A mini-facelift is usually performed in an office-based setting. In appropriately chosen patients this procedure is well tolerated using only local anesthesia. Sedation or general anesthesia are other options and would be performed in an outpatient surgical facility.
Furthermore, a mini-facelift does not require the use of general anesthesia which allows clients to go home on the same day of the procedure. The mini facelift is also considered as a conservative approach to sagging jowls and wrinkles.
Because you don't have to go under general anesthesia for the mini facelift, you are able to stay awake and walk out after the procedure. An additional benefit is that since the mini facelift is done under local anesthesia, often little-to-no pre-operative testing is necessary.
Is a mini facelift painful? Whenever you have a mini or full facelift, there is some pain and discomfort that follows the procedure. With the mini facelift, there is less pain because only certain parts of the face were tightened. This pain is much less significant than those who undergo a full facelift experience.
A minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia, a mini lift accomplishes many of the same goals as a full facelift but with smaller incisions and shorter downtime. Many patients can return to work and daily activities in under a week.
That's why when you wake up from a general anesthetic you feel like you just went to sleep, while hours may have passed. In contrast, most lower face and neck lifts are performed using IV sedation, often termed twilight or conscious sedation.
In fact, the majority of patients are so relaxed that they even fall asleep for parts of the procedure, if not all of it. This avoids the need for a general anesthetic and drastically reduces recovery time for the patient.
In general, good candidates for mini facelifts are men and women in their mid to late 40s up to 60s or 70s. There is not a cut-off age, per se, but instead we look at one's overall health, mobility, and treatment goals.
Mini facelifts are faster and safer than a full facelift, have a shorter recovery time and are usually less expensive than full facelifts. In addition, they usually do not require general anesthesia – just local numbing and the use of mild sedatives.
Facelift recovery time
You should look and feel normal after 2 – 4 weeks. Keep in mind that facelift surgery cannot stop natural aging, so we encourage patients to continue to take care of their skin and make healthy lifestyle choices.
General Anesthesia
Throughout the procedure, you are completely asleep, and you feel no pain. This is the most common type of anesthesia Dr. Fan uses. A facelift takes considerable time, and the majority of patients, especially those who experience anxiety, are most comfortable sleeping through the procedure.
Conclusions: The subcutaneous temporal brow lift is an effective, reproducible, and inexpensive technique that can be performed safely under local anesthesia.
Mini facelift scars are minimal
Traditionally, an incision is made in the hairline near the temples on each side. The incision goes in front of the ear, down the front of and hugging the earlobe area, then back to the lower scalp behind the ears.
A face-lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that lifts and tightens sagging skin on the face and neck to create a smoother and more youthful appearance. A miniface-lift is a modified version of the procedure with a smaller incision and less cutting of underlying tissue.
While facelift results can be different for every patient, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that, on average, patients felt they looked about 12 years younger after their facelift surgeries.
Generally, a ponytail lift involves incisions made high up on the face – above the front of the ear or beyond the hairline. The facial cosmetic surgeon then pulls the ligaments below the skin to adjust and reduce sagging.
A thread lift is a short, minimally invasive procedure that — using advances in thread technology — can lift and reposition sagging facial skin. The results are not as dramatic as facelift surgery but still visible. Thread lifts can target areas of the face and neck, including: Jowls.
Facelift recovery Week 2
During this week you'll likely still have some swelling and bruising around the affected areas. Swelling and bruising can also cause some people to experience some numbness, tingling and tightness. These are all common occurrences after a facelift and should not cause concern.
Pulled-down earlobes may happen at the time of the original procedure, or can develop with time. The most dramatic distortion has been called “the pixie ear.” Natural contour can usually be restored, but this is often difficult. The earlobe is often not distorted, but simply pulled forward — a tip-off to a facelift.
Scars from a mini facelift are typically located in natural creases of the skin or areas that are not prominently noticeable, so they are even less detectable to others.
Brow Lift Procedure
In most brow lift procedures, the procedure is done under a general anesthetic. Some less invasive brow lift procedures can be done under local anesthesia in the office. If you are very anxious, general anesthesia may be a better option for you.
This procedure can be performed in the office with minimal oral sedation and local anesthesia utilizing readily available instruments. This procedure differs from the forehead lift described by Knize by utilizing both the upper blepharoplasty incision and a lateral temporal incision.
Anesthesia is an essential part of any surgical procedure and must be performed safely. General anesthesia is the deepest form of anesthesia. You are asleep, feel no pain, and will not remember the procedure. This form of anesthesia is usually not necessary for a brow lift.
Following facelift surgery, patients should sleep on their back with their head slightly elevated using pillows. Not only does this sleeping position help to reduce swelling and promote proper healing, but it also reduces the risk of postoperative complication, such as inadvertently pulling out stitches.
Don't smoke or drink alcohol for two weeks before your mini facelift and for two weeks afterward. Reduce stress as much as possible by incorporating some relaxation periods into your daily routine – listen to soothing music, do yoga, meditate, take naps – whatever helps you tone down the stress.