MINI FACELIFT PROCEDURE: FACIAL REJUVENATION AND REFRESH FACELIFT SURGERY

Home » Face » Mini Facelift

Our Mini Facelift Says It All

The Mini Facelift procedure is an excellent choice for patients who wish to address common signs of aging, such as drooping skin and wrinkles on the face and neck, without undergoing more invasive traditional facelift procedures or short lasting treatments, such as anti-wrinkle injections. 

Mini facelifts performed by Dr. Chaowen Wu always appear natural without having a pulled or stretched appearance. We also offer a variety of other procedures, including the Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Neck Lift, Facial Fat Transfer, Eyelid Surgery, and Brow Lift, as well as the Ponytail Facelift, and SMAS Facelift.

With Dr. Wu, you also have the option of having a mini facelift plastic surgical procedure performed awake under local anesthesia or twilight sedation, which generally results in a more pleasant and relaxing experience for you, along with a faster recovery time.  

It can also be an excellent cosmetic procedure for patients who are experiencing what is commonly known as “filler fatigue” or “laser fatigue,” which often occurs in patients in their 30s and 40s have been using injectable fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, lasers, and facial tightening devices to keep themselves looking young and rejuvenated. 

As you age and continue to use these short-term fixes, the benefit of these treatments lessens. Your face will require more and more filler and lasers escalating the cost, and unintended side effects such a larger more masculine forehead from weakening muscles. 

In these cases, a mini facelift or another facial plastic surgery procedure, such as the Deep Plane Facelift and Deep Neck Lift, can be a nice option for a less invasive and longer-lasting facial rejuvenation.

Patients traveling or flying to The Woodlands can visit our Out-of-Town page for more information.

Look and Feel 100% You

Mini Facelift (Lower Face and Neck Lift), Temporal Brow Lift, Lower Blepharoplasty, Facial Fat Transfer

Age: 40-45

Details: This beauty was bothered by the loose skin under her chin and eyes. She is 1 month out from her procedure looking rejuvenated. Note the minimally visible scar in front of her ears.

Short Scar Deep Plane Facelift, Facial Fat Transfer

Age: 50-55

Details: This beauty wished to refresh her tired appearance. She underwent an awake deep plane facelift under local anesthesia and facial fat transfer. These photos show her healing progress at 6 weeks out and already looking great!

Visit Full Gallery

What Areas Can A Mini Facelift Address?

  • Jowling from the downward pull of gravity and the sagging of facial muscles from aging, which also results in definition loss of your jawline.
  • Marionette lines at the corner of the mouth that have become more prominent or visible.
  • Loose skin under the chin or turkey neck. 
  • Vertical neck bands.
  • Also an attractive option for women who wish to subtly feminize their beauty and have a more youthful appearance.

What Other Treatments Can Be Performed With A Mini Facelift?

Dr. Wu also performs other types of facial and plastic surgery procedures that are of a similar nature depending on your desired degree of correction. In consultation, Dr. Wu will work with you to develop a customized plan to suit your beauty goals. 

As a result of this approach, the cosmetic enhancements she is able to deliver look natural and beautiful. 

There are several main types of facelift surgeries, including the Mini Facelift, Deep Plane Facelift, Ponytail Facelift, and SMAS Facelift.

As with other types of face procedures, the mini facelift can be performed alone, or it can be combined with a variety of enhancing plastic surgery options, such as a Neck Lift, Facial Fat Transfer, Eyelid Surgery or a Brow Lift or even nose job (rhinoplasty) to restore the natural beauty of your face.

Come visit us in The Woodlands, TX to see what Dr. Wu can do for you!

What Is a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is a plastic surgery procedure to lift your jowls, redefine your jawline, tighten your neck skin, and restore your youthful facial contours. This technique involves making incisions that are camouflaged around your ear lobes, behind your ears, and into your hairline. This allow the removal of excess skin and lifts and reshapes your lower face and neck soft tissue to achieve a contoured jawline.

Because the incisions are strategically concealed during healing, the recovery time can be shortened significantly, especially if it’s done under local anesthesia. For the right candidates, a mini facelift can accomplish many of the same goals as a traditional facelift.

In general, the mini facelift option is not recommended for patients who have sagging skin and jowling of the jawline that is more severe. If this is the case, a deep plane facelift along with a neck lift may be required. Dr. Wu will determine what combination cosmetic procedures are right for you during your consultation.

Other types and names of “mini facelifts” include:

  • S-lift
  • MACS lift
  • Short Incision Facelift / Short Scar Facelift
  • Limited incision facelift

Each of these cosmetic and plastic surgery facelift procedures is named after the size and shape of the incision. When Dr. Wu performs a mini facelift or full facelift such as a deep plane facelift: 

  • Incisions are camouflaged in the natural curves and shadows around the ear. As a result, the scar heal in an inconspicuous location where they can fade nicely over time.
  • The muscle layer is carefully separated so it can be lifted and tightened in a natural vector without pulling the skin in an unnatural way.
  • Excess skin is trimmed and the incisions are meticulously closed with fine plastic surgery sutures, which minimizes the visibility of any incisions. Dr. Wu takes great pride and care in carefully closing incisions to ensure proper healing. 

Another type of short scar facelift is called the Minimal Access Deep Plane Extended Vertical Facelift. In this plastic surgery operation, a short incision is used combined with the full facelift of a Deep Plane Facelift. 

“Deep plane” refers to the anatomical space between the SMAS-platysma complex and the muscles muscles for facial expression.

The deep plane facelift is the most effective in restoring the midface and reducing the prominence of the nasolabial folds, which are the creases from the nose to the mouth.

Instead of pulling and removing loose skin during surgery, the deep plane facial plastic surgery technique involves releasing and moving muscle and fat layers. During a deep plane face procedure, Dr. Wu lifts the fat pads in the cheeks, and then repositions them to improve facial hollows. Results are natural and restore the heart shape of youth with fuller cheekbones.

The extended deep plane facelift involves further releasing the ligaments that tether the deep plane layer. This frees up the facial tissues to achieve tension-free lifting of the face so results will not look over-tightened.

Only a small percentage of plastic surgeons perform deep plane facelift surgery because it is a modern procedure that takes more training, skill and time to perform. Patients get the superior results of a deep plane full facelift and the minimal scarring of a mini facelift.

Why Choose Dr. Wu For A Mini Facelift In The Woodlands, Tx?

Dr. Wu’s calm nature and careful precision as a plastic surgeon have made her a favorite among patients. As part of your consultation, Dr. Wu takes the time to thoroughly assess your unique experiences and needs. The decision to have a facial procedure is one of the most personal decisions you will make, so you need a plan that includes just the right level of correction to meet your facial rejuvenation goals.

Dr. Wu is a champion of healthy beauty. In order to naturally enhance your appearance, Dr. Wu does not promote the use of synthetic injectable fillers or muscle paralyzing toxins. You can rest assured knowing that your plastic surgeon is committed to helping you maintain your long-term natural facial health and beauty.

Watch Our Video
Schedule Consultation

You’re a Good Candidate For A Mini Facelift if you:

  • Feel self-conscious about your sagging lower face and neck skin.
  • Are in your 30s and 40s with early signs of aging.
  • Have youthful cheeks with minimal drooping.
  • Are in generally good physical and mental health.
  • Don’t have underlying medical conditions that prevent optimal wound healing or recovery.
  • Don’t smoke or are willing to stop smoking several months before and after the surgery.
  • Have realistic expectations.

How is a Mini Facelift done?

Anesthesia

Great news! A mini facelift can be comfortably performed under local or twilight anesthesia if you choose to avoid general anesthesia. Depending on the facial plastic surgery procedures and other added face procedures, the mini facelift can be performed in a few hours under local anesthesia or with variable degrees of twilight sedation. As a result, patients are awake, but experiencing no sensation or pain. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions to general anesthesia, and patients can recover faster. 

Mini Facelift

Incisions are made after anesthetic is administered and the appropriate amount of lower face and neck skin is gently dissected from around the ears. The deep layer under the SMAS and platysma muscle is entered and repositioned to a lifted and youthful position in order to smooth and contour the jaw line, remove jowls, and tighten the neck. Excess skin is removed and incisions are meticulously closed using small sutures.

Facial Fat Grafting

Facial fat transfer is a complementary procedure if you have facial hollows and a gaunt appearance due to the loss of volume from your cheeks and jawline. In this case, your own live fat cells are collected from another part of your body (such as the abdomen) and strategically transferred to volumize your facial tissues.

Liposuction

A mini facelift may include chin/neck liposuction. A small tube-like device, called a cannula, is used to remove unwanted pockets of fat, such as the double chin. The cannula suctions away the unwanted fat cells, making your chin and jawline look more contoured.

Our clients can’t wait to share!

“Wow! 5 stars are not enough..I am so happy I chose Dr Wu for my procedures ...which were fat facial transfer and brow lift . She is honestly the best and has restored that confidence for me 🤩Not to mention down to earth , extremely professional , she understood and addressed my concerns! I will always go to her for any and every future procedures”

Paola Martinez

Facial Procedures

Never Compromise Your Unique Beauty with One Size Fits All Surgery. Learn about Revel You’s custom array of facial rejuvenation options ranging from minimally invasive techniques to maximally corrective treatments.

Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift offers a comprehensive way to improve the entire face. This procedure delivers the most powerful correction of signs of facial aging. These include improvements of crows feet, sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and removal of excess loose skin.

Full Facelift

A full facelift offers a comprehensive way to improve the entire face. This procedure requires longer scars however it delivers the most powerful correction of signs of facial aging. These include improvements of crows feet, sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and removal of excess loose skin. Down time is about 2 weeks. It is often combined with complementary procedures such as facial fat transfer, neck lift, brow lift, and eyelid surgery.

Neck Lift

A neck lift is the most powerful way to treat advanced neck aging including horizontal wrinkles, vertical neck bands, loose neck muscle and loose skin that form the dreaded “turkey wattle.” It is often combined with a facelift procedure to achieve harmonious rejuvenation as it uses the same incision around the ears.

Facial Fat Transfer

Facial volume is lost over time and can be restored to your youthful self using your own fat. Facial fat transfer heals without scars and provides a natural, soft, and lasting alternative to fillers. This is a great way to rejuvenate the eyes, cheeks, and even lips with minimal down time.

Eyelid Lift

Aging of the eyelids can appear as eyelid hooding, hollowing, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, and just general tired appearance. Eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and reposition the fat to reawaken tired eyes.

Brow lift

Your eyebrows frame your eyes and with age may start drooping. This can lead to the appearance of looking sad, tired, or angry. A brow lift restores the eyebrows to a youthful position which can help you look rested and relaxed.

Schedule Consultation

FAQ

If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, simply contact us!

What Is Done In A Mini Facelift?

  • Your neck may be contoured by removing excess fat with  liposuction.
  • Strategic incisions area made in the creases and shadows around your ears and hairline and loose face and neck muscles are lifted and tightened.
  • Excess skin is removed and the incisions are carefully sutured.
  • Your lower face volume is restored with strategic fat transfer to redefine the chin and jawline if needed.

How long does the mini facelift last?

It can last 10 years or longer if patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. Other cosmetic surgery facial procedures such as the Deep Plane Facelifts can later be done to rejuvenate the entire face at a later time.

Who is the best candidate for a Mini Facelift?

You will see the biggest impact from a mini facelift if you notice early signs of facial sagging, such as jowls and loose neck skin. Typically, beauties in their 30s and 40s with healthy skin may see excellent refreshed results. Rather than looking at an individual’s age, we consider their overall health and treatment goals.

Is a mini facelift worth it?

Mini facelifts in the lower half of the face are considered effective for correcting sagging skin. Depending on your overall goals, you may consider additional surgical procedures to refresh, such as an eye lift.

What is the downtime for a mini facelift?

Typically, a mini facelift requires no more than a week of downtime. It is possible for patients to schedule their surgery for a Friday and return to work and daily activities the following Monday. Similar to traditional facelifts, the sutures may be removed in approximately five days following the procedure.

How much does a mini facelift procedure cost?

Due to the shorter duration of this procedure which can be done comfortably under awake local anesthesia, mini facelifts can be less expensive in terms of surgeon fees and facility costs. The overall cost is therefore often less than traditional facial rejuvenation procedures.

Schedule Consultation

Schedule Consult

Please note we do not accept medical insurance

Dr. Wu Is Ready
To See You

CONTACT US

Schedule Your
CONSULTATION

BOOK NOW