Is a mini face lift appropriate for me? Not happy with jowl area for my age.

Question

I’ve just turned 37 and currently 35 weeks pregnant . I know in my family jowls are hereditary and I don’t really have cheekbones to help the matter ! I’ve booked for a threadlift ( silhouette soft ) after the baby . 6 threads in total . But I’m worried my face is getting too heavy . What would be the best option going forward ?

David Hansen, MD · Answer

The short little new Threadlifts last anywhere from 1- 6 months and don't really do much.  You really have to have a good imagination to see any improvement from these new little threadlifts.  A lower face/neck lift is really what you need and would make such a dramatic natural improvement for you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime. Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Jonathan Pontell, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question and photos.  Yes, you would be a good candidate for a mini-facelift.  You would see significant rejuvenation in a well done mini-facelift.  I don't do thread lifts as the results that I see are minimal and knowing what I know as a facial plastic surgeon, it is not possible to suspend a face with just a few sutures.  Good luck.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures.  You would be a good candidate for a lower facelift. The facelift I perform is under a local anaesthetic which means a significantly reduced downtime.
Most of my patients want a facelift however do not want the downtime associated.  The Concept Facelift and Necklift is the procedure I perform, which combines the latest surgical techniques with the use of local anaesthetic to dramatically reduce the risks associated with traditional facelifts, while significantly reducing the bruising and downtime of your recovery, from months to a matter of days. 
If you have lax facial skin, lost volume and feel that you have jowls and wrinkles on your cheeks and you look tired when you're not then the concept facelift can help improve your appearance. With concept facelift you will look natural and fresh just like the way you feel inside. There are no bandages, drains and hospital stay but with lasting results of traditional facelift techniques it fits with today's age.
This can be combined with resurfacing options such as chemical peels or laser which gives your skin a glow and helps the appearance of acne scarring. 
 Typically recovery period is 7-10 days as you do tend to bruise more with your eyes than facelift and necklift.  You would need to return for a follow up appointment 7 days later to check your healing progress.  This can be combined with lower eyelid surgery which I think will give you a fresher appearance.
What are the benefits of a local anaesthetic facelift?
Minimally invasive as it is a short scar facelift, although has the same effects as the Traditional Facelift as the SMAS muscle is tightened along with the skin.There is minimal bruising and swelling, especially when compared to traditional faceliftsAs the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, you can go straight home following the procedureFull recovery in a matter of days rather than monthsSignificantly less risk than Facelifts performed under general anaestheticFresh, youthful and long lasting resultsPlease make sure you find a reputable and qualified plastic surgeon

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

From your photos, I think you may like your threadlift. The only downside is that they only last 12-18 months. You may be a great candidate for a minilift. It is a procedure that is performed in the office using local anesthetic. A pressure dressing is applied that day, but is removed the next morning. The incisions are all in and around the ear, so patients with longer hair can actually cover the area and do relatively normal things, even with sutures in. By a week, when the sutures are removed, almost everyone is back to normal every day living. The minilift would be a "permanent" solution to the problem. The face would continue to age naturally, but the improvement would be there forever.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Rejuvenation SpecialistQuintessa

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Catsadles  I see what you mean, and since prominent jowls are hereditary, a mini facelift is a reasonable option in your case, even if you are on the younger side. Often times thread lifts don’t work, are temporary at best and can also look funny if the threads are not placed properly. Save your money and hold off for a MACS Mini Facelift.Developed in Europe, it is the ideal approach for the younger patient, not ready for a full facelift, or patients who desire a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery time. It addresses both the mid face area (especially the jowls) as well as the neck, if needed. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to explore the best options for you.  Good luck.

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Though you are young, you do have some early "jowl" visibility and you may be a good candidate for a mini-facelift. That would likely give you a longer lasting result than the thread-type procedures, plus any extra skin could be removed/tightened. These procedures have fairly easy recoveries, but with a new baby, it might be better to postpone things? You could do Botox and fillers in the meantime (when not breastfeeding).Best wishes on your delivery!

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, congratulations on your pregnancy.  From the photos your cheeks are flat in the front, there are signs of mid-cheek grooves and slight excess amount of fat in front of the cheeks, jowls are present, the chin is a bit weak and there is a slight amount of excess skin under the chin.  I have performed many SMAS facelifts for over 30 years and have performed many minimally, invasive SMAS facelifts.  The reality is, there are many different ways to perform a facelift from incision length, incision placement, level of tissue dissection (skin only, SMAS, Deep Plane, Subperiosteal), different degrees of tissue undermining, how to lift and support (imbrication versus plication of the SMAS layer), how much excess skin to trim, is excess fat going to be reduced and finally will the overall shape of the face be made more feminine or masculine (while avoiding the over pulled, windswept appearance).  Price is determined by the reputation, location and experience of the Facelift Surgeon.
 In my humble opinion however, there are some basic requirements that must be met in order for a facelift to be "effective", yielding "aesthetic pleasing" and "naturally attractive" results.  These include: 
 1. Some type of incision either curved around the front (preferred) or straight in front of the ear.  This is how excess skin is removed which is not possible with an incision behind the ear alone.  If you have so little excess skin on the face that "none" needs to be removed you are not a candidate for a facelift in the first place.
2. The facelift must address correction and softening of the "jowls" using a long lasting and effective technique.  If you have "jowls” these are sagging facial tissues and the main indication for some form of a SMAS facelift.  The underlying SMAS layer, of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured (not merely folded or suspended with threads or sutures that will not last).  The excess skin is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.
3. Facial shaping must be combined to properly shape the cheeks, chin, jaw line and lips for feminizing or masculinizing the face as the case may be.
 If you have "jowls” these are sagging facial tissues and the main indication for some form of a SMAS facelift.  The underlying SMAS layer, of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured (not merely folded or suspended with threads or sutures that will not last).  The excess skin is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.

My most popular SMAS facelift is the minimally invasive, short incision SMAS facelift that has all the benefits of more invasive facelifts (traditional, mid-face, deep plane, cheek lift and subperiosteal facelifts) but with these added benefits:
very small incisions and no incisions extend or are placed within the hair.minimal tissue dissection less bruising and swelling rapid recovery ( several days instead of weeks or months with the more invasive type facelifts mentioned)can be performed in 90 minutes or less, with or without general anesthesiaproper SMAS Imbrication techniqueno incisions within the hair no hair lossexcess fat can be removed from the face and neckexcess skin removed from the face and neckcheeks, chin and jaw line can be augmented with dermal fillers (I prefer Restylane Lyft) or facial implantsmost patients fly back home to parts all over the world in as little as 3 days post-opI combine facial shaping with every facelift procedure.  When jowls are present, these should be done in concert and not alone or separately in order to create a naturally, more attractive face.
Hope this helps.

Is a mini face lift appropriate for me? Not happy with jowl area for my age.

Answers (8)

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