We see further advancements in the world of cosmetic procedures every year. As humans, we are living longer and maintaining our health as we age, so it is only natural that we want our outside to reflect how good we feel on the inside.
At New Birkdale Clinic, our main priority is your health and confidence. That’s why we offer a variety of procedures designed to address any insecurities and boost confidence.
Facelift procedures have been popular for many years. They tighten the skin and erase years of age-related damage. However, many people are reluctant to undergo a facelift due to how intensive the recovery can be, especially when they only have problems with some regions of their face.
Consider a mini facelift if you want similar results but are not ready for a complete facelift. In this blog, we will answer the question on everybody’s lips: what is a mini facelift?
What is a Mini Facelift?
The main purpose of a mini facelift is to lift and reposition the facial tissues to give a more youthful appearance.
What distinguishes a mini facelift from a standard facelift is that it targets the lower part of your face. So, if you have any insecurities concerning your jawline or have developed jowls, a mini facelift can improve the look and restore your confidence.
Though it is not necessarily designed to address neck sagging, it can improve the overall appearance of the neck area and tighten the skin.
This procedure is growing in popularity, and at New Birkdale Clinic, we have seen an increase in the number of people choosing a mini facelift as an alternative to a full facelift.
The appearance provided by a mini-facelift lasts around ten years before it needs any revision, which is an incredible time frame considering the procedure isn’t incredibly invasive.
What Are The Benefits of a Mini Facelift?
There are many reasons why this procedure is growing in popularity, and with so many benefits, it looks as though it is going to continue to grow in popularity. Some of the benefits of the procedure include:
Natural Looking Results
Because you are only lifting the bottom of the face during a mini facelift, the results appear to be much more natural than a full facelift typically would.
Though a mini facelift can improve the appearance of sagging skin, especially in the nasolabial folds and marionette lines, it does not make as dramatic a difference as a full facelift.
This is ideal for anyone worried about making too much of a dramatic change to their appearance, especially if you are already pleased with the appearance of the upper half of your face.
Less Invasive
Mini facelifts are much less invasive than full facelifts. When one of our trained surgeons carries out a mini facelift, they make small incisions, meaning you should get far less scarring.
The procedure is completed under general anaesthetic and should take no more than 2 hours, depending on the circumstances. Thus, within the blink of an eye, you will have a rejuvenated face with little to no effort on your behalf.
Due to the limited invasive nature of the procedure, recovery time is also much faster.
Lower Cost
As you can imagine, because the mini facelift procedure is less invasive and takes less time than a typical facelift, it tends to be less expensive.
A mini facelift might be in your best interest if you want to improve your appearance without the hefty price point. Look at our facial surgery price list to learn more about how we price the procedure at New Birkdale Clinic.
Improved Sense of Confidence
Arguably, the biggest benefit of having a mini facelift is the improved sense of confidence that the procedure can give you.
When you feel insecure about a part of your body, it is much easier to cover it and put it to the back of your mind, but that feels almost impossible when the insecurity is the appearance of your face.
It is difficult to avoid your insecurities when they look right back at you anytime you look in the mirror. Instead of constantly feeling insecure, a mini facelift can help you address the problem head-on.
What You Can Expect With Recovery
One of the biggest concerns patients tend to have regarding any procedure is recovery. Not everyone can afford to take a month off work to recover, so knowing exactly when you can return to normality is important.
Shorter Recovery Time
You will be pleased to know that the recovery time for a mini facelift is considerably shorter than many other procedures. This is because a mini facelift is minimally invasive and requires smaller incisions, which heal much faster than larger incisions made in a standard facelift.
Anyone worried about work absences will be glad to know that you will only need to take around two weeks off for recovery, and after that, you can return to work.
Swelling and Bruising
It is common to have some bruising and swelling after a mini facelift, as that is to be expected with any surgical procedure. Luckily, bruising should disappear within a few days, and swelling should decrease in 3-4 days. Then, you can see a more accurate representation of your results.
Applying ice packs to the swelling may also reduce its appearance much faster. Be mindful of how you sleep after the procedure, as lying on your face may disrupt healing.
Stitches
There is no set date as to when you should expect stitches to be removed after a mini facelift procedure, but surgeons aim to remove the stitches one to two weeks after the procedure.
The stitch removal process can also be divided into separate appointments, as some surgeons choose to remove sutures around the ears a few days after the procedure while leaving others until a week or so down the line.
How You Can Make Recovery Smoother
Though recovery after a mini facelift is not particularly painful or long, there are ways that you can reduce your healing time and make the recovery time pass much faster.
Nutrition and Hydration
You must stay hydrated and eat nutritionally beneficial foods when recovering from a mini facelift. For the first few days after the procedure, ensure that you only eat soft food so as not to put too much strain on your stitches.
When you can eat more solid foods, be sure to eat food high in vitamins and minerals, as these can help your body recover faster. Focus mainly on foods high in vitamins C and D and high-protein foods.
Drinking plenty of water is also essential for skin recovery and can encourage better results once the skin has healed.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
It is important to avoid strenuous activities for the first couple of weeks following your procedure, as this can make your recovery slower and even disrupt the look of the final result.
You should wait at least three weeks before engaging in strenuous activities such as rigorous exercise, as this will give your face the appropriate time to recover.
After surgery, you will likely experience some numbness in your face, so you might not feel any injuries that you inflict on yourself. Still, it is essential to be mindful of potentially damaging the results of your procedure.
Manage Pain
Luckily, a mini facelift is not as painful as many cosmetic procedures, though this does not mean it is completely painless. As you heal, you will experience some tenderness and pain. Your doctor will advise you on the methods to use to alleviate pain, but if you continue to experience pain beyond what is prescribed, paracetamol should help.
Aspirin should be avoided before and immediately following your procedure, as it can thin your blood and cause problems during and after the procedure.
Take Time to Think of Your Emotional Needs
Along with catering to your physical needs following the procedure, it is essential that you also take care of your mental health needs. Though the procedure may not be significant, its impact on your appearance can be difficult to manage.
The mini facelift can completely transform your look, and adjusting to a new appearance can be very mentally taxing. You may experience imposter syndrome or feel disconnected from how you look; though this is rare, it is something you should consider.
If you have any concerns or worries after the procedure, don’t hesitate to contact our team, who can offer you the necessary advice.
Who is Eligible For a Mini Facelift?
If you are unsure if you meet the criteria for a mini facelift, here are some reasons why you may be eligible.
- You still have some face elasticity.
- You are in good health.
- You have experienced facial drooping.
- You seek a lower-risk, less invasive procedure.
- You are looking for a confidence boost.
- You are a non-smoker.
- You have realistic expectations.
Regain Your Confidence With New Birkdale Clinic
If, after reading this blog, you feel ready for a mini facelift, we strongly suggest using reliable cosmetic surgeons, such as New Birkdale Clinic. We have a proven reputation for delivering fantastic results with all of our procedures, so you can trust that we will deliver the look you aim for.
If you would like to learn more about the mini facelift we offer, contact our team to arrange a consultation today.
