What is the Difference Between a Mini Facelift, Facelift, or Lower Facelift?

A facelift is an operation that tightens the muscles in the lower face and makes them pull upwards to remove wrinkles and gain a more youthful appearance. 

As skin loses elasticity with age, procedures like facelifts become necessary to restore a youthful appearance.

It tightens the skin of the neck and chin, which droops over time with gravity. Additionally, facelift surgery can improve drooping around the mouth or lips. Three surgical techniques are the mini face lift, full facelift, and lower facelift.

A mini facelift is a less invasive option for younger patients with early signs of ageing. This mini facelift procedure involves shorter incisions and can effectively rejuvenate the middle part of the face while minimising recovery time, making it a popular choice for those seeking a subtle enhancement without drastic changes.

It can tighten the areas around the neck and chin and improves other facial spots, like drooping along mouth corners.

While the mini facelift is ideal for younger patients without loose skin, older patients looking for a less invasive procedure or those who want to avoid extensive surgery may also benefit from this type of facelift.

The mini facelift procedure is often suitable for younger patients seeking subtle enhancements, as it involves shorter incisions and effectively rejuvenates the middle part of the face while minimizing recovery time. The best candidate aged between 30 and 60. The procedure can be used for people of any age interested in rejuvenating their look without undergoing an extensive operation and more downtime.

A mini facelift can improve sagging in the lower face. As skin loses elasticity over time, multiple mini facelift procedures might be necessary to maintain results. However, because it is not as invasive as a full facelift, or deep plane facelift results are not as long-lasting. Patients may need more than one mini facelift if their skin continues to sag.

The procedure only takes a few hours unless you're having another procedure with it. Patients can go home the same day, and most resume routine activities within a week to 10 days. Most of the bruising and swelling will resolve in a few days. It can be concealed with makeup or a scarf.

Patients will notice a difference once the swelling goes away completely in a few weeks. The final result takes up to six months. How long it lasts depends on several factors, including how fast you age, how well you take care of yourself, and genetics. 

The price of a mini facelift will vary depending on a number of factors such as whether you incorporate an upper and lower eyelift or other procedures. Additionally, your Kensington Medical surgeon may suggest complimentary procedures to enhance the benefits of the mini-facelift, such as laser to rejuvenate your skin or fat transfer to add volume to the cheek area.

Click here for more information about the mini facelift at Kensington Medical. 

A full facelift tightens the entire face. As a result, it is more invasive than a mini facelift and requires more downtime.

The procedure takes 2 to 3 hours and involves removing excess skin and tightening muscles and tissues underneath. Patients may also benefit from an upper or lower eyelift to rejuvenate the eye area at the same time.

Full facelifts are ideal for patients who have more skin laxity or wrinkles in their face that you can't correct with a mini facelift. However, patients should be healthy enough to undergo the procedure. The average age of a full facelift is typically between 40 and 60. However, it can still benefit older patients in their 70s who want to improve their appearance.

The full facelift reduces wrinkles and improves definition in the face. Results are more apparent than with a mini facelift. Research shows it can make the face look about 12 years younger. Although the outcome won't last forever, it should last at least ten years and the face will age as within the normal ageing process. However, there is more downtime involved.

The recovery period for a full facelift typically lasts three to four weeks. Patients may need some months for the skin to recover completely. 

Patients can expect full results from a facelift in six months to a year after the procedure. However, redness and swelling around the eyes and cheeks will diminish sooner, about a week after surgery.

The cost of a facelift depends on the number of areas being treated. However, it will typically start from £7,500. Depending on any additional procedures you have with the full facelift, the price could increase. These may include a brow lift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, fat transfer, chin or double chin lift.

You can learn more about our full facelift procedure here.

A deep plane facelift or a smas facelift will also be consodered when you see one of our expert plastic surgeons. 

Contact Kensington Medical at 0204 551 4892 to book a consultation or to find out more information about what facelift is right for you. Our surgeons can discuss the different techniques and associated costs, along with your suitability. 

A lower facelift is an alternative to a full facelift that does not change the jawline or neck. This procedure tightens up the lower half of the face, creating a younger look for patients with sagging skin in this area.

The surgeon completes it under general anaesthesia. The procedure typically takes around three hours to complete, and patients can expect to stay in the hospital overnight. Results can be seen immediately following the surgery and it typically lasts up to five years.

Lower facelift surgery can be ideal for patients who have less skin laxity than what is involved with a full facelift. Most candidates for a lower facelift are between the ages of 40 and 70. However, patients under 40 may still benefit from the procedures if they're experiencing premature ageing. For the best results, individuals seeking surgery should be non-smokers, in good general health, and have realistic expectations about the outcome of cosmetic operations.

A lower facelift can lift sagging skin around the mouth, upper lip, nose, cheeks, and chin without affecting the jawline or neck. While results and downtime are faster, this procedure is not as thorough as a full facelift.

The lower facelift requires less recovery time than the full facelift. Most patients can expect to return to normal activities after about two weeks. It is possible that some swelling and bruising will persist for up to a month after surgery.

Patients should expect to wait at least three months before seeing the full results of a lower facelift. However, you can expect immediate changes in the appearance of your skin when the swelling and bruising go away in a week to ten days.

The type of facelift procedure you choose determines the level of scarring involved. The mini facelift offers minor scarring, but the effects are not as long-lasting. A full facelift will involve some scars. However, at Kensington Medical our expert plastic surgeons hide them in the skin's natural folds and creases. The lower facelift also offers minimal scarring, and like the other procedures, the incisions are carefully hidden from the naked eye.

Any surgery that involves anaesthesia comes with the risk of complications like nausea, vomiting, and infection. The most common side effect of facial rejuvenation is swelling, which can occur in the jawline, eyes, face, and neck. You may also experience bruising or bleeding. You'll need to avoid placing pressure on the skin in the treated areas for at least two weeks after surgery. 

Contact Kensington Medical to find out more or to book a consultation with one of our cosmetic surgeons to discuss what facelift is right for you. They will be happy to discuss the different techniques used for facelifts and the associated costs and guide you to the best option for you. 

At Kensington Medical our specialist facial Plastic Surgeons can help guide you in deciding what type of facelift is best for you. 

Get in touch to find out if you are suitable.