Mini Facelift - would I be a good candidate? (photos)

Question

Hello! I was wondering if you think I would be a good candidate for a mini facelift? When I use face tape it seems I just need a lift under the cheekbones to the top of the ears, but I am not a doctor! Your advice would be much appreciated. I have been considering a thread lift but have heard bad things since researching ! Thanks so much in advance. :)

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Your face looks really good and I’m
Not sure you need a facelift at all. The key to getting a good facelift is to go to the right doctor. Whether you call it a mini facelift is irrelevant.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for providing photos along with your question. Ideal candidates for a mini facelift are those who have early signs of aging, such as slight jowl formation and mild to moderate skin laxity. Based on your photos and your skin concerns, it seems it is too soon to go for a surgical procedure. You may benefit from nonsurgical procedures for skin rejuvenation such as lasers, injectables, or RF microneedling (Profound RF). These treatments do a great job at boosting collagen production, resulting in tighter, younger-looking skin. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Your surgeon can assess your skin quality and facial profile, recommend the best treatment or combination of treatments, and ensure the best possible results.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

Looking at the pictures that you have sent us, you would be a good candidate for a Facelift surgery combined with Face Fat Injections. If you would prefer to choose the less invasive way, then Soft Thread Lift can be a good option for you. However, it is important to understand that the results usually last up to one year, whether Facelift is a more permanent solution.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

A mini facelift would be an excellent procedure to lift your cheeks, lower face, and neck.  It can be done under local anesthesia in the office and takes 2 weeks recovery.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures!  A mini facelift a good option to treat jowls and the lower face.  The surgical option that may be a better fit for you is a midface lift.  There are many ways to accomplish this, but treatment options really depends on your anatomy and genetics. It is best to talk to your surgeon because everybody has different techniques and recovery time is usually based on a number of factors.

Surgery is not for everyone.  There are non-surgical options that can help achieve what you desire.  Cheek filler will help lift the face and if done with a cannula can get the filler up higher on the cheek lifting the face even better.  Though this is a great option to surgery it is not a permanent solution and would likely require multiple treatments.

I strongly feel that it's very important to have an honest conversation with your surgeon about your particular situation, lifestyle, work environment and specifically which procedures you're having done so that you both have the most honest answer about your recovery and are realistic with expectations and results.

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 facelifts 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.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

A mini facelift is typically the treatment of choice when one has jowls that one is trying to improve along with cheek descent. There is no completely agreed-upon definition of mini facelift. In general, a standard facelift means elevating the cheek and neck redundant tissue and all the sub techniques that unique individuals require. If one is concerned mostly with redundant skin of the neck, a necklift may be more appropriate. If one is concerned with the jowls but ones neck is doing well, a mini facelift can be considered. A good physical exam is always needed to determine if one is a candidate and also to determine if it is worth it to undergo it. If the cheek skin is flaccid one may be a candidate. A good way to tell is to look in the mirror and hold up your cheek relatively tightly and then let it down 25% or so. This is probably a realistic expectation for a mini facelift for most. Your plastic surgeon at your exam will be able to demonstrate this for you to help determine if you're a good candidate.

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

Facelifts are procedures where the soft tissues of the face are repositioned and somewhat tightened. The relative need of a facelift is dependent on the qualities of the face including elasticity, soft tissue position, wrinkles and many more. It is not based on age. A single photo can not truly reflect all the facial characteristic which you notice. Non invasive and minimally invasive procedures have become much more popular over the years but in all honesty, they cannot replace a facelift in an appropriately selected patient. Keep searching for a skillful plastic surgeon to help guide you on your path.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Only on the basis of in person evaluation and discussion about your goals and expectations, one could give you better advise; neck vs. face/neck lift would be my options. Good luck.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

It's important to do the facial procedure that will work best for what you want to do. If you're looking to lift the cheeks some, then a minifacelift won't help that - you need a cheeklift, which is surgical and lasts longer, or a threadlift which is much simpler to go through, but doesn't do as much. If it's the jawline you want to improve, then a minifacelift will help that - it is surgical, so more to go through, or a threadlift which is much simpler but doesn't last as long. Be sure to see a facial specialist who can sort all of this out with you specifically.

Edgar Torres, MD · Answer

It depends on your expectations. For me, the most practical way to objectify them is by doing a test in front of the mirror. If the result you want is clearly obtained by exerting tension with your bare hands, there is no other way to replicate that maneuver than through a small facelift. However, in her photos, she seems to have an incipient sagging in her neck. If you also want to include it, the maneuver would not only consist of a mini facelift but also a lift for the neck. The more direct the maneuver is with respect to its origin, that is, stretching it before flaccidity, the more satisfactory, natural, and complete the result will be.