Facelift & mini-facelift treatment

Cosmetic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery/Facelift & Mini-Facelift

The cosmetic procedure reverses signs of ageing, removes excess skin and repositions the skin of the face and neck

As we age, the effects of gravity, stresses of daily life and exposure to the sun can be seen in our faces. With increasing age, the brow drops, jowls form and the skin of the neck become loose. Deep lines may form between the nose and corners of the mouth.

The cosmetic procedure is then designed to reverse the signs of ageing and create a more youthful appearance. In general, they involve removing excess skin, tightening the underlying facial muscles and repositioning the skin of the face and neck.

Facelifts may be performed alone but are often performed in conjunction with procedures such as brow lift, blepharoplasty, and fat transfer/grafting.

When does the face start having sagging skin?

The rate at which faces age varies considerably. Much of this is determined genetically. However, the ageing process can accelerate due to excessive sun exposure, smoking and unhealthy lifestyles.

At 152 Harley Street, cosmetic surgery is carried out under Local Anaesthetic & Sedation in our state-of-the-art day case theatre. Even though you can leave shortly after your procedure, you still receive the same thorough and excellent aftercare that you would expect with a general anaesthetic.

By reducing sagging skin caused by the ageing process, a facial lift can create a natural, younger-looking face so you can look and feel fantastic. As a final result, facial rejuvenation can increase your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Surgically the procedures have minimal differences. Modern surgery is far less invasive than past procedures. However, having a mini-facelift could mean less extensive dissection and cutting compared to a full procedure. Typically, a mini-facelift particularly addresses the lower face, jowls and upper neck regions. A full facelift on the other hand can include the midface and full neck.

Therefore, a mini-facelift procedure is less invasive and is performed in a shorter time. Also, it is a great option for men and women who are starting to notice changes due to ageing. It offers great results and often improves earlier effects of ageing, particularly in the lower face and upper neck. It addresses issues such as inelastic skin resulting in unwanted wrinkles, the start of jowls, neck looseness, platysmal banding and skin laxity, also improving the jawline.

At 152 Harley Street, we offer a mini-facelift for our patients and this is done using deep sedation and local anaesthetic. Additional treatments are also available to achieve desired results with options such as brow lifts, blepharoplasties, and dermal fillers.

An incision is made on either side of the face, extending from the hairline to the bottom of the earlobe, in front of the earlobes. The surgeon can then remove the excess skin and tissue and finally pull the skin upwards and backwards into its new position. The skin will then be stitched and the face bandaged to protect the wounds while they begin to heal.

At 152, this procedure is carried out under sedation (Twilight sleep) and local anaesthetic and therefore no pain or discomfort is felt during the procedure. After surgery, you may feel some slight pain and discomfort as your skin begins to heal. However, this is usually controlled with painkillers prescribed by your surgeon post-surgery.

Procedure Overview

Cosmetic procedure designed to tighten the skin around the lower face and neck by pulling the skin into a tightened, more lifted position
Performed under deep sedation and local anaesthetic
Procedure can take between 1 and 3 hours
After a mini-facelift, you can be back at work and in public one-week post-surgery
You will have an initial consultation with an expert specialist in this area

Woman looking at herself and checking her skin. Image illustrate facelift procedure

How long the results last is very much dependent on the patient’s activity, sun exposure, facial anatomy, skin integrity and any weight changes.

But in general, the results can last for a long time.

The ideal patient varies depending on many factors such as the degree of facial ageing, sun damage, smoking history, skin integrity and the thickness of your skin. Therefore, the best age or time to have a mini-facelift can vary from the mid to late 40s up to 60s or 70s for men and women, all depending on these factors. There is no maximum age, it’s more about your individual treatment goals and overall health.

The procedure can take between 1 to 3 hours to complete. This is dependent on what is required during your surgery.

Overall, patients who have a mini-facelift recover twice as fast as the average facelift patient. Following a mini-facelift, you can be back at work and back in public one week after surgery. There may be some minor bruising, but this can be easily covered with makeup.

As with any surgical procedure, there are complications and risks. With any facelift surgery, these could include bleeding, haematoma, infection, visible scarring, earlobe deformity and numbness. However, you should always ensure your surgery is performed by an experienced, skilled, and qualified plastic surgeon, ideally one who is a specialist in this area, reducing the risk of complications.

The price for a mini-facelift starts from approximately £4,800 which includes both consultant and facility fees. The total cost will be confirmed following the initial consultation.

"I am in my sixties, was it really the thing to do to have a facelift or was I mad?! I needed help in working out where I was in my life and what was important to me, both inside and out. The counselling sessions gave me exactly that. It was great to do have it there as a support whilst I went through the whole process of planning and having my facelift. Fantastic service, thank you!"

"Dr Ong was recommended to me. I found him easy to talk to on what he could and couldn’t do and I felt very comfortable with him, treating me. Would use him again if I needed."

Related treatments

Facelift & mini-facelift treatment

When does the face start having sagging skin?

Why should I have a mini-facelift?

What’s the difference between a facelift and a mini-facelift?

What happens during a mini-facelift?

Is a mini-facelift very painful?

How long does does a mini-facelift last?

Who should get a mini-facelift?

How long does it take to perform a mini-facelift?

How long does it take to recover from a mini-facelift?

What are the side effects of a mini-facelift?

How much does a mini-facelift cost?

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