When it comes to facelifts, there are different types and techniques that help you prioritise particular concerns. As every person ages at a different rate, various types of facelifts can help to tackle specific issues as you grow older. A mini facelift is one type of facelift that can help to combat the early signs of ageing; let’s dive in.
What is a Mini Facelift?
The mini facelift is a slightly different version of a full facelift. As the name suggests, it’s a less invasive type of procedure and uses fewer incisions. The results, however, are still noticeable yet natural-looking. The procedure takes between 1-1.5 hours to complete. You can expect full recovery to take 6 weeks. In general, patients take about 1 week off work to recover and rest.
With a mini facelift, the surgery primarily targets the lower part of your face, such as:
- Upper neck
- Chin
- Jowls
- Jaw
Typically, these areas are often the first to show the visible signs of ageing. So, a mini facelift targets the early stages of ageing. It’s common to perform a mini facelift alongside other cosmetic procedures. Depending on your concerns and expectations, you can perform procedures like chin augmentation, a neck lift, brow lift, and fat transfer to the face alongside a mini facelift. Combining multiple procedures is an entirely personal choice that you can discuss with your plastic surgeon.
Who is the Best Candidate for a Mini Facelift?
So, is a mini facelift right for you?
A suitable candidate for a mini facelift is:
- Concerned about the appearance of ageing on the face
- Wants a younger-looking and youthful appearance
- Has moderate skin laxity with jowls
- Have realistic expectations
- Be physically healthy
Often, patients in their 40s and 50s will opt for a mini facelift over a traditional facelift. This is because they don’t have deep lines and wrinkles, so a less invasive procedure can be more suitable.
How to Choose Between a Full Facelift and Mini Facelift
There are several key differences between a mini and a traditional facelift. First, a full facelift targets the whole face, while a mini facelift targets the lower part of the face. Because a full facelift can tackle deeper lines and wrinkles, the incisions are longer.
A big difference between the procedures is excision length and position. So, where you facelift scars and how long they are will vary, depending on the procedure. Usually, a mini facelift is suitable for patients in their 40s and 50s, while a full facelift is more appropriate for those 55 and above.
Full facelifts take longer to perform and tend to result in lengthier recovery periods. For a mini facelift, you need about 1 week off work. After this, you can expect to resume most everyday activities. In comparison, it can take 2-4 weeks before you resume everyday activities with a full facelift.
If you’re considering either a full or mini facelift, it’s important to consider your concerns and expectations. By understanding some of the options you could have available, you can go to your consultation with a good base of information. Like any cosmetic procedure, it’s important that you speak to an expert plastic surgeon.
