Does a mini facelift include the forehead?

Our Mini Facelift Says It All

The Mini Facelift procedure is an excellent choice for patients who wish to address common signs of aging, such as drooping skin and wrinkles on the face and neck, without undergoing more invasive traditional facelift procedures or short lasting treatments, such as anti-wrinkle injections.

Mini facelifts performed by Dr. Chaowen Wu always appear natural without having a pulled or stretched appearance. We also offer a variety of other procedures , including the Deep Plane Facelift , Deep Neck Lift , Facial Fat Transfer , Eyelid Surgery , and Brow Lift , as well as the Ponytail Facelift, and SMAS Facelift.

With Dr. Wu, you also have the option of having a mini facelift plastic surgical procedure performed awake under local anesthesia or twilight sedation, which generally results in a more pleasant and relaxing experience for you, along with a faster recovery time.

It can also be an excellent cosmetic procedure for patients who are experiencing what is commonly known as “filler fatigue” or “laser fatigue,” which often occurs in patients in their 30s and 40s have been using injectable fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, lasers, and facial tightening devices to keep themselves looking young and rejuvenated.

As you age and continue to use these short-term fixes, the benefit of these treatments lessens. Your face will require more and more filler and lasers escalating the cost, and unintended side effects such a larger more masculine forehead from weakening muscles.

In these cases, a mini facelift or another facial plastic surgery procedure, such as the Deep Plane Facelift and Deep Neck Lift , can be a nice option for a less invasive and longer-lasting facial rejuvenation.

Patients traveling or flying to The Woodlands can visit our Out-of-Town page for more information.

Look and Feel 100% You

Mini Facelift (Lower Face and Neck Lift), Temporal Brow Lift, Lower Blepharoplasty, Facial Fat Transfer

Details: This beauty was bothered by the loose skin under her chin and eyes. She is 1 month out from her procedure looking rejuvenated. Note the minimally visible scar in front of her ears.

Short Scar Deep Plane Facelift, Facial Fat Transfer

Details: This beauty wished to refresh her tired appearance. She underwent an awake deep plane facelift under local anesthesia and facial fat transfer. These photos show her healing progress at 6 weeks out and already looking great!

What Areas Can A Mini Facelift Address?

• Jowling from the downward pull of gravity and the sagging of facial muscles from aging, which also results in definition loss of your jawline.
• Marionette lines at the corner of the mouth that have become more prominent or visible.
• Loose skin under the chin or turkey neck.
• Vertical neck bands.
• Also an attractive option for women who wish to subtly feminize their beauty and have a more youthful appearance.

What Other Treatments Can Be Performed With A Mini Facelift?

Dr. Wu also performs other types of facial and plastic surgery procedures that are of a similar nature depending on your desired degree of correction. In consultation, Dr. Wu will work with you to develop a customized plan to suit your beauty goals.

As a result of this approach, the cosmetic enhancements she is able to deliver look natural and beautiful.

There are several main types of facelift surgeries, including the Mini Facelift, Deep Plane Facelift , Ponytail Facelift, and SMAS Facelift.

As with other types of face procedures , the mini facelift can be performed alone, or it can be combined with a variety of enhancing plastic surgery options, such as a Neck Lift , Facial Fat Transfer , Eyelid Surgery or a Brow Lift or even nose job (rhinoplasty) to restore the natural beauty of your face.

Come visit us in The Woodlands, TX to see what Dr. Wu can do for you!

What Is a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is a plastic surgery procedure to lift your jowls, redefine your jawline, tighten your neck skin, and restore your youthful facial contours. This technique involves making incisions that are camouflaged around your ear lobes, behind your ears, and into your hairline. This allow the removal of excess skin and lifts and reshapes your lower face and neck soft tissue to achieve a contoured jawline.

Because the incisions are strategically concealed during healing, the recovery time can be shortened significantly, especially if it’s done under local anesthesia. For the right candidates, a mini facelift can accomplish many of the same goals as a traditional facelift.

In general, the mini facelift option is not recommended for patients who have sagging skin and jowling of the jawline that is more severe. If this is the case, a deep plane facelift along with a neck lift may be required. Dr. Wu will determine what combination cosmetic procedures are right for you during your consultation.

Other types and names of “mini facelifts” include:

• S-lift
• MACS lift
• Short Incision Facelift / Short Scar Facelift
• Limited incision facelift

Each of these cosmetic and plastic surgery facelift procedures is named after the size and shape of the incision. When Dr. Wu performs a mini facelift or full facelift such as a deep plane facelift:

• Incisions are camouflaged in the natural curves and shadows around the ear. As a result, the scar heal in an inconspicuous location where they can fade nicely over time.
• The muscle layer is carefully separated so it can be lifted and tightened in a natural vector without pulling the skin in an unnatural way.
• Excess skin is trimmed and the incisions are meticulously closed with fine plastic surgery sutures, which minimizes the visibility of any incisions. Dr. Wu takes great pride and care in carefully closing incisions to ensure proper healing.

Another type of short scar facelift is called the Minimal Access Deep Plane Extended Vertical Facelift. In this plastic surgery operation, a short incision is used combined with the full facelift of a Deep Plane Facelift .

“Deep plane” refers to the anatomical space between the SMAS-platysma complex and the muscles muscles for facial expression.

The deep plane facelift is the most effective in restoring the midface and reducing the prominence of the nasolabial folds, which are the creases from the nose to the mouth.

Instead of pulling and removing loose skin during surgery, the deep plane facial plastic surgery technique involves releasing and moving muscle and fat layers. During a deep plane face procedure, Dr. Wu lifts the fat pads in the cheeks, and then repositions them to improve facial hollows. Results are natural and restore the heart shape of youth with fuller cheekbones.

The extended deep plane facelift involves further releasing the ligaments that tether the deep plane layer. This frees up the facial tissues to achieve tension-free lifting of the face so results will not look over-tightened.

Only a small percentage of plastic surgeons perform deep plane facelift surgery because it is a modern procedure that takes more training, skill and time to perform. Patients get the superior results of a deep plane full facelift and the minimal scarring of a mini facelift.

Mini Facelift New York, The Mini Lift

Some of the earliest signs of aging can be seen in the mid and lower face, as skin becomes lax and the high, full cheeks of youth slowly descend to a lower position. These changes can lead to the development of jowls and loss of jaw line definition. Many people are bothered by these initial signs of aging, but don’t want or need a full facelift procedure. A mini facelift (mini lift) is a less involved procedure with more limited incisions and faster recovery times than a traditional facelift. The mini facelift is ideal for patients in the earlier stages of facial aging to address jowling and mid-face descent. Designed to elevate the cheeks to their former, youthful position and redefine the jaw line, a mini facelift may also be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as fat grafting, laser skin resurfacing, and dermal fillers.

Who is a good candidate for mini facelift surgery?

People who wish to reduce the signs of early facial aging, but who don’t want or need a full facelift, may be good candidates for mini facelift surgery. Candidates may exhibit lax skin, loss of volume in the cheeks, and signs of early jowling. Dr. Levine will meet with you to discuss whether you are a good candidate for mini facelift surgery.

Go home same day

Can a mini facelift be combined with other procedures?

Absolutely. A mini facelift is often combined with other procedures as part of a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. Common procedures include eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), browlift, chin augmentation, laser skin resurfacing, fat grafting, dermal fillers, and chemical peels. These cosmetic procedures can be performed before, during, or after your mini facelift surgery. Dr. Levine will discuss with you what procedures or combination of procedures may best suit your specific needs.

How is mini facelift surgery performed?

A mini facelift can address early signs of aging by tightening skin and repositioning soft tissue in the mid and lower face. Dr. Levine uses a variety of advanced techniques for mini facelift surgery, including:

• Short Scar Mini Facelift
• Limited Incision Mini Facelift
• Endoscopic Mini Facelift
• SMASectomy Mini Facelift
• SMAS Plication Mini Facelift
• MACS Mini Facelift

There are two main components addressed in each mini facelift procedure. First, the connective tissue beneath the skin (known as the SMAS layer) may be elevated, repositioned, and tightened to create a more youthful foundation. Next, any excess skin will be removed, and the skin will be redraped to restore a firm, natural, and youthful-looking appearance.* During the mini facelift procedure, incisions are usually limited to in front of the ear. Dr. Levine takes meticulous care to ensure that incisions are well-concealed within natural creases. Dr. Levine will discuss with you which mini facelift techniques will best suit your specific needs.

How can I prepare for mini facelift surgery?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Levine will examine your face and neck, paying particular attention to facial structure, skin quality, and the signs of aging in the mid-face. He and Dr. Jody Levine will work together to create a customized skincare regimen for both before and after your procedure, which will help maximize overall facial rejuvenation.* Dr. Levine will thoroughly discuss your goals and expectations, including possible risks and the best way to prepare for your surgery. He will let you know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure, and he will answer any questions that you may have.

What type of anesthesia will be used?

We recommend local, twilight, or general anesthesia for mini facelift surgery, depending on the extent of the procedure. You will discuss your procedure thoroughly with both Dr. Levine and our board-certified anesthesiologist to determine the best type of anesthesia for your needs.

What should I expect during mini facelift surgery?

Mini facelift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art, in-office operating suite, which is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). The length of your procedure will depend on many factors, but on average, the procedure usually takes about 2-4 hours.* After your procedure, you will wake up in our warm and caring recovery suite, where our licensed, registered nurse will make sure you are comfortable and assist in your recovery. While some patients may elect to go home the same day with a friend or family member, we offer a number of recovery options, depending on your specific wishes. For example, we can arrange for private nursing care for your first night after surgery, whether you choose to recover at home, at one of the Upper East Side luxury hotels near our office, or here in our comfortable office suites. We would be happy to assist in making whatever arrangements suit you best.

What can I expect after mini facelift surgery?

Every surgery is different, and you will receive detailed post-operative instructions for your specific needs. In general, you may expect to have mild to moderate swelling and bruising for 1week after your procedure. Most patients report mild to moderate pain after the surgery, which is usually well-controlled with medications.* At Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, our concern for you doesn’t end when you go home. We’re dedicated to providing ongoing care to ensure a fast, safe, and smooth recovery. Dr. Levine will see you for post-operative visits, and he and our staff stand ready to answer any questions you may have about your recovery, as well as your overall health and well-being.

* Patients individual results may vary.

Is there anything I can do before and after my procedure to maximize results?

One of the many wonderful qualities that sets us apart at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC is our ability to use a multidisciplinary approach to optimize results. With expertise in both plastic surgery and dermatology, Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine work together to help prepare, protect, and treat the skin before, during, and after your procedure. As one of New York’s leading dermatologists, Dr. Jody Levine will customize a skincare regimen that includes pre-surgical measures to optimize your skin, as well as post-surgical skincare that can help prevent irritation, alleviate bruising and inflammation, and promote faster healing. Unlike other practices, we include these unique pre- and post-surgery skincare packages as part of your surgical plan. Our pre-surgery facials and microdermabrasion treatments help prepare your skin for surgery and ensure the best recuperation. Post-operative packages include lymphatic massage with our skilled medical aesthetician in order to enhance circulation, support healing and improved immunity function, and leave the skin looking radiant and healthy.* With our extensive array of lasers, we are able to provide post-surgical laser treatments to best accelerate your healing. The Drs. Levine will be happy to discuss with you the best skincare approach for your specific needs.

Is there a minimally invasive approach to mini facelift surgery?

Absolutely. We offer FaceTite™ to address the signs of facial aging without undergoing surgery. FaceTite™ firms sagging skin around the brows, cheeks, and jawline to achieve a younger-looking facial profile. Using cutting-edge radio frequency (RF) technology, the minimally invasive FaceTite™ system delivers RF energy to the different layers of skin. This energy can encourage the production of new collagen and achieve significant skin contraction. Dr. Levine can discuss if FaceTite™ is an ideal treatment for you during your mini facelift consultation.

How can I find out more about mini facelift surgery?

Dr. Elie Levine will be happy to meet with you to discuss mini facelift surgery. Please call our office at 212-988-1800, or make an appointment online for a personal consultation in our New York City offices.