Everything you need to know about the mini-lift
A mini facelift or a mini-lift is a modified version of the traditional facelift. In the “mini” version, a plastic surgeon uses small incisions around your hairline to help lift the lower half of your face and neck, and correct sagging skin. There are countless factors that lead to early skin aging; such as diseases, stress, smoking, hormonal change, yo-yo effect and genetics.
The mini-lift is at times suggested to young patients who wish to prevent signs of aging or have important skin slackening and wish to get more natural results than those of a total and invasive face-lift.
The mini-lift is similar to that of a traditional facelift in terms of principle; however, the surgical act and operative effects are more moderate and less invasive.
Incisions vary depending on the regions of correction, age, gender and the surgeon’s preferences. Incisions are however smaller than the classic face-lift in order to quicken the healing process of post-surgical scarring.
Incisions are generally located in the auricular pinna; therefore scarring will be situated around the hairline, which make them completely invisible 3 to 6 months after the intervention.
After cutting and detaching the skin, saggy subcutaneous tissues of the face are tightened using an internal thread. After that, excess skin is removed and incisions are sutured.
Muscle tightening plays an important role in the repositioning of the skin and fatty tissues.
The mini-lift is essentially efficient for the neck, face, and jowls.
After the intervention, the surgeon will place a bandage around the head to limit swelling and bruising or a simple patch may be placed on incisions.
The resumption of daily activities can occur quite rapidly; generally 7 to 10 days after the surgery.
For this reason, the mini-lift is generally combined with other procedures of cosmetic medicine or surgery in order to achieve optimal results.
Examples of complementary surgeries to a mini-lift are blepharoplasty, neck or jowls’ liposuction, or a lipostructure in case of the presence of a double chin or saggy cheeks.
It is also possible to optimize results by performing hyaluronic acid injections in nasolabial folds or botulinum toxin to minimize wrinkles.
It is also recommended to sleep on the back to maintain the head in place and avoid swelling and bruising on certain parts of the face.
It is possible to wash your hair starting from the second day after your intervention. It is also advised to wash your hair every day since to avoid the formation of blood crusts behind the ears.
Applying cold compression garments can help reduce swelling around the neck and face area.
It is possible to apply makeup on your face two weeks after the surgery, dye your hair 5 to 6 weeks after and straighten it 3 to 6 months after.
However, it is important to remember that the skin will continue aging normally with time.
The difference with a mini-lift is that 10 years from now you will look like you still have the same age.
The mini-lift is at times suggested to young patients who wish to prevent signs of aging or have important skin slackening and wish to get more natural results than those of a total and invasive face-lift.
The mini-lift is similar to that of a traditional facelift in terms of principle; however, the surgical act and operative effects are more moderate and less invasive.
Procedure of the mini-lift
A mini-lift is performed under local anesthesia.Incisions vary depending on the regions of correction, age, gender and the surgeon’s preferences. Incisions are however smaller than the classic face-lift in order to quicken the healing process of post-surgical scarring.
Incisions are generally located in the auricular pinna; therefore scarring will be situated around the hairline, which make them completely invisible 3 to 6 months after the intervention.
After cutting and detaching the skin, saggy subcutaneous tissues of the face are tightened using an internal thread. After that, excess skin is removed and incisions are sutured.
Muscle tightening plays an important role in the repositioning of the skin and fatty tissues.
The mini-lift is essentially efficient for the neck, face, and jowls.
After the intervention, the surgeon will place a bandage around the head to limit swelling and bruising or a simple patch may be placed on incisions.
The resumption of daily activities can occur quite rapidly; generally 7 to 10 days after the surgery.
The limitations of the mini-lift
Crow’s feet wrinkles, bitterness and nasolabial folds, under-eye wrinkles or a double chin cannot be corrected with a mini-lift.For this reason, the mini-lift is generally combined with other procedures of cosmetic medicine or surgery in order to achieve optimal results.
Examples of complementary surgeries to a mini-lift are blepharoplasty, neck or jowls’ liposuction, or a lipostructure in case of the presence of a double chin or saggy cheeks.
It is also possible to optimize results by performing hyaluronic acid injections in nasolabial folds or botulinum toxin to minimize wrinkles.
Precautions to consider after the mini-lift
It is mandatory to avoid extremely tiring tasks after the intervention in order to accelerate the healing process. Performing tasks like heavy cleaning, bending or carrying heavy objects should be avoided.It is also recommended to sleep on the back to maintain the head in place and avoid swelling and bruising on certain parts of the face.
It is possible to wash your hair starting from the second day after your intervention. It is also advised to wash your hair every day since to avoid the formation of blood crusts behind the ears.
Applying cold compression garments can help reduce swelling around the neck and face area.
It is possible to apply makeup on your face two weeks after the surgery, dye your hair 5 to 6 weeks after and straighten it 3 to 6 months after.
Results of the mini-lift
Final results can be appreciated 2 to 3 months after the surgery. A mini-lift is an easy and very efficient intervention which gives natural and permanent results.However, it is important to remember that the skin will continue aging normally with time.
The difference with a mini-lift is that 10 years from now you will look like you still have the same age.
