17 Aug Should You Get a Full Facelift or Mini Facelift?
Both full facelifts and mini facelifts are popular procedures at Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, but do you know which one is best for you? There’s no magical age when you “graduate” to being better suited for a full facelift. Every procedure is fully customized to you, your skin, and your goals so regardless of which procedure is recommended for you, you can trust that it will yield the best and most natural-looking results. Before thinking about which is better for you—a facelift or a mini facelift—it’s important to understand the key differences.
A full facelift is sometimes called a complete facelift or simply a facelift. It lifts the skin on the lower portion of the face from the cheekbones to the neck. This procedure can be a great solution for those with more severe sagging of the cheeks and neck. The jawline will be more defined and any central facial fat loss is often addressed with dermal fillers along with the facelift. Results of a full facelift are longer lasting, and although there are more and/or longer incisions with a full facelift, they are still easily hidden in the creases around the ear. These types of incisions are necessary during a full facelift in order to remove the required amount of excess skin.
A mini facelift might also be called a short-scar facelift. It’s usually recommended for younger patients or those who have mild skin laxity. It also addresses aging on the lower half of the face and the neck. It’s no surprise, given its name, that the incisions are shorter—and that means the recovery time is also faster. There’s no age requirement for either of the two procedures, but generally those over the age of 50 will usually have a full facelift recommendation.
What to Expect with A Facelift
The length of recovery is one of the most common questions when considering these two procedures. A full facelift requires about two weeks of recovery during the initial period. At this point, many patients feel comfortable returning to many daily tasks including grocery shopping and sedentary work. Vigorous activity, such as cardio, can usually be resumed 4 – 6 weeks after the surgery. Peak bruising and swelling happens about two days after the surgery, and many patients take 1 – 2 weeks off of work. This is especially true for those who prefer a discreet recovery.
A mini facelift is much less invasive, but it’s still surgery. Some patients feel comfortable returning to most aspects of their daily lives about one week after their surgery. Others take a full two weeks off of work and other activities. Recovery timeframes depend on numerous factors, including your age, genetics, and just how discreet you want to be. However, it’s a good rule of thumb to get a full facelift or mini facelift at least eight weeks before any big event. This will allow for ample healing time so that you can look and feel your best for the special day.
Comparing Lasting Facelift Results
Unsurprisingly, a full facelift will yield results that last longer than a mini facelift. On average, a full facelift lasts for about 10 years. A mini facelift doesn’t last as long, and the length of the results can be more variable (typically up to five years on average). It’s important to remember that a facelift or mini facelift does not stop the skin from aging. It turns back the clock, but the skin will continue to age as normal after the procedure. This means you will continue to experience new, future wrinkles, lines, and sagging.
The best way to extend the life of your facelift is with preventative and ongoing care. Wearing sunscreen and reapplying it every 75 minutes any time you’re exposed to UV rays is one of the best ways to slow down the signs of aging and help your facelift last longer. Skin treatments such as laser skin rejuvenation or a chemical peel can rejuvenate the skin, erase signs of aging, and keep the skin tight. Bear in mind that a facelift and mini facelift will lift the skin by removing laxity, but does not treat the quality of the remaining skin.
Connect with Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center by calling (480) 282-8386 to learn more about a facelift, mini facelift, or other procedures.