Should You Get a Mini or Full Facelift?

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. 

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