Mini Facelift

In recent years, facial rejuvenation techniques have made significant advancements, with the goal of creating a refreshed and natural-looking appearance rather than an unnaturally tight or overdone look. Today, there is a wide range of facelift and facial rejuvenation options available, including traditional facelifts, neck lifts, mini facelifts, and non-surgical options. Mini facelifts are particularly suitable for younger patients who are not yet ready for a full facelift.

Centre for Surgery, a specialist plastic clinic based in London, is home to some of the leading experts in mini facelift surgery in the UK.

Mini-Facelift: Streamlined Procedure, Stunning Outcomes for Youthful or Age-Defying Patients

You’ve diligently maintained your skin, got ample sleep, exercised, and used moisturiser and daily facial cleansers. Yet, despite your efforts, your face continues to show signs of ageing, with wrinkles and jowls beginning to appear. If this resonates with you, rest assured you’re not alone.

RELATED: Mini Facelift Surgery – A Less Invasive Way to Achieve a Youthful Look

Regardless of how youthful you feel, the visible indicators of ageing will eventually emerge, making you appear older than you’d like. Wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and sagging jowls that obscure your jaw and neckline are just a few of the facial characteristics that may become bothersome with age. So, how can you rejuvenate the appearance of your face and neck?

We provide a variety of anti-ageing treatments to help you eliminate wrinkles and sagging skin folds, resulting in a more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers and injectables are ideal for minor, short-term enhancements. However, facelift surgery is the top choice for those seeking more significant and enduring outcomes. Mini-facelifts serve as a less invasive alternative to traditional facelifts and are ideal for individuals experiencing mild signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, jowls, and slight skin sagging.

A mini facelift or short scar facelift differs from a full or traditional facelift in several key aspects. The procedure is considered less invasive than a full facelift or rhytidectomy procedure with shorter incisions that are better hidden within natural skin folds, and this makes them less visible to other people. Mini facelift results can often match those achieved from a traditional facelift without the increased scarring, risks or downtime.

Compared with a full facelift, a mini facelift is designed to tighten loose and sagging skin in the lower part of the face and this includes the jawline, chin, jowls and the upper part of the neck. Many people notice these areas develop obvious signs of ageing before other parts of the face. Choosing to have a lower facelift can effectively get rid of these features with highly impressive anti-ageing effects.

The mini facelift procedure is considered most appropriate for women and men aged over 40 and above. Well-performed mini facelift surgery can produce results that can easily last ten years or more. The natural and refreshed appearance that this procedure often provides results in many observers commenting on their youthful and rejuvenated look. People who are fifty and over may have more prominent signs of ageing, and this could be related to a number of factors, including excessive sunlight exposure. You may be considered more appropriate for a traditional facelift in some cases.

RELATED: What is the best age for a facelift?

The mini facelift is often preferred by many patients who come to see us because it can be easily combined with a number of other facial rejuvenation procedures at the same time, including a neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, chin liposuction or chin augmentation with implants. This is because a mini facelift is designed to rejuvenate the lower portion of the face. Our surgeons commonly combine a mini facelift with facial fat transfer for enhancement of volume in targeted areas of the face, including the cheeks and temples. Fat transfer to the face first involves liposuction to harvest fat from another area of the body, followed by fat purification and then injection into selected areas of the face which have developed volume loss as a result of ageing. Mini facelift combined with fat transfer to the face is a powerful anti-ageing combination and is commonly performed at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in central London.

While many clinics market the mini-facelift as a simple and effortless procedure, this is not entirely true. Despite its name, the mini-facelift is still a complex surgical procedure that requires the skills of highly trained and certified plastic surgeons. At our clinic, our surgeons take their time performing the mini-facelift with great precision and meticulous techniques to ensure the best possible results for their patients.

The results of a mini facelift can be effectively maintained over time by having a wide range of non-invasive anti-ageing treatments at our Baker Street clinic, including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing and Morpheus8 microneedling.

Deciding to undergo cosmetic surgery is a significant step towards enhancing one’s appearance and self-confidence. Among the various facial rejuvenation procedures available, the mini facelift stands out for its less invasive nature while offering substantial improvements. Here are five key benefits of choosing a mini facelift surgery:

Reduced Incisions and Minimised Recovery Time

One of the primary advantages of a mini facelift is the minimal surgical intervention required. This procedure necessitates fewer and smaller incisions, usually around the ears and along the hairline, compared to the more extensive cuts needed for a traditional facelift. This reduction in incisions not only contributes to a faster healing process but also significantly shortens the recovery period, allowing patients to return to their daily routines more quickly.

Lower Risk of Scarring

Given the smaller incisions involved in a mini facelift, patients benefit from reduced scarring. The strategic placement of these incisions around less visible areas like the ears and hairline further ensures that any potential scars are discreetly concealed. This aspect is particularly appealing to those concerned about the visible signs of undergoing facial surgery.

Noticeable Improvements to the Lower Face

Despite being less invasive, a mini facelift effectively addresses ageing signs in the lower face and neck area, such as sagging skin and jowls. The procedure tightens and lifts the skin, resulting in a more youthful and refreshed appearance. The improvements are visible and can rejuvenate the face without the need for a full facelift.

Cost-Effective Solution

The mini facelift is a more affordable option than its traditional counterpart, primarily because it targets specific areas of the face rather than the entire face and neck. This focus not only reduces the cost of the surgery but also makes it an attractive option for those looking for effective facial rejuvenation without the significant financial investment of a full facelift.

Quicker Recovery with Less Discomfort

Recovery from a mini facelift is notably quicker and accompanied by less discomfort compared to a full facelift. The less invasive nature of the procedure means that patients can expect a more comfortable post-operative experience, with reduced pain and swelling. This benefit is especially valuable for those concerned about the post-surgery recovery process and its impact on their daily lives.

There is no single perfect age for getting a mini facelift because every individual ages at a different pace. Genetics, lifestyle choices, sun exposure, and overall skin health all play a role in how soon visible signs of ageing appear. While some people start noticing sagging in their mid-face as early as their late 30s or early 40s, others may not experience significant changes until their 50s or even later.

A mini facelift is most effective for individuals who have mild to moderate sagging in the mid-face area, typically around the cheeks and jawline. It is particularly beneficial for those whose skin has begun to lose its youthful firmness but who still have a well-defined neck and brows that remain in a good position. Many people in their 40s and 50s find this procedure an excellent way to restore a fresher, more youthful appearance without the extensive surgery required for a full facelift. However, some patients in their 60s also undergo mini facelifts if their ageing process is more gradual and they are looking for subtle yet effective rejuvenation.

The best way to determine if a mini facelift is right for you is to have a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. They will assess your skin elasticity, facial structure, and overall suitability for the procedure. If your neck has significant sagging or loose skin, a more comprehensive facelift may be a better option. However, if your main concern is the descent of your mid-face and early jowl formation, a mini facelift can provide a refreshed and natural-looking result with less downtime compared to a full facelift.

A mini facelift differs from a full facelift in several key respects. A traditional facelift is designed to treat deeper wrinkles and skin folds affecting a broader area of the face. The procedure, therefore, needs longer incisions to remove sufficient amounts of sagging skin. One of the key differences is where the incisions are located for each type of procedure and how prominent they appear. With a mini lift, the incisions are positioned behind the ear and extend into the hairline, which is barely visible once healed. In the traditional facelift, the surgeon makes incisions both behind the air and in front of it, with the incision often extending into the scalp area.

A full facelift is much more invasive compared with a lower facelift. A lower facelift can be effectively combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments in the same procedure for a more overall improvement in the usefulness of the face. Many people may be increasingly prone to prominent scarring, and a mini facelift may be considered a better alternative to a full facelift due to the smaller length and concealed location of the incisions.

Mini facelift surgery is most commonly recommended for women and men in their 40s and above, as it is particularly effective in treating many of the early signs of ageing, including jowls and sagging skin. Traditional facelift surgery is better suited for patients aged in their mid-50s and over, as this is often the time when initial fine lines have now become deeper wrinkles and may be present even when the face is in a resting state of expression. A full facelift is also more effective for people who have significant laxity of the neck, and the procedure is often combined with a neck lift. Those who lose dramatic amounts of weight from successful dieting and exercise often develop loose and sagging skin in the face and neck area and a full facelift is a more suitable option for these types of patients for better correction of the signs of ageing.

A standard full facelift can often take well over five hours to carry out with patients, often requiring 2 to 3 nights of an inpatient stay in the hospital. Some facelifts may take longer, particularly the deep plane facelift. A mini facelift takes up to 2.5 hours to carry out, and patients often feel much more comfortable after the procedure with a quicker healing time.

Unlike traditional facelift surgery, which is routinely carried out under a general anaesthetic, mini facelift surgery can, in many cases, be performed under local anaesthetic and this can be supplemented with sedation if required as an outpatient procedure. This means the patient can recover at home later the same day. After this type of surgery, the majority of patients are able to recommence their everyday activities after one week. Full facelift surgery has a much longer recovery period, with many patients requiring at least two weeks and up to 4 weeks to recover from the procedure. Traditional facelift surgery involves a much greater degree of bruising and swelling, and this can last for a minimum of two weeks before beginning to improve. Any bruising and swelling after a mini facelift improves much faster, with most patients reporting a full resolution of the side effects in one week. At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons are experts in all facelift techniques.

The S Facelift or ‘S-lift’

This type of facelift involves incisions that resemble an S shape that starts in the hairline and extends to the back of the ear. Once the initial incision has been performed, the facelift surgeon delicately separates the skin from the underlying tissues, followed by the removal of excess skin and fat to optimise facial definition in the lower portion of the face and jawline.

SMAS Facelift

SMAS stands for superficial musculoaponeurotic system and is the fibromuscular layer of tissue beneath the skin which is surgically altered to tighten the neck and jawline for effective rejuvenation of the lower and middle part of the face. A SMAS facelift is ideal for getting rid of saggy skin, excess fat and prominent jowls affecting the jawline. The cheeks can also be enhanced as part of a cheek lift or mid-facelift which is often combined with a SMAS facelift.

Deep plane facelift

A deep plane facelift, also known as a subperiosteal facelift, is one of the traditional techniques of facelift surgery designed to produce long-lasting results. The dissection area is in the deeper layers of the face located between the underlying muscles and fat. The deeper soft tissues can be surgically manipulated to tighten the neck, enhance the volume of the cheeks and result in a more defined jawline and overall rejuvenated appearance.

All three of these facelift techniques focus on improving signs of facial ageing affecting the lower half of the face. They are commonly combined with other complementary facial procedures for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Some of the most popular combinations include a brow lift for raising the outer third of the brow and enhancing the eye region. Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is an effective procedure to get rid of hooded eyelids and eyebags under the eyes. Drooping eyelids can be addressed with an eyelid lift.

The results of a mini facelift can be enhanced with non-surgical treatments, including anti-wrinkle injections to treat the upper part of the face and dermal fillers to add volume to parts of the face where it has been lost due to the ageing process.

A mini facelift is an ideal treatment for women and men aged over 40 who are unhappy with the obvious signs of ageing and loose skin located in the lower part of the face and neck and would like to have a treatment which is less invasive and carries fewer risks than a traditional facelift.

RELATED: Am I suitable for a mini facelift?

Surgeons at Centre for Surgery generally consider the following criteria when selecting patients for a mini-lift procedure in London:

• Over the age of 40
• Are in good physical and mental health with no chronic uncontrolled medical conditions
• Have obvious signs of ageing in the lower part of the face
• Have realistic expectations of what can be achieved with a lower facelift
• Prefer to have a less invasive procedure with less downtime compared with a full facelift

Is a Mini-Facelift or Full Facelift Right for You?

Mini-lifts are designed for individuals experiencing early signs of facial ageing who desire a rejuvenated and well-defined face and neck. A mini-lift may be an excellent choice for you if:

1. You have mild to moderate wrinkles on the lower portion of your face.
2. You have sagging cheeks and pronounced nasolabial folds (laugh lines).
3. Jowls obscure your jawline.
4. Your neck and chin skin is loose, affecting their contours.
5. You have a double chin with excess, puffy skin.

If any of these issues resonate with you and you’re seeking a solution, a mini-lift may be the right choice. After a thorough evaluation, we will discuss your surgical options. We may recommend combining a mini-lift with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as an eyelid lift or brow lift, to achieve optimal results.

The mini facelift procedure involves making incisions well positioned in natural skin folds behind the ears and in the hairline. The scarring from mini facelift surgery is minimal, with most people being unable to see any visible scars as early as six weeks after the procedure. The surgeon surgically removes the areas of loose skin before trimming any excess fat and surgically repositioning the tissues to tighten the face. The skin incision is then closed with dissolvable stitches, followed by applying a sterile dressing.

For many patients, a mini facelift has emerged as the most effective technique for rejuvenating the lower part of the face. It has replaced the standard traditional facelift for this purpose. The procedure carries fewer risks and complications, has less scarring, is minimally invasive and takes no more than 2.5 hours to perform in most cases. Natural-looking results are better achieved with a mini facelift. The standard facelift has a higher risk of resulting in a ‘done look’. Advances in mini facelift surgery now allow the surgeon to address the deeper tissue layers of the face and not just the skin itself. Facelift techniques that focus on only tightening the skin are more likely to result in an artificial-looking result, with the facelift incisions looking more obvious to others.

Unlike a standard facelift, the mini facelift is easily carried out under a local anaesthetic despite being a surgical procedure and takes no more than two hours to perform. All types of mini facelift surgery are outpatient-based, which means you’ll be able to recover in the comfort of your own home later the same day and recommence your normal daily activities after the first week of recovery.

Recovery from a mini-facelift can vary from patient to patient, but here are some general guidelines of what to expect:

Pain and discomfort

Mild pain and discomfort are common after a mini-facelift, but your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help manage any discomfort.

Swelling and bruising

Swelling and bruising are normal after a mini-facelift and can last for several days or weeks. Applying cold compresses to the treated areas can help reduce swelling and bruising.

Bandages and dressings

Your surgeon may place bandages or dressings on the treated areas immediately after the procedure to help with healing. You may need to wear a compression garment or bandage for a few days or weeks to help reduce swelling and support the healing process.

Restrictions on activities

You will need to avoid strenuous activities, such as exercise and heavy lifting, for several weeks after the procedure. Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on when you can resume your normal activities.

Follow-up appointments

You will need to attend follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress and ensure that you are healing properly. Your surgeon may remove any stitches or dressings during these appointments.

Results

While you may notice some immediate improvement in the treated areas, it can take several weeks or months for the final results of the mini-facelift to be visible. The results of a mini-facelift can last several years with proper care and maintenance.

Lower facelift surgery is considered very safe when performed by an expert surgeon. There are several common side effects which you may experience after the procedure, including:

• Bruising and swelling
• Temporary numbness
• Minimal scarring, which is barely visible

As with any type of surgical procedure, facelift surgery involves certain risks and complications which your surgeon will discuss at your consultation, including:

• Bleeding
• Wound infection
• Prominent scarring
• Haematoma formation
• Skin necrosis
• Hairline distortion or localised hair loss near the incisions

Yes, a mini-facelift can be combined with other facial rejuvenation surgeries to achieve more comprehensive results. Here are some of the procedures that can be combined with a mini-facelift:

Neck lift

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the neck area. Combining a neck lift with a mini-facelift can improve the lower face and neck area more comprehensively.

Brow lift

A brow lift is a surgical procedure that lifts the eyebrows to create a more youthful and alert appearance. Combining a brow lift with a mini-facelift can help address sagging skin and wrinkles in the upper face.

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids to improve the appearance of sagging or puffy eyelids. Combining blepharoplasty with a mini-facelift can provide a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the entire face.

Facial fat transfer

Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, involves removing fat from one area of the body and injecting it into the face to restore volume and improve facial contours. Combining fat transfer with a mini-facelift can improve the face more comprehensively by addressing both sagging skin and volume loss.

Several factors will determine the overall cost of your mini facelift procedure, and the final quotation will be given after your face-to-face consultation with your specialist plastic surgeon.

Why not call 0207 993 4849 and speak to one of our expert patient coordinators, who can give you a rough cost for a mini facelift if you wish to combine it with other procedures.

Remember that mini facelift prices should never be the determining factor when choosing the best clinic for mini facelift surgery. We feel that safety and quality of service should be your number one priority and instil in you the confidence that our team will look after you before, during and after your procedure to the best of their ability.

Spread the cost of your mini facelift procedure – from as little as £95 per month.

Centre for Surgery is fully approved to offer finance, including 0% finance, via our specialist finance partner, Chrysalis Finance. You no longer need to use your savings to pay for your treatment – you can apply to spread the cost of your procedure with Chrysalis Finance using their simple 1,2,3 application to pay for your procedure. Don’t wait until you have enough money for your treatment. Apply today and (subject to status) pay for your procedure easily in monthly instalments using one of their payment options. Chrysalis Finance is the only ethical provider focusing solely on providing specialist financing for medical procedures.

What is included in my treatment package?

• As many preoperative consultations with your surgeon as you like to make sure the procedure is right for you
• Treatment at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone central London.
• Enhanced same-day discharge with the added benefits of recovering in your own home
• 24/7 clinical support from your surgeon for the first 48 hours and our expert postoperative support team
• Your dedicated patient coordinator to act as a personal point of contact to guide you through your patient journey with us at Centre for Surgery
• In-depth preoperative medical assessment to make sure you are fully fit for the rhinoplasty procedure
• Exceptionally high standards of postoperative care described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC with regular telephone and face-to-face checks by our expert postoperative support team

For many people, a mini facelift is absolutely worth it. With the growing popularity of non-surgical treatments such as fillers, skin tightening procedures, and thread lifts, some individuals find that these temporary solutions do not deliver the long-lasting results they were hoping for. While non-surgical treatments can provide subtle improvements, they often require repeated sessions, which can become costly over time. Many patients who have tried these alternatives later wish they had invested in a mini facelift from the start for more noticeable and lasting rejuvenation.

RELATED: Is a facelift worth it?

A mini facelift offers a natural yet significant improvement by lifting sagging skin in the mid-face and jawline. The results typically last several years, making it a more effective and cost-efficient solution compared to ongoing non-surgical treatments. Since the procedure is less invasive than a full facelift, the recovery time is shorter, and the scarring is minimal. Patients often report that they look refreshed and more youthful without the exaggerated or “pulled” look that can sometimes result from excessive filler use.

Centre for Surgery is a renowned plastic surgery clinic that specialises in a range of cosmetic procedures, including mini facelifts. Here are some reasons why you should choose Centre for Surgery for your mini facelift:

Expertise and experience

Our plastic surgeons have years of experience in performing mini facelifts and are experts in the latest techniques and technologies. They work closely with each patient to develop a personalised treatment plan that meets their unique needs and goals.

High patient satisfaction rates

Patient satisfaction is our top priority. We have a proven track record of achieving high patient satisfaction rates and are committed to ensuring that our patients are completely satisfied with their results.

State-of-the-art facilities

We operate from modern, state-of-the-art facilities that are equipped with the latest technology and equipment. Our facilities meet the highest standards of safety and hygiene, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care.

Comprehensive aftercare

We provide comprehensive aftercare and support to all of our patients, ensuring that they have a smooth and comfortable recovery. Our team is always available to answer any questions or concerns that our patients may have.

Personalised treatment plans

We understand that every patient is unique and requires a personalised treatment plan that meets their specific needs and goals. Our plastic surgeons work closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs.