Face Minilift

 

WHAT IS A FACE MINILIFT?

A Face Minilift  refers to a surgical procedure which removes excess fat, tightens lax facial musculature and repositions skin. This procedure is used to improve the deep cheek folds, jowls and loose, sagging skin around the neck that come with age. The minilift technique is a modified version of the standard face lift. The minilift makes use of a smaller incision which can be designed to look like an “S” or a “G” design”. As a result of the smaller incision, scars can be more easily camouflaged and patients, because of less trauma, experience a faster recovery time. The best candidate for a minilift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Dr Harvey and Dr. Hardy would be happy to evaluate your particular goals to see if this procedure is appropriate for you.

WHAT IS THE COSMETIC DERMATOLOGIC SURGEON’S APPROACH TO THIS PROCEDURE?

The cosmetic dermatologic surgeon’s approach to face minilifting is one that considers the patients skin type... e.g., do they scar easily? bruise readily? or develop abnormal pigmentation with trauma? Care is taken to prevent these potential complications before they can occur. Fat removal and tissue tightening is carried out using a technique involving tumescent anesthesia , which was developed by dermatologic surgeons in the 1980’s . The anesthetic is administered locally into the treatment area of the neck and jowls. Tumescent solution contains a numbing ingredient and medication which minimizes bleeding. This advancement allows our patients to experience less bruising then that seen with conventional face-lift procedures



Face Minilift (above) performed by Dr. Harvey

WHERE IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED? WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS UTILIZED?

Our surgeons operate in our state of the art Medicare and AHCA approved surgery center. This is so we can enhance the safety of your procedure through monitoring your blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels. The procedure is usually performed using local anesthetic and IV sedation. You'll be awake but relaxed, and your face will be insensitive to pain. For those with more anxiety, general anesthesia can be utilized so that you will sleep through the operation.

 

Face Minilift (left) performed by Dr. Harvey

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RISKS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROCEDURE?

Complications are infrequent with face minilifting and when they occur are usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable. Complications that can occur include
hematoma formation (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary), infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Poor healing of the skin is most likely to affect smokers or diabetic patients. You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr Harvey and Dr Hardy’s advice both before and after your surgery (see instruction panel of this brochure).

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE? ARE THERE OTHER TREATMENTS WHICH CAN BE
SIMULTANEOUSLY USED TO IMPROVE MY APPEARANCE?

After your face minilift , you may have some mild swelling, bruising and numbness. This usually resolves in a few weeks. At the beginning, your face may look and feel rather strange. Your facial features may be distorted from the swelling and your facial movements may be slightly stiff. You may also be self-conscious about your scars. It is not unusual for you to feel disappointed and depressed for the first two weeks after surgery. By the third week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work 10 to 14 days after surgery. If you require it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains. Sometimes, Dr. Harvey and Dr. Hardy will simultaneously combine face minilfting with other treatments such as Botox™ or Noninvasive Laser (PDT) to additively improve the overall tone and texture of your facial skin and musculature.

If you have any questions, or wish to schedule a Face Minilift consultation, please call 
Ponte Vedra Dermatology & Aesthetic Surgery at (904) 285-7546 or email consultation@pvderm.com.