Mini Facelift Surgery

The mini facelift, which is also know as a short scar facelift or an S lift, is a cosmetic procedure that tightens the skin and soft tissues in a person's face.  By repositioning and tightening the skin, the patient is able to enjoy a more youthful appearance.  Although similar to the traditional facelift, the mini facelift utilizes slightly different techniques in order to minimize the amount of scarring that develops. 

Although the procedure reduces the number of incisions made, the mini facelift can successfully reduce the amount of drooping and sagging of the skin.  In addition, it provides a shorter recovery time and is less costly than a traditional facelift.  Although the procedure may be performed by itself, many patients also choose to undergo liposuction or other facial cosmetic surgery procedures at the same time.  In most cases, the entire procedure takes one to two hours to complete.

Understanding Mini Facelift Surgery

When performing a mini facelift, the surgeon first makes an incision in the temporal area.  This incision may be along the hairline or within the hair itself.  The incision is then made all the way down to the earlobe and possibly behind the ear as well.  The exact path of the incision is determined by the patient's individual anatomy, as the surgeon will choose the best path for reducing the signs of scarring.  In addition, the exact procedure will depend upon the current condition of the patient's skin as well as the patient's desired results.  Regardless, the basic procedure will involve making incisions in the skin, lifting the skin and repositioning the skin in order to smooth out wrinkles and to reduce sagging.

Risks Associated with Mini Facelift Surgery

Every surgery presents a certain amount of risk.  Some of the common risks and potential complications associated with any cosmetic surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clotting
• Bruising
• Infection
• Negative reaction to anesthesia
• Scarring
• Swelling

Some potential complications that are specifically associated with the mini facelift include:

• Broken capillaries, which is most common in the neck and cheek area and can be corrected through laser surgery
• Discoloration of the skin, which is a rare complication that generally corrects itself within a few months
• Feeling stiff when making normal facial movements, which should subside in a few weeks
• Feeling unhappy with the results of the surgery
• Nerve injury or damage, which is rare and is generally a temporary condition
• Numbness in the face, which should subside after a few weeks
• Skin or hair loss, which is a rare side effect and generally corrects itself within a few months

Although there are risks associated with mini facelift surgery, the procedure is an effective method for improving the overall appearance of the face and its skin without having to undergo the additional risks associated with a traditional facelift.