jawline,
and includes the temple area in some cases. The underlying thick connective
tissue (SMAS layer) and the skin in front of the ear and sometimes into the
temple are elevated. The procedure restores the contour in the jawline,
marionette lines, and the lower nasolabial fold in a natural way. The incisions
are hidden behind the hairline and the cartilage of the ear, and stops behind
the ear. A minilift of the neck is similar and hides the incisions behind the
ear and into the hairline. Neck liposuction can be performed through a small
incision under the chin, and if muscle bands are present, a platysmaplasty can
be performed. The procedure elevates the loose skin back and brings the contour
back to the neck. If you combine the neck lift and minilift of the face together,
you get a lower facelift (or what is traditionally called a facelift). The
lower facelift for me addresses from the temporal area, including the jaw line
and down to the clavicle. In order to determine
if any of these procedures are best for you, a proper physical exam in
necessary by a board certified facial plastic surgeon.

A minifacelift generally involves tightening of the SMAS layer which connects to the muscles in addition to skin tightening.  Not everyone does it this way.  Some surgeons only tighten skin and others tighten both, and the amount of tightening is surgeon dependent.  In our practice, we perform an extended tightening of the SMAS to make the lift last even longer. 

Thank you for the question. The terms used in facelift and neck lift surgery are, unfortunately, not consistent. The best way to clarify what is done and what you can expect is to discuss this directly with potential surgeons during your consultation. In my practice, when I do a "mini-lift", the muscle/connective tissue layer of the lower face is tightened. The treatment of the neck depends on what the patient needs -- for people with significant neck laxity or hanging muscle bands, a more involved procedure may be needed.

Thank you for your question.  The first thing to clarify is that mini facelift does not mean the same thing to every physician.  It may mean using a shorter scar or a less extended dissection in the cheek.  There are also different techniques for a "full" facelift.  The goal of the procedure is to choose the appropriate technique to satisfy the patient's goals and not be restricted to a particular title.  In terms of tightening the muscles, this is also often misunderstood.  In the cheek area, it is actually the SMAS layer that is tightened which is a fibrous layer that engulfs the structures of the face and connects to the skin with fibrous bands.  In general,  a skin lift only technique is not performed due to limited results and risk of widening scars due to tension on the closure.  Any facelift technique can include tightening of the SMAS layer as well as of the muscles in the front of the neck if banding is noted.  The cost of the procedures varies but can range between $7000 and $10,000 with additional costs for the facility and anesthesia.  Hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. A  Mini Facelift has different meanings to different surgeons. It can either involve skin only or in combination with tightening of the muscle layer known as the SMAS. In my practice I tighten the SMAS if there is an element of a jowl. This will help contour the jawline and increase the longevity of the procedure. By tightening the SMAS it allows for the skin to be re-draped rather than pulled tightly for a more natural and soft look.The price of a Mini Facelift will vary greatly form city to city as well as the experience of the surgeon. I would recommend a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon as a good starting pointBest of LuckDrG