Facelift vs. Mini Facelift

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that addresses signs of facial aging by removing loose skin, and repositioning and tightening underlying tissue. A mini facelift is a surgical procedure that reduces sagging skin, tightens deep tissue, and smooths the jawline. Though they address similar concerns, these two procedures have distinct differences. Understanding which procedure best suits your facial concerns is crucial when seeking facial rejuvenation.

Dr. Gregory Fedele is a board-certified plastic surgeon who leads his practice with surgical excellence, artistic sensibilities, and a priority on safety. He is also a medical illustrator with more than 100 illustrations published in medical textbooks and scientific journals, demonstrating his deep knowledge of intricate anatomy. Dr. Fedele utilizes advanced, refined techniques to create beautiful, natural-looking results.

If you want to explore a full facelift and a mini facelift to discover which is best for you, contact us online or call our office at (216) 464-1616 to schedule your personal consultation.

About Facelifts

A facelift is a surgical procedure that reduces unwanted fat, tightens sagging skin, and smooths the jawline and cheeks. It addresses the deep folds and creases in between the nose and corners of the mouth, refines the neck by re-establishing a firmer and more youthful shape, and tightens and removes the excess fat in the neck and under the chin. A facelift aims to reduce facial signs of aging, which results in a youthful appearance, allowing your face to appear about ten years younger. ⁽¹⁾

About Mini Facelifts

A mini facelift is a modified version of a traditional facelift that uses shorter incisions to address minor signs of facial aging. Patients are typically younger and seeking to address less significant concerns in the lower face. This is a less invasive procedure that elicits a shorter recovery time than a traditional facelift while delivering results that can rejuvenate and lift your facial appearance. ⁽²⁾

Benefits

Both a full facelift and a mini facelift offer impressive benefits and notable rejuvenation. They both can:

However, a full facelift can more effectively:

While a mini facelift is better for:

Candidates

If you are experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity, early jowl formation, and a loss of jawline definition, a mini facelift can be an ideal procedure for you. To undergo this procedure, you must also have skin that retains its natural snap-back and healthy structure and be free of heavy neck bands or severe loose skin under the chin. For a full facelift procedure, you are an ideal candidate if you are experiencing significant skin laxity, are experiencing localized fat and jowling, and are seeking a comprehensive facial and neck rejuvenation with long-lasting results.

To qualify for either procedure, you should be in good general health, be a non-smoker, be free of any medical conditions or underlying skin concerns, and have realistic expectations for your results.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, you will have an opportunity to discuss your treatment goals and ideal appearance. Dr. Fedele will then review your medical history, examine your skin laxity and facial fat, and discuss your treatment options. He will explain the differences between a full facelift and the mini facelift, as well as explain how these two treatments can work in tandem to enhance your outcomes. After a thorough conversation, he will recommend the procedure that best suits your goals. Following this, he will create a personalized treatment plan that will include either a mini facelift or full facelift (or both) to lift, contour, and sculpt your face. Dr. Fedele wants this meeting to be informative, allowing you to feel confident and knowledgeable about your procedure. Contact us online or call our office at (216) 464-1616 to schedule your personal consultation.

Preparation

Effectively preparing for your mini facelift or a standard facelift procedure contributes to a smooth procedure and recovery. Dr. Fedele advises following these general guidelines:

Depending on the specific procedure you undergo, you may receive additional preparation instructions.

Procedure

Facelift Procedure

You will receive general anesthesia at the beginning of your procedure to minimize discomfort. Dr. Fedele will create incisions at the temples of each side of the face, which will continue in front of the ears, wrap around the earlobes, and stop in the hairline behind the ears. Next, he will reposition the underlying tissues to eliminate sagging skin. He may also relocate fat to restore volume, which is a vital component of a youthful facial appearance. Once he is done repositioning the underlying tissues and before closing the incisions with sutures, he will redrape the skin and trim away any excess skin to achieve smoother and more natural-looking contours. Dr. Fedele may also need to create a second incision under the chin to better access, lift, and tighten the skin laxity and weekend muscles on the upper neck. Lastly, he will securely bandage your incisions and position drainage tubes to relieve fluid buildup.

Mini Facelift Procedure

At the beginning of your procedure, you will receive twilight sedation. Dr. Fedele will then make incisions along the borders of the ears, starting near the sideburns and curving naturally in front of the earlobe or ear creases. Next, he will separate the overlying skin from the underlying superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) until he has access to the areas of concern. This enables him to reposition the muscles, tissue, and fat to restore a youthful contour. Once he achieves the ideal contour, he will redrape the skin with minimal tension, and he will trim excess skin before he sutures the incisions. Lastly, he will place surgical dressings.

Recovery

The recovery process is slightly different for a mini facelift and a traditional facelift. After a mini facelift, Dr. Fedele advises that you take about a week or two off from work to rest and heal. You will notice swelling, bruising, and tightness around your ears and lower face, and you must avoid strenuous activities for up to four to six weeks. Over-the-counter medication can assist with swelling and any present discomfort. Recovering from a full facelift is significantly different, as it requires a longer recovery period. Following your procedure, you will experience numbness around your incisions, which will then become itchy as your nerves adapt to their new locations in your re-draped skin. You must sleep with your head elevated for the first week and avoid strenuous activities that will raise your blood pressure. You should at least take three weeks off work and your regular schedule.

Results

Mini facelifts create subtle and natural-looking improvements. After two weeks, swelling generally subsides and reveals a sharper jawline, reduced jowls, and a smoother lower face. Your incisions will also hide neatly around the ears and fade significantly over a few months. Tissues will continue to settle and heal over the next three months, and results can last between five and ten years.

A facelift procedure will rejuvenate your skin by lifting deeper facial tissues, sharpening the jawline, smoothing deep folds, and restoring a refreshed, natural look that can last 10 to 15 years. These results will appear after two to four weeks, while major swelling and bruising fade, the final results will take up to six to twelve months to fully settle in.

Cost of Facelift and Mini Facelift in Cleveland

The cost of your facelift or mini facelift procedure varies depending on the procedure you select, your specific concerns, your overall goals, and more. Dr. Fedele will provide you with a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation. Contact us online or call our office at (216) 464-1616 to explore your facial rejuvenation options.

FAQ

References

1. Luu NN, Friedman O. Facelift Surgery: History, Anatomy, and Recent Innovations. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2020;37(5). doi:10.1055/s-0040-1715616
2. Onizuka T, Hosaka Y, Miyata M, Ichinose M. Our mini-facelift for Orientals. Aesthetic plastic surgery. 1995;19(1):49-58. doi:10.1007/BF00209311