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Mini Facelift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Over time, men and women often develop sagging skin, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity in the lower half of their faces. This can be due to sun damage, genetics, or simply age. Luckily, a mini facelift can help correct these unwanted signs of aging and restore lower face definition. Mini facelifts can take years off of a person’s appearance, whether they are 35 or 65.
If you are interested in obtaining more information about this procedure, please call or contact Cosmetic Surgery Associates and schedule a private consultation with either Dr. Jabs, Dr. Richards, or Dr. Magge today! Our office is located just 2 miles away from North Bethesda and 5 miles away from Potomac & Rockville.
About the Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a facelift technique that specifically addresses the lower face and upper neck. This particular technique offers significant age-diminishing effects with less downtime than a traditional facelift and results that are very natural-looking. The mini facelift procedure is designed for men and women between the ages of 35 and 55, the time when individuals begin to lose elasticity in their skin and develop varying degrees of laxity along the jawline and beneath the chin. This procedure can be thought of as a “wrinkle eraser” of sorts, taking up to 10 years off a person’s appearance.
Unlike other cosmetic procedures that only focus on tightening of the skin, this mini-facelift suspends the underlying structures of the lower face long-term. These muscles and tissue are known as the superficial musculoaponeurotic system. Although the mini facelift can produce significant aesthetic improvement for most people, it is important to remember that after any facial procedure, the normal aging process resumes. A mini facelift does not prevent the body’s natural process of aging, but it can help hold it off. Lifestyle choices, bone structure, skin type, sun exposure, and heredity all play a part in determining how long the desired result will last.
Ideal Candidates
To find out if you are a candidate for a mini facelift procedure, please contact our office and schedule a private consultation with one of our physicians.
Ideal candidates for a mini facelift are men and women who are looking to correct skin laxity, lines, and wrinkles throughout the lower half of their face and neck. These patients should be in good health and have no underlying conditions that can negatively affect the body’s ability to heal properly. The patients who are considering this procedure are typically between the ages of 35-60. However, in some cases, younger and older patients are considered.
The Consultation
We want our patients to take time to consider their options to ensure that they are fully confident with their decision.
During the initial consultation, one of our board-certified physicians will ask the patient to explain their particular concerns and desired cosmetic goals. This will provide the doctor with a better understanding of the patient’s needs. Next, the doctor will evaluate the patient’s medical history, specifically looking at their routine medications, current health conditions, and if any previous procedures have been performed. Before and after photos will be provided to give the patient a better understanding of what can be accomplished with a mini facelift, but it is important to remember that results vary based on patient particulars and goals. To make the final determination for candidacy, the doctor will conduct an examination to identify the patient’s concerns. The physician and patient will then build a procedure plan tailored to the exact needs of the patient. If they are a good candidate, the patient will be given the option to schedule their mini facelift procedure before leaving our office. However, there is no obligation to do so.
Preparing For a Mini Facelift
Once the patient has scheduled their mini facelift procedure, the doctor will provide them with a list of instructions to help them better prepare for their surgery. In general, these instructions include quitting smoking three weeks before the surgery. Patients will also be asked to refrain from taking anti-inflammatory medications at least two weeks before the procedure. We recommend for patients to make transportation arrangements following their surgery ahead of time, as they will be unable to drive themselves home. If patients have any additional questions or concerns during this time, we encourage them to contact our office and speak with one of our helpful members of staff.
Our Mini Facelift Technique
SMAS Mini Facelift
The Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System, or SMAS for short, is the thin layer of muscle and tissue located directly underneath the skin. These layers of muscle and tissue weigh more than the skin itself, which is why it weighs heavily on the skin, in turn, causing the skin to slacken. The SMAS technique is one of the most commonly used methods for this procedure, and it is Cosmetic Surgery Associates mini facelift technique of choice.
These procedures and methods can be discussed in detail during the initial consultation with one of our surgeons.
For this mini-facelift method, the surgeon will make incisions along the ear and hairline to access the SMAS layer in the lower portion of the face. This layer of muscles will then tightened, and the remaining tissue will be repositioned to create natural shape and contour to the face. The skin is then draped, and any excess is removed, pulling the remaining skin taut to provide a more youthful appearance. This particular mini facelift technique is the most effective and safest method to achieve natural, long-lasting results.
Depending on the particular case, the surgeon may utilize a different, less common, mini facelift technique to obtain your desired outcome and to maintain, or even enhance, certain facial features.
The Procedure
The mini facelift is performed under a local anesthetic on an outpatient basis, meaning that the patient can go home immediately following the procedure. The procedure typically takes about three hours to perform depending on the extent of treatment needed.
Oral medication is usually used in conjunction to help the patient relax during the procedure since general anesthesia is not required, although available if requested.
When beginning the procedure, the physician will make a small, relaxed “S” shaped incision along the side of the face, within the sideburn, extending along the tragus of the ear, around the earlobe, and up to the hairline toward the nape. Meticulous attention is given to the placement of the incision line to promote an inconspicuous scar. The underlying connective tissue and facial musculature are gently lifted and tightened. This will not only enhance the appearance of the jawline and neck immediately but also help to ensure lasting skin tautness throughout this region. The redundant skin is then excised, and the incisions are carefully closed using a suturing technique designed to reduce tension and minimize any visible scarring. In some cases, a submental tuck, which further addresses the upper neck, or liposuction of the neck and jowl area may be performed in conjunction with the mini facelift for optimal aesthetic results.
Recovery
Patients will be asked to return the week after their surgery for a quick follow-up appointment to allow the physician to check the immediate postoperative period. Although recovery may be time for some patients– the downtime associated with the mini facelift will vary from patient to patient, depending on their body’s ability to heal.
The incision scars will be nicely hidden within the patient’s hairline to provide virtually seamless results. The scars will continue to fade over the next 6-12 months.
A prescription for pain medication is provided by the doctor, although many patients say over-the-counter Tylenol is all they need to alleviate any discomfort. Some patients may experience temporary bruising and swelling, but this will subside on its own. Makeup can be worn to help camouflaged mild bruising or redness.
Results
As illustrated in the mini facelift photo gallery, the results of the procedure vary with each person. The results obtained with the mini facelift are predictable and quite dramatic, sometimes erasing 5, 10, and even 15 years from one’s appearance!
Unlike the conventional facelift that can result in a “pulled back” appearance, the mini facelift offers very natural-looking results. Patients enjoy an overall firming of the lower facial area, noticeable jawline definition, and a more elegant neckline. Our mini facelift patients have been delighted with their results, seeing a noticeable improvement in skin laxity, wrinkles, and deep creases in the lower portion of the face. This procedure will help to improve a patient’s’ confidence, also providing an overall positive self-image.
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Cost
The cost of a mini facelift will vary from person to person, depending on their particular case and if additional treatments are needed to achieve their aesthetic goals. The mini facelift is more affordable than the traditional or the mid-facelift, making it accessible to a wide range of men and women who are looking to stay ahead of the aging process. During the consultation with either Dr. Jabs, Dr. Richards, or Dr. Magge, they will work with each patient to construct a treatment plan based on the desired results. Through this, the doctor will be able to provide an accurate mini facelift procedure quote. To obtain an individualized quote, please contact Cosmetic Surgery Associates and speak with one of our helpful staff members to request a consultation today!
Schedule a Mini FaceLift Consultation
Patients considering a mini facelift are strongly recommended to reach out to our office to set up a personalized one on one consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons. Our office is located just 2 miles away from North Bethesda and 5 miles away from Potomac & Rockville. During the consultation, the surgeon will go over the procedure in more detail answering any questions you may have. From there, they will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for a mini facelift or if there is a better option that will help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers