Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Munique Maia

A facelift has consistently ranked among the top five procedures in plastic surgery for its remarkable ability to restore a youthful appearance and boost self-esteem. Have you ever wondered why? At Maia Plastic Surgery, we believe in the transformative power of facelifts and mini facelifts, which is why they are our favorite procedures to recommend. The reason behind our preference lies in the advancements of modern techniques. These techniques have revolutionized the field of facial rejuvenation, allowing us to achieve incredibly natural results. To provide a deeper understanding of these procedures, let’s dive into their specifics, highlighting key features and benefits that patients can expect to achieve.

Facelift VS Mini Facelift 

A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to improve the appearance of the face by lifting and tightening the skin and underlying muscles. This procedure can address various signs of aging such as sagging skin, wrinkles, and jowls.

A mini facelift, also known as the “Weekend Facelift,” is a less invasive version of a traditional facelift, which offers a minimal lift and tightening of the lower face. Mini facelift incisions are hidden and almost imperceptible. It typically involves shorter incisions and less dissection of tissue. The skin is then lifted and tightened using sutures. Mini facelifts usually require less downtime and have a quicker recovery time than traditional facelifts. For a mini facelift, the patient is awake and comfortable. It can be performed in the clinic under local anesthesia. 

In the images below, you can witness the comprehensive transformation of a patient who underwent eight procedures, including a facelift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, fat grafting, neck lift, TCA peel, and Botox. The results are remarkable, with no evident signs of plastic surgery procedures. The patient appears rejuvenated and refreshed, aligning perfectly with our goal for all our patients.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Munique Maia

When to Consider a (Mini) Facelift

If you find yourself looking in the mirror and feeling like your appearance doesn’t match how youthful and vibrant you feel inside, you may be experiencing what is commonly known as “filler fatigue.” While botox and fillers can provide temporary improvements, there may come a point where they no longer deliver the desired results.

At Maia Plastic Surgery, we understand the frustration and offer a solution. We recommend scheduling a consultation with our experienced team to discuss your concerns and explore both minimally invasive and surgical options available. During this consultation, we will assess your individual needs and develop a customized treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Our primary objective is to achieve a harmonious balance between your outward appearance and your inner vitality.

An ideal candidate for a facelift is someone who presents with sagging or loose skin, deep facial creases, or jowls that cannot be effectively improved with non-surgical treatments. In cases of more severe signs of aging, Maia Plastic Surgery recommends combining a facelift with additional procedures such as fat grafting to the face and a TCA peel. This combination not only restores volume to the face but also peels away layers of dead skin, revealing a natural glow that beautifully complements the newly tightened lower face and neck.

On the other hand, a mini facelift is suitable for individuals experiencing less severe signs of aging who have not achieved the desired results through non-surgical methods alone. The mini facelift focuses on tightening and lifting the skin around the lower face and neck. Often referred to as the “weekend facelift,” this procedure typically involves a shorter recovery time compared to traditional facelift procedures. This allows patients to resume their regular activities relatively quickly after the surgery.

Determining If You Are a Candidate

To determine if you are a good candidate for a facelift or mini facelift, we recommend scheduling a consultation at Maia Plastic Surgery. During this consultation, our team will assess your individual needs and goals, allowing us to develop a customized treatment plan specifically tailored to you. Our ultimate objective is to achieve a harmonious balance between your outward appearance and inner vitality.

The timing for considering a facelift or mini facelift depends on your unique needs and the severity of excess sagging skin. Typically, patients in their late 30s to mid-40s, experiencing signs of aging in the face and neck, are suitable candidates for a mini facelift. However, age alone is not the sole determining factor. Even individuals in their 80s can benefit from a facelift if they are in good health. In fact, we recently had a 74-year-old patient undergo facial rejuvenation, and she is recovering beautifully just two weeks post-op. Premature aging or weight loss can also influence the decision to undergo a mini facelift at a younger age. Rest assured, both procedures aim to enhance your natural beauty, restore a youthful appearance, and boost your self-confidence.

Risks and Potential Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and potential complications associated. However, with proper pre-operative planning and post-operative care, these risks can be minimized. There are specific risks related to surgery that we discuss with each patient at the time of their pre-op appointment. To make sure our patient’s healing journey is as comfortable as possible, we recommend a complete facelift healing kit with all the supplies they need to heal comfortably. The materials in the kit follow a recovery protocol to ensure proper healing and minimal scarring.

At Maia Plastic Surgery we always recommend SkinNuva scar cream, a medical-grade silicone scar cream that promotes scar healing. The kit also includes Alastin’s Regenerating Skin Nectar, which my patients rave about how silky smooth it feels on the skin, especially skin that is tender after the procedure. The Nectar is an ideal post-care solution after a facelift, as its advanced formula helps to accelerate the healing process, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall skin rejuvenation for optimal results.

Incisions Don’t Always Call For Scars  

Incisions for the facelift and mini facelift are made inconspicuously in front of the ear, around the hairline, and behind the ears. My patients have heard me say, “Nobody will ever know,” because the scars are typically hidden so well that you wouldn’t even be able to tell that a procedure was done there. At Maia Plastic Surgery we like to do a fun little quiz on my Instagram where we show a picture of a facelift patient’s ear and ask our followers if they see a scar or not. Most people cannot tell where the scar is.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Munique Maia, MD (@drmaiaplasticsurgery)

The facelift is often combined with a neck lift. In this case, there is also an incision right under the chin to allow access to the neck muscles and remove excess fat to achieve a youthful-looking jawline.

Recovery Time

The downtime for a facelift is between two to three weeks, and for a mini facelift, one to two weeks. Keep in mind that the final results of these procedures can be seen after three months when there is no more swelling and the scars begin to fade. Patients can promote healing and minimize discomfort by following post-operative care instructions. Make sure to avoid strenuous activity, get plenty of rest, and when recovery is over, enjoy a rejuvenated face.

Non-surgical Alternatives

There are non-surgical alternatives to a facelift or mini facelift, such as injectable fillers, Botox, laser skin resurfacing, and Morpheus8. These treatments are great for improving the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. If patients start these treatments early enough, it may even delay the need for surgery.

However, for some patients with more advanced signs of aging, these treatments may not be as effective. If a patient is interested in discussing rejuvenation techniques and wants to learn about their options, the best thing to do is to schedule a consultation so you can determine if you’re a good candidate for a facelift or mini facelift.