28 Oct Weekend Recovery Time: Why The Mini-Facelift Is So Popular
Get On The Mini-Facelift Train
The early signs of aging on the lower cheeks, jaw, and nasolabial folds can be a shock for some. Treatments like peels, fillers, or microneedling can help but can only last for so long. For a long-term solution, more and more patients are turning to facelifts. Facelifts, however, are invasive and have long recovery times. A mini-facelift is a fresh, new procedure that can provide similar results with shorter recovery.
What’s a mini facelift?
A mini-facelift is a short, minimally invasive cosmetic procedure to improve wrinkles and sagging skin on the lower face. A surgeon performs the mini-facelift by making small incisions around the patient’s earlobes. The skin is gently lifted and repositioned before excess skin gets trimmed off. The procedure ends with the surgeon discreetly stitching the skin back in place. Mini-facelifts are great for patients who want to make minor changes to the jawline, reduce some sagging skin, and clear up wrinkles.
Mini-facelifts vs. traditional facelifts
Traditional facelifts go beyond the lower face, impacting almost the entire face. The procedure is more invasive, with an incision starting from the ear and running along the hairline. The surgeon lifts the skin from the fat and muscle and begins to reposition the tissue. Once the tissue is in place, the skin is gently pulled back and the excess removed. Facelifts are much more invasive, needing a longer recovery time. However, the results are much more dramatic than a mini-facelift.
Pros and cons of a mini-facelift
Mini-facelifts have smaller incisions, meaning less pain and discomfort. Smaller incisions also mean smaller scars, which is appealing to patients. Most mini-facelifts happen under local anesthesia, which speeds up the procedure and reduces general anesthesia risk. The downside is that the surgery is less dramatic than a facelift. There’s also the risk of bleeding, infection, and pain at the surgical site. The surgeon will discuss potential risks and the steps to address each issue.
The weekend recovery time
One of the most significant advantages of mini-facelifts is the reduced recovery time. Mini-facelifts are often called weekend facelifts, as patients can go back to daily activities in a few days. The stitches will stay in place for 10-14 days. Within this time, the swelling subsides, and patients should see the results. Over a few weeks, the incisions should be fully healed. Traditional facelifts can take 2 or more weeks of downtime.
A fresher, younger look
Mini-facelifts are popular thanks to the small incisions, subtle changes, and fast recovery. Some patients even get mini-facelifts over the weekend. Within a few days, patients will see reduced wrinkles, jowls, and sagging skin. Facelift patients feel younger and are satisfied with the results even 10 years after surgery. Mini-facelift patients will have results over a shorter period but will still enjoy the process. Patients looking for quick, anti-aging changes should speak with a plastic surgeon.