What is a Mini Face Lift?

Mini face lifts require less anesthesia and downtime than full face lifts. The procedure is done on the lower third of the face. It is often utilized by people who are showing their first signs of aging. A mini face lift will not improve appearance in areas like the brow or forehead, as a full face lift will. The less invasive procedure can, however, help a person look more youthful and fit.

Identification

A mini face lift is an alternative to a full face lift, and the results can range from the fairly dramatic to extremely subtle. Also called a neck lift or "weekend face lift" by some, it focuses on the lower third of the face, neck and jowls and can correct lines around the nose and the mouth. While incisions are customized to address the specific areas needing improvement, they generally follow the route inside the hair line and go down to the edge of the upper ear, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Depending on what the patient desires, the surgeon can perform liposuction to remove excess fat or tighten the neck muscles underneath, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Benefits

A mini face lift creates a more defined jaw line and neck, eliminates sagging and results in a tighter, more energized look. The mini face lift disturbs less tissue than a full face lift and is less risky, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Patients therefore heal from the procedure faster than those who choose a full face lift and experience less swelling. That means people are able to return to regular activities like work more quickly, according to the clinic. The Mayo Clinic estimates most people will exercise and do other daily activities in one week. A mini face lift is an outpatient procedure can be one-third the price of a full face lift, which requires time in the hospital. Mini face lifts also can be coupled with other aesthetic procedures, including implants or fat grafts, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Expert Insight

There are actually two types of neck lifts, or mini face lifts, advises the Mayo Clinic. The kind called cervicoplasty is best for people who often have weight fluctuations or are overweight. In this version, an incision is made beneath the chin, excess skin and fat are removed and neck muscles are tightened. The best candidates for the type called submentoplasty, in which a very small incision that aligns with neck contours is made, are people in good health and near their target weight who have mild to moderate loose skin at the jowls, cheeks and neck, said Sreekant Cherukuri, M.D., of the Munster, Indiana Hammond Clinic.

Time Frame

The time frame for the procedure can vary. If liposuction is involved, that will take one to two hours. The mini face lift itself will take two to three hours, according to the Mayo Clinic. A mini neck lift, or submentoplasty, will take 45 minutes to one hour. The results can be long lasting, according to the clinic, as long as the person who had the procedure done keeps a stable body weight.

History

Baby boomers made the mini face lift popular, according to Cherukuri. Indeed, 60 has become the new 40, notes Cleveland Clinic plastic surgeon James Zins, M.D. Cherukuri points out that people are living longer with active lifestyles into their 80s. Many people seeking mini face lifts have experienced a change in lifestyle or career and want to spark a fresh start. Others don't want to get passed over by younger or younger-looking people for job promotions, he notes in Get Healthy.