Mini Facelift

Offered at our convenient location in Scottsdale, Arizona

A mini facelift is a cosmetic surgery that addresses signs of aging in the lower half of the face. Also known as a minimal incision facelift or short scar facelift, this increasingly popular cosmetic surgical procedure can restore a more youthful appearance, treating mild skin sagging and early onset jowls. The mini facelift addresses cosmetic concerns by lifting and tightening the underlying tissues, removing excess skin, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Unlike a traditional facelift, which involves longer incisions and a more extensive surgical approach, a mini facelift utilizes smaller incisions and targets specific areas of concern.

Here at Wolin Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Andrew Wolin M.D. offers premium mini facelift procedures in beautiful Scottsdale. He is a double-board certified surgeon who dedicates his practice to providing life-changing results for his patients.

For more information, call (480) 945-8440 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Before & After Photos

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About Mini Facelifts

As we age, the skin, muscle, and tissue on our face become weaker. The skin becomes crepey, tissue volume decreases, and gravity takes its toll. All three of these factors can cause fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, jowling, and double chins. (1) Thankfully, cosmetic procedures like the mini facelift can address these issues directly.

Mini facelifts typically entail addressing signs of aging on the lower half of the face. Although this procedure does not provide the same level of transformation as traditional facelifts, it works well for patients with minimal sagging, jowling, wrinkles, and double chins. It can also serve as a preventative measure to slow further aging of the face. For this reason, many younger patients receive mini facelifts to stay on top of their appearance as it begins to change with age.

Benefits of Mini Facelifts

There are many benefits to receiving a mini facelift. These include:

  • Smoother Skin: By tightening and lifting the underlying tissues of the face, a mini facelift can help to smooth out the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
  • Reduced Wrinkles: The mini facelift targets specific areas of concern, effectively minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and creases, particularly around the cheeks, jawline, and lower face.
  • Natural-Looking Results: Dr. Wolin’s artistic skill and attention to detail ensure that the results of a mini facelift look natural, avoiding any overly stretched or “plastic” appearance.
  • Minimal Scarring: Incisions for a mini facelift are strategically placed within the hairline and natural creases of the face, minimizing the visibility of any resulting scars.
  • Quick Recovery Time: Compared to traditional facelift procedures, a mini facelift typically involves a shorter recovery period, allowing patients to resume their regular activities sooner.
  • Long-Lasting Effects: While individual results may vary, the effects of a mini facelift are known to be long-lasting, providing patients with enduring improvements in their facial appearance.

Who is a Candidate for a Mini Facelift?

Mini facelifts work best for patients who have milder signs of aging in the face, with minimal sagging, fine lines, and jowling. For younger patients, it can work to prevent the symptoms of aging from getting worse before they do. If non-invasive options like dermal fillers are no longer providing the results you desire, a mini facelift might be the right choice for you.

Ideal candidates for a mini facelift will be in good health. Having a healthy body is essential to healing properly after surgery. It is also important to have realistic expectations about what a mini facelift can achieve. It has the benefits of being less invasive and causing less visible scarring, but it cannot provide as significant a cosmetic effect as other facelift techniques. At your consultation, we can talk with you about the best treatment option to help you reach your beauty goals.

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation, Dr. Wolin can answer your questions about the mini facelift and tell you how you may benefit from the surgery. He will educate you about the details of this procedure and will ask you about your medical history. This may include questions about past prescriptions, conditions, and surgeries. Dr. Wolin will examine your problem areas and discuss your beauty goals at length to determine if a mini facelift is right for you.

To schedule your consultation at Wolin Plastic Surgery Center, call (480) 945-8440 or fill out this form.

Preparation

Dr. Wolin will use the information he gathers at your consultation to create preparation instructions for your mini facelift procedure. Following these instructions will help make your surgery safer and your recovery quicker. They may include changes to your medicine intake, new prescriptions, and things to avoid. You should abstain from alcohol and nicotine for as long as six weeks leading up to your procedure, as these substances can have negative side effects that may affect your ability to heal. Don’t consume any anti-inflammatory medications or supplements like fish oil that can have a thinning effect on the blood. These substances can cause excess bleeding during surgery.

Mini facelifts do require some downtime for recovery, so let your place of work know that you will be taking some time off. Don’t forget to prepare your home for recovery, making sure you are stocked with healthy food and that everything is within reach. You should also arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home from our facilities and look after you during the first night of your recovery.

Mini Facelift Procedure

At Wolin Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Wolin typically performs mini facelifts as outpatient procedures, which means you can go home the same day as your surgery. Beforehand, we will administer local or general anesthesia to prevent discomfort, depending on your predetermined treatment plan.

Dr Wolin will strategically place small incisions within the hairline and around the ears to minimize visible scarring. He takes great care in making these incisions discreetly while still allowing access to the underlying facial structures. The next step involves lifting the facial tissues to address sagging skin and restore youthful contours. Dr. Wolin meticulously repositions and lifts the underlying tissues, creating a natural and rejuvenated appearance.

As part of the mini facelift procedure, Dr. Wolin may also tighten the underlying muscles, specifically targeting areas such as the jowls and neck. This helps to further enhance the overall result and provide a more youthful appearance.

After the underlying structures have been addressed, Dr. Wolin then redrapes the skin smoothly over the newly rejuvenated facial contours. He pays close attention to ensure a natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing result.

Recovery

Although mini facelifts are less intensive than traditional facelifts, they still require some downtime for recovery. Resting and relaxing while your body heals is an important part of the process. Most patients can return to work one week after their procedure. As you recover, you may feel some discomfort in your treatment area. This is normal, and we can prescribe medication to help alleviate these symptoms. You may also experience swelling, bruising, and redness near your incisions, which will gradually lessen after several weeks. We will provide you with instructions for recovery that will help you heal safely. These will include how to take care of your incisions and what to watch out for.

Results

You will be able to see a slight improvement in your appearance immediately after your procedure, though the final results will not uncover themselves until the swelling has gone completely down. The results of a mini facelift typically last five to ten years. Taking care of your skin with a skincare routine and a healthy lifestyle will help to prolong these results. It is common to receive additional cosmetic surgeries and non-invasive treatments when the effects of aging have continued to change a patient’s appearance. (2)

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Here at the Wolin Plastic Surgery Center, we offer procedures that can work to enhance the results of your mini facelift and boost your beauty overall.

HA and RHA Fillers

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers like Juvéderm work by restoring volume, smoothing wrinkles, and enhancing facial contours. Additionally, resilient hyaluronic acid fillers, also known as RHA fillers, are a newer generation of HA fillers specifically designed for wrinkle reduction. They are formulated to adapt to the dynamic movements of your face, providing a more natural and expressive appearance. Dermal fillers can help you achieve your desired aesthetic and are a great addition to a mini facelift.

Eyelid Lift

An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, can reduce skin sagging, wrinkles, and excess fat in the upper or lower eyelids, restoring a brighter, more alert look to the eyes. It involves incisions inside the eyelids to reduce visible scarring. Through these incisions, Dr. Wolin removes excess skin and tissue from the eyelids to smooth and tighten them. Combined with a mini facelift, an eyelid lift can further rejuvenate your face for a more vibrant and youthful appearance.

How Much Do Mini Facelifts Cost in Scottsdale?

Dr. Wolin provides personalized care for each patient.  As a result, the cost of your mini facelift will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the specific treatment plan he tailors to your individual needs. To find out more about mini facelifts at Wolin Plastic Surgery Center, call (480) 945-8440 or visit our contact page.

FAQ

What are the differences between a full facelift and a mini facelift?

A full facelift addresses the entire face, including the midface, and neck, while a mini facelift focuses on the lower face and neck area. The incisions for a full facelift are typically longer and more extensive, resulting in more significant scarring compared to a mini facelift. The choice between the two procedures depends on the extent of aging concerns and the desired outcomes of the patient. A consultation with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine the most appropriate approach for each case.

What is the ideal age for a mini facelift?

Ideal candidates for a mini facelift are typically in their 40s to 60s and have mild to moderate signs of aging in the lower face and neck area.

Do mini facelifts leave scars?

Mini facelifts require incisions, so they do technically leave scars. However, the incisions that surgeons make to perform mini facelifts are very small, and a good surgeon will be able to hide them in discrete locations. On top of this, the scars will fade over time. The visible scarring that the mini facelift causes is negligible.

References

  1. Zálešák B. Facelift – current concept of complex facial rejuvenation. Casopis Lekaru Ceskych. 2018;157(6):293-297. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30558434/ 
  2. Dibbs RP, Chamata E, Ferry AM, Friedman JD. Revision Facelift and Neck Lift. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2021;35(02):088-097. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1727208