Am I candidate for a mini face lift? (Photo)

Question

I'm 52. I have alot of sagging skin at the bottom of my face and along the jawline. If I lift up that area, I can see the shape of my face I used to have (heart shaped). Now it looks square to me . When taking photos I'm submitting I can see it looks like my neck needs work but I'm not concerned with my neck, it's my face that I don't even recognize anymore due to the sagging. What would you recommend?

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for providing photos. You may be a candidate for a traditional facelift to improve skin elasticity, lift fallen tissue, and define the shape of the face. Excess fat on the neck can be removed along with excess skin to create a smooth appearance and angulate the neckline. Underlying tissue that has fallen over time can be tightened and repositioned as well to achieve optimal results.
I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon. They will be able to conduct a thorough physical examination and determine the procedure that may be best for you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

These are all natural parts of the aging process. What we can do is try preventative treatments or get a neck lift / face lift earlier in the aging process. There are numerous non-surgical options available, and some can be used in combination to get best outcomes, but you would need a consultation with an expert.

Some options for skin tightening include:

- Thermage radiofrequency to heat the skin, tighten it over time, and prevent the aging process
- Ultherapy high-intensity ultrasound to contract the muscle, tighten the face and neck, and prevent the aging process
- PDO NovaThreads or InstaLift threads for immediate lifting without surgery and long-term collagen production
- Sculptra injections for collagen production to areas of the face and neck with crepey skin or early sagging
- BTL Exilis Ultra, Venus Legacy, and Thermi250 for monthly collagen stimulation with facials
- ThermiRF, Renuvion (J Plasma), or Inmode BodyTite for internal heating and tightening with or without surgery
- Fillers (or facial implants) to contour the jawline and chin to improve the appearance of the neck
- Face lift / neck lift with fat grafting and fillers if you need a significant improvement​

​I would suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer​​​​

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures!  A mini facelift is a great option for many people that share concerns similar to yours. The recovery & downtime is very minimal. There are usually no drains, most people can go out the same day, you can shower the next day, there are no scars behind the ears and you can wear your hair up anytime and most patients take no pain medicine. The result is usually the same in selected patients as a full scar facelift but it really depends on your exam. Surgery is not for everyone. In today's day and age, there are many nonsurgical options to consider although surgery usually gets the most improvement specifically of the neck and jowls.

I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of mini facelifts and neck lifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and an idea of the pros and cons to each of them as well as realistic expectations.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

A mini facelift would correct the cheeks, lower face and neck and may be the perfect procedure for your situation.  The difference is a full facelift would dissect your neck from side to side but many patients do not need to be this aggressive.  The benefit is a quicker recovery and excellent long lasting results with an adequate SMAS lift.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

It’s hard to tell from your photos if you would benefit from a facelift, mini or otherwise. Everyone seems to have a different idea as to what a mini facelift is. If you need a facelift get a properly done facelift. Don’t cut corners

Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear rustybear123,

Thanks for sharing the photo. You appear to be aging well.  
•	Of course, you need a in-person consultation to further understand your medical history, facial desires, budget and motivation.
•	Consider the 3 silo’s of facial rejuvenation:
o	Based on these photos, I believe you will be best surved with a surgically personalized lifting of underlying soft tissues and redraping and removal of excess skin. Then maintain your new foundation with:
o	Non-surgical skin turn-over, volume rebalancing and tightening: retinoids and chemical peels
o	Minimally invasive firming, filling and lifting: Sculptra, fillers/fat grafting and Threadlift
Your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Medical Internist will determine what is a reasonable anesthetic option for you. 
I hope this helps. All the best!

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

A necklift only addresses the neck skin laxity. It will not improve the jowls or cheeks.
 
A minilift also varies significantly in what it entails, depending on the surgeon performing it. It usually performed in patients with minimal laxity and would not improve your neck. The terms facelift and lower facelift mean different things to different patients and vary in their extent from surgeon to surgeon. A facelift or a lower facelift which would include the neck area would have the potential to produce the best cosmetic result of the neck, central cheek and jowl area.

Micro-fat grafts can produce a long term improvement of the areas that you have had temporary fillers.

It is important to realize that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do based on limited photos without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.
Facial rejuvenation needs to be individualized. What would be an ideal approach for one patient is not necessarily the same for someone else. Based on the examination and discussion at the consultation, you should have a better understanding of the various options that can achieve the best cosmetic result for you.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A mini facelift tends to give mini results, and we rarely ever perform them, especially when you have aging changes in the neck. In our practice, the goal of a lower face and neck lift is to tighten loose facial and neck skin, tighten loose facial and neck muscles, lift the jowls, remove fat deposits in the neck along the jawline when needed, and performing platysma-Plasty to significantly improve the jawline

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on the 2 poorly exposed photos I think you are a candidate for one of my mini Face/Neck Lifts with SMAS pication and 2-4 syringes HA fillers. Fee $8,000. Best to virtual consult with...

Am I candidate for a mini face lift? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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