How do they do a mini facelift

Trying to recapture our youth with topical treatments is like pushing a boulder up a hill. Frankly speaking, there’s only so much that serums, scrubs, and even high-tech treatments can accomplish. While there are many cosmetic treatments that will stimulate collagen production and give you a glowing, youthful complexion, there is really no rival to the youthfulness you can attain with a mini facelift. At Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, we specialize in this quick, easy, and effective procedure.

In the interest of providing you with information to make a fully informed decision about your cosmetic treatments, we have put together a guideline for everything you need to know about this treatment. If you still have questions, feel free to contact our office and talk to our expert staff before your initial consultation.

This is a minimally invasive procedure that has a quicker recovery time than a traditional facelift. This treatment goes by many names, such as a mini facelift and a weekend lift. But regardless of what you call it, the treatment always does the same thing – tighten and lift the skin for minor facial aging in the cheeks and jaw areas of the face.

Mini lifts are targeted procedures that produce a natural-looking, more youthful appearance, and are completely customizable for every patient.

Benefits of Mini Facelift

A mini lift is designed to have fewer incisions and a speedier recovery, but these aren’t the only benefits of the procedure. Other benefits of a mini lift include…

• Tightening of skin in the chin and jaw
• Lifting the skin in the jowls
• Minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Minimal scarring
• Less sedation
• Lower cost
• Personalized treatment
• Long-lasting results

Aside from the lift your face will have, and the short recovery time, mini lifts have less risk of both scaring and side effects from general anesthesia. Unlike traditional facelifts, most weekend lifts are done with a combination of mild sedation and local anesthesia. This is a draw for patients who are anxious about “going under”.

Another benefit of a mini lift is the lower cost. Compared to a traditional lift, mini lifts are only a fraction of the price. Cosmetic treatments themselves are investments, especially invasive procedures that deliver long-lasting results. With a mini lift, you get the benefit of long-term results without taking a huge chunk out of your wallet. Additionally, you also get a procedure that is tailored to your exact needs.

What Happens In a Mini Facelift?

While it’s nice to know what the numerous benefits of a mini lift are, many patients are comforted to know the exact steps of the procedure. Here we have outlined the entire mini lift process, from your initial appointment all the way to recovery so you know exactly what to expect every step of the way.

Initial Consultation

Your first appointment will be the initial consultation. During this appointment, you will talk with our outstanding surgeon, Dr. Jeff Scott, as well as other staff. Your consultation is primarily about talking about your appearance goals and examining the aging symptoms you are experiencing in the mid-face region. We will ask for your general medical history, take note of your current health, and other factors that need to be considered, such as how easily your skin scars.

In order to fully analyze your appearance and create a personalized treatment plan, we will take pictures of your face from both front and side angles. These pictures will help Dr. Scott determine the best way to help you achieve your ideal appearance. At this time, we may suggest additional options to explore, such as an eye lift or other cosmetic treatments.

Mini Lift Process

The full process of a mini lift can be broken down into a few simple steps, which include pre-treatment guidelines, sedation, procedure, and post-treatment guidelines. For you as a patient, your only job is to arrive at your appointment dressed comfortably and ready to reset the clock on your youth.

Step One: Pre-Treatment Guidelines

There are a few instructions that we will require you to follow before your appointment. We will provide you with a full list of pre-treatment guidelines at your initial consultation. One thing that will be included on that list is to avoid certain over-the-counter medications for a short period of time before your procedure. We may also advise that you have an attendant ready to take you home after the procedure is complete.

Step Two: Sedation

There are two choices for sedation when you undergo a mini lift. The first is general anesthesia, which will fully sedate you during the course of your treatment. Some patients do not or cannot use general anesthesia, which is why a second option is available. Many patients choose a combination of twilight sedation and a local anesthetic, which merely leaves your relaxed from the partial sedation.

Step Three: Procedure

Overall, the procedure for a mini lift is simple. Dr. Scott will make a small s-shaped incision near the ear, which he will use as the main point for the lift. It is possible that another small incision will be made near the chin, depending on the goals of your treatment. In any kind of facelift, the skin is gently redraped toward the incision site and excess skin is trimmed away.

The procedure will take 3 or 4 hours to complete. After the lift is completed, Dr. Scott will close the incisions with sutures or skin glue, which will need to be removed about 7 days after the procedure.

Step Four: Post-Treatment Guidelines

It is very important that post-treatment guidelines are followed to ensure the best recovery and healing. Once your procedure is complete and sedation wears off, you will notice that your incision areas have been dressed with bandages, drains, or a combination of both. We will provide you with a detailed list of guidelines, such as how often to clean and redress your incisions, and to sleep elevated to reduce swelling.

The post-treatment guidelines will also provide advice on how to manage the expected swelling and bruising that comes in the days following the procedure, as well as ways to manage discomfort with certain medications. We will also recommend you limit your activity for the first few days follow the procedure. In order to better promote healing, we may also prescribe topical ointments to use during your recovery.

Expected Recovery

Recovery for a mini lift typically takes a few weeks, usually between 1 to 3 weeks to fully recover from the procedure. We generally recommend you set aside 1 week following the procedure, as this is when the majority of healing will take place. Recovery is made easier when the post-treatment guidelines are followed well.

After your sutures are removed, we will advise you on whether or not you can return to your normal activities.

How Long Will Results Last?

While the expected results of a mini lift are tightened skin in the mid-face, you might be wondering how long those results are going to last. You will first see results from the mini lift after you have fully healed from the procedure. For most patients, these results last for 5 years or more. Overall, the length of time the results of a mini lift last depends on your rate of aging. Some patients enjoy the results of mini lifts for as long as 10 years.

Why a Mini Facelift Is Right for You

By now, you might be wondering why you should choose a mini weekend facelift over a traditional facelift – and it’s a fair question. Why get the miniature option when the total option is available?

The fact of the matter is that we all age differently and that means for some that a total facelift might be too drastic of a procedure. If you are only experiencing the early signs of aging, then you really don’t need a total face lift. Sometimes, too much of a good thing is bad. For facelifts, the goal is to lift the face while still appearing natural, so having a total facelift instead of a lift in targeted areas is sometimes unnecessary.

And that’s the second point of why a weekend facelift might be a perfect fit for your needs. With a mini lift, you get to select which areas of your face deserve the most attention. With a mini lift, you get a tailor-made treatment that suits exactly your needs and nobody else’s. With a mini lift, you get to take back some control and choose where to turn back the clock. And is there anything better than that?

Can You Combine Mini Facelift With Other Treatments?

A mini lift accomplishes a very specific set of goals, and for some that might mean that other appearance goals might not be totally met by the lift alone. Thankfully, it is totally possible to create a treatment plan that combines a mini lift with other treatment options, such as a brow lift, derma fillers, injectables, or other skin rejuvenation techniques. You can also combine a lift with mainly topical techniques, such as chemical peels or facials offered at our office.

If you are interested in combining a mini lift with other treatments, our expert staff will help you outline a treatment timeline for treatment so that all of your appearance goals can be met with the best possible outcome. Our primary goal is to meet your expectations with comprehensive and compassionate care. We encourage you to speak up so that we can answer any questions you might have when you come in for a visit.

Ideal Candidates

If you’re interested in a mini lift, you might be curious about who ideal candidates are for this treatment. Typically, candidates for this treatment are 40 or older. By the broadest strokes, ideal candidates are anyone who is experiencing early signs of aging and skin laxity. Early signs of aging include:

• Skin laxity in the jowls and cheeks
• Skin laxity beneath the chin
• Fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth

This treatment is the perfect choice for those who want to have a natural, long-lasting return of a youthful appearance. If you have mild to moderate skin laxity in the mid-face and chin area, then you are likely a candidate for this treatment.

Learn More

If you want to give your appearance a youthful boost, then a mini facelift might be right for you. Contact the experts at Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL to schedule your initial consultation today! Our caring and compassionate team will help tailor a treatment plan to best fit your lifestyle and appearance goals. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you!

How painful is a mini facelift?

How long does it take for a mini facelift?

How long does it take to recover from mini facelift?

Are you awake during a mini facelift?