A mini facelift is a modified version of a traditional facelift. In the “mini” version, a plastic surgeon uses small incisions around your hairline to help lift the lower half of your face to correct sagging skin.
About
- The mini facelift is a corrective aesthetic procedure that aims to relax the skin.
- Focusing on the lower half of the face, the overall goal of this procedure is to help correct sagging skin around the neck and jawline.
Security
- While a mini facelift uses fewer incisions compared to a traditional facelift, it is still considered an invasive procedure.
- Like all types of surgery, mild side effects are expected. These include bruising, pain and swelling.
- Serious side effects are rare but can include excessive bleeding and infections.
Ease
- Unlike fillers and other non-invasive antiaging treatments, performing a mini facelift requires medical training. Only board-certified plastic or dermatologic surgeons can perform this procedure.
- It is important to find a certified, experienced provider for your mini facelift. This will also help ensure a smoother recovery process.
- The recovery time lasts several weeks. You will probably need to take time off from work.
Cost
- The average cost of a mini facelift is between $3,500 and $8,000. These costs may vary by location and provider.
- Additional costs include your hospital stay and the anesthesia used. Medical insurance does not cover a mini facelift.
Effectiveness
- Overall, a mini facelift is considered effective in correcting sagging skin on the lower half of your face.
- Depending on your overall goals, you may consider additional procedures such as an eye lift or dermal fillers.
A mini facelift is a slightly modified version of a traditional facelift. Both are invasive cosmetic procedures that involve the use of incisions to help remove and tighten loose skin.
You may be a candidate for a mini version if you want to achieve these goals with fewer incisions and have less excess skin to remove.
Despite its name, a mini facelift is still an important cosmetic procedure. It is important to weigh all the benefits against the costs and risks before undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery.
Here is some information to help you get started.
The average cost of a full facelift is $7,655. A mini facelift can sometimes cost the same amount due to the work done or added, with some estimates ranging between $3,500 and $8,000. So you shouldn’t opt for a mini facelift just because you think it might be “cheaper” than a full facelift.
These prices only cover the cost of the actual operation. You will have to pay separately for your anesthesia, post-surgery prescription drugs and hospital fees. If any complications arise after the operation, you will need to pay for any associated costs as well.
Medical insurance does not cover a mini facelift or any other type of cosmetic surgery. Such operations are considered cosmetic and not medically necessary.
To help serve their patients, many cosmetic surgeons will offer payment plans and discounts to offset the cost of these procedures.
Another issue is your recovery time, which can take several weeks after your cosmetic surgery. If you are currently working, you may need to consider other aspects such as paid time off versus paid time off during your recovery.
The mini facelift is an antiaging procedure that focuses on skin relaxation. Cosmetic surgeons address this by ‘lifting’ your skin upwards through small incisions.
They will also remove excess skin during the procedure, which in turn can help tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Sometimes an eye lift or brow lift is also combined with a mini facelift to maximize your results. This is because facelifts only target the lower half of your face – mainly your jawline and cheeks.
As an invasive surgical procedure, a mini facelift requires either general or local anesthesia. Once you’re under anesthesia, your surgeon will make small incisions around your ears and hairline.
They will manipulate the underlying tissues in your skin by lifting and then pulling them up, while also removing excess tissue.
Once the surgery is complete, your surgeon will use stitches to close all the incisions.
Unlike a traditional facelift, a mini-lift is performed through smaller incisions. They are usually done along your hairline or above each of your ears. Your surgeon then pulls your skin tissues up through the cheeks to help correct the sagging skin.
The smaller incisions used in a mini-lift can be especially helpful if you are prone to scarring.
The most common side effects are pain, swelling and bruising immediately after surgery. These symptoms will subside after several days.
when to call your doctor
You should call your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection or excessive bleeding. These side effects may include:
- increasing swelling
- Severe pain
- oozing and bleeding from your stitches
- fever and chills
- loss of sensation from nerve damage
After surgery, you will be sent home with bandages over your stitches, as well as possible drains. These stitches should remain up to 10 days. After this point, you will go to your surgeon for an appointment to have them removed.
You may still have some bruising and swelling after your surgeon removes your stitches. Your doctor may advise you to avoid certain activities, such as high-intensity exercise, as these may worsen your symptoms.
Overall, it takes several weeks for full recovery after a mini facelift. After this point, you should not need follow-up procedures unless complications arise during your recovery.
While the results are considered permanent, you can talk to your surgeon about future non-invasive anti-aging options, such as dermal fillers, which can help maximize your results.
Your doctor will give specific instructions on how to prepare for your mini facelift. Avoid wearing makeup and jewelry to your appointment, as this can slow down the process.
You will also need someone to drive you home from the hospital, so plan to make these arrangements in advance.
It is important to disclose all medications, herbs and supplements you are taking. Your surgeon may also tell you to stop taking certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs can lead to excessive bleeding.
If you smoke or use tobacco, you should tell your surgeon. You may be advised to stop smoking or using tobacco for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery.
A mini facelift does not involve as many incisions as a full facelift, but it is still an invasive procedure. Like any type of surgery, there can be risks of bleeding, infection and scarring.
Depending on your overall goals and health, a non-surgical procedure may be more appropriate. This is especially true if you’re more concerned with overall volume and texture as opposed to relaxation.
Some options to discuss with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon include:
How to find a provider
A cosmetic (plastic) surgeon or dermatologist can help you determine if a mini facelift is the best option for you based on your health and overall goals. You will also have the opportunity to ask them questions and view their portfolio of work.
To find a reputable surgeon in your area, contact the following organizations:
