Results, Recovery, Incisions from Mini Facelift: What to Expect?

Hello Debra,This is a great question. We receive many calls every day from patients who are trying to understand what a branded facelift is and exactly what each type of facelift will do for them.Companies that promote branded facelifts can make decision making difficult for patients. These companies are exceptionally good at marketing and their job is to generate leads for surgeons. Most facelift surgeons do not brand their facelifts, rather they specialize in the complete spectrum of facial rejuvenation procedures and focus on customizing the procedure to the needs of their patient.There are different approaches to facelifts, with different incisions shapes and lengths, degree of skin flap dissection and SMAS elevation, etc. Patients should also be considered for other procedures that will give them the best result possible, such as facial implants if they have a recessive chin or fillers if they have lost cheek volume. A consultation with a facelift specialist is a good start, in addition to reviewing photos of their patients, especially those that started off with a similar face to yours.We made a video (below) that explains the different types of facelifts and the incisions and skin dissection that is involved with each type.Basically, a mini lift has shorter incisions and a smaller area of skin dissection. The recovery will be shorter and the results more subtle. This may be appropriate for someone with very early lower face laxity. It may not be appropriate for someone who has more skin laxity and won't improve the neck whatsoever. The ability to elevate the SMAS is limited.The next step up is a short incision facelift. More skin is dissected and more SMAS elevation is possible. The recovery is approximately 2 weeks and patients are usually very happy with the results. A short incision lift will produce minimal improvements to the neck.For a patient who desires an improvement to their neck as well as their lower face, a long incision facelift might be best for them. Longer incisions are used, more skin dissection and more SMAS elevation is possible. The recovery is more like 3 weeks.

There are many minilifts out there. It depends on what you need to correct. Sometimes, I see patients who have had a minilift and there are scars both in front and behind the ear. With this approach, there is limited dissection and the patysma muscle bands in the central neck may not be corrected. Also, the SMAS (fascia in the cheek) may not be tightened and lifted.
Depending on your skin type and age, a limited facelift can last for years. But, if it is really a "mini" approach, you many get a "mini" result and have to do the facelift at a later time. 

For patients with jowling and mild neck laxity, a mini lift is a great option. The results are meant to bring you back 5-7 years and are generally best for those in their 40s and 50s. The downtime is 1 week and the recovery is relatively easy. The incisions start just underneath the sideburn and pass around the ear in the natural creases. Shorter incisions just leave bumps of skin behind that may take months to flatten out. I perform a deep plane mini lift, which I believe gives the most natural-appearing and long-lasting rejuvenation.

Thanks for sharing your question.  Mini lifts and a full lower facelifts all have their roles for the specific patient.  Both procedures target the jawline and jowls.  Typically, both procedures have the same incisions in front and behind the ear.  A full lower facelift will have the incision extend down the posterior hairline and thus will get a better result in the neck and even a better result in the jawline because the longer incision allow for a stronger overall lift. A mini lift will have the advantage of less recovery, less costs, and less risk but again this will come with less results.  It is important to consult with an experienced facelift surgeon to discuss which procedure would be the best for you when considering all these variables. 

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™.The healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen. If you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is recommended to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.