All About The Mini Facelift Procedure
The fight against aging can be an uphill battle, and some of the most obvious signs of getting older show on the face. This is why many individuals enlist help from cosmetic surgery techniques like facelifts for their rejuvenating benefits. This tried-and-true surgical procedure can take years off your appearance by manipulating the facial skin and underlying muscles. Deep-set wrinkles and the presence of sagging skin can be smoothed and refreshed for a more youthful appearance. Atlanta-area patients have options when it comes to available facelift procedures for a variety of needs. One of the most popular choices is the mini facelift, also called the Band Aid Facelift. Enjoyed by many for its less-invasive qualities when compared to a traditional facelift, a mini facelift primarily targets saggy jowls and excess skin on the lower portion of the face. This technique also typically results in smaller scars and reduced downtime.
Double board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Marisa Lawrence at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, GA, performs mini facelifts to give patients youthful-looking results. Read below as she explains mini facelifts and how they can achieve significant results for men and women.
The mini facelift explained
Commonly referred to as a Band Aid Facelift, the mini facelift is effective at restoring definition to the area around the chin and tackling some of the most prominent signs of aging on the lower face. Patients experiencing a loss of definition along the jawline love this less-invasive option. Mini facelifts have the added benefit of shorter incisions than those required by full facelifts. Small incisions, which may be covered with a Band-Aid, are placed near the ears and close to the hairline, which helps to camouflage them. Through the incisions, Dr. Lawrence removes excess tissue, tightens the skin, and improves the appearance of the area below the chin and jaw. The Band Aid Facelift carries fewer risks than traditional facelifts but still offers a refreshed appearance.
Ideal candidates for mini facelifts
A mini facelift can address a variety of concerns. Many women and men in their 30s and 40s opt for the procedure as a way to stave off the effects of middle age, which often include the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Dr. Lawrence usually recommends the procedure for patients who are in the beginning stages of visible aging on the face. You may be a good candidate for a mini facelift if:
- Excess or sagging facial skin alters the definition of your jawline
- The skin on your cheeks has dropped, causing jowls to form
- Deep creases or folds are visible between your lips and cheeks
- You have a "neck wattle" or double chin
- The skin around your neck or chin is moderately loose
- You wish to avoid or are not considered a candidate for a traditional facelift
As with any cosmetic surgery, mini facelift patients should be in good overall health before the procedure. Ideal candidates should not smoke or use tobacco products, as this may impede the healing process. Patients must be able to set and maintain realistic expectations for the surgery and its outcome.
The benefits are numerous
One of the most significant benefits of a mini facelift is that its recovery time is brief. Usually, it takes up to a month or more for Atlanta-area patients to recover from a full facelift. The mini facelift typically requires a week or less of downtime. Some patients schedule their procedures on a Friday and can return to work and other daily activities on Monday. As with a traditional facelift, the sutures may be removed about seven days after surgery. Because a mini facelift is less invasive than a full facelift, most patients report feeling minimal pain and discomfort following their surgery. It is common to experience some slight bruising and swelling. However, these issues should dissipate within a few weeks.
A mini facelift and complementary procedures
The results of a mini facelift are remarkable on their own. However, it is possible to accentuate the aesthetic outcome of your surgery by combining it with an eyelid lift, brow lift, or other nonsurgical procedures that will not increase the duration of your recovery. For example, BOTOX® injections can be performed on the forehead and around the eyes to smooth the appearance of dynamic wrinkles that form following years of repetitive movements such as furrowing the brow and squinting. Dermal fillers such as Juvéderm® and Restylane® can be injected below the cheeks to restore youthful fullness, as well as underneath the eye area to increase volume. When a mini facelift is paired with other procedures, the entire face can be rejuvenated.
By targeting the lower portion of the face, a mini facelift can reduce the appearance of loose skin and unsightly jowls while tightening the skin to eliminate some of the significant signs of aging. Schedule an appointment with double board-certified facelift surgeon Dr. Marisa Lawrence, founder of Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, GA, to learn more about the benefits of a mini facelift.