Degradation of skin elasticity, deflation of facial volume and descent or falling of facial structures are unfortunate effects of aging. Many men and women who don't wish to look their true calendar age consider face lift procedures to erase waggling jowls and loose, draping, wrinkled skin under the chin. The traditional face lift addresses each of these issues; but with a price. Down time, invasive surgical exposure and expense. Searching for a less invasive more natural approach to facial rejuvination--mini face lift procedures have been developed.
The Office based Mini Face lift is a surgical face lift to address the mid to lower face with minimal surgical exposure as a minimally invasive office procedure. The Mini Face lift can be combined with Botox and facial fillers to achieve dramatic cosmetic improvements. The post operative effect provides a more natural appearance with limited down time when compared to other formal face lift procedures. Most "traditional" facelifts are performed with general anesthesia and involve multiple weeks of downtime with a long incision beginning at the upper temples and extending behind the hairline on either side of the face to the nape. Due to the length of the procedure and the type of anesthesia, there is an increased risk of complications. The S-Lift minimal incision face lift, which has been performed since the late 1990s is the basis for our Office based Mini Face lift procedure.
The Office based Mini Face lift designed for men and women between the ages of 40 and 65+ to stay ahead of the “Ds” of the aging process: Degradation, Deflation, Descent. As we age, most individuals lose elasticity in their skin and develop varying degrees of descent along the jaw line and beneath the chin. The Office based Mini Face lift not only tightens skin, it is designed to permanently suspend the underlying structures of the lower face and upper neck. This suspension of the lower face offers men and women the benefit of a more youthful appearance without the “wind blown” look of a formal face lift. This “turn back of time” from the Office based Mini Face lift will last until the normal aging process resumes for the individual. Lifestyle choices, heredity, bone structure, skin type and sun exposure all play a part in determining how long the mini face lift surgical results will last.
The Procedure
The Office based Mini Face lift at Advanced Surgical Concepts, PLLC is an outpatient procedure that usually takes one to two hours to perform, depending on age of the patient and the degree of facial correction desired. Oral pre-medications are given to help relax the patient.
A small, relaxed "S" shaped incision is made beginning along the sideburn, extending along the front of the ear, around the earlobe and up to the hairline back from the ear toward the nape of the neck. Great attention is given to the placement of the incision line to provide an inconspicuous scar after healing. Short skin flaps are created with meticulous care. The underlying connective tissues and facial musculatures are gently lifted and tightened using special suture techniques. The sutures are anchored to dense tissue around the facial bones to suspend the sagging facial tissues. This suspension enhances the appearance of the jaw line and upper neck. The left over redundant skin is then tailored to match. The incision is carefully closed using Plastic surgery techniques designed to reduce tension and minimize any visible scarring.
In some cases, a small incision will be made under the chin to remove excess tissues; this tuck with liposuction of the neck and jowl area may be performed in conjunction with the Office based Mini Face lift for optimal aesthetic results.
Recovery
The Office based Mini Face lift is often called a "weekend facelift" because some people have the procedure performed on a Friday and actually return to work on Monday or Tuesday. Although this may be true for some patients depending on their occupations most patients require one week of recovery to return to their normal work activities — the downtime associated with the Office based Mini Face lift will vary from patient to patient.
Although a prescription for pain medication is provided, most patients say over-the-counter Tylenol is all they need to alleviate any discomfort. Some people may experience temporary bruising, which can be camouflaged with makeup three days after surgery. To minimize swelling, patients are encouraged to sleep with their head elevated for the first week and to apply cold compresses the first 48 hours.
Results
Unlike the conventional facelift that results in a "pulled back" appearance, the Office based Mini Face lift offers very natural-looking results. Patients enjoy an overall firming of the lower facial area, noticeable jaw line definition and a more elegant neckline. Unlike some "mini-lifts" that tighten only skin, the Office based Mini Face lift involves tightening the connective tissue layer below the skin (called the "superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS), making the results long lasting. Generally, the results obtained with the Office based Mini Face lift are predictable and quite dramatic, sometimes erasing 5, 10 even 15 years from one’s appearance
Risks
As with any type of surgery, there are inherent risks, which can include post-operative swelling, bleeding, infection and visible scarring. However, refraining from smoking and carefully following the pre- and post-operative surgical instructions will reduce the likelihood of these complications.
Patients are encouraged to ask questions and discuss their concerns about the procedure with Dr. White during the facial evaluation process. If you are a healthy man or woman between 40 and 65+ years of age and you have mild to moderate skin laxity in the lower region of your face (lower cheeks, jaw line, under your chin) the Office based Mini Face lift procedure may be appropriate for you.
If you would like to learn more about the Office Based mini facelift, we encourage you to schedule a facial consultation with Dr. White of Advanced Surgical Concepts.
