MINI FACELIFT
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and all of the mid-Michigan area.
A mini-facelift is an aesthetic procedure that helps to correct a sagging jawline, cheeks, and neck, as well as signs of aging around the corners of the eyes and mouth. It is a variation of the traditional facelift that offers effective results with less postoperative bruising and swelling, a shorter recovery period, and fewer side effects. Overall the procedure achieves a more lifted, youthful facial aesthetic with less surgery required.
Facial plastic surgery has helped many patients to regain confidence in their looks. Dr. William Pittas a double board-certified surgeon has helped many patients to combat signs of aging with the mini-facelift. If you are interested in learning more about a mini-facelift and if it may be right for you, contact us today at our Saginaw location at (989) 497- 3157, or through our online contact form.
FACIAL AGING
Signs of aging can become more prominent on the face from age 30 onward. And, although non-surgical treatments like Botox and Filler can temporarily keep them at bay, they are not a long-term solution to the problem. With mini facelift surgery, patients can achieve long-lasting lifting and tightening in the places it matters most. By tightening the lower region of the face you can achieve a rejuvenated appearance that rolls back the clock to look years younger.
WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR SKIN AS WE AGE?
So why does our skin begin to sag as we enter our 40s? The answer is that its support structure, the extracellular matrix (ECM), becomes less effective. Collagen and elastin – essential molecules within the ECM – are not produced at the same rate the older we get. And unfortunately, year after year, this disparity only gets worse. As a result, skin loses its tensile strength and elasticity, causing sagging in common areas like the jawline and lines and creases like nasolabial folds.
ABOUT THE MINI FACELIFT
The facelift is a popular cosmetic procedure for its ability to restore a youthful facial aesthetic. It has remained in demand as one of the most effective ways to restore tightness in the face and minimize wrinkles for a natural-looking but improved appearance.
A mini-facelift provides similar results as a full facelift, but focuses on the lower region of the face. The mini-facelift can prove particularly useful with early signs of aging and midface descent, and providing definition to the jawline. A mini-facelift pairs well with additional procedures such as Morpheus8, Botox, and dermal fillers.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MINI-FACELIFT AND A FULL FACELIFT?
A full facelift tightens the lower two-thirds of the face from cheekbone to collarbone. It offers dramatic results for patients with more universal skin laxity throughout the face and neck in a surgery that takes 2 to 5 hours. Because the procedure is more involved, recovery for a full facelift takes about 10 to 14 days.
Alternatively, a mini-facelift provides moderate elevation of facial tissues. It is recommended for patients under 50 years old with mild to moderate sagging. This particular procedure uses shorter incisions that tighten the lower regions of a patient’s face. A mini-facelift takes about two hours to complete, and takes less time to heal than a full facelift.
BENEFITS
Benefits of a mini facelift include:
- Suitable for patients under 50
- Less invasive overall compared to a traditional facelift
- Shorter incisions with less risk of long scarring
- Effective, natural-looking results
- Can be performed using local anesthesia
- Less downtime than a traditional facelift
MINI FACELIFT PROCEDURE
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your mini facelift will be customized for your needs. Dr. William Pittas will review the specifics of your treatment, as well as pre- and post-operative instructions prior to your surgery.
At the start of a mini facelift surgery, anesthesia is administered. Once it has taken effect, Dr. Pittas will make one incision around each ear. Next, he will gently lift the facial tissue as needed to restore more youthful contours. Excess skin can then be removed, and the remaining skin will be re-draped and secured with sutures.
MINI FACELIFT RECOVERY
WHAT TO EXPECT
Mini facelift patients should plan for a week of downtime and time off work—about half the downtime required after a full facelift. Swelling and bruising are a normal part of the healing process, and medications can be prescribed to mitigate discomfort.
You will be given detailed instructions for your recovery, including how to care for your incision sites, special instructions for bathing, and activity restrictions. It is important to follow all aftercare guidelines to support optimal healing.
MINI FACELIFT RESULTS
You will start to see the results of your mini facelift within two to three weeks as post-operative swelling and bruising dissipate. You will continue to see gradual improvements over the next several weeks. Complete results will be visible once the area has fully healed.
Your body’s natural aging process and your lifestyle choices will affect how long your mini facelift results last. In general, patients can expect improvements to last about 10 years.