Mini-Lift

With age, the face increasingly appears more “marked”: the skin dehydrates, thins, loses its suppleness and elasticity; muscles slacken, the facial contours lose their firmness, and folds form, especially between the nose and mouth. This phenomenon is accelerated by factors such as prolonged sun exposure, smoking, or misuse of makeup products.

Cosmetic surgery techniques offer solutions.

Facelift surgery is perhaps the most symbolic act of cosmetic surgery. This term encompasses a wide variety of interventions and allows for multiple corrections, offering a natural result. The features and expressions of the face are preserved. Among the variety of techniques currently offered, the mini facelift (so-called for its mini scars, not its results!) produces results that rejuvenate the lower face. It is now the most commonly used procedure to treat sagging tissues: deep folds, wrinkles, and fine lines can be significantly reduced with a facelift.

How is the operation performed?

This technique requires a single incision that starts in front of the ear and ends behind it (in the retroauricular fold). The subcutaneous tissues are tightened, and the excess skin is removed. It lasts about two hours and is performed under local anesthesia. The head must then be protected for 24 hours with a bandage to prevent the formation of effusions. The patient goes home the same day of the operation. Any swelling of the skin disappears spontaneously after a week, but normal activities can be resumed the day after the operation. Of course, a facelift cannot stop the skin aging process, and it is sometimes combined with a peel (laser CO2 resurfacing or other). Today, the effect of a facelift is estimated to last between 6 and 10 years on average, provided a good lifestyle is maintained.

Which areas can be treated?

The above-described treatment concerns the lower face and mainly the restructuring of the facial oval.

What are the indications for this “mini-lift”?

Sagging of the face due to aging related to age, primarily muscle and skin slackening.

When can you return to work?

Quickly, that is, one or two days after the operation, knowing that bruises will be visible, there may be swelling, and the sutures will be removed in front of the ear one week after the operation and behind the ear two weeks later.

What precautions should be taken in the sun?

As with any surgery, scars cannot be exposed to the sun in the months following the operation.

What are the results?

Today, the effect of a facelift is estimated to last between 6 and 10 years on average, provided a good lifestyle is maintained.

Are there any contraindications?

As before any surgery, a complete medical history should be taken into account, including the patient’s medical history, medications taken, etc.

PHOTOS

Photos of treatment results can be found on many websites, but their presence is now condemned by the Medical Order and Belgian law. This is why we do not show them here. However, it is legitimate for you to obtain personalized information on the topics that concern you. During your consultation, many photos will be shown to you so that you can judge and appreciate the results.

If you wish for explanations and details about your specific case, come meet us for a consultation.