PROCEDURE
Mini Facelift
The mini facelift might be the ideal solution for individuals seeking to address the early signs of ageing. Over time, and often against your will, you might notice the emergence of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet around the eyes, which can make the face appear tired or older than it truly is.
This specialised approach to revitalising the lower face and jawline with a mini lower facelift is often preferred by people who are finding it a challenge to cope with the consequences of ageing. Unlike traditional facelifts which often address the full face and neck, the mini facelift, also known as the short scar facelift, is tailored specifically to refresh the areas below the cheeks. This innovative facelift procedure eliminates excess skin, refines the contours of your face, and combats sagging, all with less downtime than its full facelift counterpart.
Book your consultation for a mini facelift in London.
Find Your Youthful Transformation
Ideal for individuals in their 40s to 60s, the mini facelift in London is a popular choice for those seeking to recapture their youth. A lower facelift is a procedure for addressing wrinkles and slackened skin in the lower face, while still preserving the essence of your unique features. The best part is that it brings out all the benefits of a traditional facelift without the burden of the side effects and downtime that come with general anaesthesia and more invasive incisions.
At a glance
Procedure Length:
Typically 0.5-2 hours.
Cost:
Starting at £8,000.
Hospital Stay:
Usually an outpatient procedure.
Anaesthesia:
Typically administered under local anaesthesia.
Downtime:
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days.
Sleeping:
Sleep with your head elevated and avoid sleeping on your side for the first few days.
Showering:
Wait at least 48 hours post-surgery before showering. Avoid direct water pressure on the surgical area.
Smoking and drinking:
Refrain from smoking and alcohol before and after the procedure.
Sun:
Avoid direct sun exposure. Use a high SPF when outdoors.
Makeup:
Refrain from using makeup on the surgical area for at least 1 week.
Driving:
Avoid driving for at least 1 week post-operation or until off pain medications.
Kshem Yapa For Mini Facelift
Award-winning surgeon Kshem Yapa is trained in every facet of cosmetic surgery, with a focus on cutting-edge rejuvenation methods like ultrasonic rhinoplasty and deep plane facelifts. A mini facelift surgeon with over 15 years of experience, Mr Yapa specialises in facial rejuvenation techniques, revitalising your skin and taking you back to a more youthful look whilst maintaining your natural beauty and features.
Mr Yapa is well qualified to perform these procedures because, among other associations, he is a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). He boasts amazing feedback from his patients, with an extensive track record of restoring patients confidence in their appearance. Mr Yapa has also been featured on the Channel 4 documentary “Emergency”, restoring facial appearances of trauma patients, helping them regain their confidence and to get back to their lives.
Ideal Candidates for Mini Facelifts in London
There are many reasons why a patient can be a good candidate for a mini facelift, which come down to a variety of factors. Defined facial features that are not hindered by excess skin and wrinkles is desired by many, but with this, many patients worry about the notion of undergoing a complete facelift. Patients who are experiencing such symptoms may be eligible for the mini facelift procedure in London.
As we age we naturally get more wrinkles, which can lower our confidence and self esteem. Mini facelifts can remove any clear signs of ageing and make you feel at your best once again. This procedure is also ideal for younger patients without loose skin, and older patients who are looking for a less invasive procedure while maintaining effective results.
Benefits of a Mini Facelift
Mini facelifts can completely transform your appearance and improve your self-confidence. It’s important to understand all the benefits of this procedure to help you decide whether undergoing the surgery is the best option for you. Let’s explore some of these mini facelift benefits:
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No Need for General Anesthesia:
One of the common concerns patients have is undergoing general anaesthesia. The mini facelift can be efficiently carried out using local anaesthesia and sedation, offering patients both safety and convenience. You’re fully alert post-procedure, meaning there’s minimal interruption to your day-to-day activities.
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Quick Recovery:
Due to its targeted approach, addressing only the layer beneath the skin, the mini facelift offers a swift and more comfortable recovery. This less invasive method, complemented by local anaesthesia, results in decreased bruising, swelling, and discomfort, allowing patients to bounce back faster.
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Minimal Scarring:
The mini facelift requires shorter incisions, strategically placed along the hairline and around the ears, camouflaging them within the face’s natural lines. With attentive post-operative care, scars often become barely noticeable.
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Impressive and Natural Results:
The term “mini” might be in its name, but its effects are anything but minimal. Ideal for those experiencing mild to moderate signs of ageing, the mini facelift can, in part, reverse the effects of time on the skin, restoring a naturally youthful appearance to the face.
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Tailored to Your Needs:
Recognising that every individual’s ageing journey is unique, Kshem Yapa is a mini facelift surgeon that can tailor the procedure to address specific concerns. Whether it’s skin laxity, a less-defined jawline, or wrinkles on the face’s lower third, this procedure can be adapted to cater to pretty much anything you may be unhappy with.
Mini Facelift Procedure Steps
Mini facelift offers a subtler enhancement than the more invasive deep plane facelift and it remains an effective choice for addressing signs of ageing in the face and neck areas. Due to the smaller incision required for a mini facelift, there’s a beneficial focus on rejuvenating the jowls and cheek areas, which also means fewer potential complications and a quicker recovery period.
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Making Precise Incisions
Strategic incisions are made, typically concealed around the ears. These incisions are designed to minimise visible scarring and provide Kshem Yapa access to underlying tissues. Unlike traditional facelifts where incisions may extend into the hair regions, the mini facelift’s incisions often stop at the natural crease behind the ear. Four main surgical steps are performed during a mini facelift procedure.
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Addressing the SMAS Layer
The superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), a layer beneath the skin, plays a vital role in achieving enduring results in facelifts. After making the necessary incision, Kshem Yapa will proceed to elevate the SMAS muscle. Depending on your goals and requirements, as well as Mr Yapa’s assessment, the lifted SMAS may either be imbricated or plicated.
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Skin Trimming and Tightening
After adjusting the underlying tissues, any excess skin is trimmed away. The remaining skin is then smoothly repositioned and tightened, effectively diminishing wrinkles and sagging.
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Optional Submental Access
For those requiring attention in the submental (under the chin) area, a small incision can be made. This allows for liposuction or other treatments to refine the contour of the neck and jawline.
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Suturing and Closure
Once the desired adjustments are made, Mr Yapa uses sutures to close the incisions. These sutures not only hold the newly tightened skin in place but are also positioned to ensure scars heal inconspicuously within the face’s natural lines.
Mini Facelift Treatment Combinations
Patients often enquire regarding recommended combination treatments for the mini facelift. Incorporating these other rejuvenation procedures into your mini facelift can provide an improved facial aesthetic, as well as tailoring the procedure to your individual needs. Patients must meet criteria to qualify for combination treatments, as not all procedures may be performed at once to prioritise safety. The most common procedures that are combined with a mini facelift include:
Neck Lift
The most common procedure that is combined with a mini facelift is a neck lift, as this will give you the most even look and enhance your youthful appearance. A mini facelift alone can sometimes create an imbalance between your face and neck so it is recommended to combine these procedures.
Facial Fat Grafting
While a mini facelift can decrease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, it can’t eliminate the fat deposits in the face or address volume loss completely. Adding facial fat grafting as part of your procedure can help you better create a desirable, youthful look.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
The eyes can be considered one of the most important features of the face. Often, signs of ageing can be most prominent here due to collagen and elasticity loss. Combining a mini facelift with a lower eyelid surgery can create complete facial harmony and help eliminate prominent eye wrinkles for good.
Risks and Complications
Every surgical procedure, including the mini facelift, comes with inherent risks and potential side effects. Kshem Yapa goes above and beyond to ensure the utmost safety for all of his patients, but unfortunately risk cannot be reduced to zero despite all the best-practice guidelines he follows. Proper consultation and commitment to recommended care practices are vital for ensuring both a safe procedure and a satisfactory outcome. Here’s what you should be aware of:
Surgical wounds, especially in smokers, may sometimes become infected. Adhering to pre-surgery guidelines, like refraining from smoking, can help reduce this risk.
Some patients might experience complications with wound healing, leading to scars that might be more noticeable than usual. This complication is often more prevalent among smokers.
A rare but significant concern is the potential damage to the facial nerve, which governs facial muscle movements. Such damage can influence muscle function and expressions.
Recovery
It’s completely normal to experience some bruising and swelling as your body heals following your procedure. However, the recovery period for a mini facelift, focusing on the lower face and neck, is notably shorter compared to a full facelift.
While recovery times can vary based on the procedure and how well you adhere to recovery guidance, most patients find themselves resuming their regular activities within 7–10 days. Moreover, the incisions from the surgery are strategically placed to be inconspicuous, ensuring a subtle and natural-looking enhancement.
The results following a mini facelift should last for around 5-10 years depending on UV exposure, skin care, and general health status throughout this time. While it’s uncommon for someone to opt for multiple facelift procedures within their lifetime, some patients might consider complementary treatments in the years to follow to maintain their youthful look.
24-Hour Response Team
You will have a direct phone line to our cosmetic nurse, who is available around-the-clock to help with any queries or worries you may have following your lower facelift in London. We support our patients through every stage of the process, from your initial consultation to recovery, as we recognise the worry that can come with having surgery.
Mini Facelift FAQs
For the mini facelift procedure, we encourage patients to get in touch with Kshem Yapa to ensure all advice is tailored to their unique circumstances. Please refer to the following FAQs for a general summary of some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding the mini facelift procedure:
The cost of a mini face lift will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the anaesthetic used and the surgical technique used. The cost of a mini facelift starts at £8,000. This cost includes anaesthetic, surgical expenses, post-operative care and more, that will be disclosed during your consultation. Complex procedures may also influence the cost of a mini facelift, and of course combination treatments will vary.
The results of a mini facelift will vary depending on the individual, but it will generally last from 5 to 10 years, with some patients experiencing even longer results. There are several factors that impact the longevity of results, such as your individual ageing process, sun exposure, smoking habits and lifestyle factors. Investing in your health is one of the best ways to maintain the results of a lower facelift. For example, maintaining a balanced diet can support healthy skin. Additionally, maintaining a good skincare routine can maintain your mini facelift results for longer, such as using SPF daily, moisturising and possibly attending to fine lines with anti-wrinkle treatments for a smooth appearance.
While a deep plane facelift may be better suited for older individuals with deeper wrinkles, jowls and crows feet, a mini facelift is targeted towards slightly younger individuals who want to eliminate smaller wrinkles with a less invasive procedure. The optimal age for a lower facelift is anywhere from 40 years of age. This is on average the age that more prominent signs of ageing begin to appear, such as wrinkles and sagging skin. We recommend consulting with your trusted surgeon to configure whether this treatment is right for you and to discuss all possible treatment options.
Following a consultation for the mini facelift procedure in London, you should have clarity regarding the surgical process in addition to the next steps. Kshem Yapa will have an in-depth understanding on your desired outcome, health background and more, which will all be factored into your bespoke treatment plan. Although you will be provided with individual instructions, there are some general guidelines that all patients should follow to prepare for a mini facelift:
Stop Smoking and Drinking: Smoke and alcohol consumption should be avoided 2 weeks before you undergo the procedure. This will help you evade any surgical risks and promote better healing for after your treatment.
Avoid Certain Medication: There are some medications that can increase risks during your mini facelift, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory tablets and herbal supplements. It’s best to avoid these on the lead up to your procedure.
Arrange Post-Operative Care: You might not be able to return to your daily routine straight away after the procedure, so it’s important to have a good plan in place to help with your recovery. Arranging at-home support to help you with some tasks might be necessary for a few days after your treatment.
Listen To Your Surgeon’s Advice: Following the advice provided by your surgeon should streamline the procedure. Kshem Yapa will offer you a comprehensive guide that can help with your preparation.
A traditional facelift focuses on rejuvenating the entire face, including the upper, mid, and lower half of the face, whereas a mini facelift will target the lower third of the face. One may consider the full facelift if there are clear signs of sagging and lack of elasticity across the entirety of the face.
On the other hand, lower facelifts are an inclusive option for those suffering with jowls and sagging prominent in the lower third of the face. With collagen and elasticity loss, the areas of our face with volume loss, or excess fat, start to droop faster. The mini facelift may be the most viable option if the lower third of the face has seen the most prominent effects of ageing, which also reduces the amount of incision sites required during surgery.
This will be discussed prior to your procedure to help you understand what areas of your face will be worked on. Mini facelifts in London are less invasive as it involves shortened incisions compared to a full facelift, which can significantly reduce recovery time. At Yapa Plastic Surgery, we have plenty of combination procedures available to give you a more youthful appearance and boost your confidence.
