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.

A mini-lift is a great choice for the proper candidate.  Typically these patients are in their 40s or early 50s, have minimal neck sagging (minus perhaps some fat under their chin), and have less time available for recovery.  A well performed mini-lift will typically sharpen the jawline muscle and lower 1/3 of the facial skin and can give up to 10 years of youth back in the lower face.  There does need to be incisions around the front contour of the ear (on each side) and under the earlobes as well.  The incisions typically heal quite well (should not be visible) when performed by a skilled surgeon.  The recovery time (with proper preparation, ie not taking blood thinners before your procedure) usually is 5-7 days in my experience.  For the actual jawline, the results can be as good as that of a "full facelift", with the exception that a mini-lift cannot create huge change in the neck itself. 

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.