Mini Facelift
What is a Mini Facelift?
If you’re not ready for a full facelift, a facial rejuvenation procedure known as a mini facelift (also known as a limited incision or short scar facelift) can often be an excellent alternative. This procedure is ideal for patients who wish to address mild to moderate sagging skin and other signs of aging to the lower face and involves a shorter recovery period than a traditional facelift.1
Our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have performed cosmetic procedures using this technique thousands of times with great success.* With their skill and experience, they can achieve beautiful results that are natural-looking and long-lasting. If you have questions about mini facelift surgery or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Hankins or Dr. Sohn, please contact us today.
Benefits of a Mini Facelift
There are many reasons a patient may be better suited to a mini facelift than a full one. The primary purpose of a mini facelift is to address mild to moderate loose skin and other common signs of facial aging on the lower face, including the mouth, jawline, and chin.2 This cosmetic surgery typically does not include a neck lift. Since less tissue is affected, mini facelift patients often have a shorter recovery period than a full facelift. Every treatment plan will be customized, and this method can help men and women restore a more youthful facial appearance. During your initial complimentary consultation, facial plastic surgery experts Dr. Hankins or Dr. Sohn will recommend the best option based on your anatomic needs, desired outcome, and lifestyle preferences. Ultimately, however, the final decision will be yours.3
*Individual Results May Vary
Mini Facelift Procedure
Mini facelift surgery typically utilizes a small incision around the earlobe to reach and restore the treatment area. To elevate the skin to a more youthful position, sutures will be placed deep within the layers of soft tissue, which can help to provide long-lasting results. Once the muscle and fat is lifted, the skin will be smoothly re-draped and the excess trimmed.4
Mini Facelift Recovery
Mini facelift is typically an outpatient surgery, so you should be able to return home the same day as the procedure. In A mini facelift is typically an outpatient plastic surgery procedure, so you should be able to return home the same day as the procedure. In many cases, local anesthesia and sedation can be used instead of general anesthesia, helping to enhance safety and to reduce the duration of recovery and downtime following surgery. Most patients report that they can return to work and regular activities within approximately one week, although your experience may vary. Incisions will be kept as small and inconspicuous as possible, usually hidden behind the ear or in natural creases. Dr. Hankins and Dr. Sohn typically use dissolvable sutures, so they should not need to be removed. Before you leave the medical center, we will provide detailed instructions on how to care for yourself while healing and medication will be prescribed to help manage any discomfort.
Planning Your Mini Facelift Procedure*
Average Procedure Time:
1 – 2 hours
Average Recovery Time:
1 – 2 weeks
Post-Op Consultation:
6 – 8 weeks
*Your treatment plan at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates will be customized to meet your needs and your individual experience will vary depending on a number of factors. All information provided on this page is an estimate of typical time and cost and does not represent an offer or guarantee of pricing or availability. Please schedule a consultation appointment to discuss which options may apply to you.
FAQs About Mini-Facelift Surgery
To help you find the information you need to make the right cosmetic decision for your desired outcome, our plastic surgeons have answered some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about mini facelift surgery. If you have another question not addressed here or are ready to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our surgeons, please contact our practice today.
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How is a mini facelift different from a full facelift?
A facelift is a more comprehensive version of a mini facelift. In the full procedure, the midface and neck are often included with the treatment, while a mini facelift focuses on the mouth, chin, and jaw region. A mini facelift also offers a shorter recovery period for most people and smaller incisions. If your cosmetic concerns are primarily in the lower face and you have little to no skin laxity on the neck, a mini facelift may be the ideal approach.
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Who is a good candidate for a mini facelift?
In addition to being in good general health and having reasonable expectations for the results, patients considering a mini facelift should have a desire to rejuvenate their lower face with lasting effects. If you are developing jowls (excess skin on the jawline and chin) and notice deepening wrinkles around the mouth (often called marionette lines), this technique may be right for you. Most men and women who consider this procedure will be in their 30s to 50s; however, every person experiences the natural aging process differently.
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What will my scars look like?
Compared with a full facelift, a shorter incision is used during the mini facelift procedure. The incision is usually made along the temple near or within the hairline and down around the front of the ear to the lobe. The tissue is then smoothed for a more youthful appearance and trimmed as needed. Once healed, the scars should be fairly inconspicuous, and we can recommend additional treatments to reduce the appearance of this mark if desired.
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How long will the results last?
Our goal is to provide long-lasting results, and our skilled surgeons utilize the most advanced techniques available to help provide an enduring outcome. That said, everyone ages at their own unique rate. Mini facelift results can help turn back the clock in a manner of speaking, but it cannot stop it. Many patients enjoy the benefits of this procedure for 10 or even 15 years. To help preserve the effects, we recommend wearing sunscreen year-round, taking excellent care of your skin, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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Can I extend the outcome with non-surgical treatment?
Cosmetic injectables and laser skin resurfacing can be an excellent way to maintain a youthful appearance after a mini facelift. Patients often combine the effects of both procedures for more comprehensive improvement. Dermal fillers and neuromodulators such as Botox can help keep fine lines and deeper wrinkles from developing and restore volume, but they cannot reduce skin laxity. Therefore, non-surgical methods can help extend your results but cannot replace a surgical procedure.
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Can I combine other procedures with my mini facelift?
Yes, many patients combine a mini facelift with other surgical procedures that target a particular area, such as the eyes with a brow lift or blepharoplasty (eye lift).
Schedule Your Mini Facelift Consultation
For more information about mini facelift surgery or to schedule a complimentary consultation with a member of our Las Vegas plastic surgery team, please contact our office today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
1 Johns Hopkins Medicine.Treatments and Procedures: Facelift and Mini-Facelift. Available: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/specialty_areas/facial-plastic-reconstructive/cosmetic/face-lift.html. Accessed August 11, 2022.
2 ASPS. Facelift Surgery. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/procedure. Accessed August 11, 2022.
3 Imber G, Silich RC. Limited-incision face lift technique. Aesthet Surg J. 2001;21(3):216-226. doi:10.1067/maj.2001.116244. Accessed June 29, 2020.
4 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Facelift. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift. Accessed June 29, 2020.
This content has either been authored or reviewed and approved by the doctors at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates.