Mini Facelift

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Many patients may have cosmetic facial concerns but do not quite need a full facial surgery. In these cases, you may best be served by a customized mini facelift in Beverly Hills. Rejuvenate the face while relying on a milder approach with faster recovery and enhanced safety. In addition to classic plastic surgery options, board-certified surgeon Dr. Brent offers specialized procedures for more refined results.

Facial
Rejuvenation

What Is a Mini Facelift?

Dr. Brent’s mini facelift approach focuses on providing maximal advantages while using a minimum of invasive techniques. Like a traditional facelift, the procedure addresses signs of aging around the lower face. However, we use fewer and shorter incisions during the procedure, which allows for tightening without excessive skin resectioning. Muscles are still tightened, excess skin removed, and tissues adjusted. But it is all done with a more restrained technique that places less strain on the body. The result is a smoother, more defined jawline and slimmed-down neck for a refined, youthful aesthetic.

Key Differences

  • Smaller incisions (less invasive)
  • Faster recovery and less downtime
  • Better for milder concerns
  • Softer, less intensive results
  • Less tissue dissection
  • Incisions placement

Procedure at a Glance

  • Type of Procedure: Cosmetic
  • Purpose: Rejuvenate lower face and neck
  • Incisions: Minimal
  • Duration: Average of 1–2 hours (longer for combinations)
  • Anesthesia: General anesthesia (potential for local only)
  • Downtime: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Results: Lasts for years
  • Price: Roughly half of full facelift

What Is a Mini Facelift Procedure Like?

Dr. Brent takes time to build each mini facelift procedure from the ground up. This tailored approach ensures a smoother surgery with minimal damage to underlying tissues. Thus, you can expect more refined results and a shorter recovery period.

The procedure begins with ensuring your comfort, either through local anesthesia or sedation. Dr. Brent then moves through your procedure plan’s steps, adjusting key tissues through tiny incisions. A mini facelift involves less removal of excess skin, but some may still be removed and tightened. Additionally, Dr. Brent repositions key muscles to promote a more natural look. Even a mini facelift can look “stretched” if your surgeon does not work with all the face’s structures.

Once the surgery is complete, you can rest for a time in the recovery room. You can then return home that same day when you are ready. But be sure to have arranged for someone to drive you home!

FAQs

A mini facelift is best for patients seeking to improve mild to moderate signs of aging around the lower face. Its milder approach makes it ideal for patients with some skin laxity and wrinkling but who do not want a fully invasive solution. When you book your consultation with Dr. Brent, you can discuss and explore your options. He can provide an overview of procedures and help you decide on a full facelift, mini facelift, or even a nonsurgical solution. It all depends on your goals and needs.
Related options include:
  • Facelift
  • Neck lift
  • Laser skin resurfacing
  • Dermal fillers
While open to a wide range of ages, a mini facelift typically provides optimal results for patients aged 40 to 55. Still, we look at each patient’s case individually. We assess factors like signs of aging and current skin elasticity to make tailored recommendations. We also look at your unique anatomy to further adjust the approach for optimal results.
Absolutely! Plastic surgery continues to increase in popularity among men. With his male patients, Dr. Brent adapts his approach to ensure the results preserve and even enhance the masculine features of the face. You will still look like yourself, only years younger.
A mini facelift is indeed safe for all skin types. It does not involve any laser element that could disrupt a patient’s natural skin pigmentation. It works exclusively by adjusting the tissues physically. This means patients with any skin tone can see equally positive results.
Choosing the right procedure might sound stressful, but Dr. Brent makes it a stress-free experience. The consultation involves going over each of your concerns. Dr. Brent then uses these to provide recommendations based on the results you want to see. You can still have a mini facelift with more notable signs of aging, but he highlights what results you can expect either way.

The smaller incisions and minimal tissue resection make for a faster recovery with a mini facelift. However, patients can still expect about 1 week of downtime (up to 2 weeks). This period involves taking time away from work and all physical activity, instead focusing on recovery. The incisions are smaller, but some swelling and discomfort are still within the normal experience.

Dr. Brent will provide comprehensive information about how to facilitate a smooth and complication-free recovery experience. He also sees all patients for follow-up appointments to track their recovery. Usually, we schedule your first follow-up about 1 week out from your surgery. This gives you time to heal up and see if you need any updated aftercare instructions.
You have had your surgery, and now you want to enjoy it. While wanting to see the benefits right away is unavoidable, it is important to remember that the changes will become most apparent as you recover. Expect initial results and benefits once the majority of swelling fades, typically within 2 weeks. However, keep in mind that residual swelling can still influence your appearance. Tissues only fully settle once swelling completely resolves, after which you can see your final results. Timeframes for this vary much more, as the rate depends on your body’s recovery speed. The range is usually between 2 and 6 months.
Face procedures are one of Dr. Brent’s specialties. He even has created pioneering, trademarked techniques for facial rejuvenation. Plastic surgery results tend to look unnatural only when the surgeon does not take into account the facial structure and tissues as a whole. Dr. Brent ensures he creates results that look natural, avoiding the stretched look of imprecise techniques. People should notice you look younger, not that you had surgery.
The duration of your results will depend on individual lifestyle and aging factors. However, many patients can expect their mini facelift benefits to last about 10 years. You can take active steps to prolong your results, though. The easiest ones are to avoid factors that age the skin, such as smoking, excess sun exposure, and dehydration. Additionally, patients can have nonsurgical treatments that promote collagen production to renew the skin. These treatments can keep your results looking great and push back the need for any future surgical procedures.

The incisions used in a mini facelift are notably smaller than those in a traditional approach. As with every procedure he performs, Dr. Brent keeps incision size to a minimum and places them strategically. This means they are hidden in low-visibility areas. For this procedure, that usually means in the hairline or behind the ears. So while scars will form, they will be minimal and out of sight. As you continue to heal, those scars should also continue to improve. Ultimately, patients and those around them will only notice the refreshed appearance, not the scars.

We also offer laser treatments that can further improve scars. These nonsurgical treatments are quick, with minimal downtime. However, you will need to wait until you are fully healed before trying any scar reduction treatments. Typically, this is about half a year to a full year after your surgery.

A mini facelift is often a patient’s first step in preserving a youthful appearance. Though the results last for years, the aging process does continue. Eventually, patients may want to consider an additional procedure to restore a youthful look. This is certainly possible.

However, we once again recommend working with a highly skilled surgeon. With a second face procedure, your surgeon will need to work with your natural tissues and any scars that formed. This requires additional precision to ensure continued natural-looking results. Dr. Brent can also provide revision procedures for patients dissatisfied with the work of another surgeon.

A mini facelift can readily be combined with other procedures. However, first it is worth consulting your plastic surgeon on the matter. You can learn whether combining procedures is better or if you simply would benefit more from a traditional facelift. Some popular procedures to combine with a mini facelift include:

  • Neck lift
  • Dermal fillers
  • Brow lift
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Fat grafting
  • And more
Combining treatments allows you to see improved results while bundling things into only one recovery period. That means less overall discomfort and fewer disruptions to your daily routines.

Though less intensive, this is still a full surgery. So, we encourage our patients to take the time to prepare for it properly. The good news is that nothing complicated is needed. Dr. Brent provides straightforward instructions, making preparation simple and easy.
Effective preparation typically only involves:

  • Avoiding smoking or vaping
  • Pausing certain medications
  • Obtaining bloodwork, if necessary
  • Asking any questions you may have
  • Arranging for enough time off work
  • Arranging for someone to drive you home from surgery
When performed by a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon, a mini facelift is generally a safe procedure. Dr. Brent’s attention to detail and understanding of the facial anatomy further reduces any risk the patient may face. He also stays involved in each patient’s path to recovery. He and his team provide support, and he always sees patients for follow-ups to further promote safety. On your side, you can enhance your safety by carefully following all post-procedure instructions. These are designed to facilitate smooth healing, avoiding damage or irritation to the surgical sites.

Due to its milder nature, a mini facelift tends to cost less than a full facelift. The cost can still vary, depending on your individual plan and its complexity. That is why we start with the consultation. You can build your plan without needing to commit to surgery and then receive a personalized quote. Dr. Brent breaks down each element of the quote clearly so you can know your full price before scheduling your surgery visit.

A mini facelift is a cosmetic procedure, so insurance plans typically do not offer coverage for it. However, Dr. Brent works with patients to explore ways to finance the procedure. Financing can offer flexible payment options that open the door to care for a wider range of patients. This is one item he will go over during your consultation meeting.

Schedule Your Consultation

A mini facelift could be your solution to overcoming mild signs of aging. Just because wrinkles or skin laxity remain mild does not mean that they do not have a significant impact. Book your consultation with Dr. Brent today to learn more about this procedure and see if you are a candidate for a mini facelift or another plastic surgery option.
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