Mini facelifts, also known as the weekend facelift or “quick lift,” offer certain patients the chance to rejuvenate their skin for a youthful look with minimal downtime. By tightening and firming the cheeks, neck, and jawline, the mini facelift helps to reduce visible signs of aging. In recent years, it has become one of the top cosmetic procedures performed nationwide thanks to its ability to target the very first signs of sagging and aging skin–with a considerably easier recovery process compared to more extensive procedures.
However, the mini facelift can mean something very different from office to office, and that’s why it’s critical to work with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Wallin. Thanks to his years of specialized training on aesthetic surgeries of the head, face, and neck, Dr. Wallin has become a sought-after, skilled artisan of this delicate procedure. However, even when working with the best surgeon around, a full facelift may be required to achieve a patient’s desired results in some cases.
So, when is the mini facelift sufficient? Read on to learn more.
1. Addressing Mild to Moderate Skin Laxity
The ideal mini facelift patient doesn’t have a lot of excess skin or particularly lax neck skin. If you’re hoping to reverse these more advanced signs of aging, Dr. Wallin will most likely recommend a full facelift. The more traditional procedure uses an extended incision that allows Dr. Wallin to remove more skin and further refine results.
For younger patients, generally in the 40-70-year-old age range, Dr. Wallin can employ a small incision near the ear without extending to the hairline. If you have mild to moderate sagging skin or facial jowling, a mini facelift can be a perfect fit. It’s best suited to those patients looking to specifically lift and tighten the lower face.
2. Significant Anti-Aging, Short Recovery
Another big draw of the mini facelift is the considerably shorter recovery period. This can be especially helpful for patients with busy work schedules or who can’t take off for weeks to rest and heal. Mini facelifts can be done with local anesthesia or twilight anesthesia, depending on patient comfort levels.
The mini facelift is also highly popular among patients who have health concerns that prevent them from using general anesthesia. Additionally, the use of local anesthesia means patients often require less medical evaluation or testing before the procedure. When combined, these factors can make a mini facelift feel like less of a serious time commitment than its traditional facelift cousin.
As for the post-op recovery, most patients only experience mild discomfort for a day or two. Dr. Wallin will provide you with oral pain medication to ensure your comfort during this initial healing phase. After that, most people switch to an OTC medicine like Tylenol or Ibuprofen for an additional one to two days.
If your job requires face-to-face interactions with clients, you may want to schedule up to seven days off, which will allow any swelling and bruising to dissipate fully. Often, though, patients return to work sooner. Each person’s body responds to surgery and heals a bit differently, and our expert team will ensure you have all the information and support necessary for a safe recovery and optimal results.
- Long-Lasting Facial Rejuvenation
Though mini facelifts primarily address signs of aging in the lower half of the face, focusing on the jowls and jawline, Dr. Wallin can achieve a certain degree of upper neck tightening as well. If you’re primarily looking to address the neck area, though, a traditional facelift is most likely your best option.
That said, the mini facelift does allow Dr. Wallin to remove some of the submental (under the chin) fat, improving the appearance of “turkey neck” and double chin. Fat removal alongside tightening the surrounding tissue can also restore definition to the jawline that often provides balance to the entire face.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re looking to obtain lifting, smoothing, and tightening that is both transformative and natural-looking, a mini facelift may be right for you. Any scars you have will be quite small and often unnoticeable because the incisions for this procedure are quite small. Results tend to last for at least seven years. Several factors determine how long you’ll see rejuvenation, including your genetics, skincare routine, diet, and sun exposure.
If you’re interested in learning more about the mini facelift or any of Oasis Aesthetic’s other anti-aging procedures –the next step is to schedule an in-person consultation at our St. George, UT, office. To get in touch, please give us a call at (435) 627-8150 or contact us online today.
