What Is a Mini Facelift?
Being able to achieve your ideal look is something everyone can relate to. With the evolution of cosmetic procedures, you have more options than ever available to you. Together with your doctor, you can explore the best options for you.
A mini facelift is one of these procedures you can undergo to pursue your ideal look. Let’s look at what a mini lift is, how the process works, and the results you can expect.
The Mini Facelift Process
A mini facelift is for people who want a more youthful look without the time commitment of a traditional facelift. The quicker mini-lift procedure works by cleaning up and tightening the jawline area of the face—getting rid of jowls and providing a pleasant, youthful appearance.
The mini facelift procedure takes less than an hour, and most people need only about one week to recover. This procedure is ideal if you’re looking to achieve your dream look with fewer incisions and less excess skin to remove.
Unlike some fillers and non-invasive anti-aging treatments, medical training is required to perform a mini facelift, and it’s essential to find a certified, experienced provider for your mini facelift.
A mini facelift is still a major cosmetic procedure, and it’s essential to get in touch with your doctor to know if you’re an ideal candidate.
Good candidates for mini facelifts include:
- Healthy individuals who don’t have medical conditions that can interfere with recovery
- Those who don’t smoke or misuse substances
- People who have realistic expectations of what the surgery entails
Your surgeon will make small incisions in front of your ears during the procedure to perform the surgery. Sagging muscles are tightened and excess skin fat is removed. Once the surgery is complete, your surgeon will close the remaining incisions.
Differences Between Mini Facelifts & Standard Facelifts
The main difference between a mini facelift and a standard facelift is the time commitment. A mini facelift is a quick procedure meant to clean up and tighten your skin, while a standard facelift is a larger procedure and can take 2 to 4 hours.
Another difference between the two procedures is that a mini facelift is conducted through smaller incisions and can be especially helpful if you’re susceptible to scarring.
Both procedures will require bringing someone with you to drive you home following the surgery—it’s essential to make these plans ahead of time.
Mini Facelift Aftercare
Following your mini facelift procedure, you’ll be able to go home with coverings over your stitches and possible drains. The stitches from the procedure will need to stay in for up to 10 days. Once the 10-day period comes to an end, you will attend an appointment with your surgeon to have them removed.
You may feel common side effects such as:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
These symptoms usually go away on their own after several days. However, you should call your doctor right away if you experience the following side effects:
- Increased swelling
- Severe pain
- Oozing and bleeding from your stitches
- Fever and chills
- Loss of feeling from nerve damage
Overall, it can take several weeks to fully recover from your mini facelift procedure, after which you shouldn’t require any follow-up surgeries unless any complications arise.
A mini facelift requires proper care and maintenance, as with any invasive surgery following the procedure.
In the first few days following your surgery, you can:
- Rest with your head elevated
- Take pain medication as recommended by your doctor
- Apply cool packs to the face to ease pain and reduce swelling
Proper maintenance can bring you some relief and contribute to safely preserving your mini facelift.
Moving Forward With a Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a great option for people who don’t have the time to commit to a standard facelift. Minimal downtime is an essential aspect of the procedure, and you can rest easy knowing it’s a safe and proven procedure.
Book an appointment with your doctor today to learn more about mini facelifts and see if it’s a good option for you.