“I love looking in the mirror and seeing the face I had 15 years ago – amazing!”
D.D. – Braintree
These procedures have become increasingly popular over the past 10 years. They were developed for the individual looking for a less invasive procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia with minimal recovery time. These procedures have been referred to as the “weekend” facelift and Dr. Lazor has been performing them for many years. Because it is performed under local anesthesia, patient’s recover very quickly with minimal down time. The mini lift procedures include a mini facelift, mini necklift, and mini brow lift.
Candidates
Typically between 30 and 65 years old, the best candidates are those in good health with mild to moderate lower facial and/or neck laxity. The mini facelift is ideal for patients who want to stay ahead of the aging process. It is also effective as a follow-up for patients who previously had full facelifts, but desire additional rejuvenation of the face and/or neck area. Likewise, it does not preclude undergoing full facelift procedures in the future.
Procedures
There are two basic procedures which can be performed:
The anterior minilift
is for patients concerned about their lower face. The procedure is straightforward: an anesthetic solution is injected into the area in front of the ears. This solution will numb the lower face, inhibit bleeding, and gently separate the skin from the underlying tissue. Once the area is numb, small incisions are made beginning just in front of the ear and proceed up into the hairline. Incisions within the hair require no shaving. The fascial plane is gently pulled to tighten the skin, and is supported with deep sutures. Excess skin is tailored, and incisions are closed with several fine sutures. The procedure takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours. If necessary, some patients take a mild sedative beforehand.
The posterior minilift
sometimes referred to as a mini neck-lift, is for persons concerned about the neck and jowl area. An anesthetic solution is injected behind the ears. This solution will numb the lower face and neck and inhibit bleeding in the area. Once the area is numb, small incisions are made behind the ear and proceed up into the hairline. The skin is elevated and gently redraped. Several fine sutures close the incisions.
Recovery
The mini facelift is often referred to as the “weekend lift” because that is the approximate duration for post-operative recovery, although it could be longer depending on the individual. Immediately after the procedure, an ace bandage will be wrapped under the chin and around the top of the head. This should be worn for the first 48 hours. It can be removed briefly to bathe and wash your hair. It should also be worn for the ensuing 5 nights. Sleeping with the head elevated will aid the recovery process. Post procedure discomfort may be relieved by the application of cold compresses and pain medication. Some patients may experience temporary bruising which can be camouflaged with makeup. Makeup may be applied immediately after the procedure. Sutures are removed after 7-10 days, and visible scars become very subtle over time.
The Extended Minilift
combines the anterior and posterior procedures. The recovery is slightly longer than the above procedures.
Duration
The duration of the result varies with a patient’s lifestyle, sun exposure, skin type, and heredity. For most patients, however, the benefits from the mini facelift last between 5 and 10 years.
Risks
Because these procedures are not as invasive as the traditional facelift, there is minimal risk of complications. However, as with any surgical procedure the risks of post-operative bleeding, infection of the wound, scarring, and/or nerve damage should be noted.
