Mini Face Lift

Plastic surgery, and in particular, facial surgery, is a very complex procedure that involves detailed knowledge of anatomy, experience, and execution of great surgical techniques.

ASET Hospital’s elite and highly experienced surgeons specialise in such delicate face surgery.

Deciding to change the way you look through Surgery takes courage and a lot of consideration. Your decision to have a procedure must be considered carefully.

Who is Suitable for a Mini Face Lift?

A man or woman whose face skin is sagging but still elastic and whose bone structure is strong and well defined.

As an alternative procedure to the full face lift for patients who aren’t yet ready or need a traditional full facelift, there are several other variations of the procedure to address specific areas of the face.

The Consultation

There are some possible risks, as with all surgery, which will be explained to you at the time of your mini face lift consultation. This is an opportunity to discuss your treatment and allow your consultant to ascertain your expectations and discuss the results that can be achieved.

In order for you to make an informed choice, it is vital that you understand all aspects of the procedure and all possible outcomes.

Mini Face Lift v Full Face Lift Procedure

The mini-lift is a facelift surgery technique that uses shorter incisions than traditional face lift techniques and thus is less invasive.

The procedure takes a shorter time to undertake, and the recovery time is shorter – One of the main benefits of a mini facelift is that it requires a shorter recovery time 2 / 3 days (mini-lifts are often called “weekend facelifts”)

While traditional facelift patients may need 4-5 weeks to recover from a facelift, a mini face lift is unlike a traditional facelift, which sometimes requires general anaesthesia.

Mini facelifts can usually be performed using a combination of twilight sedation and a local anaesthetic with the benefit of reducing the chances of patients experiencing anaesthesia-based risks and side effects like nausea or vomiting.

The cost of a mini facelift is less than a traditional face lift. Since mini facelifts are less complicated, shorter in duration, and do not require general anaesthesia, cost factors such as surgeon fees and facility costs are lower.

There are drawbacks to the mini face lift when compared to a full face lift, as the mini facelift often yields a less dramatic result than a traditional facelift.

The mini face lift technique is more ideal for addressing light to moderate ageing of the face, which is why it is usually recommended for younger patients who are just beginning to show signs of facial ageing.

A mini face lift aims to produce a subtle tightening of the jawline. It does not and cannot produce the results of a full face lift. Little or no improvement occurs in the mid-face, around the mouth and upper neck area.

A mini face lift, when compared to a full face lift, the results last for a shorter time period, but patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle after their procedure they can typically expect their results to last anywhere from two to four years (while full facelift results can last a decade or longer).

Mini Face Lift Procedure

Mini face lift surgery usually takes place under local anaesthetic and can take around 1 to 1.5 hours (depending on the procedure). It usually requires no stay in the hospital. During the surgery, your surgeon will inject local anaesthetic in the area to be operated on.

Once that area is numb, the surgeon will make an incision along the hairline of the sideburn and along the front of the ear.

After that, the surgeon will lift the skin and use stitches to lift the underlying tissue and fix it to the tissue in the temple. Any excess skin is then removed, and the wounds are closed.

The skin can take around 7 to 10 days to heal, and patients can return to work almost immediately after having a mini facelift.

The lifting effect achieved by this procedure may last for two to four years and can be repeated to maintain the results. However, the results are adversely affected by smoking, sun exposure and dehydration.

The Risks

Individuals vary greatly in their physical reactions and healing abilities, so it is important to consider the potential risks of this surgery before making a decision.

Potential risks include haematoma, asymmetry, injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary but can last), sensation loss around the ears, infection, adverse reactions to the anaesthesia and in rare cases, DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PE (Pulmonary Embolism).

Potential risks for smokers include poor healing of the skin or unexpected scars.

Face Neck Lift Aftercare

As your well-being is our number one priority, we offer a comprehensive and personalised aftercare package that is included in your treatment.

Following surgery, it is advisable to keep your head elevated for 2 days for a mini facelift.

Scars can get wet within 48 hours, but do not rub the wounds. Most bruising disappears in a couple of weeks, but residual swelling may last for months.

Your appearance is generally presentable in 2 to 4 weeks, but healing continues for up to a year.

Some sutures (if used) will be removed after 7 days and your wound checked. The remaining sutures will be removed 10 days to 2 weeks later.

The surgeon who performed your surgery will see you after six weeks for a follow-up assessment and as often as required until you are fully recovered.

It is vital that you attend all necessary post-operative appointments.