Mini Vs Full Facelift – Which One Is Right For You?

Mini Vs Full Facelift – Which One Is Right For You?

Facelifts have been performed for over a hundred years, and they are a proven to be one of the most effective ways to bring back the youthful appearance of your face. There are many different types of facelifts which can make it difficult to know which type is right for you. Ultimately, you should always take in your plastic surgeon’s advice on which procedure will be best suited to your unique facial structure and goals. In this article we’ll take a look at both mini vs full facelift procedures and the three pointers to consider when deciding which one is best suited for your needs.

Full Facelift

Full facelift addressed the lower two-thirds of the face: from your cheeks all the way down to your neck. It can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Dr. Konstantin typically suggests local anesthesia with mild sedation for patients but also provides the option of being completely asleep under general anesthesia. The average length of the procedure is about two to three hours depending on your required surgical plan.

Mini Facelift

Mini facelift is exactly what it sounds like – it is a less-invasive procedure comparing to a full facelift. It targets two main area of concerns: loss of definition around the jawline and early formation of jowls. It can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Dr. Konstantin prefers using local anesthesia with mild or moderate sedation because it makes the procedure much safer and the recovery easier for the patient. The average length of the procedure is about two hours.

So which one is right for you?

Here are the three pointers to help guide you closer to your decision.

1. Age

A good rule of thumb to follow is this:

• For people in their 30s-40s: Mini Facelift
• For people in their 50s+ : Full Facelift

Please keep in mind that since aging process varies from person to person, this rule might not apply to everyone.

2. Extent Of Facial Aging

When looking at the aging process, we can categorize it into two stages according to the following signs:

• Stage 1: loss of definition around the jawline and early formation of jowls.
• Stage 2: loss of youthful contour of the cheeks, sagging skin under the chin and heavy jowls.

For people in Stage 1, mini facelift will be a great option. For those in Stage 2, full facelift is better suited address your aging concerns.

3. Longevity Of Procedure

From Dr. Konstantin’s experience, people who got mini facelift in their 30s-40s typically would want another facelift later down the line. Whereas people in their 50s+ who got a full facelift would not likely to want another one in their lifetime.

You might be wondering why is that?

That’s because a full facelift is a very long lasting procedure. Of course it doesn’t magically freeze your face and stop the aging process but with the significant rejuvenation from the surgery, you will still look so much younger than people around you of your age who hasn’t gotten the facelift.

Conclusion

We hope you find these three pointers helpful, and remember to find a plastic surgeon you trust to help you make a decision together. If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Konstantin, please give us a call at 212-380-3634 to schedule a consultation. If you have more questions about facelifts, check out Dr. Konstantin’s Youtube – new video every Monday addressing all things facelift and cosmetic procedures.