Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift: Which is Right for You?
It’s only natural to want to look and feel your best, which is why so many people, both men and women, decide to take steps to reduce the signs of ageing. The face and neck are the two areas where our ageing is most visible, but there are steps you can take to effectively turn back the clock.
A facelift (rhytidectomy) reduces the visible signs of ageing, such as sagging skin and wrinkles, to give patients a naturally fresher, firmer and younger-looking appearance. In fact, in terms of results, it is one of the most dramatic of all cosmetic procedures.
However, there’s not just a single facelift procedure. There are several different types of facelifts that surgeons can perform. The two most common procedures are the full facelift, also known as a traditional facelift, and a mini facelift.
In this article, we discuss what the full facelift and mini facelift procedures involve, the areas they target, the recovery time and the associated costs to help you find the right fit.
What is the difference between a full facelift and mini facelift?
When it comes to a full facelift vs. a mini facelift, the main differences lie in the areas they target and the level of surgical intervention.
Full facelift
A full facelift is a procedure that addresses the signs of ageing across the lower two-thirds of the face, including the midface, lower face, jowls and neck. People often assume that a full facelift also targets the forehead, eyebrows and upper eyelids, but that requires a separate procedure called a brow lift. That said, a full facelift can be customised to include a brow lift if you wish.
A full facelift is a more invasive procedure than a mini facelift, involving longer incisions and more extensive surgery, including the manipulation of deeper lying tissues and the removal of excess skin. That leads to more dramatic and longer-lasting results for those with more significant signs of ageing.
Mini facelift
A mini facelift is a procedure that generally targets the lower third of the face, primarily the cheeks and jowls. In this case, the surgeon focuses more on the superficial tissues rather than the deeper facial muscles. They also remove excess skin to address sagging and wrinkles, although they typically remove less skin than in a full facelift.
Although the results are more subtle and less dramatic, they last around five years and still deliver a significant improvement. The incisions are also far shorter, running from the temples down to the natural crease of the ear. The procedure is also less invasive, resulting in less time off work and a shorter recovery period.
Read more: Facelift guide: types of facelifts, costs and recovery
Mini facelift vs. full facelift – factors to consider
Determining whether a full facelift or mini facelift is the most appropriate treatment is something your surgeon can help you with during your initial consultation. They will examine your face, discuss your goals and concerns, and provide realistic expectations for the results of each procedure. That often includes looking at before-and-after images of previous patients.
However, we can also give you an idea of the factors to consider now to help you decide which procedure might be more suitable.
How old you are and the extent of ageing
Mini facelifts are better suited to younger patients with mild to moderate signs of ageing. That typically includes patients aged between 30 and 50 with mild sagging in the mid-face and jowls, but without loose skin hanging along the jawline or neck.
Full facelifts, on the other hand, are a better fit for older patients, typically those aged between 40 and 70, with more significant visible ageing. Patients usually have jowling, deep wrinkles and sagging skin around the neck and jawline.
The desired result
Mini facelifts deliver a natural-looking, subtle result with an overall improvement in skin sagging and tone in the lower third of the face. As well as being less dramatic, the results may not last as long as a full facelift due to the failure to address the underlying facial muscles.
Full facelifts provide a more dramatic change to the lower two-thirds of the face. Patients will see a significant improvement in the sagging skin in the lower face and neck, deep creases between the nose and mouth, drooping cheeks, definition around the jawline and vertical neck bands. The lifting and tightening of deep-lying facial tissues ensures a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation that typically lasts longer.
The cost
As with any cosmetic procedure, the cost of a full or mini facelift is a crucial factor in your decision. At Enhance Medical, you pay £6,295 for a mini facelift and £7,295 for a full facelift. That price includes comprehensive aftercare, a full warranty and everything you need for a smooth experience from start to finish.
The downtime
The downtime after either of these procedures is another important consideration. Most patients have two to three weeks off work after a facelift to allow for proper healing and recovery. As a mini facelift is less invasive, most patients can return to work after a week, and needless to say, that’s often a lot easier to manage and arrange.
Full and mini facelift recovery times
Before going ahead with either of these procedures, it’s wise to have some idea of what the recovery process will look like, when the swelling will subside and when you can expect to see the full results of the surgery.
Mini facelift recovery timeline
We usually perform mini facelifts using general anaesthetic, and the procedure lasts around two hours. You will be able to go home on the same day, although you will need a friend or family member to drive you.
In the first few days after the procedure, you can expect to feel some mild pain and discomfort. We will prescribe you medication to help you manage it. There will also be some swelling and bruising, which will mostly subside over the first two weeks. If you have a desk job, you should be able to return to it after one week.
For the first two weeks, you should avoid strenuous activity and bending over. After that, you can resume your usual exercise regime. The bruising and swelling will continue to fade over the next few weeks. However, it can take several months for the residual swelling to disappear completely and for you to see the full results of the procedure.
Full facelift recovery timeline
Full facelifts are more extensive and invasive procedures. They typically take two to three hours and are usually performed under general anaesthetic. Again, you will usually be able to go home on the same day and you will need someone to drive you.
The pain and discomfort in the first few days will typically be worse than after a mini facelift, and the swelling and bruising will be more noticeable. If you have a desk job, most patients take between 10 days and two weeks off work. Those with physically demanding roles may need to take three weeks or more.
You can return to normal activities around four weeks after surgery. By that point, most of the swelling will have subsided; however, slight swelling may persist in areas that have undergone surgery for up to one year. You’ll typically see the full results of the procedure after six to nine months.
Does a mini or full facelift target the neck?
One question we’re often asked is whether a mini or full facelift targets the neck. Loose and sagging skin on the neck is a common concern, with horizontal lines sometimes appearing as early as the 30s and then developing with age.
In a full facelift, the surgeon will remove sagging skin in the lower face and neck to create a smoother, tauter appearance. They’ll also remove or reposition fat deposits, such as a double chin, to improve the neck’s contour, and tighten the underlying neck muscles to create a lifted appearance and more defined jawline.
The focus of a mini facelift is on the lower face and jowls. It doesn’t directly address the neck area with tissue manipulation or excess skin removal. Therefore, if neck lines or sagging skin are a concern for you, and you have other signs of facial ageing that you want to improve, a full facelift is likely to be the most appropriate procedure.
Get a safe, high-quality and affordable facelift at Enhance Medical
At Enhance Medical, our surgeons, patient coordinators and nursing team help you prepare for your procedure and ensure you have a smooth and comfortable recovery. Find out more about our breast surgery procedures, including what a typical breast augmentation recovery and breast reduction recovery look like, and book a free consultation to start your journey.