Skin aging is different for everyone. Some may experience loss of volume and sagging skin on their cheeks. Others may also have loose skin at the chin and jawline. Each type of skin aging can be corrected with a specific procedure. You may be wondering which option is better—a mini facelift or a full facelift? The best way to find out is by learning more about each procedure.

What Is the Difference Between a Mini Facelift and Full Facelift?

A traditional facelift, or rhytidectomy, focuses on the mid and lower face. It corrects sagging skin on the cheeks, chin, jawline, and neck. The incision begins along the hairline, continues around the ear, and ends in the lower scalp.

A mini facelift, also known as a weekend facelift, S-lift, or limited-incision facelift, covers the lower half of the face. It corrects loose skin in the cheeks, around the nose and mouth, jawline, and chin. The incision for this procedure is shorter than that of the traditional facelift.

Both procedures are great options for achieving younger-looking skin. Patients who have more pronounced age lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin may benefit more from a traditional facelift.

Choosing the Right Facelift for You

A mini facelift can be performed to lift the cheeks, chin, jawline, and neck. If these are all your concerns, a mini facelift may be more suitable for you. The excess skin and fat will be removed, and the underlying tissues will be lifted for better facial contours.

A full facelift will correct significant age lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin on the mid and lower face and neck. Since the procedure requires a longer incision, the recovery period will be longer.

When Is the Right Time to Get a Mini Facelift or Full Facelift?

Nowadays, there are injectable treatments to improve sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. These treatments work temporarily. A mini facelift and a full facelift both create results that last for a much longer period.

A mini facelift is usually recommended to people in their 40s to 50s. Significant signs of aging at 50 to 60 years old can be corrected more effectively by a full facelift.

While these are the average age ranges recommended for both procedures, the process and speed of aging is still different for everyone. It is best to schedule a consultation with a surgeon at Ohio Facial Plastics to learn more about what is ideal for your appearance goals.

Mini Facelift vs. Facelift: Recovery

A mini facelift is achieved with a shorter incision along the ear. Since the incision is short, patients are typically fully recovered after two to four weeks.

A full facelift is performed with a longer incision from the hairline above the ears down to the lower part of the scalp. The amount of work performed in this procedure will necessitate a recovery period of four to six weeks.

Mini Facelift vs. Facelift: Cost

A full facelift is more expensive than a mini facelift. The longer surgical session needed to complete the procedure affects the total cost, as do a number of other factors.

How Long Do Results Last?

The results of a mini facelift can last for up to 10 years, while a full facelift can last for 15 years. Some patients get a mini facelift after the results of a full facelift have worn off.

Find Out More

Learn more about the mini facelift and the facelift during a consultation at Ohio Facial Plastics. To set up your consultation, contact us today.