As we age, our skin loses elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging. For some people, the signs of aging can be a significant source of insecurity. If you’re troubled by the effects of aging on your appearance, you may be considering a facelift as a solution.
A facelift can restore a more youthful appearance by tightening and lifting the skin and underlying muscles. However, with different facelift procedures available, such as the deep-plane and mini facelifts, it’s essential to understand the differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Follow these 4 steps to make a more informed decision about your procedure.
1. Understand the Differences Between Facelift Techniques
Two common types of facelifts are the full facelift and the mini facelift.
Full Facelift
Generally speaking, two techniques are used in performing full facelifts—the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) technique and the deep-plane technique. Each is an aesthetic advancement over the traditional facelift.
What is a deep-plane facelift? In our practice, we feel that the deep-plane technique produces superior results over SMAS. The deep-plane approach enables us to reposition and tighten the facial musculature and fatty tissue into a more youthful position while avoiding an unnatural-looking stretched or pulled look.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is similar to a full facelift, but it produces more minor adjustments focused on the neck and midface. We use smaller incisions with a mini facelift, typically hidden behind the ear.
Your surgeon can evaluate your face and skin and help you determine which type is best for you—a full facelift or a mini facelift. At TLKM Plastic Surgery, we regularly perform fat transfer to restore youthful volume to the face and enhance our patients’ facelift results.
2. Think About Your Needs and Goals
Next, consider what you want to achieve with the procedure.
If your face shows advanced signs of aging and you’re seeking significant improvement, a deep-plane facelift is likely your best option. However, a mini facelift may be ideal if you need only minor corrections or if you’re considering surgery to maintain the results of a previous facelift.
3. Know the Incision Types
Facelift incisions vary by procedure:
- Deep-plane facelifts involve an incision that begins in the hairline at the temple and ends behind the ear. We place the incisions so your hair and face contours can conceal them.
- A mini facelift requires shorter incisions, which trace the bottom part of the ear to the area behind it and are typically entirely hidden.
4. Consider Surgeon Experience and Credentials
Choosing the right surgeon may be the most critical factor in achieving your desired results. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience with the facelift technique you’re considering. Ask to see before-and-after photos of previous facelift patients to evaluate their work and aesthetic approach.
Request a Consultation
If you’re interested in speaking with renowned, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe or Dr. Sammy Sinno about your facelift options, call our Chicago office today at (312) 788-2560 or request a consultation.
Browse the before-and-after facelift/mini facelift galleries of Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno to see the results of previous facelift patients.
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