Mini Facelift
In Savannah, GA
Our Savannah mini facelift–called such because it surgically treats the lower third of the face as opposed to the entire face–is the most common surgical facelift performed. But don’t let the name fool you; a mini facelift can dramatically improve the look of the face, improving its structure and dramatically tightening, lifting and smoothing skin. If you are looking for a way to turn back the clock for a more youthful appearance, but requires less downtime than a full facelift, a mini facelift may be the best option for you. The mini facelift corrects some of the most prominent age-related issues in the lower third of the face, including:
- Drooping lower cheeks
- Nasolabial folds (deep wrinkles between the corners of the mouth and the corners of the nose) and other wrinkles
- “Turkey wattle” (loose neck skin) or double chin
- Sagging of loose skin
- Sagging of fatty tissue
Ideal Candidates
You may be an ideal candidate for a mini facelift if you have excess sagging skin and facial wrinkles in the lower third of the face.
As with all medical procedures, excellent candidates are those in good overall health and who have informed, realistic expectations. We serve clients from Savannah, Hilton Head and surrounding areas.
Preparation
An initial consultation with Dr. Minton is the first step to any procedure. There he will discuss your health history and closely examine your face to determine the precise changes to be made and techniques to achieve the most long-lasting and natural-looking results. To undergo a Mini Facelift Savannah patients will be asked to do the following:
- Fast for a minimum of 12 hours prior to the surgery
- Arrange for someone to take you to and from your surgery
- Avoid medications like aspirin and warfarin
- Avoid smoking before and after the surgery
The Mini Facelift Procedure
A facelift is a very personalized four-step process:
- Anesthesia. Before the start of the surgery, a general anesthesia is administered to the patient to ensure there’s no pain or discomfort during the surgery.
- Incisions. There are many factors that determine the facelift techniques Dr. Minton will use, including the degree of change desired by the patient and the nature of those changes. Once incisions are made in the natural creases around the ears, the underlying muscle tissue and fat can be altered as needed.
- Adjustments. Dr. Minton uses tiny sutures to tighten and contour the muscles beneath the skin. He will also remove any excess fat before delicately redraping the skin so that lies smoothly and tightly over the new contours. Finally, he’ll trim any excess skin and seal the incisions.
- Sealing the incisions. The incisions will be sealed with the help of absorbable or normal stitches in order to help them heal and to keep out any germs, preventing infections.
After The Procedure
After the mini facelift, a bandage is placed over the face to minimize bruising and swelling. Dr. Minton will provide careful instructions regarding how to care for the incisions, what medications need to be taken during recovery, follow-up appointments and any temporary lifestyle changes that will help with recovery. In particular, you will need to rest your head at an incline for the first weeks to avoid swelling.
This can be done with the help of multiple pillows placed beneath your head. You will also be asked to avoid any intense physical activities, exposure to the sun, excess touching of the face, medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen and smoking. As time progresses, you will see visible improvements which include a younger and more rested appearance.
Mini Facelift
Frequently Asked Questions
A mini facelift usually takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours.
Your bandages will remain in place for about three days. Stitches are usually removed 5 to 7 days after surgery. You’ll also need to keep your head elevated for the first week, including at night, to minimize swelling. Most patients feel well enough to return to normal activities within 10 to 14 days; however, more strenuous activities should be avoided for about 2 weeks.
The patient doesn’t feel anything during a facelift. Post surgery, patients can experience swelling, bruising and discomfort that will steadily improve over the course of 2 weeks. Dr. Minton can prescribe medication to address any discomfort.
Yes, some patients elect to have additional procedures while undergoing a mini facelift, such as a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or rhinoplasty. Having multiple procedures at one time can limit the amount of downtime overall and provide more dramatic results, depending on the patient’s goals.
The goal for every mini facelift is to provide the patient with the most natural-looking and longest-lasting results. This includes making incisions in areas where they are not noticeable. Additionally, mini facelift scars tend to heal flat and close to the skin’s natural color, making them virtually invisible.
Compared to using fillers and injectables for a liquid facelift, a surgical mini facelift yields more dramatic results that can last 10 to 15 years. (Any facelift isn’t considered “permanent” simply because as you age, the appearance of your skin will naturally change.)
Our skilled, double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Minton is available to discuss a mini facelift in greater detail during a consultation at our Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery office in Savannah. We serve clients from Savannah, Hilton Head and surrounding areas. Arrange your consultation by contacting us today.
