Advances in the world of aesthetics have brought us to the point where a surgeon can bring about major improvements to a patient’s face with less invasive surgical procedures. The mini facelift is one of these.
What is a “mini” facelift? This procedure involves the placement of small incisions in front of the ears which extend from the hairline to the bottom of the earlobe. The surgeon will then gently pull the skin and tissues up and outward toward the ear, removing excess tissue to contour and firm the features.
This procedure addresses the signs of aging on the lower half of the face and under the jaw. As we age we lose collagen and start to notice a sagging in the cheeks and jowls as well as a slight loosening under the chin. A mini facelift achieves the following:
The steps of performing a mini facelift begin with administering a local anesthetic or IV sedation. Once the patient is comfortable, small incisions are made in front of the ears from the hairline to the bottom of the earlobe. The underlying tissue of the skin will be lifted and pulled up, with the removal of any excess skin. Once complete, the surgeon will suture the incisions closed. The procedure typically takes one to one and a half hours.
Recovery time for this procedure can take one to three weeks.
When it comes to any work being done on your face you want to be sure you’re in the most experienced and skilled hands. Dr. Young Cho is a board-certified plastic surgeon, an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. He has performed surgeries such as the mini facelift, backed by more than 20 years of experience in the aesthetics industry.
During consultations, Dr. Cho takes the time to listen closely and thoroughly understand a patient’s concerns, creating an individual plan and approach for each person under their care. He has mastered the skill of achieving the most natural-looking results that often exceed patient expectations. This is evidenced by Dr. Cho being awarded the accolade of 'Houston’s Top Plastic Surgeon' for 2022 by The Houston Chronicle Curator’s Pick.
Is the neck lift done at the same time?
Where is the mini facelift procedure performed?
What type of anesthesia is used for the mini facelift?
How long does the mini facelift procedure take to perform?
What can I expect immediately after a mini facelift?
What can I expect in the days following a mini facelift?
When are the stitches removed following a mini facelift?
Will there be a scar?
Are there any particular side effects I can expect during the recovery process?
Are there any other special instructions?
The mini facelift tightens the lower cheeks, jowls and partial upper neck. An extensive neck lift is a separate procedure and is also offered by Dr. Cho. The ideal situation, if needed, is to combine a mini facelift with a neck lift to realize greater savings, fewer incisions and less overall downtime.
The mini facelift is an outpatient procedure performed in Integrated Aesthetics’ accredited surgical suite.
Local anesthesia for a mini facelift is our preferred anesthetic method. Our surgery suite also allows for the use of other anesthesia methods like twilight sedation at an additional cost.
A Mini Facelift typically takes 1.5-2 hours and if done with Platysmal Plication (extensive neck lift) it can take up to 3.5-4 hours.
Expect mild pain and swelling. You’ll be given a prescription for pain medication but if you find your pain level is more tolerable, you may take an over-the-counter alternative such as Tylenol. While this is an out-patient procedure you won’t be driving yourself home; make arrangements for transportation home following the surgery.
Stay in bed and rest with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows. Expect a swollen and discolored face for 2-4 weeks following surgery. Eat a relatively soft diet and avoid hard chewing for 2 days.
Sutures are typically removed within 7-14 days. You have two sets of sutures: the running sutures (removed at 7 days) and the key sutures (removed at 14 days). Avoid using make up around the suture area until they have been removed.
One of the big advantages of the mini facelift is the relatively small size of the necessary incisions compared to those associated with traditional facelifts.
There are many post-surgical steps that can be taken to reduce the appearance of scarring, but they will generally not fully eliminate the presence of a scar. These solutions include laser resurfacing, microneedling, silicone sheets, sunscreen, and more.
Numbness, swelling, tingling, itching, discoloration, bumpiness, hardness, crusting, tightness and redness around the incisions are entirely normal and should resolve with healing.
Do not wear earrings for 2-3 weeks. Avoid the sun for 4 weeks. Wear a hat and sunscreen when outside. Do not color or bleach the hair for 2 weeks.
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