Mini Facelift

This is a facelift procedure that primarily addresses the midface and lower face. Rather than tightening only the skin, it is based on the principle of releasing and repositioning the deeper supportive facial tissues upward and backward as a single anatomical unit. It may be performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation.

• If facial volume has descended downward, causing jowls around the corners of the mouth to become noticeable or more pronounced,
• If nasolabial folds have begun to form or have deepened,
• If skin wrinkles are present in front of the ears and toward the cheek area,

the patient may be a suitable candidate for mini facelift surgery.

What Areas Does Mini Facelift Surgery Address?

• Jowls: Mini facelift surgery helps reduce fullness in this area, allowing the jawline to appear straighter and more defined.
• Nasolabial Folds (Smile Lines): Aging often begins and becomes more noticeable in these areas. With mini facelift surgery, this region becomes tighter, helping minimize skin wrinkles and folds.
• Neck: Mini facelift surgery may also have an effect on the lateral neck area. However, if the patient has significant neck skin laxity or excess fat volume, a mini facelift alone may not be sufficient, and neck lift surgery may be added to the same operation.

What Is the Surgical Incision and Plan?

For a mini facelift, the incision usually begins within or just in front of the hairline, follows the natural crease in front of the ear, continues around the earlobe, and extends behind the ear into the hair-bearing scalp. If a neck lift is performed at the same time, the incision plan may be extended accordingly.

What Is the Recovery Period Like?

Mini facelift surgery requires a 7-day recovery period, including the use of a facial compression garment. During this time, swelling and bruising may occur, so patients are advised to rest. Swelling will decrease significantly within approximately 20 days. The face usually settles into its natural shape within 6 months to 1 year. Within 2 to 4 months, the incision areas typically become thin, line-like scars and gradually become barely noticeable.

Mini facelift surgery may be performed alone or in combination with other procedures, depending on the patient’s needs. The most common facial procedure combinations we perform include:

• Mini Facelift
• Mini Facelift + Neck Lift
• Mini Facelift + Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
• Mini Facelift + Neck Lift + Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
• Mini Facelift + Neck Lift + Facial Fat Injection
• Mini Facelift + Neck Lift + Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery + Facial Fat Injection
• Mini Facelift + Rhinoplasty

Can mini facelift surgery be performed under local anesthesia?
Mini facelift surgery may be performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation. Regardless of the type of anesthesia used, the same surgical incision and surgical plan are applied.

Is mini facelift surgery a difficult operation, and how long does it take?
It is not a very difficult or painful operation. The procedure takes approximately 2.5 hours.

What are the possible risks and complications of mini facelift surgery?
As with any surgery, mini facelift surgery carries potential risks such as bleeding, bruising and swelling, asymmetry, and scarring. These risks can be minimized as much as possible through your surgeon’s appropriate approach and by the patient carefully following all postoperative recommendations.

Does mini facelift surgery have any side effects?
Mini facelift surgery does not have any specific side effects, and its surgical risk is not greater than that of other aesthetic procedures.

Will there be scars after mini facelift surgery?
Because a mini facelift is performed through incisions along the sideburn line, in front of the ear, and behind the ear, scars may initially be visible in these areas. However, over time, the scars fade and become much less noticeable. Unless viewed very closely, they are usually difficult to detect, and in the long term they typically become faint and barely visible.

How long do the results of mini facelift surgery last?
The results of mini facelift surgery are expected to last approximately 8 to 10 years. This duration is directly related to the patient’s tissue characteristics.

What should be done before mini facelift surgery?
Before mini facelift surgery, our doctor evaluates the patient and plans the appropriate surgical approach. The surgery date is then scheduled. As with all surgical procedures, smoking should be avoided for 2 weeks before the operation. Blood-thinning medications, herbal teas, vitamins, and weight-loss medications should not be used during the week before surgery. Only medications required for the patient’s existing medical conditions should be taken with the doctor’s knowledge. The patient will also be informed about how many hours they need to fast on the day of surgery.

Why is it important to stop smoking before mini facelift surgery?
Patients are strongly advised not to smoke for 15 days before and 15 days after surgery, as smoking has a significant negative effect on wound healing. Patients should be aware that smoking is one of the leading causes of poor healing.

How should I sleep after mini facelift surgery?
During the first few days after surgery, you should sleep with your head elevated using 2 to 3 pillows to help prevent facial swelling from increasing and to support its gradual reduction. After one week, there is usually no need for any restriction regarding sleeping position.

How is dressing care performed after mini facelift surgery?
In mini facelift surgery, no additional dressing is usually required as long as the surgical tapes applied during the operation are not removed. Minimal leakage may occur in the dressing area. Your doctor will check the incision sites through the tapes at certain intervals, and the tapes are removed after 7 days. After that, no further dressing is usually needed. Your doctor may recommend creams to apply along the incision line.

When can I return to work after mini facelift surgery?
After mini facelift surgery, your tissues will usually have healed sufficiently within 7 days. After the 7th day, there is generally no problem returning to social life.

When can I start exercising after mini facelift surgery?
After mini facelift surgery, it is generally recommended that you rest for the first 3 days, take short walks at home, and perform simple daily activities. After 3 days, you may take short outdoor walks with caution. However, lifting weights and strenuous exercise are not recommended during the first few weeks. In general, all types of sports activities are allowed from approximately 2 months onward.

Will I need to wear a facial compression garment after mini facelift surgery?
After facial surgery, a facial compression garment and bandages will be applied to provide gentle pressure to the treated area. You should wear the facial compression garment continuously for as long as your doctor recommends. In general, after 7 days, the garment is usually no longer needed, depending on your doctor’s assessment.

Is a drain placed during mini facelift surgery?
After mini facelift surgery, your doctor may use a drain to help prevent blood accumulation in the surgical area. The drain is usually removed easily on the 3rd postoperative day. This is not a painful procedure.

Will the stitches be removed after mini facelift surgery?
Because the sutures used in mini facelift surgery are completely hidden, there is usually no need for stitch removal.

Is mini facelift surgery very painful?
Most patients report little to no pain after mini facelift surgery. However, mild tightness and discomfort in the surgical area may be expected. It is usually sufficient for patients to take the prescribed antibiotics and pain medication regularly as instructed.

When can I take a shower after mini facelift surgery?
During the first few days after surgery, the incision areas should not be exposed to water. In general, washing the face and taking a shower are allowed after the 7th postoperative day. In the early period, very hot or very cold water is not recommended while showering.

When can I swim in a pool or the sea after a mini facelift?
It is generally recommended to wait 1.5 months before swimming in a pool or the sea.

When can I travel after mini facelift surgery?
After mini facelift surgery, short road trips may be taken after 4 days. For a 1–2 hour flight, it is appropriate to wait until 7 days have passed.

How long should sexual activity be avoided after mini facelift surgery?
Since sexual activity may increase blood pressure and potentially lead to unwanted bleeding in the postoperative facial area, it is recommended to wait 3 weeks before resuming sexual activity.

When can I wear makeup and dye my hair after mini facelift surgery?
You may wear makeup 7 days after mini facelift surgery. Hair coloring may be performed after 8 weeks.

When can I start sunbathing or use a tanning bed after mini facelift surgery?
Sunbathing and tanning beds are not recommended during the first 3–4 months after mini facelift surgery, as the surgical areas may be affected and incision scars may darken.

What is the cost of mini facelift surgery?
In order to provide clear information about the cost of mini facelift surgery, the patient’s concerns and aesthetic expectations must be evaluated objectively, and the required procedures must be determined. Pricing information will be provided after the consultation.

If you have any questions regarding surgeries or would like to be evaluated by Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Fatih Söylemez, you can request an appointment via WhatsApp or Contact Form now.