Facelift
Conveniently located to serve Minneapolis-St. Paul and Washington County
Restore a more lifted and youthful face and take 10 years off your perceived age with a surgical facelift or midface lift.
A surgical facelift consultation at our Eagan, Woodbury, and Vadnais Heights clinics can effectively address a number of concerns associated with facial aging. As we age, several factors contribute to our skin and face looking older. Years of environmental damage and strong facial expressions can cause deep lines in the skin. Natural bone and fat loss can lead to a gaunt appearance and excessive sagging of tissue due to lack of support.
Additionally, our skin loses its plump volume and becomes less resilient. The general shape of our face goes from being an uplifted heart shape to being more like an inverted triangle with heaviness and drooping along the jawline. In turn, we can appear much older than we feel.
A Facelift at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery
Formally known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is designed to improve the overall shape and youthfulness of your face while respecting your natural features and character. In general, a facelift will take 10 years off of your perceived age. Drs. Christopher Tolan and Garrett Griffin are both double-board certified ENT / Facial Plastic Surgeons, so you can be assured that you are in the best hands possible for this procedure.
One of the benefits of a surgical facelift is that there are several different kinds, which allows your physician to customize their approach to meet your individual needs. However, facelifts can generally be broken down into three types: SMAS lifts, deep plane lifts, and short-scar lifts. You and your physician will discuss at length which approach is best for you, your skin, and your expectations.
Regardless of which type of facelift is indicated for you, the primary goal of a rhytidectomy is to improve jowls and loose skin in the lower face and neck. In turn, a full facelift always includes a neck lift. This ensures that there is an overall rejuvenation to your appearance and not a noticeable break at the neckline. That said, there are additional procedures that can be performed that are more targeted to the neck if your main concern lies below the jawline.
When is the Right Time for Your Facelift?
Studies show that younger patients note higher satisfaction rates with their facelift procedure. This is partly because our skin quality is better in our 50s compared to our 70s. Skin is more resilient and heals more quickly as well. We encourage our patients to consider our facelift services at a younger age so that they may enjoy the benefits for many years to come!
The Midface Lift
Not all patients require a full facelift. In these cases, a “midface” lift may be more appropriate. This procedure is designed to recreate the youthful “apple” of the cheek and midface.
Just as in the case of full facelifts, there are many types of midface lifts, including open and endoscopic techniques, as well as an injectable dermal filler to reduce the appearance of any noticeable scarring. Again, you and your physician will discuss which option is best for you. This may include discussing options of injectables such as Juvederm® and/or Voluma® or fat grafting techniques to achieve your desired outcome.
Indications
- Sagging skin around the jawline
- Loose skin on the neck
- Jowls along with corners of the mouth
- Flattening of the cheek area
Benefits
- Smoothing and tightening of neckline
- Tightening of the jawline
- Lift to low face
- Smoothing of wrinkles
The Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a modified version of the traditional facelift. It is best suited for candidates who have less excess skin to be removed and are looking for a subtler degree of change.
The mini facelift specifically targets the lower half of the face (cheeks and jawline), reducing the appearance of wrinkles and tightening the skin for a more youthful appearance.
Many people choose to undergo a mini facelift procedure in conjunction with a brow lift or an eye lift to maximize the results.
The Miniface Lift Procedure
The procedure will begin with the administration of local anesthesia with sedation. In contrast, the full facelift is more likely to require general anesthesia, which comes with a greater chance of side effects like nausea.
After the anesthesia takes effect, small incisions will be made around the hairline and the ears. These incisions are shorter than those of a traditional facelift. The tissues present underneath the skin will then be lifted, and excess tissue will be removed. After the surgery is completed, incisions will be closed using sutures.
The Miniface Lift Recovery
Once the mini facelift has been performed, the patient will be sent home wearing dressings over their stitches. Drains may also be present. Dr. Tolan will remove drains and stitches during a follow-up appointment.
Even though it’s called a mini facelift, it is still major cosmetic surgery. Because of this, recovering fully from the procedure can take several weeks. It is best to avoid activities like high-intensity workouts and sports. A degree of swelling and bruising is common, though typically less than with a full facelift.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
The cost of a facelift will depend on several factors. The price can be affected by body type, type of technique performed, surgical complications, and even allergies. Find out more by scheduling a consultation.
Learn More with a Consultation
Vadnais Heights, Eagan & Woodbury patients who are interested in learning more about the facelift procedure can schedule a consultation by contacting Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery today.
Related Procedures
Before + After Results
View before and after photos of surgeries performed by facial plastic surgeons Dr. Christopher Tolan, Dr. Garrett Griffin, and Dr. Zachary Farhood in Minneapolis, MN.