The mini facelift is a smaller version of the traditional face lift procedure. It is designed to be less intense for the patient and requires smaller incisions as well leaving behind smaller scars. In the procedure, the incisions are made in the natural hairline or around the ears where the scars will be carefully concealed. Once the incisions are made in an S shape around the ears, the skin around the incisions is carefully lifted to reveal the tissues underneath.
The layer of tissue just under the skin is exposed and then lifted and tightened behind the ear. Underneath this layer, the platysma muscle is long and then, and by pulling it slightly before reattaching it behind the ear, the face is smoothed and the face’s appearance overall will be tighter and more youthful. With all three layers of the face carefully tightened, the result of the procedure will be more natural as well.
The surgeon will use permanent stitches in the muscle and deeper layers of tissue to ensure these stay in place going forward. The skin is then laid gently back over the tighter tissue layers. Excess skin is carefully trimmed away leaving only smooth, youthful skin on the lower portion of the face.
The incisions around the ear are carefully closed using tiny stitches to leave as minimal a scar as possible before the surgery is considered complete. In most cases, surgeons must recreate the creases around the ear naturally using the sutures and stitches. In only some cases, the neck requires attention as well following the facial surgery. The neck may be liposuctioned using very thin cannulas to create a tighter appearance across all of the face.
In the final portion of the surgery, the neck and face will be wrapped carefully in compression bandages to hold the skin in place so that there is little risk of bleeding or excessive scarring as the skin begins to heal.
