Mini Facelift (Mini Lift)
Mini Facelift (Mini Lift)
Mini Facelift New York, The Mini Lift
Some of the earliest signs of aging can be seen in the mid and lower face, as skin becomes lax and the high, full cheeks of youth slowly descend to a lower position. These changes can lead to the development of jowls and loss of jaw line definition. Many people are bothered by these initial signs of aging, but don’t want or need a full facelift procedure. A mini facelift (mini lift) is a less involved procedure with more limited incisions and faster recovery times than a traditional facelift. The mini facelift is ideal for patients in the earlier stages of facial aging to address jowling and mid-face descent. Designed to elevate the cheeks to their former, youthful position and redefine the jaw line, a mini facelift may also be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as fat grafting, laser skin resurfacing, and dermal fillers.
| WHAT CAN A MINI FACELIFT DO FOR ME?* |
| Reduce signs of aging in the mid and lower face |
| Elevate cheeks to a more youthful position |
| Correct early jowling |
| Tighten lax skin |
| Redefine the jaw line |
| Improve overall facial contours |
Who is a good candidate for mini facelift surgery?
People who wish to reduce the signs of early facial aging, but who don’t want or need a full facelift, may be good candidates for mini facelift surgery. Candidates may exhibit lax skin, loss of volume in the cheeks, and signs of early jowling. Dr. Levine will meet with you to discuss whether you are a good candidate for mini facelift surgery.
| MINI FACELIFT AT A GLANCE | ||
| Procedure* | Recovery* | Post-Op Care* |
| Performed in our accredited in-office surgical facility | Go home same day |
Dressings removed the next day |
| Surgery time approximately 2-4 hours | Back to work in 1 week |
Most sutures removed in 5 days; sutures in hairline removed in 7-10 days |
| Local, twilight, or general nesthesia, depending on extent of procedure |
Light cardio in 1 week | |
| More strenuous exercise in 3 weeks | ||
Can a mini facelift be combined with other procedures?
Absolutely. A mini facelift is often combined with other procedures as part of a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. Common procedures include eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), browlift, chin augmentation, laser skin resurfacing, fat grafting, dermal fillers, and chemical peels. These cosmetic procedures can be performed before, during, or after your mini facelift surgery. Dr. Levine will discuss with you what procedures or combination of procedures may best suit your specific needs.
How is mini facelift surgery performed?
A mini facelift can address early signs of aging by tightening skin and repositioning soft tissue in the mid and lower face. Dr. Levine uses a variety of advanced techniques for mini facelift surgery, including:
- Short Scar Mini Facelift
- Limited Incision Mini Facelift
- Endoscopic Mini Facelift
- SMASectomy Mini Facelift
- SMAS Plication Mini Facelift
- MACS Mini Facelift
There are two main components addressed in each mini facelift procedure. First, the connective tissue beneath the skin (known as the SMAS layer) may be elevated, repositioned, and tightened to create a more youthful foundation. Next, any excess skin will be removed, and the skin will be redraped to restore a firm, natural, and youthful-looking appearance.* During the mini facelift procedure, incisions are usually limited to in front of the ear. Dr. Levine takes meticulous care to ensure that incisions are well-concealed within natural creases. Dr. Levine will discuss with you which mini facelift techniques will best suit your specific needs.
How can I prepare for mini facelift surgery?
During your initial consultation, Dr. Levine will examine your face and neck, paying particular attention to facial structure, skin quality, and the signs of aging in the mid-face. He and Dr. Jody Levine will work together to create a customized skincare regimen for both before and after your procedure, which will help maximize overall facial rejuvenation.* Dr. Levine will thoroughly discuss your goals and expectations, including possible risks and the best way to prepare for your surgery. He will let you know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure, and he will answer any questions that you may have.
What type of anesthesia will be used?
We recommend local, twilight, or general anesthesia for mini facelift surgery, depending on the extent of the procedure. You will discuss your procedure thoroughly with both Dr. Levine and our board-certified anesthesiologist to determine the best type of anesthesia for your needs.
What should I expect during mini facelift surgery?
Mini facelift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art, in-office operating suite, which is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). The length of your procedure will depend on many factors, but on average, the procedure usually takes about 2-4 hours.* After your procedure, you will wake up in our warm and caring recovery suite, where our licensed, registered nurse will make sure you are comfortable and assist in your recovery. While some patients may elect to go home the same day with a friend or family member, we offer a number of recovery options, depending on your specific wishes. For example, we can arrange for private nursing care for your first night after surgery, whether you choose to recover at home, at one of the Upper East Side luxury hotels near our office, or here in our comfortable office suites. We would be happy to assist in making whatever arrangements suit you best.
What can I expect after mini facelift surgery?
Every surgery is different, and you will receive detailed post-operative instructions for your specific needs. In general, you may expect to have mild to moderate swelling and bruising for 1week after your procedure. Most patients report mild to moderate pain after the surgery, which is usually well-controlled with medications.* At Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, our concern for you doesn’t end when you go home. We’re dedicated to providing ongoing care to ensure a fast, safe, and smooth recovery. Dr. Levine will see you for post-operative visits, and he and our staff stand ready to answer any questions you may have about your recovery, as well as your overall health and well-being.
Is there anything I can do before and after my procedure to maximize results?
One of the many wonderful qualities that sets us apart at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC is our ability to use a multidisciplinary approach to optimize results. With expertise in both plastic surgery and dermatology, Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine work together to help prepare, protect, and treat the skin before, during, and after your procedure. As one of New York’s leading dermatologists, Dr. Jody Levine will customize a skincare regimen that includes pre-surgical measures to optimize your skin, as well as post-surgical skincare that can help prevent irritation, alleviate bruising and inflammation, and promote faster healing. Unlike other practices, we include these unique pre- and post-surgery skincare packages as part of your surgical plan. Our pre-surgery facials and microdermabrasion treatments help prepare your skin for surgery and ensure the best recuperation. Post-operative packages include lymphatic massage with our skilled medical aesthetician in order to enhance circulation, support healing and improved immunity function, and leave the skin looking radiant and healthy.* With our extensive array of lasers, we are able to provide post-surgical laser treatments to best accelerate your healing. The Drs. Levine will be happy to discuss with you the best skincare approach for your specific needs.
Is there a minimally invasive approach to mini facelift surgery?
Absolutely. We offer FaceTite™ to address the signs of facial aging without undergoing surgery. FaceTite™ firms sagging skin around the brows, cheeks, and jawline to achieve a younger-looking facial profile. Using cutting-edge radio frequency (RF) technology, the minimally invasive FaceTite™ system delivers RF energy to the different layers of skin. This energy can encourage the production of new collagen and achieve significant skin contraction. Dr. Levine can discuss if FaceTite™ is an ideal treatment for you during your mini facelift consultation.
