Facelift: Everything You Need to Know
A facelift is one of the most common procedures performed on the face. A facial plastic surgeon will perform a procedure called a “minifacel” or “mini facelift”. Mini facelifts are usually performed when there isn’t enough skin left over to cover the whole face.
Minifacial surgery involves removing excess fat from around your nose, cheeks, chin and forehead.
Minifacels are usually performed under local anesthesia, but they may also be performed with general anesthesia if the patient doesn’t want to experience any pain during the procedure. Minifacels are used mainly for cosmetic reasons; however, some patients undergo them because of medical conditions such as cancer or other diseases that require surgery to remove excess tissue. Minifacel procedures vary depending on where you live and which type of plastic surgeon performs the procedure.
The main difference between a minifacial and a full facial is that a minifacial requires less skin than a full facial. A minimally invasive facelift typically removes only the top layer of skin, leaving behind the underlying connective tissues and muscles. Some surgeons even go so far as to leave out the bones altogether.
Minifacels are usually performed using lasers or small instruments called microsurgery units (MSUs).
What Is Mini Facelift?
A mini facelift is designed to remove wrinkles and sagging skin from the face. It is less invasive than a traditional facelift and can be used in place of a full facelift in some situations. The procedure involves tightening the skin on the face, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and pulls the skin back into place.
The procedure is usually done with local anesthesia and sedation, but some surgeons do use general anesthesia. After the procedure is complete, you’ll be able to go home. You can expect to experience swelling and bruising after the procedure, which will improve in the weeks that follow.
Most people are able to return to work after one week, but strenuous exercise and hot showers should be avoided for at least two weeks.
What Is a Mini Facelift?
While a mini facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is commonly used to tighten loose skin on the face and neck, it can also be used to remove other types of excess tissue. Surgeons may use a mini facelift to remove excess fat, muscle, or bone in the area. This is most common in patients who have experienced significant weight loss or injury.
The procedure is done under local anesthesia and typically takes less than two hours to complete. The surgeon will make an incision in the natural folds of the skin to ensure that the scarring is not visible. After all excess tissue has been removed, the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches and a bandage will be applied.
Patients can return to work within a few days and strenuous exercise should be avoided for around two weeks.
What Happens During Mini Facelift?
During a mini facelift, the surgeon will make an incision around your ear. In some cases a strip of skin may be removed from behind the ear. This skin will then be pulled up to the rest of the cheek area. The surgeon may also use sutures or small implants to lift the skin.
What Are the Benefits of Mini Facelift?
Most patients who undergo a mini facelift are very pleased with the results. One of the main benefits of this procedure is that it is less invasive than a traditional facelift. Many people prefer this because they are able to recover more quickly. In some cases, you may even be able to return to work the following day after the procedure.
Another benefit is that a mini facelift is typically much cheaper than a typical facelift. Patients can pay as little as $2,000 for this procedure, which is significantly cheaper than the average $5,000 to $8,000 price tag of a traditional facelift.
What Are the Drawbacks of Mini Facelift?
While a mini facelift is generally very safe, it does come with some risks. The most common side effect is bruising and swelling. Some patients also experience numbness in the area where they had surgery. It is also important to keep in mind that a mini facelift is not as effective as a traditional facelift. If you are looking for significant cosmetic improvements, you may want to consider a full-sized facelift instead.
How Much Does Mini Facelift Cost?
The cost of a mini facelift varies from place to place. On average, you can expect to pay around $4,000 for this procedure. If you are covered by insurance, good news! Your mini facelift may be covered in its entirety. Be sure to ask your provider about the specifics of your plan.
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Sources & references used in this article:
Robotic thyroidectomy: comparison of a postauricular facelift approach with a gasless unilateral axillary approach by ES Sung, YB Ji, CM Song, BR Yun… – … –Head and Neck …, 2016 – journals.sagepub.com
Volumetric facelift: evaluation of rhytidectomy with alloplastic augmentation by SB Hopping, AS Joshi, N Tanna… – Annals of Otology …, 2010 – journals.sagepub.com
Modified facelift incision for parotidectomy by DJ Terris, KM Tuffo, WE Fee – The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 1994 – cambridge.org
Facelift: Planning and technique by TJ Marten – Clinics in plastic surgery, 1997 – Elsevier
Facelift forensics: A personal narrative of aesthetic cosmetic surgery by S Sayre – ACR North American Advances, 1999 – acrwebsite.org
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