As you age, you may notice a change in your appearance, especially in your face. It can be frustrating when your skin starts to lose its elasticity and firmness creating saggy or loose skin. Instead of waking up every day and looking in the mirror and fixating on your insecurities, consider these cosmetic surgery options because you may become more confident than ever. At Flower Mound Plastic Surgery, we want to help guide you on your plastic surgery journey, so that you receive the ideal procedure for you. As you start getting ideas of facial procedures you may think you need, we want to explain the differences between traditional and mini facelifts. These are two popular surgeries that share similarities in aiming to rejuvenate your appearance but differ in the specific concerns they address.
Traditional Facelift
It’s important to understand that while many people desire a mini facelift, they are often a better candidate for a full facelift. At Flower Mound Plastic Surgery, we emphasize that a traditional facelift will focus on the face and neck while a mini facelift focuses on just the lower face. A traditional facelift will begin with Dr. Sanderson making an incision along the hairline, around the ears, and under the chin. He then will remove excess skin, tighten the SMAS (underlying tissue) and reposition the remaining skin on the face, so it appears tighter and smoother.
Target Area: Addresses the lower face and neck.
Recovery: A full facelift is a more invasive procedure, which means full recovery and healing will take about 4-6 weeks. However, you should be ready to go back to work and follow your regular daily routine at 1-2 weeks post-procedure.
Signs of Aging: Typically, people who are experiencing moderate to severe signs of aging including deep folds, loose neck skin, and jowls. A traditional facelift will assist in restoring a youthful appearance by reducing these concerns.
Results: The results of a traditional facelift can last up to 10-15 years, but your lifestyle, genetics, and age can impact the length of time your results last.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a less invasive procedure compared to a traditional facelift, and it will address the jawline and jowls. The incisions made with a mini facelift are smaller due to the smaller surface area Dr. Sanderson will be targeting. A mini facelift will help tighten the skin and underlying tissue on the lower third of the face.
Target Area: Addresses the jawline and jowls.
Recovery: A mini facelift is a less invasive procedure, so you can plan on waiting about 1-2 weeks to reach full recovery. However, we inform patients that they can begin engaging in their normal routine at about one-week post-procedure.
Signs of Aging: People who notice minimal signs of aging including sagging skin along the jawline, loose skin on the lower face, and minor skin laxity are usually ideal candidates for a mini facelift. We recommend mini facelifts to individuals who desire a refreshed appearance but don’t require an extensive procedure like a traditional facelift.
Results: The results of a mini facelift typically last 5-7 years, but this can vary from person to person.
Turn Back Time with a Facelift by Dr. Sanderson!
While mini and traditional facelifts each offer stunning, rejuvenating results, there are differences with these procedures in the specific areas they address, the invasiveness, downtime, and expectations with results. Regardless of which procedure sparks your interest, it’s essential to consult with Dr. Sanderson to determine which procedure aligns with your goals and needs. While a full facelift gives you a more dramatic transformation, you may just need a subtle enhancement which a mini facelift can achieve. If you are uncertain about which procedure would be a better fit for you, we can further discuss your specific questions and concerns at your consultation! We are located in Flower Mound, TX, and coming soon to Clearfork, TX!
