Mini Facelift (“short scar” or “limited incision” technique)
Short scar mini facelifts are a great alternative to the traditional facelift and Dr. Stanwix’ extensive training and experience in Plastic Surgery makes him poised to provide you with the latest and greatest minimally invasive techniques. In today’s day and age, minimally invasive techniques can provide great results with little downtime. The mini facelift removes excess skin and lifts sagging tissue with the following advantages:
If you are considering a short scar mini facelift, this page will give you a basic understanding of the mini facelift procedure: when it can help, how it is performed, and what results you can expect. Dr. Stanwix will be pleased to answer all of your detailed questions during your consultation or by phone, email, or portal messages.
The ideal candidate for a mini facelift is a man or woman whose face, neck, and jawline have early signs of sagging. These individuals have the beginnings of excess skin: minimal jowls and mild marionette lines. Most patients are in their thirties to fifties, but mini facelifts may be indicated for those older or younger than this. A mini facelift will make you look younger, fresher, and rejuvenated in little to no surgical time. It may enhance your self-confidence in the process, but it cannot give you a totally different face, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Also, it will not remove the fine lines or wrinkles; for this, Dr. Stanwix may recommend a fractionated CO2 LASER treatment as an adjunct. One thing to remember is that a mini facelift will not have the dramatic result of a traditional facelift and will not last nearly as long.
Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Stanwix.
A mini facelift takes Dr. Stanwix about one and a half hours to perform. Unlike the traditional facelift, a mini facelift incision is kept in front of the ears in the shape of a hidden “S”. The incision begins hidden in the sideburn area and extends in a natural line in the natural creases of the ear. This makes this small incision well hidden and concealed.
In general, Dr. Stanwix separates the skin from the muscular structure (SMAS) below. Lastly, he then goes to a mini deep plane under the SMAS to tighten the deeper structures. Lastly, he pulls the skin back and removes the excess with little tension to assure great and minimal scarring. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. Importantly, the tightening of the underlying muscle and membrane by (mini deep SMAS plication) and his unique “individualized vector analysis” creates a longer lasting and natural look. He performs this differently in each patient because no two faces are alike and the best results are individualized. By doing so, he recruits the sagging fat and musculature and raise it back to its youthful position and volume in the cheek area.
A light amount of antibiotic ointment is applied over the incisions and no dressings are needed! In fact, many of Dr. Stanwix’ patients put their hair in front of their ears and can go out in public even that night!
There is not usually much discomfort after surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with pain medication prescribed. Some slight numbness of the skin is normal and usually disappears in a few weeks.
After surgery it is important to keep your head elevated. Unlike traditional facelifts, the bruising and swelling from this surgery is limited but may still occur.
Dr. Stanwix will see you in the office in 5 days to remove your small hidden sutures. You may shower the day after surgery and clean your incisions and be gently normal! in 5-7 days, you can resume almost all activities.
You will be excited with the youthful transition to a new, younger, more rested you. With minimal swelling and bruising, your new look will be apparent within the first week!
You will have scars from your mini facelift, but they will be minimal and well hidden in the natural creases of your face and ears. In any case, they will fade within time and will be scarcely visible.
Having a facelift does not stop the clock, it just turns it back. Your face will continue to age with time. Years later most individuals will have a touch up mini facelift or a traditional approach. Regardless of the natural course of ageing, the lasting results of the mini facelift will always keep you looking younger than if you never had the procedure. Contact Dr. Stanwix today to turn back the clock and achieve that youthful defined jawline!
