The “mini” or “weekend” facelift gets its name because it is exactly that – a smaller, less intensive procedure than a standard face lift that can be performed quickly (often, as you might guess, over a weekend) and requires less time for recovery.
Instead of a complete lift, with a mini facelift specific areas of the face are targeted with small incisions to lift, reposition and remove limited amounts of facial tissue.
Simple, unwanted sagging and drooping can be eliminated this way and the skin is then carefully repositioned for a smoother look.
Mini facelifts also take advantage of endoscopic facelift technology – a much less invasive form of facial surgery.
The idea candidate for a mini face lift procedure is anyone who has sagging skin on the face and neck.
Your skin should still have some elasticity for optimal results with the use of the tiny barb sutures.
Generally, most candidates are in their 30s and 40s as people with deeper wrinkles may not fully benefit from a mini face lift.
An endoscopic face lift is the primary method for a mini facelift and it’s one of the more inexpensive and convenient alternatives to having traditional cosmetic surgery.
This is a less invasive procedure, and as a result, has fewer risks and a shorter recovery period.
Endoscopy basically mean “looking inside,” and a thin, long tool with a camera is used to see inside the facial incisions and allow the plastic surgeon to view the amount of tissue and fat to be removed.
A non-endoscopic face lift procedure (meaning no camera) requires longer incisions as the doctor needs to expose the area to be treated instead – although the incisions are still tiny in comparison to incisions made for a full face lift.
There is a slightly greater risk for scarring and infection however compared to the endoscopic surgery.
A short scar face lift is a technique that rejuvenates the upper face (eyes, check, nose and jowls).
Skin is re-positioned to reduce scaring behind the ear that may occur with a standard face lift.
The process begins with neck and chin liposuction from a tiny incision underneath the chin.
Incisions also occur in front of the ears, extending inside the hairline to target the eyebrow.
Skin is lifted from the cheek and sutures are attached to elevate the cheek, tighten the neck, and redefine the jaw line. Excess skin is trimmed at the incision line.
Outpatient surgery is used for a short scar face lift procedure under general anesthesia.
The primary difference between a mini face lift and a standard face lift is the targeted treatment areas.
The mini face lift is for people who want to reduce the amount of sagging and drooping in specific facial areas.
Alternately, a standard face life targets wrinkles and sagging throughout the entire face.
Unlike the standard procedure, a mini face lift does not address troubled spots such as the forehead or brow.
A good candidate for a short scar face lift is healthy, 30s to 50s, a nonsmoker and undergoing their first face lift procedure.
The amounts of looseness in the jaw line and neck areas are minimal, and candidates should also have a strong bone structure.
Older patients would want to pursue an alternative procedure suitable for their age.
The costs of both procedures can vary widely, and is determined by a number of factors such as facility costs, surgeon and anesthesia fees, medical tests, prescriptions, and post surgery dressings.
The cost for a short scar face lift is $6,000 to $10,000; the mini is less, costing approximately $3,500 to $6,500.
Most health care insurance will not cover plastic surgery or medical care related to complications.
Ask a plastic surgeon if patient financing plans are available.
Only plastic surgeons may! If aesthetic clinics do not have a plastic surgeon, they can…
In general, a saphenectomy is the procedure that has been traditionally practiced even since the…
Sclerotherapy consists in the injection, into the affected veins, of a special chemical product that…
This innovative procedure is an alternate treatment to the surgical removal of varicose veins. It…
After years of exposure to the sun and the stresses of daily living, your skin…
Varicose veins are gnarled and enlarged veins which become ‘twisted’. Any vein can become a…