Not all facelift procedures require the full incision along the hairline. Learn about some of the less invasive options for patients who have smaller problem areas.
Many patients who are considering a facelift balk at their decision due to the extensive incision required for the traditional procedure. While a skilled surgeon can help limit the appearance of this incision,
it is still there and will leave a scar, create pain, and otherwise be noticeable to the patient. If the damage to the skin on the face is less extensive or confined to certain areas, less invasive options are available.
Mini-Lift
The mini-lift, sometimes called the weekend lift, uses a small incision along the hairline by the sideburn area and around the ear. Through this incision, the doctor tightens the skin and connective tissue underneath, removing excess skin, and overall tightening the jowls and loose neck skin. The results may not be as dramatic as a traditional facelift, but for patients whose primary areas of concern are the neck and jowls, it creates a significant change. It also requires minimal down time, and gets its nickname of the "weekend lift" because patients can have the procedure on a Thursday or Friday and be back at work on Monday.
S-Lift
The S-Lift is similar to the mini-lift and also works to smooth the neck and jowls. The incision is even smaller than the mini-lift, occurring at the hairline near the sideburns and in front of the ear. Again, the surgeon enters through the incision to tighten the muscles and connective tissue underneath the skin, creating the improved appearance.
Mid-Facelift
The mid lift has several tiny incisions. One is made at the hairline above the ear, another is made under the eye, and one is made inside the mouth. These incision sites allow the doctor to pull the fat pads in the cheeks back where they belong over the cheekbones while tightening all of the sagging skin in the cheeks. To aid in this, the surgeon will use an endoscope camera to see what he is doing.
Eyelift
An eyelift is a lift performed on the eyelids. It can improve the look of bags under the eyes as well as sagging upper eyelids and eyebrows. For some, it is a cosmetic procedure, but for those who have enough sagging skin to impair their vision, it can be medically necessary. The incisions are typically made on the outside of the eyelid and follow the lines of the eye to help hide the scars. A scarless option involves making the incisions on the inside of the eyelid, but this is more risky and is not as common.
Brow Lift
A final option for those considering a targeted facelift procedure is a brow lift. This procedure targets the frown lines in the forehead. It involves smaller incisions that the doctor uses to remove muscle and release the tissue that creates those deep creases.
Whether you choose a traditional facelift or one of these modified options, the surgery will provide you with the chance to regain your youthfulness, turn back the clock of aging, and rid yourself of deep lines and sagging skin in all areas of your face.
