When people get older, their skin loses its elasticity and firmness and, hence, wrinkles and loose skin develops on their face and neck. Therefore, people start to look older and tired. One can either live with it or try to do something to turn back the hands of time. For some aging is a painful process, and they might decide to undergo certain plastic surgery to improve their appearance. Mini facelift is one of such procedures.
What is it?
A mini facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure , during which the skin of the neck and lower third of the face is lifted to give it a new, fresher, youthful and firmer appearance. It not only makes people to look younger and energized but also defines the jawline and refirms the neck-chin angle. This procedure is used to remove sagging and droopiness of the neck and lower facial area.
The difference between mini and total facelift is that a mini facelift is less invasive, requires no general anesthesia and shorter period of recovery.
The best candidates for a mini facelift
The best candidates are people between the age of 30 and 65 years. And also those, whose skin still did not lose all its elasticity. Patients should also have realistic expectations about the results of the procedure to be eligible for it. In addition, people planning to undergo mini facelift should be in a good general health. Mini facelift could be performed before full facelift of after it.
Before the surgery
During your initial consultation, your surgeon will give you the instructions on how to prepare for the surgery. You will find out what to drink and eat prior to the procedure. If you are a smoker, it is important to quit smoking at least two weeks prior to a mini facelift, to assure better and quicker results. Additionally, make sure you have someone to drive you home from the hospital, when the operation is over. Mini facelift, unlike total facelift, does not require general anesthesia and, hence, it is carried out under outpatient conditions with no need to stay in the hospital after the surgery. Usually local anesthesia is used in combination with sedatives. So, you will be insensitive to pain but be awake during the facelift surgery.
Mini facelift surgery
There are two major procedures, such as anterior and posterior mini facelift. They both differ in the area they are performed. The anterior mini facelift is carried out to improve the lower face area. It will begin in the region in front of the ears with anesthetic injected to create local anesthesia. Incision line starts in front of the ears and follow up to the hairline. The skin is detached from the underlying tissue, fat tissue is removed and muscles tightened. Then the surgeon pulls the skin and tightens it with deep sutures, removing the excess skin. The procedure may last from 40 to 90 minutes. Another modification of mini facelift is a posterior mini facelift to improve the neck and jowl region. The procedure begins with the injection of anesthetic into the area behind the ears. The surgeon makes an incision behind the ear and drives it to the hairline. Then, he/she pull the skin gently up, tighten it with a few deep sutures and remove the excess skin. The procedure also lasts from 40 to 90 minutes.
Mini facelift results
Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, it requires a short recovery period, most usually only a few days. The doctor will place a special ace bandage under the chin and around the top of the head. And it will be left there for at least two days. Your doctor will instruct you to sleep with your head lifted to assure an optimal healing process. Bear in mind that you may feel some discomfort after the surgery, which could be relieved with the help of pain medicines. You may also experience some bruising and swelling. The surgeon will most probably remove the sutures within a week following the procedure. The results should be noticeable after a few weeks when the tissues and the incisions heal completely. They should be visible for 5 to 7 years, depending on individual characteristics, sun exposure, lifestyle etc.
Possible risks and complications
Being a minimally invasive procedure, mini facelift has very few risks and possible complications. But just like any surgery, it carries certain risk for complications. The most common compliucations are bleeding, hematoma, scarring, nerve injury and infection.
Cost of mini facelift
The cost of the procedure is smaller than that of a full facelift. It differs from state to state, the average cost of mini facelift in the United States is from $3,500 to $6,500.
