Is There Really Such a Thing as a Mini Facelift? (2024)


Sounds ideal, right? A patient could just pop into their doctor’s office during lunch and emerge looking bright and youthful. Well, maybe. The thread lift has been somewhat controversial, in part, because of its short-term results: One study of 33 thread lift patients published in the journal Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery states, “Our results objectively demonstrate the poor long-term sustainability of the thread lift procedure. Given these findings, as well as the measurable risk of adverse events and patient discomfort, we cannot justify further use of this procedure for facial rejuvenation.” There’s also the fact that they can be done in medspas instead of by board-certified plastic surgeons.

“In my opinion, thread lifts produce limited, short-lived results,” says Dr. Leipziger. (About one to three years is typical.) “They are certainly not a replacement for a true surgical facelift that provides global facial enhancement with much greater longevity.” He doesn’t perform the procedure in his practice due to the short-term results and potential complications, including scarring, infection, and dimpling or puckering of the skin. “Threads may sometimes be visible under the skin and may even break if put under too much tension,” he explains. “This would result in loss of the lifting benefit and possible facial asymmetry. In addition, the tissue scarring caused by the thread lift may complicate future facelift surgery.”

What are the risks of a mini facelift?

They are not exactly mini. Actually, they are pretty much the same as the risks of a regular facelift. “There’s always a risk of infection and bleeding with surgery,” says Dr. Leipziger. And any time you’re getting an incision, you’re getting a scar. In the case of the mini facelift, those might be at the earlobe, behind the ear, and into the hairline, but the surgeon should make painstaking efforts that these are as undetectable as possible. “Any plastic surgeon should review risks [and give you a] complete description of the procedure,” says Dr. Leipziger.

Mini facelifts are often done under general anesthesia, the risks of which include anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) and the very rare risk of accidental awareness (waking up while the operation is going on). However, they may also be done under intravenous (IV) sedation, which also carries risks, including anaphylaxis and hypertension. But a “desirable quality of an intravenous anesthetic is patients fall asleep very quickly after it is initially administered, ideally in less than a minute, and can wake up quite quickly after, minimizing time spent in the operating room and allowing them to ultimately be discharged from the postanesthesia care unit faster and in better condition,” says Dr. Lee. “One of the determining factors for some patients to undergo a mini facelift instead of a full facelift surgery is their desire to have the procedure performed under intravenous sedation instead of general anesthesia.”

What is the recovery time for a mini facelift?

The recovery period for a mini facelift is typically shorter than it is for a full facelift, by about a week or two. That’s because the incision is smaller, less deep tissue is repositioned, less skin is redraped, and less excess skin is removed. “After surgery, it’s not really painful; it's all about swelling,” explains Dr. Lee, who finds most of his patients take only oral narcotic pain medication for a day or two after surgery, then switch to Tylenol for two to three days, and then stop. “On average, after two weeks, about 70 to 80% of swelling goes down for the majority of patients. It’s not that obvious and they can go about their usual activities.” By comparison, the typical facelift recovery time includes about three to four weeks of swelling, with patients usually needing pain medication for about four to six days after the procedure. Dr. Leipzeiger takes a conservative approach with his recovery plan for mini facelift patients, cautioning no exertional exercise for about four to six weeks. “You can get on a treadmill lightly after a few weeks, but more for strolling,” he says.

What is the cost of a mini facelift?

Although the cost varies depending on your location and surgeon (you’ll probably pay more for a mini lift in Beverly Hills versus one in Minneapolis),you can expect a bill of about $12,000 to $20,000. It’s not all that much less than a full facelift, which could run about $20,000 to $26,000.

Is There Really Such a Thing as a Mini Facelift? (2024)

FAQs

Is There Really Such a Thing as a Mini Facelift? ›

The short answer is yes. It's not uncommon for patients to get a brow lift or blepharoplasty while they're under anesthesia for a mini facelift, says Dr. Kolker. Some patients will also add neck liposuction to help define the chin since a mini facelift doesn't pull tightly enough to resculpt the jawline.

Is there such a thing as a mini facelift? ›

You might be an ideal candidate for a mini facelift if you have less excess skin that needs to be removed and if you'd like to achieve the same goals as a full facelift, but with fewer incisions. A mini facelift, despite its name, is still major cosmetic surgery.

What is the downside of a mini face lift? ›

The following are some of the main disadvantages of a mini-facelift: 1. The end result may not be as superior as a full facelift, depending on the patient's amount of skin laxity, deep crease formation, and jowling that has started to occur.

Are mini facelifts worth the money? ›

Is it worth it? Getting a mini facelift can be worth the investment, depending on your desired results. It is much less invasive, expensive, and painful than a full facelift. It is designed for the 40-year-old that has sagging around the jowl, neck, and jaw.

How many years does a mini facelift last? ›

In most cases, a mini facelift will last around ten years easily before another lift is needed. A full facelift can last approximately double that at twenty years. Many patients find that the results last even longer with a few more years for both the mini facelift and full facelift.

How much younger does a mini facelift make you look? ›

You can look literally a decade younger than before the mini-facelift, with useful definition restored to your chin, jaw, and lower facial area, and previously sagging skin tightened up. You'll simply see a much better version of you in the mirror each morning.

What is the best age for a mini facelift? ›

While the procedure is best suited for patients in their 30s and 40s, those in their 20s or 50s can also benefit greatly. Another reason that mini facelifts are so popular among younger patients is that they allow them to maintain their individuality.

What does a mini face lift cost? ›

Facelift Prices

There is a fixed price of £4,500 for a mini facelift, and a fixed price of £5,000 for a full facelift. A full facelift combined with a full neck lift is available for a fixed rate of £7500. A mini facelift combined with a mini neck lift is available for a fixed rate of £6500.

Are you awake during a mini facelift? ›

Because you don't have to go under general anesthesia for the mini facelift, you are able to stay awake and walk out after the procedure. An additional benefit is that since the mini facelift is done under local anesthesia, often little-to-no pre-operative testing is necessary.

What is the 20 minute permanent facelift? ›

20-MINUTE FACELIFT™ is a custom radiofrequency treatment protocol which lifts your cheeks, tightens baggy eyes and slims your jawline. Looking in the mirror for the first time is sure to EVOKE A “WOW” REACTION!

Is 60 too old for a mini facelift? ›

A large study examining the ages of plastic surgery patients in the U.S. determined that there was no substantial difference between the outcome of plastic surgeries for people over and under 65. This study also showed that the older people in the sample were in better health than their younger counterparts.

Can a mini facelift go wrong? ›

Risks include short-term swelling, bruising, soreness. Some patients have side-effects for only 24 hours but can last up to a week. Rare side-effects include possible bleeding or infections.

How bad does a mini facelift hurt? ›

After your Mini Facelift

There isn't usually significant discomfort after surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. (Severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to your surgeon immediately.)

Is 65 too old for mini facelift? ›

There is no magical age that qualifies a person for a mini or full facelift. Each person is unique, and his or her rate of aging will largely influence at what age is best to consider undergoing a procedure. As with any type of cosmetic surgical procedure, an assessment by a plastic surgeon is necessary.

Is an S lift the same as a mini facelift? ›

The S-Lift is a type of mini-facelift procedure that improves the appearance of mild to moderate face and neck sagging, restoring a more youthful and refreshed appearance. This procedure is less invasive than a traditional facelift, offering shorter recovery times, fewer risks, and less extensive incisions.

Does a mini facelift lift eyes? ›

A mini facelift does not include the eyes. This procedure lifts the cheeks, jawline and mid-face.

What is the difference between a face lift and a mini lift? ›

The primary difference between a miniature facelift and a traditional facelift is the areas focused on. While the miniature facelift focuses on the neck and the bottom third of the face, a full facelift focuses on the bottom two-thirds of the face and neck.

What is the difference between a face lift and a mini face lift? ›

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.

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