Mini or Full Facelift: Which Should You Choose?

Posted on December 3, 2020 in Facelift

If you see some aging signs are ready for plastic surgery but hesitant to undergo a full facelift, a mini facelift may be an option for you. A mini lift offers natural-looking youthful results with less scarring and a shorter recovery period than a traditional, full facelift. However, the mini facelift is not for everyone. Here are some of the basics on a mini facelift vs. full facelift so you can decide which sounds better suited to you.

How is a Mini Facelift Different from a Full Facelift?

Also known as a mini lift, short-incision facelift, or S-lift, the mini facelift addresses aging signs in your face and neck by repositioning the soft tissues through small incisions. These incisions are made in front of the ears so that Dr. Ransom may lift and reposition the midface area around the cheeks to reduce sagging, folds, fine lines, and wrinkles.

In contrast, a full facelift involves slightly longer incisions in a similar area. Through these incisions, Dr. Ransom will reposition tissues throughout the face. The full facelift allows Dr. Ransom to address more severe signs of aging, including significant sagging or jowls at the jawline. Generally, the difference between a full facelift and a mini facelift is the extent of the aging signs that can be addressed through each procedure.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Mini Facelift?

Younger facelift patients may be better suited to a mini facelift—typically, the procedure is recommended for patients in their 40s or 50s. The mini facelift candidate has less severe sagging or folds and still has a fair amount of skin elasticity.

Often, patients who have severe wrinkles, folds, or sagging are better suited to a full facelift. This includes patients in their 60s or older as well as younger patients who have increased skin laxity, such as those who are very lean or have more significant volume loss in the face.

Dr. Ransom will evaluate your concerns and recommend whether a mini facelift or a full facelift is a better option to achieve your goal results.

Enhancing Your Mini Facelift Results

To enhance mini facelift results, Dr. Ransom may recommend pairing the surgery with liposuction for the neck or under-chin area. This restores the face for a more youthful look and flattering profile.

In addition, you may choose to pair a mini facelift with a non-surgical treatment. For example, patients who have pigmentation issues such as age spots may choose a laser treatment, while those with dynamic wrinkles near the eyes or forehead may opt for Botox.

Schedule an Appointment

To see whether you are better suited to a full facelift or mini facelift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ransom. Call Ransom/MD in San Francisco at (415) 877-6573 or request your appointment online.

Dr. Ransom

Dr. Evan Ransom is an Ivy League-educated and Ivy League trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He is a Double Board Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and fellowship-trained in facial plastic, reconstructive, and laser surgery. His practice is in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving patients from San Francisco, Oakland, Marin County, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, Walnut Creek, the East Bay, and all over Northern California.