The Mini Facelift Technique

A mini facelift is a less invasive way to improve the appearance of the face without undergoing an extensive surgery. Overall, the mini facelift is less expensive, less drastic, and a great option for men and women looking to improve the appearance of the face and neck area. Mini facelifts offer excellent results for the right patient. A full facelift offers more dramatic results and is best suited to patients with more severe facial skin and muscle laxity. Patients that have more minor degrees of skin looseness do not need a full facelift; instead, they can undergo the mini facelift.

Anesthesia

Because the mini facelift surgery is a fairly short procedure, surgeons may give their patients more than one option when it comes to anesthesia and sedation. Most surgeons will recommend a combination of local anesthesia and sedation to avoid any potential pain and keep the patient comfortable during surgery. Alternatively, patients can undergo general anesthesia, which renders them completely unconscious for the duration of surgery. Both options allow the surgeon to manipulate the tissues of the face while the patient is in a pleasant state.

Benefits

A mini facelift has a number of benefits over a more traditional facelift. Most patients require much smaller incisions, and therefore have less trauma to surrounding tissues than with an extensive facelift. This helps to minimize the side effects of surgery, including bleeding, bruising, swelling, discomfort, and numbness. As a result, the recovery period is much shorter.

Mini facelifts are best suited to patients who want to improve the appearance of the mid-face, from the eyelids to the cheeks. This type of facelift can recontour the facial skin and tissues that have begun to sag due to gravity and aging. Patients who experience droopiness or looseness of the jowls and chin area may be better suited to a full facelift procedure.

Recovery

One of the biggest benefits of choosing a mini facelift over another facial surgery is the reduced length of the recovery period. With the mini facelift, the small incisions heal quickly and allow patients to get on with their lives soon after the surgery is over. This is why mini facelifts are sometimes call the “weekend facelift,” as they can be performed on Friday, and by Monday, the patient is ready to return to most regular activities.

Results

The results of the mini facelift technique will not be as dramatic as a full facelift. Patients should be aware that there are limitations with the mini facelift, and the procedure will not tighten the lower third of the face as much as a traditional facelift. However, if the patient just wants a quick, but noticeable improvement to the contours of her face, a mini facelift is a great option.

Side Effects

As with most cosmetic surgeries, patients will likely experience some bruising, swelling, numbness at the incision sites, and discomfort after the mini facelift. These will not be, however, as severe as with a traditional facelift.

For more information about mini facelifts, contact Crawford Plastic Surgery today.