Mini Facelift Vs. Full Facelift: Which is Best?

There are lots of names for different lifting procedures, but the most important common denominator in all good lifts is that the SMAS layer is addressed. The SMAS is a fibrous muscular layer under the skin where the surgeon finds the strength and support he or she needs to establish a natural and long-lasting result.
The word "mini" probably refers to a limited dissection and undermining of the skin, which of course is different in each individual, just as the incision length can be different for each individual (whether a "short scar" or a more extended scar is used), depending on the amount and laxity of the skin. What is necessary is a detailed examination of the skin and soft tissues of the face and neck, preferably by a surgeon who performs these procedures regularly and has many before and after photographs of different patients at different stages of aging.

There are many different takes on facelift. The mini Lift is limiting the amount of muscle and soft tissue work that is done. Many surgeons are against the terminology. I am fine with it. For the right patient it can be good. I still prefer a full facelift because I feel the results are longer lasting and more dramatic, but if your only problem is a small amount of skin and some jowls it may be the right procedure for you. The recovering is quicker and it can often be done in a surgisuite without general anesthesia. Hope this helps.Best of luck,DrC 

In our practice, we perform a non-surgical face lift / skin resurfacing treatment using Renuvion Helium Plasma Radiofrequency. ​To get the most improvement with skin tightening, we combine Renuvion (formerly J-Plasma) with lasers (Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, CO2), microneedling/PRP, Ultherapy and InMode FaceTite. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer​​​​

Hi, this is a great question! Unfortunately, there is a lot of variation in facelift terminology. This is very confusing for patients. It is also confusing for surgeons, as we are not entirely consistent as a specialty in when we refer to facelift procedures. The facelift procedure is the definitive procedure in facial rejuvenation. It usually involves some degree of elevation of the skin in front of and behind the ear and some form of tightening of the underlying support layer, the SMAS. There are also more limited incision facelifts of various types, commonly referred to as “mini-lifts”. Theoretically, these procedures may require less recovery as less tissue is manipulated. The downside is that they can leave your face looking “unfinished”. If you require a neck lift, you also have aging changes in your mid-face that may benefit from surgery to achieve balance. I any case, I don’t think that the recovery is necessarily significantly better than with a full face. It is possible to be out and about in public in a week or so after a facelift. I would consult with an experienced facelift surgeon to go over the options.

This is a very common question we get asked, and the answer is it depends on each individual situation.  Usually a mini-lift is most effective in a younger patient with mild jowling and minimal neck laxity.  On the other hand, if there is substantial neck laxity and more significant jowling, a full facelift may be the best choice.  As always, the best way to get answers to this type of question is to schedule an in-person consultation.  Best wishes.

Here's the simple answer to your question. A mini lift treats the jowls whereas a facelift treats the jowls and neck. A facelift is a lower face and neck lift, a very poorly named procedure since it is not a "full" facelift.

Everybody wants results as easy as possible.  Fad facial procedures come and go just like trendy diets.  It’s easy to understand the appeal of alternatives to a facelift like a mini facelift.   After all, a facelift is a surgery that requires a big investment in time and money.  There are many products, treatments, and surgeries that misleadingly claim to be alternatives to a facelift.   In my opinion, products and procedures that claim to offer facelift-like results don’t measure up to the real thing.

Several nonsurgical facial procedures can give moderate results for the right patients.  Some of the treatments are erroneously marketed as an alternative to a face lift or called a “lunch time face lift.”  Because every person is different, every cosmetic procedure will be slightly different.  Similarly, some patients have skin laxity that is too severe to have anything less than a facelift.  If they have a mini-lift or anything else, they will unlikely be happy with their results.  It’s your plastic surgeon's job to exam you carefully and give his or her professional recommendation.  Most patients over 50 with facial sagging and will not be happy with anything less than a traditional facelift.  When it comes to facial rejuvenation, there is no laser or cream that can compete with a facelift surgery.

Both a mini lift and a facelift should always involve tightening the SMAS (Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System) layer.  Resuspension and securing this layer leads to rejuvenation of the face, by counteracting aging and gravity caused laxity.  Mini facelifts tighten the wrinkles and sagging skin on the lower third of the face.  The procedure uses incisions around the ears and pulls the skin tighter.  Mini lifts are popular popular because they’re less expensive, take less time, and have less downtime than a regular face lift.  However, mini lifts have several disadvantages.  Mini lifts don’t last as long and don’t treat as many parts of the face as a regular face lift.  The goal of doing any type of facial surgery is to give people an improvement in their appearance.  A person is happiest with her results when she has a more youthful and tighter appearance in her face.  For these reasons, I only recommend a regular facelift to most patients.

Best of luck to you and your journey!

Every surgeon may define what they consider a mini lift vs a full facelift a little bit differently. 
For me, a mini lift uses a shorter incision than the full facelift and only addresses the jowls, jawline, and some of the neck line. This procedure will give a great result for most patients in their 40s and 50s. It has a 1 week downtime and may be performed in the office with local anesthesia alone. In general, the goal is to bring you back in time 5-7 years.
A full facelift, with its longer incisions, allows a more vertical vector of pull and helps to also restore the upper cheek and advanced neck laxity. The downtime is about 2 weeks and is performed in a surgery center under intravenous or general anesthesia. The goal here is to bring you back 7-10 years.

Thanks for sharing a good question.  Mini lifts do sound appealing.  Less invasive, less recovery, less costs but also less results in the jowls and neck.  So, depending on each individuals amount of aging, budget, recovery time, and desired results you and your surgeon will decide what would be the best procedure for you.  

A person’s age is best guessed by the appearance of their face. If you feel that your face does not reflect how young you feel inside, you may be a candidate for a facelift.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.Patients who desire facial rejuvenation that is affordable, quick, and effective should consider the Lite-lift™. Like the Life-Style™ facelift, this is a modified facelift that can be performed in the office with a local anesthetic and improve signs of aging around the neck, jawbone and lower face. These procedures are not "Thread-lifts" or "String-lifts". We do not use the "barbed" sutures employed in these other lifting operations. The Lite-lift™ uses longer lasting techniques that are discussed below. Because the incisions are limited, there is less bruising, swelling and healing time for most patients. Many patients can be back to work in one to two weeks looking rested and more youthful.The best candidates for #LiteLift are patients 35-60 years old with early changes of the lower face and the neck. Older patients who cannot or do not wish to have a longer operation or general anesthetic can be improved with a Lite Lift™.Lite Lift™ surgery is individualized for each patient. The best candidates for Lite Lift™ surgery have a face and neck line beginning to sag, but whose skin has elasticity and whose bone structure is well defined and do not smoke.

It really depends on the person and how much aging is involved and how extensive of a procedure is needed to achieve optimum results. To find out for sure, a consultation with the physician is the best way to go to know for sure.