Do you notice common signs of aging, such as wrinkles and loose skin, developing as you grow older? Do you want to see significant improvement in your cosmetic concerns without the cost, risk, and recovery time associated with traditional facelift surgery? If so, the mini facelift Los Angeles could be the procedure you’ve been waiting for! This minimally invasive surgery is able to create a natural, long-lasting lift. We’re proud to offer this treatment option, along with other top-quality services, at the Kagan Institute In Los Angeles, CA.
What Is a Mini Facelift?
The mini facelift Los Angeles, also called an S-lift, is a less intensive, strategic surgical procedure designed to achieve maximum lift and long-lasting results in one simple appointment. The main goal of surgery is to completely rejuvenate the lower half of the face, including the lower midface, mouth area, chin, jawline, and neck. These areas often lose their definition as we age and can appear to be “dragged down” by gravity as our skin loses its natural collagen framework.
With this surgery, our professional team can recreate a younger-looking lift, recontour the jawline, and smooth the skin. This surgery involves a significantly shorter downtime than a traditional facelift and allows most patients to return to their normal activities more quickly.
There are several cosmetic concerns that can be addressed at one time during this surgery, including skin laxity, wrinkles, fine lines, and excess fat. In addition, the type of incision used is discreet, and no one will be able to tell that you had a procedure performed unless you choose to tell them. Best of all, patients experience a significant boost in self-esteem once they see their face and skin restored.
How Does It Work?
This procedure uses a small, S-shaped incision to tighten the skin and muscles and improve the appearance of common signs of aging. One of our talented doctors makes this incision in the skin right in front of your ears. This access point allows them to reposition the muscles, stretch and lift the skin, and remove excess pockets of fat from the target area in one easy step.
Once the incision is closed, you will see an instant improvement in your appearance. The lower third of your face will appear more youthful, wrinkles and lines will be significantly minimized, and you should feel more confident in our own skin.
Which Issues Can It Address?
As we age, the structural collagen protein that keeps our skin firm and smooth begins to break down. Our body naturally slows collagen production, which can lead to a sagging effect in the lower half of our faces. The mouth can appear downturned, the jawline can droop, the neck can develop wrinkles and sagging skin, and excess skin can lead to fine lines and folds throughout the target area. Overall, these concerns can make you look older and more tired than you really are.
A mini facelift Los Angeles can instantly transform your lower face. This includes tightening and smoothing the skin to erase wrinkles, repositioning the muscles to restore a lifted, youthful appearance, and removing excess skin and fat, which can give your face a “drooping” appearance over time. Thanks to this simple procedure, you can see improvement in these common concerns that lasts years.
What Are the Benefits?
This procedure comes with many benefits. Unlike the traditional facelift, there is no hair loss caused by the incision site. Most patients experience minimal scarring and can easily conceal the incision sites once they heal completely. A typical procedure lasts less than two hours and comes with minimal complications since everything is performed with a local anesthetic instead of general anesthesia.
Recovery takes just three to five days, making this procedure convenient for those with busy schedules. Best of all, the final results look completely natural and enhance your features.
How Does It Compare to a Traditional Facelift?
Traditional Lift
Facelift surgery is still considered the longest-lasting solution to moderate to severe aging concerns, including loose skin, wrinkles, lines, and folds. However, a traditional facelift is much more intensive than this procedure and is not ideal for every patient.
Even when performed by a skilled and experienced doctor, a traditional facelift comes with risks related to the general anesthesia, number and location of incisions, and long recovery time. In addition, it is more expensive than other facelift options.
The Mini
The mini facelift Los Angeles targets the lower half of the face, which means that it may not be ideal for those who wish to see their forehead, eye area, or temples improves through surgery. However, this procedure comes with far fewer risks and is more cost-effective than a traditional facelift. Results are instant, and recovery takes less than a week for most patients.
The incisions do not cause hair loss, which can be a side effect of a traditional procedure, and most scars heal to be barely visible. Finally, results can be easily enhanced with follow-up procedures or anti-aging treatments to maintain your ideal image.
How Long Can Mini Facelift Results Last?
As a less invasive surgery, this facelift surgery offers results that can last between two and six years for most patients. A traditional facelift, on the other hand, can last 10-15 years. However, there are many ways to enhance and maintain your results without pursuing a full facelift.
Many patients combine this procedure with anti-aging treatments such as dermal fillers, neuromodulators, or rejuvenating skincare facials to encourage new collagen production and prolong their results. This can be an effective way to avoid major facelift surgery and see attractive, long-lasting results.
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
If you are a man or woman who wishes to see common signs of aging improved without major and expensive surgery, this facelift could be right for you! A perfect candidate is generally healthy, has mild to moderate skin laxity in the lower half of the face and neck, and has informed, realistic expectations for this surgery. While most of our patients are over 40, younger patients find great success in addressing early signs of aging, which can begin developing in the early to mid-20s.
This procedure may not be ideal for patients who have some medical conditions, including bleeding disorders, which could interact negatively with surgery. In addition, those with known allergies to local anesthetics may not be ideal candidates. This procedure is not ideal for those who have severe skin laxity or large amounts of fat in the target area.
Finally, this procedure is not able to effectively improve the upper half of the face, which may be successfully treated with one of our other services. One of our doctors can answer any questions you have about your candidacy during an initial consultation.
What Should I Expect?
Consultation
The first step is to sit down with one of our skilled doctors for an initial consultation. This appointment allows us to examine your areas of concern, review your medical history, and determine whether this procedure is right for you.
You’ll be able to ask any questions you may have, and our doctor will explain what you should expect at each stage of the process. Once you’re approved for surgery, your doctor will give you a detailed list of preparation instructions, which you should follow carefully to ensure optimal results.
Procedure
On the day of your procedure, we recommend that you avoid wearing any makeup or other skincare products in the target area. You should also plan to bring a friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure is finished. Your doctor will administer local anesthesia to ensure your comfort, then begin the surgery by making two small, S-shaped incisions directly in front of each ear.
Once the skin is lifted, your doctor will strategically lift and tighten the muscles under the skin, using liposuction to remove excess fat and trimming the skin to create a tighter, firmer finish. A typical procedure takes just 90 minutes to two hours in total. Your doctor will close the incision sites with small sutures and bandage your skin to protect the area as it heals.
You will be able to see an immediate improvement in your skin and face thanks to the instant lift. However, your final results will appear over the next several weeks as your skin heals and swelling decreases. Once you are finished, you can return home to recover.
Recovery
Over the first 24-48 hours, you may experience some tenderness and mild tightness in your skin. This is a normal part of the healing process and will subside steadily in the first few days. You should plan to rest and avoid any strenuous activity for three to five days.
Keep the incision sites clean and avoid any skincare products which could irritate the treated area until your doctor gives you permission to apply products. Most patients can return to work within three to five days. However, you should plan to continue avoiding exercise or strenuous activity for at least two weeks to promote healing.
Results
Your final results will continue to develop as your muscles and skin heal over the first one to two months. Swelling should decrease within the first several days, giving you a good view of your fresh new look. You should notice that wrinkles, lines, and folds in the lower half of the face are greatly minimized or erased completely. Your face should appear slimmer and more toned due to the removal of excess fat, and you should have a more lited, youthful appearance due to the repositioning of your muscles.
In addition, your neck and jawline should appear smoother and more defined thanks to the removal of excess skin. The incision sites will continue to fade for up to a year after surgery. After this point, most patients experience results lasting two to six years with proper maintenance. This includes avoiding harmful sun exposure, which can accelerate certain side effects of aging and cause other skin concerns like skin cancer.
Your doctor can suggest combination treatments that can enhance and prolong your results. After two to six years, you will notice some deterioration in your results as the aging process continues. At this point, many patients return for a follow-up procedure to maintain their ideal image.
Contact Us to Learn More!
While aging is a natural process, you don’t need to live with its side effects. Say goodbye to wrinkles, lines, and loose skin and restore the lower half of your face and neck with a Los Angeles mini facelift! To learn more about this transformative surgery, contact our team of experts at the Kagan Institute in Los Angeles, CA to schedule an initial consultation today! We look forward to serving you at one of our two office locations.
