Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift
Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift: What’s The Difference?
The mini-facelift is the least invasive type of facelift which is similar to a full facelift, the only difference is the omission of the nick lift in the mini-The “S” lift, also known as the lift procedure or “short-scar” facelift, is a temporary solution for facial aging. It is recommended for individuals with deep nasolabial folds and sagging facial structures but still have a firm and well-contoured neck. The incision is made from the hairline around the ear, with scars hidden in the natural crease of the skin. It can be performed with an endoscope, which repositions the soft tissues, followed by the surgeon repositioning the skin with small sutures. This type of lift is a good option for people with premature aging as an alternative to a full facelift. A full facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that involves removing excess facial skin, tightening underlying tissues, and redraping the skin on the patient’s face and neck. The main difference between the two is the areas they focus on. The miniature facelift targets the neck and bottom third of the face, while the full facelift covers the bottom two-thirds of the face and neck.
Which is the Best for You?
Before deciding on a procedure, it’s essential to clarify your goals. If you’re concerned about the look of your neck, jawline and lower cheeks, a mini facelift might be the best choice. On the other hand, if your upper cheeks are your main concern, a full rhytidectomy could be more appropriate for you.
What Can I Expect During a Mini Facelift?
Although a mini facelift requires fewer incisions than a traditional facelift, it is still an invasive procedure that can have mild side effects. These may include bruising, pain, and swelling. Although severe side effects are rare, they can include excessive bleeding and infections. In general, a mini facelift is a useful treatment for correcting sagging skin on the lower part of your face. Depending on your goals, you may want to consider additional procedures such as an eye lift or dermal fillers.While a mini facelift uses fewer incisions compared to a traditional facelift, it’s still considered an invasive procedure. Like all types of surgery, mild side effects are to be expected. These include bruising, pain, and swelling. Severe side effects are rare but may include excessive bleeding and infections. Overall, a mini facelift is considered effective in correcting sagging skin in the lower half of your face. Depending on your overall goals, you may consider additional procedures, such as an eye lift or dermal fillers.
What Can I Expect During a Full Facelift?
Your face will likely be swollen and bruised following the surgery. The swelling may increase before it decreases, but it should subside within 1 to 2 weeks. You may experience bruising on your neck and chest after a few days, as gravity pulls the excess blood and bruising downward. You may experience some pain for 2 to 4 days after the surgery, and you may have difficulty opening your mouth for several days. The skin surrounding the incisions may feel numb, and you may experience itching or shooting pain as the feeling returns. It can take several months for the numbness to fully dissipate. Most people recover within 4 to 6 weeks, but it may take 6 months or longer to see the final results from the surgery.
Technique Differences
A full facelift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, tightens lax muscles, and re-drapes skin over the face and neck to make it tighter and smoother. The technique involves creating a surgical incision around the ears and extending it into the hairline in front and behind the ears, and sometimes under the chin to correct neck bands. Excess fat is removed, muscles are tightened, and the skin is pulled up and back while trimming excess skin before closing the wounds with sutures. Amini facelift, on the other hand, is a technique that uses shorter incisions and less extensive dissection under the skin to perform modest tightening on the face and jawline, but less dramatic improvement in neck laxity. This technique is often better suited for those with minimal neck laxity.
How long do the effects of a mini facelift last vs. a more invasive facelift?
A mini facelift has several benefits over a traditional facelift. One of the most significant benefits is that the recovery time is shorter. While a traditional facelift can take up to 4-5 weeks to recover from, a mini facelift only requires 3-5 days. Mini facelifts are often referred to as “weekend facelifts” because patients can have the procedure done on Friday and return to work and other activities by Monday. Sutures are typically removed approximately 7 days after the procedure, similar to a traditional facelift. Another benefit of a mini facelift is that it is less painful than a traditional facelift. Since it is less invasive, patients typically experience minimal pain or discomfort. While some light bruising or swelling may occur, it is significantly less than what occurs after a full facelift and usually resolves within a few weeks. Mini facelifts can usually be performed with twilight sedation and a local anesthetic, reducing the risk of anesthesia-based risks and side effects like nausea or vomiting. They are also less expensive than traditional facelifts since they are less complicated, shorter in duration, and do not require general anesthesia. One drawback of a mini facelift is that the results typically last for a shorter time than those of a full facelift. Results can last anywhere from two to six years if patients maintain a healthy lifestyle after the procedure. Mini facelifts also yield less dramatic results than traditional facelifts and are better suited for addressing light to moderate aging of the face. Patients with severe aging symptoms will require a full facelift and neck lift for significant improvement in the neck and area below the chin.