Your skin naturally loses its elasticity as you age, which causes wrinkles and sagging skin. There are numerous non-surgical treatment options available to help combat these signs of aging, but sometimes a more aggressive approach is required to achieve results. At South Bay Aesthetics Plastic Surgery, we offer both mini facelifts and full facelifts to help our clients achieve natural-looking, personalized results.
What Is Facelift Surgery?
If you’re looking for answers to the question, “What is facelift surgery?” you’re in the right place. A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to restore and rejuvenate your face and neck so they look more youthful and refreshed.
A facelift tightens and smooths your skin’s appearance, and the results often last 10 years or more. This is why facelifts are considered to be the gold standard of facial rejuvenation.
What Is Rhytidectomy?
As you’re researching facelifts and mini lifts, you might have come across the term “rhytidectomy” and may be wondering, “What is rhytidectomy?” Rhytidectomy is simply the clinical term for a facelift. Rhytidectomy can include both full-face or mini lifts.
Facelift Procedure Steps
Consultation
During the consultation, we assess your physical health, which may include blood work and labs. We will also discuss your desired results and aesthetic goals and develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include other treatments in addition to the facelift.
Anesthesia
On the day of your rhytidectomy, you’ll receive general anesthesia to enhance your comfort during the procedure.
Incisions
The facelift begins with incisions we make around the perimeter of your face. We keep the incisions in discreet areas, such as around the hairline and behind the ear, so that they aren’t noticeable as you heal.
Lifting and Tightening
Once the skin is lifted, we tighten underlying muscles and tissues to restore a youthful, refreshed appearance.
Closing the Incisions
Once the procedure is complete, we close the incisions with sutures and apply bandages to help protect the incision sites.
Deep Plane Facelift: A Variation
One variation of the full facelift is a deep plane facelift, which lifts and repositions deeper layers of the tissues and facial muscles. Deep plane facelift techniques can be particularly effective for those with severe sagging in their mid-face area.
What Is a Mini Facelift?
What is a mini facelift, and how is it different from a full facelift? A mini facelift is a less invasive version of the procedure. It targets specific areas of the face — usually the mid to lower face.
A mini facelift is an ideal option if you’ve started developing jowls and sagging skin around your jaw and neck. Mini facelifts also tend to be good options for those who have sagging cheeks or deep lines around the mouth.
Mini Facelift Procedure Steps
The mini facelift procedure follows similar steps to a full facelift, including:
- A consultation where we ensure you’re fit for surgery and develop a treatment plan
- Administrating local anesthesia or general anesthesia
- Placing incisions, which are smaller than those made during a full facelift
- Lifting and tightening of the cheeks, jawline, and neck
- Closing the incisions with sutures and applying bandages
A mini facelift is still surgical but tends to be less intensive than a full facelift.
Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift: Key Differences
The key differences between a mini facelift and a full facelift lie in the extent of the procedure. Full facelifts offer a comprehensive approach to address wrinkles and sagging skin across the entirety of the neck and face. Mini facelifts, on the other hand, mostly focus on the lower third of the face. Mini facelifts also have smaller incisions and shortened recovery time compared to full facelifts.
Which One Is Right for You?
If you’re trying to decide what type of facelift is right for you, whether it’s a mini facelift, traditional facelift, or deep plane facelift, we can help you make an educated decision. The type of facelift you receive will depend in large part on your individual needs and goals.
If you’re experiencing fewer signs of advanced aging, a mini facelift could be ideal because it can help you achieve noticeable results with less aggressive intervention. On the other hand, if you’re trying to address signs of aging across your entire face and neck, a full facelift would likely be a better option. Before getting started on your facelift journey, we will conduct a thorough consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals and recommend the best procedure for you.
Facelift Surgery: What to Expect
It’s important that you know what to expect during a facelift surgery. The duration of the surgery will vary from person to person, depending on the extent of the procedure, but the average length of time is between two and five hours.
Recovery time also depends on your body’s health and the type of procedure you receive. If you receive a mini facelift, you can return to normal activities within a week or two. For a full facelift, however, your recovery period may last up to a month. We’ll provide you with thorough post-operative care instructions so you can have a smooth recovery journey and enjoy optimal results.
Facelift Surgery in Torrance, CA
If you are interested in learning more about facelifts and mini facelifts but are unsure of where to begin, give us a call at South Bay Aesthetics Plastic Surgery. We can answer your questions, provide you with the necessary information, and help you get started by scheduling a consultation.
We are committed to delivering personalized care and natural-looking results, ensuring you feel confident and rejuvenated through facelift and mini facelift procedures. Contact us to learn more.
