A mini facelift is for patients who need lift in the lower region of their face, without requiring the manipulation of tightening underlying muscle structure. A mini facelift will address loose skin in the jowls or under the chin. This is completed by your surgeon carefully tightening the surface skin and layer of fatty tissue directly beneath.
A SMAS Facelift surgery involves tightening of the surface skin, fatty tissue, and the muscle structure known as the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) to remedy extensive laxity. This is a full facelift.
During a SMAS facelift, your surgeon will raise your skin off the muscle layer, which is then lifted and tightened before the skin is re-draped onto the deeper tissues and any excess or loose skin is removed to restore natural contour and expression.
With a deep plane facelift, the skin and SMAS are lifted and tightened together, as one comprehensive unit. This is another type of full facelift.
Patient reviews of the deep plane say the results are more natural-looking and longer-lasting, but studies have found no major differences between the two techniques in patients under the age of 70, even when comparing the results over a 10-year period.
If an individual has thick facial skin and a very full face, a deep plane lift may provide better support. To customize the procedure to the specific patient, your surgeon will tailor their facelift technique depending on the width and shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, and fat distribution.
During the deep plane facelift, your surgeon will often release certain retaining ligaments in the face to better mobilize and elevate the cheeks and jowls.
A liquid facelift is a facial rejuvenation that is achieved with the use of dermal filler. A filler can be used to enhance contour and restore volume after loss due to aging. Filler is often used in combination with other non-surgical treatments such as the HALO laser to achieve good results. This type of lift is temporary, lasting 6 months-2 years depending on the type of filler and placement.
The recovery timeline for facelifts typically lasts 1-2 weeks. This does NOT mean that you are on bed rest for this amount of time. In fact, most patients are back to their normal routine in just a couple of days. However, we do give the timeline of 1-2 weeks to allow for visible bruising and swelling to subside. As facelift procedures are often combined with laser resurfacing treatments, this timeline also allows for that recovery.
A feeling of heaviness with moderate swelling and bruising is common after facial surgery and can take 2-3 weeks to resolve. After any surgery, the areas addressed may appear different due to swelling and will even out with time. Keep any bruised areas and your incision out of the sun or tanning bed as the exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation. Severe swelling and bruising should be brought to attention as soon as possible. Drainage of thin, reddish fluid is normal until the incisions seal which can take 24-72 hours.
You can remove any gauze bandages and shower the morning after surgery. Most sutures will absorb on their own; non-absorbable ones will be removed in the office after 5-7 days for facial surgery (neck lifts, facelifts).
Numbness occurs after the surgery when small sensory nerves to the skin are interrupted; the sensation gradually returns as the nerve endings heal, usually within three to six months depending on the extent of surgery, and age.
The incision initially will be reddened and raised. Over the course of 8-12 months, the scar will fade and flatten. We recommend using the Biocorneum silicone scar gel to assist in the healing process of your scars. This is included with every surgery.
