11 Feb And Just Like That, The Facelift Gets Even Easier
At Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, both the full facelift and mini facelift are available, but what’s the difference? Many people have never heard of the mini lift even though it’s been around for quite some time—but that all changed with episode 6 of the Sex and the City reboot. When Carrie Bradshaw went with friend Anthony for his facelift consultation, she was the one who garnered the surgeon’s attention. However, even at 55 years old, the fictional scenario recommended a mini lift for the show’s lead—not a full facelift. Botox and fillers were also suggested, as it’s often best to combine surgical and non-surgical treatments for optimal results. This left a lot of viewers wondering what exactly a mini facelift entails. It’s actually very much what it sounds like.
Also known as the short-scar facelift, this less aggressive surgery is ideal for patients who aren’t quite ready for a full facelift. It can also delay a full facelift by several years, yet still offers incredible results. In And Just Like That, the surgeon offered Carrie a virtual rendering of what her results would look like, promising that it would “erase” the last 15 years. “Oh, I remember her,” Carrie said when she saw the image that looked much like how we remember her from the original series. The results, while natural-looking and dramatic, are actually achievable with a lot less downtime than you would expect.
Facelift vs. Mini Facelift
The demand for mini facelifts has skyrocketed recently, particularly since the onset of the pandemic which has seen cosmetic surgery bookings increase overall. Everyone wants something that requires just local anesthesia and minimal downtime, and that’s what the mini facelift offers. The actual surgery for a mini lift, if no other surgeries are paired with it, generally takes about one hour. That is significantly shorter than full facelifts of yore. Following the local anesthesia, many patients are pleasantly surprised to find that all they require is an oral painkiller for maximum comfort. In many cases, patients are ready to head home just a few minutes post-op (though of course patients are under observation for the requisite amount of time to ensure safety).
A full facelift takes longer because, quite simply, it requires more incisions. The short-scar facelift earned its name because it needs less incisions to get that lifted look. Mini facelifts use very short, multiple incisions to elevate and tighten SMAS muscles in various directions. This means that the cheek isn’t simply lifted laterally to the side. Rather, there are stitches also directing the nasolabial fold at an angle while another elevates the platysma muscle in the neck. The SMAS muscles are often the ones that lead to signs of aging, and both a full lift and mini facelift can youth-ify these muscles.
What to Expect with a Mini Lift
You will see some results right after surgery, but bear in mind that swelling is very common. Full results can be gauged about one month after the surgery, though technically it will take a few months for “full recovery” to take place. However, most patients are given the go-ahead to return to less stressful tasks within one week of surgery, including sedentary activities like desk work. Full workouts are often approved within one month of surgery. The incisions for a mini lift are so small and expertly hidden that most patients feel comfortable hopping back on Zoom calls around one week after their surgery. Masks that do not touch or interfere with incisions, meaning they can be worn and do an excellent job of hiding any mild, post-operative swelling and healing.
Both full facelifts and mini lifts place incisions in areas that are easy to hide, such as in the ear crevice or deep in the hairline. This allows for a “ponytail facelift,” which means that patients feel confident putting their hair in a ponytail post-surgery knowing no incisions will be visible. Like a full facelift, most mini lifts inherently include a necklift, too. In fact, facelifts address the lower half of the face and the neck because these are two of the sites that first show signs of aging. In rare cases, “just” a necklift may be in order or a facelift or mini lift without the necklift.
Should You Get a Full Facelift or Mini Lift?
How can you tell if you’re a better candidate for a full facelift or mini lift? The only way to know is by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Parson. Everyone is different, so it’s impossible to assign the right lift to a person based on age alone. Schedule a facelift or mini lift soon, and you’ll be able to enjoy the full results in time for summer vacations. Get in touch with Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center today by calling the office at (480) 282-8386 or by completing the online contact form.