Mini Facelift

Dr. Pirani’s innovative short-scar deep plane facelift (mini facelift) allows him to improve both facial and neck contours without the need for an extra scar in the neck or under the chin. Dr. Pirani is considered a Top Toronto Facelift surgeon and has been awarded the Top Choice Award for Plastic Surgery Clinic of 2023 and 2022. Our clinic has also been named The Toronto Star Reader’s Choice Award winner for Cosmetic Surgery Services.

Introduction to the Mini Facelift (Short Scar Facelift)

A traditional facelift is designed to address the signs of aging in the face and neck. This is usually done with an incision that can extend quite far behind the ear and into the hairline in addition to a scar below the chin. Dr. Pirani is often able to achieve similar improvements with a shorter scar around the ear that doesn’t extend down the neck or involve an incision under the chin. This is often achieved in combination with deep plane facelift techniques. Extensive expertise and experience is required to achieve traditional facelift results with a much shorter scar or mini-facelift. Through a smaller incision than a traditional facelift, Dr. Pirani is able to address the signs of aging in both the face and neck. This is associated with less bruising, discomfort, and faster recovery times than a traditional facelift.

Who is a good candidate for a mini-facelift (short scar facelift)?

Most candidates for a traditional facelift are also candidates for a mini-facelift or short scar facelift. Patients who have a lot of skin redundancy or sagging neck skin sometimes require a traditional facelift to address this excess skin. This is common in patients that have undergone massive weight loss, such as after bariatric surgery or use of weight loss medications (eg. Ozempic / semaglutide).

What improvements can I expect from a mini-facelift (short scar facelift)?

In general, patients can expect similar improvements in the face as with a traditional facelift. Neck improvements can also be dramatic but there is improved longevity of these results with the addition of an incision under the chin. Specifically, patients can expect:

• A tightening of sagging excess skin
• A more youthful facial shape and contour
• Improved neck contours with reduced skin and/or fat excess
• Improved cheek contours
• Jowl improvement with a more youthful and smooth jawline
• Softening of marionette and nasolabial fold lines
• Natural results that don’t look “done” or wind-swept

How is a mini-facelift (short scar facelift) performed by Dr. Pirani?

The term “mini-facelift” is not a universal term and it means different things to different surgeons. For some surgeons, a “mini-facelift” refers to a procedure that involves very limited dissection and surgical plane elevation and ultimately often results in limited results and limited longevity of those results. For Dr. Pirani, he is still performing a full facelift that includes the principal steps of a deep plane facelift but is doing this through a shorter incision than in a traditional facelift.

The scar one should expect from Dr. Pirani’s mini facelift technique is a short scar which begins in front of the ear in the hairline area and extends behind the front of the ear and then around the earlobe to end just behind ear.

Dr. Pirani will usually combine facial fat grafting and liposuction techniques with a mini-facelift in order to achieve the best possible results. Dr. Pirani’s approach is innovative and effective. It provides excellent results with minimal scarring.

Recovery after a Mini-facelift

After your mini-facelift, Dr. Pirani will usually have you stay overnight in our accredited surgical facility. You will be attended to by 2 nurses during your stay. These nurses will make sure that you’re safe and comfortable. Dr. Pirani will see you the next morning to change your dressings and make sure that you’re doing well. Initially, there may be some bruising and swelling present, but this usually resolves over a few days to weeks. Most people will return to work within 7-10 days after a mini-facelift.

The Mini-facelift Consultation

There is a large amount of information to review during a mini-facelift consultation. Dr. Pirani will usually spend approximately 30 minutes with you during this initial consultation to go over all of the surgical details and options prior to creating a custom surgical plan for you that addresses all of your concerns and goals. He will go over risks and complications and give you an idea of what you should expect in terms of results and recovery. Dr. Pirani usually meets with patients at least twice before surgery.

The Difference Between A Mini And Full Facelift

Full Facelift

Let’s start with a look at what a full facelift is. A full facelift is a surgical procedure that is used to help improve age-related changes that have appeared through your mid to lower face. With a full facelift, you can anticipate:

• Reduced jowls with jaw line contour improvements
• Improved neck contours with reduced skin and/or fat excess
• Reduced appearance of neck bands
• Lifted and/or improved midface (cheeks)
• Reduced appearance of nasolabial and marionette lines
• Natural results that don’t look “done” or wind-swept

The procedure can take a couple of hours depending on your individual needs. This is a good procedure for patients who are unhappy with their neck and jaw line area, including jowls and facial sagging.

A full facelift is more involved than a mini facelift, including cost, procedure time, and recovery time. The results however, are more long-lasting and can give you bigger results than you would get from a mini facelift.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift is also a type of cosmetic surgery, but it is an alternative to a full facelift. There are smaller incisions made, so the scarring will be kept to a minimum. For a mini facelift, you can anticipate:

• Reduced jowls with jaw line contour improvements
• Improved neck contours with reduced skin and/or fat excess
• Reduced appearance of neck bands (less longevity of results compared to a full facelift)
• Lifted and/or improved midface (cheeks)
• Reduced appearance of nasolabial and marionette lines
• Natural results that don’t look “done” or wind-swept
• Quicker recovery time

Not as invasive as a full facelift, mini facelifts are a shorter procedure that have a quicker recovery time. This is because they are less aggressive when compared to a full facelift. There is also less scarring with a mini facelift, though if you are seeing an experienced surgeon like Dr. Pirani, there should be minimal scars with a full facelift as well.

While it might seem like mini facelifts are the better option between the two procedures, they are not ideal for everyone.

Which Is The Right Choice For You?

Before you settle on one facelift over another, you have to remember that you might not be a candidate for that type of facelift. Both are surgical procedures, but they serve different purposes and might not be ideal for you.

Mini facelifts are usually used for patients under the age of 50 when skin laxity and neck bands usually aren’t as prominent. Once you have hit your late 30’s to early 40’s, the signs of mild sagging will begin to appear around the mid-face region. In order to combat these initial signs, a mini facelift may be a great idea. At this age, most patients have not developed a lot of skin laxity that causes saggy, loose skin.

For patients who are older than 50, a full facelift is usually the way to go. The skin naturally loses laxity over time, which will mean that there is more excess or saggy skin to deal with. Jowls will also naturally be more prominent at this age. Prominent neck bands are usually best addressed with a traditional facelift that includes an incision under the chin as this is associated with improved longevity of results.

Age is not as critical as your individual anatomy and goals. Dr. Pirani can help you find the solution that best addresses your specific needs.

What Is The Next Step?

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover how the Mini Facelift can enhance your natural beauty, providing a transformation that leaves a lasting impression. Unveil a more radiant you with Dr. Pirani’s expertise and commitment to excellence. Reach out to our office now. You can call us at 416.360.8772 or email us at info@drpirani.com or complete our Contact Form.