Get the “Weekend” Facelift in El Paso, Texas

Facial aging is unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean it’s irreversible. With a mini facelift, you can reverse one of the most common signs of facial aging — lower facial sagging — safely, quickly and effectively.

A mini facelift is less invasive than a traditional facelift and can be performed in-office and under local anesthesia. At our El Paso, Texas, offices, we regularly perform mini facelifts to treat mild facial sagging or as a trade-off for the longer recovery time and greater expense involved in a traditional facelift. If you are a resident or visitor of Texas, New Mexico or Mexico who wants to take a few years off your face, we are here to help. Contact us online or call one of our two locations in El Paso today to book a consultation.

What Is a Mini Facelift?

The facelift, medically known as a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed to correct sagging in the lower face and neck (i.e., jowls and turkey neck). Doctors use different techniques to perform facelift procedures, and a mini facelift is one such technique.

Also known as an “S-Lift” and “weekend facelift,” a mini facelift requires 50% shorter incisions than a traditional facelift. The procedure can be done in-office and under local anesthesia, which significantly reduces costs and leads to quicker recovery. Dr. Jabor, Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Aburto have successfully performed this facelift surgery in their El Paso-based office for over 10 years on nearly 1000 patients.

Benefits of getting a mini facelift in our offices include:

  • A more youthful but natural appearance
  • Reduced sagging and a defined jawline
  • Minimal scarring and ponytail friendly
  • Minimal downtime with a quick recovery

With a mini facelift, patients can expect improvement from the cheekbone area down to the jawline. The S-lift is of benefit to men and women seeking a less invasive way to achieve a more youthful, natural appearance.

The main focus of an S-lift surgery is to lift and tighten the lower face. If you have more concerns to address, we can recommend complementary procedures to help you reach your goals, such as a brow lift or facial fat transfer.

What a Mini Facelift Involves

A mini facelift involves making incisions in front of the ear and, sometimes, behind the ears. The surgeon then removes excess skin and repositions and tightens the remaining skin along with the underlying structures. The whole procedure is done either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia and IV sedation. It usually takes less than two hours to complete.

A mini facelift may involve just lifting and tightening the skin or additionally manipulating the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS layer). This is a layer of connective tissue found from the neck up to the forehead that supports facial skin. This technique is suitable for patients who also require midface rejuvenation.

Unlike a traditional facelift, a mini facelift does not rejuvenate the neck. The procedure’s main purpose is to provide lift and tightening in the lower third of the face. This is why it is best suited for patients with minimal sagging and little to no neck laxity.

The Differences Between a Mini and Traditional Facelift

There are many different facelift techniques, but they can all fall into two categories: traditional facelift and mini facelift.

Traditional facelifts are more extensive since they involve full-length skin incisions combined with a SMAS treatment. The incisions start around the temples, continue all around the ear and end around the lower scalp. Sometimes, surgeons make an additional incision in the chin to remove excess fat.

During a traditional facelift, surgeons move the skin upward to access and reposition underlying structures. They then carefully trim away excess fat and skin to provide just enough tightening for natural-looking results. The incisions are then closed with tissue glue or sutures. The procedure can take up to four hours to complete.

Mini facelifts, on the other hand, are less invasive. These surgeries involve 50% smaller incisions and less tissue manipulation than full facelifts. The incision for a mini facelift is made in front of the ear, behind the ear, and down the lower hairline. Surgeons usually don’t use the SMAS technique during a mini facelift, although that depends on the severity of the patient’s concerns.

During a mini facelift, surgeons trim away excess skin and fat and reposition the skin. The incisions are also closed with tissue glue or sutures.

A traditional facelift provides tightening and lifting of the lower and midface as well as the neck. It can also reduce deep wrinkles in the mid and lower face. A mini facelift addresses sagging only in the lower face.

Am I a Good Candidate?

The mini facelift was designed as a less invasive technique for a specific group of patients. In general, the ideal candidate for this procedure is:

  • In their late 30s or 40s
  • Has mild to moderate jowls
  • Has minimal neck laxity

Besides that, to be a candidate for a mini facelift, you need to be relatively healthy and have realistic expectations.

But even if you have more pronounced face and neck sagging, you may be considered for this surgery. Some patients prefer to have this less invasive option because it involves quicker recovery and fewer visits. At Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso, we can combine a mini facelift with non-surgical procedures to give you the results you’re after with minimal downtime.

What to Expect

Despite the name, a mini facelift is still a significant procedure. The procedure involves careful preparation and planning. Recovery, while usually less complicated than with a full facelift, can take a couple of weeks. Here is what you can expect with this cosmetic procedure.

Preparation

Dr. Jabor, Dr. Reynolds or Dr. Aburto will see you during your initial consultation to discuss your concerns and decide whether you are a good candidate. You may need to get lab testing to see if you are healthy enough to undergo surgery. Our team will provide you with instructions on how to prepare for your procedure, which usually involves the following:

  • Stop smoking weeks prior to your procedure
  • Avoid taking blood-thinning medications and supplements in the weeks leading up to your surgery
  • Take or adjust some of your current medication
  • Apply certain products to your skin prior to your appointment

It is also a good idea to leave your jewelry at home, wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing, and have someone ready to drive you home. Plan to take some time off from work. We usually recommend at least five to seven days in recovery.

Procedure

The procedure starts with anesthesia. Patients are usually given local anesthesia combined with IV sedation. This means you will be awake but won’t feel any pain and will generally be drowsy during the procedure.

Once the anesthetic medication takes effect, your surgeon makes the incision. A mini facelift incision often starts right in front of the ear. The surgeon then lifts the skin and trims off excess tissue. If you need more extensive surgery, they may also reposition muscle and connective tissue.

After your surgeon has finished your surgery, they will close the incisions with sutures or tissue glue. Your surgeon will position the incisions in areas that will make scarring less visible.

A mini facelift usually takes about one to two hours to complete, depending on its complexity and whether your surgeon is performing multiple procedures on you. You will then be sent to a recovery room and will soon be ready to go home.

Recovery

You will have dressings over your incisions that you will redress during your recovery. We will provide you with detailed instructions on how to take care of your incisions upon your discharge.

Your face may appear swollen and bruised in the days following surgery, which is normal. The area may feel tender and painful, which you can manage with over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers. We may recommend that you limit certain activities and apply ointments to the treated area to promote healing and speed up recovery.

Initial recovery from a mini facelift takes about a week, after which time visible swelling subsides. We will arrange follow-up visits to monitor your recovery and remove sutures. Sutures can be removed anywhere between weeks one and three.

Mini Facelift FAQs

What is the best age for a mini facelift?

Mini facelifts are best suited for people in their late 30s and 40s when the first signs of facial sagging become noticeable. Older adults may benefit more from a full facelift and neck lift since many have significant jowls and neck laxity.

Is a mini facelift right for me?

If you are relatively young with mild sagging in the lower third of the face but youthful neck skin, then you are probably a good candidate for this procedure. If you are relatively healthy, not pregnant or breastfeeding, have realistic expectations and can adhere to our guidelines and protocols, we may consider you for this procedure.

Is a mini facelift permanent?

The results from a mini facelift are long-lasting, but they won’t last forever. Your face will continue to age naturally, and you may choose to have another rejuvenating procedure later in your life.

How long does a mini facelift last?

Results from a mini facelift last between five and 10 years, which can vary greatly from patient to patient. Results from a full facelift can last even longer. Studies show patients don’t require secondary procedures 10 to 12 years after a traditional facelift.

How much does a mini facelift cost?

A mini facelift is more cost-effective compared to a full facelift. The exact costs of this procedure depend on the extent of your surgery and whether you are having this surgery performed as an inpatient or outpatient procedure. We will disclose the exact costs of the procedure during your consultation with us.

How soon can I exercise after a mini facelift?

We recommend avoiding all exercise for two weeks after surgery and strenuous activity for up to five weeks. Exercising soon after surgery can put you at risk of bleeding and slow down healing time.

How to make a mini facelift last longer?

Taking care of your skin, wearing sunscreen, not smoking and living a healthy lifestyle can help you enjoy the results of your mini facelift for a long time. While aging is inevitable, you can significantly slow down aging with good skincare and healthy lifestyle habits.

Can I combine a mini facelift with other procedures?

Yes! Many of our patients who need a mini facelift also have other age-related problems, such as eyelid sagging, deep wrinkling and skin discoloration. We can combine a mini facelift with an eye lift and non-surgical procedures for full-face rejuvenation.

Mini Facelift at Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso

A mini facelift is a popular surgical procedure that can help correct common age-related facial changes. Sagging in the lower third of the face and wrinkling in the midface can all be corrected with this procedure. We can combine a mini facelift with other procedures, including Renuvion, Chemical Peels, and Eyelid Surgery, to provide you with the best results. Take the years off your face with a mini facelift at Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso.

If you are a resident of Texas, New Mexico or Mexico and are interested in learning more about a brow lift, please contact our El Paso offices at 915-543-5600 for our West Office or 915-855-7800 for our East Office or visit our contact page. You can schedule a consultation with our experts, Dr. Jabor, Dr. Reynolds or Dr. Aburto.

CareCredit® and Prosper are both options for financing your healthcare services. El Paso Plastic Surgery accepts both! Please visit the company websites to learn more.

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At Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso, we pride ourselves in the fact that all new consults meet with the surgeon and will be seen by the surgeon from start to finish. Schedule your personalized consultation for any of our cosmetic surgery procedures.

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