Cost Of Mini Facelift Vs Full Facelift
A mini facelift is a very minimally invasive alternative to a full facelift that can still dramatically change your appearance. It can also be done under local anesthesia and in less than an hour. While a full facelift is typically the first choice for people who want a major lift, try a mini facelift first if you are not looking for a major change or are interested in additional skin tightening procedures.
In this guide, we review the Cost Of Mini Facelift Vs Full Facelift, how long does a mini facelift last, mini facelift at 70, and difference between full facelift and mini facelift.
Cost Of Mini Facelift Vs Full Facelift
A full facelift is primarily a corrective procedure. It is recommended for patients with moderate to advanced signs of aging. Also known as a traditional facelift, the full facelift addresses sagging cheeks and the midface region, as well as the lower face, jowls and jawline, and in some cases, the neck.
What is a Mini Facelift?
The mini facelift means slightly different things to different surgeons, but in general, is a less invasive version of the full facelift. Primarily a preventative treatment, the mini facelift tightens skin and underlying muscle, albeit less aggressively than a full facelift does. Because it only addresses the lower face, a mini facelift uses fewer or shorter incisions than a full facelift.
It’s ideal for younger patients with mild to moderate signs of aging, or for patients who have had a facelift in the past and are seeking a less invasive touch-up procedure.
Technique Differences
Full Facelift: A full facelift (or traditional facelift) makes the face tighter and smoother by surgically removing excess skin, tightening lax muscles, and re-draping the skin over the face and neck. Full facelift techniques begin with the creation of a surgical incision around the ears and extending into the hairline in front and behind the ears. Additionally, an incision may be made under your chin to correct bands in the front of the neck. The skin is carefully separated from the underlying facial muscles. Excess fat is removed and the muscles are tightened. The skin is then pulled up and back while excess skin is trimmed and the wounds are closed with sutures.
Mini Facelift: A mini facelift (sometimes called a weekend lift or a mini lift) is a technique that uses shorter incisions than a traditional facelift technique. During the procedure, small incisions are made under around the ear, but do not extend into the hair in front or behind the ear. Less extensive dissection is performed under the skin. More limited muscle tightening can be performed as well as limited skin removal. This allows the surgeon to perform modest tightening on the face and jawline, but less dramatic improvement in neck laxity. For this reason, mini facelifts are often better suited for those with minimal neck laxity.
Candidacy
Mini Facelift: The mini facelift is ideal for younger patients who have just begun to notice loose or sagging skin in the lower face. Because it does not address the mid-face, it’s best for patients who aren’t concerned about hollow cheeks or mid-face skin sag.
Full Facelift: A full facelift is typically performed on older patients or those experiencing moderate to advanced sagging in the cheeks and nasolabial folds, marionette lines or sagging jowls, and laxity in the jawline and neck area.
Areas Treated
Mini Facelift: A mini facelift does not address the upper or mid face. It only addresses the lower face and in some cases, the neck.
Full Facelift: A traditional facelift addresses laxity in the neck, lower face and mid-face for more dramatic results.
Level of Invasiveness
Full facelift procedures are more invasive than mini facelift procedures. A full facelift requires longer incisions in order to allow surgeons to perform the technique. In contrast, a mini lift is performed through smaller (shorter) incisions.
Incisions
Mini Facelift: A mini facelift may vary slightly from one surgeon to the other, but most require only one incision, placed around the ears. Even if multiple incisions are used, these are typically shorter than the incisions required of a full facelift.
Full Facelift: A traditional facelift makes use of incisions in front of and behind the ears. Some full face lifts include an incision underneath the chin to address the neck area.
Anesthesia
Full facelift procedures may require the patient to go under general anesthesia but can also be performed with local anesthesia and twilight sedation. Mini Facelifts can be performed using the combination of a local anesthetic with or without sedation. Compared to general anesthesia, local anesthesia with sedation is less costly and less likely to cause unwanted side effects like nausea or vomiting.
Procedure Duration
Mini Facelift: Although the duration of your facelift procedure will vary depending on the technique used and the results you hope to achieve, a mini facelift typically takes 2 hours.
Full Facelift: A full facelift can be completed in as little as 2.5 hours, but may take longer. If your facelift addresses the neck area, if you’ve opted for skin resurfacing treatments, or if you’re having any other work completed while anesthetized, the procedure may more than 5 hours.
Results
Mini Facelift: A mini facelift subtly lifts the muscles of the neck and lower face and tightens skin. Your surgeon may also remove fat or sculpt the lower face using dermal filler. Mini facelifts result in a tighter, more defined neck and jawline for an overall more youthful appearance.
Full Facelift: A full facelift tightens the musculature and skin of the entire face, jawline and neck. As with a mini facelift, your surgeon might also remove fat or use dermal filler to accentuate the jawline or cheekbones. Results of a full facelift are far more dramatic than a mini, as the muscle and skin is more aggressively pulled and the whole face is treated.
Result Duration
The results of facelift surgery differ for everyone and depend on multiple factors. Results last longest in those who have good skin elasticity at the time of surgery, which is dependent on age and genetics.
Taking care of your general health and incorporating an anti-aging skin care routine can also help results last longer. This includes maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and staying hydrated.
The results of both a mini and full facelift are expected to last between 10-15 years, as no cosmetic procedure can stop the natural aging process.
Cost
Compared to full facelift surgery, mini facelifts are less expensive since they take less time to perform, are less complex, and do not require general anesthesia. Thus, mini facelift patients are able to save on surgeon fees and facility costs. The total cost of a mini facelift ranges from $3,500 to $6,500 while a full facelift procedure can range between $7,000 to $15,000.
Downtime
Full facelift surgery requires more downtime (recovery time) compared to mini facelifts, since the technique is more invasive. While traditional facelift patients may need 2-3 weeks to fully recover, mini facelifts only require 7 days. In fact, mini-lifts are often called “weekend facelifts” as some patients can undergo the procedure on Friday and get back to normal daily activities by Monday. For both procedures, sutures are typically removed 6-7 days after surgery.
Pain
Both a mini and full facelift are performed under anesthesia (local, twilight, or general), and post-surgical pain can be reduced with medication. It’s possible that because a full facelift is more aggressive and requires a longer recovery time, that patients may experience more discomfort. Pain, however, is highly dependent on the tolerance of the individual.
Risks
Any surgical procedure entails risk. Common risks of both mini and full facelift surgery include unexpected swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, visible scarring, numbness or potential deformity.
These risks are minimized when the patient is in excellent health and closely follows the surgeon’s post-operative advice. Choosing a well-vetted, skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon also mitigates these risks.
Cameron Craven MD, FACS is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Craven specializes in the full spectrum of cosmetic surgery including breast augmentation, liposuction and body contouring, facial rejuvenation, laser surgery, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty, as well as reconstructive surgery for skin cancers.
how long does a mini facelift last
While a mini facelift may not offer the dramatic results of a full facelift, this procedure can result in significant changes to your facial appearance — changes that may last much longer than you might assume! In fact, most mini facelift patients can expect their results to last between five to ten years, making the procedure an excellent choice for those who want visible anti-aging results without consistent maintenance appointments.
What Is A Facelift?
As we age, the loss of facial volume results in the deepening smile lines and the onset of heavy jowls. This, in addition to sun exposure, and the effects of gravity can result in a loss of youthfulness in the face. A facelift restores a youthful, rested, natural appearance to the face by creating hidden incisions behind the ear and hairline to re-suspend droopy fat tissues and avoid visible scars. A facelift predominantly targets the lower part of the face, including the cheeks, jowls, and neck, to create a naturally youthful appearance.
What Is A Mini Facelift?
Similar to a full facelift, a mini facelift addresses wrinkles, excess skin, and other signs of aging on the face and neck. This procedure tightens the skin, leaving the lower face and neck looking smoother and younger. After incisions are then made behind and within the ears, Dr. Bell will then pull the excess facial tissue toward the ears to remove excess skin and sagging tissue, tighten the muscles and iron out wrinkles. Fat sculpting is also possible during this procedure. The surgeon will then close the small incisions.
Benefits Of A Mini Facelift
A mini facelift offers many of the anti-aging benefits of a full facelift, but with a much quicker recovery time. Traditional facelift patients may need four to five weeks to recover fully from a facelift, while mini facelift patients will recover in 3-5 days. Since mini-facelifts are less invasive than full facelifts, the amount of post-procedure discomfort is minimal and bruising or swelling is substantially less significant. The use of oral sedation, rather than general sedation, means patients are at less risk of experiencing any anesthesia-based complications or side effects. And, finally, the procedure is less expensive than a traditional facelift and requires fewer appointments for maintenance.
Drawbacks Of A Mini Facelift
Mini facelift patients should be aware that, while the results of their procedure will last many years, they will still last less time than the results of a full facelift. In addition, because the procedure is less invasive, the results will be less dramatic.
How Long Does A Mini Facelift Last Compared To A Full Facelift?
A mini facelift can last anywhere between five to ten years, while the results of a full facelift can last up to 15 years. The longevity of both procedures depends on a number of factors, including lifestyle, diet, exercise, and skincare.
Things To Consider Before Getting Either Type Of Facelift
Mini facelifts and full facelifts are safe procedures, and Dr. Bell is an expert cosmetic surgeon whose experience and attention to detail have resulted in a successful career spanning decades. However, there are still some personal considerations to be mindful of when deciding whether a facelift is right for you.
Overall Health
The best candidate for a mini facelift or full facelift is an adult over 18 years of age who is in relatively good health. Patients should cease smoking ahead of their facelift appointment, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and should not be on any anti-inflammatory medications. A consultation with Dr. Bell, ahead of your mini facelift or facelift appointment, will help the surgeon determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure and if there are any health considerations that need to be taken into account.
Rapid Weight Changes
Rapid weight gain or weight loss will affect the result of your facelift or mini facelift. If you are likely to gain or lose a substantial amount of weight before or after your facelift, you may wish to postpone the procedure until you are certain you will be able to maintain a relatively stable weight.
mini facelift at 70
Known alternatively as the weekend facelift, the mini facelift is a quick solution to provide a more youthful appearance. It works to reduce visible signs of aging, firms the cheeks, and tightens the neck and jawline. If you’re considering undergoing a mini face lift Los Angeles, then here are five things you should know about them.
Men And Women Are Ideal Candidates While most Los Angeles facial cosmetic surgery is performed on women, men are still ideal candidates for many procedures. When it comes to a mini face lift for jowls Los Angeles, both men and women typically aged 40 to 70 are great candidates. However, any adult that is having issues with moderate or mild facial jowling or sagging skin can benefit from undergoing a mini facelift.
It’s Done Under Local Anesthesia One of the biggest benefits about mini facelifts is they can be done under local anesthesia. This means that you can be awake during the procedure and leave the same day it is performed. Unlike a regular facelift for sagging jowls treatment Los Angeles, you don’t have to undergo general anesthesia where you’re put out for the entire procedure.
It Provides A Quick Recovery Getting rid of jowls Los Angeles can be done via a mini facelift or a traditional facelift. With traditional facelifts, you can expect to be in recovery for at least two full weeks. When you undergo a mini face lift Los Angeles instead, you can expect to be back to yourself within 2 to 7 days. Most patients will actually return to their normal activities within two days of undergoing the procedure.
Results Vary From Regular Facelifts Any doctor that performs Los Angeles facial cosmetic surgery will tell you that there is a big difference in the results you get from a mini face lift for jowls Los Angeles and a regular facelift. Since the mini face lift is less invasive, it will work to correct mild to moderate signs of aging. Most of the focus with a mini facelift is on the lower half of the face including the jawline and jowls. The traditional facelift puts more stress on altering the neck to be smoother and lifting the sagging skin.
They Don’t Last Forever One thing that you need to realize in regards to a sagging jowls treatment Los Angeles is that it’s not a one and done procedure. While most procedure results will last for about seven full years, you can expect to return to the operating table in the future. This non-invasive surgery is intended to fight the effects of aging on your skin as of right now. As you continue to age, so does your skin. This requires constant upkeep about every seven years to ensure that you’re looking as youthful as possible.
Getting rid of jowls Los Angeles can be easily done with a mini face lift. If you’ve been considering having one done, hopefully, we’ve given you some valuable insight into how they work. It’s always advisable to talk to your intended surgeon to learn about your expected results prior to agreeing to undergo the surgery.
difference between full facelift and mini facelift
A lot of people think they want “a facelift,” but in reality there are three very different kinds of facelifts: a lower facelift, upper facelift, and mini facelift. All three are available at RefinedMD and performed by Dr. Sudeep Roy. It’s important to stress that it is very common for a combination of surgeries and treatments to be necessary to achieve the results you want. A “facelift,” or traditional facelift, is actually a lower facelift that addresses skin laxity and sagging in the lower half of the face as well as the neck. But which surgery, or surgeries, is right for you? Let’s consider some of Dr. Roy’s patients in ages ranging from their 50s – 70s to see his recommendations and approaches.
There is a significant difference between a mini facelift, lower facelift, and upper facelift, and he talks about them in the facelift before/after photos.
Facelifts for Those in Their 70s
Dr. Roy treated a 77-year-old woman who was worried about looking much older than those in her dance and yoga classes. She felt young on the inside and wanted her outside to “match.” A patient’s health is top priority when opting for elective surgery, and every patient Dr. Roy treats requires a clean bill of health prior to a facial plastic surgery. Ultimately, this very active 77-year-old received a lower facelift combined with upper and lower eyelid surgery (also known as blepharoplasty). Eyelid surgery is a common, popular aspect of an “upper facelift” since the skin around the eyes is the first to show signs of aging.
Another patient was 70 years old and concerned about facial aging. However, it wasn’t just skin laxity and loss of facial volume (which is to be expected at 70 years old!), but also severe sagging at the eyes, neck, and jowls. Skin pigment issues were also present. Dr. Roy recommended a lower facelift, lower blepharoplasty, full face fat transfer, as well as a chemical peel. Keep in mind that facial surgeries address skin laxity but not the skin quality itself (such as brown spots). However, coupling facial plastic surgery with non-surgical treatments can allow for a full facial rejuvenation.
Facelifts in Your 60s
One 65-year-old patient had previously undergone two lower facelifts at a different clinic. However, she still struggled with severe lower cheek wrinkles and crepe-like skin on her neck. Dr. Roy recommended a lower facelift and fractional laser treatment around the mouth. This patient was not uncommon in having prior surgeries. Three facelifts in someone’s life is not unusual since our skin continues to age after a surgery. The goal of a facelift should be to achieve desirable results that last as long as possible, and working with a board-certified facial surgeon like Dr. Roy can make this happen.
Another 65-year-old female patient saw Dr. Roy about issues with severe jowling and laxity of the neck skin. She had been bothered by this for years, but didn’t seek out surgery until retirement was looming. Dr. Roy recommended a limited incision lower facelift, also known as a Refresh Mini-Lift, coupled with a small amount of liposuction at the jowls. She looked ten years younger after the procedures! As you can see, not everyone in their 60s requires a full facelift. A mini facelift is customized for each patient and features shorter incisions as well as a quicker recovery period.
A Facelift for Your 50s
The 50s is when a lot of people start seriously thinking about a facelift (though they can certainly be recommended even earlier). One patient of Dr. Roy’s had depended on Sculptra dermal injections to keep up her facial volume, but in her late 50s Sculptra was no longer enough. Dr. Roy recommended a mini-lift, or limited-incision lower facelift. She was absolutely thrilled with the results, as well as the shorter incisions and brief recovery period.
A 51-year-old female patient also saw Dr. Roy about her wrinkles, jowls that were sinking, neck crepey-ness, and heavy eyelids. She was much younger than any of the previously mentioned patients and proof that our skin ages at a different rate. Dr. Roy recommended a lower facelift, facial fat transfer, and upper blepharoplasty. Although she was initially worried about visible scarring, once she understood how well the incisions were hidden around the ear crevices and in the natural crease of the eyelid, she was ready to move forward. Three months after her surgery, she reported that she was ecstatic with the results.