Mini Facelift in Sydney by Dr Turner

Face-lifting techniques have advanced significantly over the last couple of decades, with the aim is to refresh and rejuvenate the face rather than make the face appear unnaturally tight or overdone. There are now a full range of facelift and facial rejuvenation options including a facelift, neck lift, mini facelift and nonsurgical options. A Mini Facelift is ideal for younger patients not yet ready for a full facelift.

Dr Scott Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney who specialises in facial surgery.

Mini-facelift: simpler surgery, beautiful results for younger or ‘young at heart’ patients

So, you’ve been taking good care of your skin, sleeping plenty, working out, and using your moisturizer and daily face wash. But still, all this doesn’t seem enough to stop your face from aging, and the wrinkles and jowls are just starting to show. If this sounds like you, then you’ll be happy to know you’re not alone.

No matter how young you feel, you’ll eventually start showing cosmetic signs of aging that make you look older than you want to. Wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and jowls that fade out your jaw and neckline are just some of the facial features that might start annoying you as you age. So, how can you make your face and neck look younger?

We offer several anti-aging procedures at Skin Atelier by Dr Turner to help you get rid of wrinkles and droopy skin folds and look much younger. Dermal fillers and injectables are excellent for simple short-term enhancements, however, for those who want more dramatic and long-lasting results, facelift surgery is the procedure of choice. Mini-facelifts are a less extensive alternative to traditional lifts, and they’re perfect for women and men who have mild signs of aging like wrinkles, jowls, and some skin drooping.

What is a mini-facelift?

A mini-facelift (also called S-lift, or mini-lift) is a facial rejuvenation procedure that’s designed to tighten your face and neck and smoothen any wrinkles and skin folds that might be fading out your jaw and necklines and making you look old. Compared to the traditional facelift, the mini-facelift is a less extensive surgical procedure, and it’s aimed at patients who have only mild to moderate signs of aging that don’t need a full facelift to improve.

Many clinics market the mini-facelift as a very simple “lunchtime-lift” or “weekend-lift”, implying that it’s almost an effortless procedure; however, this is not true. Despite its name, the mini-facelift is still a complicated surgical procedure that’s only performed by highly skilled certified plastic surgeons. Experienced surgeons, like Dr. Turner, take their time performing the mini-facelift with incredible precision and meticulous techniques to ensure that their patients get the best results possible. Moreover, like with any other surgical procedure, you’ll also need some time to recover and return to your daily life after surgery.

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

The mini-lift is a modified, less extensive variant of the traditional facelift that’s perfect for patients who have less severe features of aging. Both the mini and full facelifts will tighten your cheek lines, contour your neck, reduce your double chin, and emphasize your jawline while removing any wrinkles and excess droopy facial skin. Depending on how severe the signs of aging are, Dr. Turner will either recommend a traditional full facelift or a mini-facelift.

The traditional full facelift (SMAS facelift, or deep plane facelift) is perfect for women and men who have advanced signs of aging that need more extensive surgery to correct. A full facelift is more lengthy and requires multiple incisions in front and behind your ears, along your hairline, and under your chin with more tissue dissection and skin removal.

On the other hand, a mini-facelift entails less extensive tissue dissection, less skin removal, and only a single incision in front of each ear. This makes it perfect for women and men who don’t need substantial surgery to restore their youthful look. The less extensive nature of this surgery also means that it requires less recovery time compared to the full facelift surgery.

Do you need a Mini-Facelift or Full Facelift?

Mini-facelifts are reserved for women and men who have some signs of facial aging and want to have a young and tight face and neck. A mini-facelift would be excellent for you, if:

You have fine or moderate wrinkles on the lower half of your face
You have cheek folds and lax cheek lines (nasolabial folds)
You have jowls fading out your jawline
You have lax skin on your neck and chin, disturbing their contour
You have a double chin with puffy skin

If you have any of these problems and want to get rid of them, a mini-facelift surgery might be for you. After a full assessment by Dr. Turner, he will tell you your surgical options and might suggest combining a mini-facelift with other facial rejuvenation procedures like an eye lift or brow lift.

Mini Face lift scars - mini Facelift Before and After Dr-Turner-Sydney — Example of Full Face and Neck Lift with SMAS Plication and Fat Grafting

The information provided is for general purposes only, it is not intended to replace a professional consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Invasive procedures carry inherent risks and potential complications which will be discussed in detail. Results vary and should be used only as a guide as every client is unique, which is why a second opinion is advisable. Learn more about the risks of plastic surgery at https://drturner.com.au/patient-resources/risks-complications-of-surgery

Who’s a good candidate for a mini-facelift?

A mini-facelift is an invasive surgical procedure, and there are certain conditions that you need to fulfill to reduce the risk of complications and get the best results out of your surgery. You’re a good candidate for a mini-facelift if:

You’re in fairly good physical health
You don’t smoke or are willing to quit
You don’t have any blood coagulation problems
You’re not on any medications that can interfere with surgery or anesthesia
You have mild to moderate signs of facial aging and want to improve your look

During your consultation, Dr. Turner will take all of this into consideration and give you instructions on how you can prepare for surgery.

How to prepare for a mini-facelift

Before you leave our clinic, you will be given detailed instructions on how you need to prepare for surgery. You should avoid eating or drinking the night before your surgery, stop any blood-thinning medications according to Dr. Turner’s instructions, and make sure you have a chaperon on the day of surgery. Do not start or stop any medications in the few weeks leading up to your surgery without consulting with Dr. Turner first.

How is the mini facelift performed?

The procedure is performed in a hospital operating room. The mini-facelift is done under general anesthesia, where a certified anaesthetist will put you to sleep so that you won’t feel a thing. (Dr Turner does NOT do facelifts under local anaesthesia only)

After applying the anesthetic, Dr. Turner will clean your skin with antiseptics and spread the surgical drapes. A vertical incision will be made a few millimetres in front of your ear and it might extend slightly upward along your hairline. Dr Turner will then dissect the deeper tissue layers under your skin and pull them upward so that your whole face and neck tissue is tightened and fixated higher up.

Afterwards, Dr Turner will carefully remove any excess skin and pull the remaining skin tighter toward your ear, fading out any wrinkles or skin folds on your lower face and neck. Finally, he will close your wound using very fine sutures that would leave minimal scarring, and the final scar would be hidden along your natural facial skin folds.

Can a mini-facelift be combined with other facial rejuvenation surgeries?

Of course, many women and men might ask Dr. Turner for other improvements in their facial features. If you have droopy eyelids, low eyebrows, or excessive droopy neck skin, you can definitely have them fixed during the same procedure:

Eyelift surgery (blepharoplasty): As we age, many of us develop puffy and saggy eyelids that can sometimes interfere with vision and are just unpleasant to look at. Thankfully, blepharoplasty can easily help you get rid of droopy eyelids and give you wider and more alert-looking eyes.
Brow lift (forehead lift): The skin on your forehead might become lax with age, and it’ll start showing deep wrinkles and folds, and your eyebrows might drop lower. A brow lift will rejuvenate your forehead, reduce wrinkles, get rid of forehead folds, and restore the normal position of your brows.
Neck lift: If you have a lot of excessive droopy skin on your jaw and neck, a mini-facelift surgery alone might not be enough to improve your jawline and neck contour. If this is the case, Dr. Turner can add a neck lift procedure to remove the extra puffy skin on your neck, emphasizing your chin and jawline, and creating a clear well-contoured angle between your head and neck.

What to expect during recovery

A mini-facelift requires less recovery time compared to a full facelift, however, you’ll still need to take a few days of rest. You should expect some bruising, swelling, and mild bleeding along your wound in the first few days after your mini facelift. Dr. Turner will prescribe you some pain relief to ease the pain and antibiotics to prevent infections. You will also be instructed on how you can change your wounds’ dressing to avoid any complications.

Recovery can take 7 to 10 days, and you might need to stay home and rest during this time while avoiding any sports or strenuous activities. After around 10 days, you should come in to have your sutures removed. The results of your facelift are usually apparent immediately after surgery, however, they will become even more satisfying as the swelling and bruising subside during the few weeks after your surgery.

Does a mini facelift cause visible scars?

There’s no surgery without any scars, however, the scars left by a mini-facelift are either completely or almost unnoticeable. Dr. Turner uses very fine suture lines to hide your small scar along your natural skin folds and hairline. In most women, the scars can barely be seen after some time has passed after their surgery.

Risks and Complications of a mini facelift

A mini-facelift is a safe procedure, however, like with all other invasive surgical procedures, there are always some risks involved. The complications of mini-facelift surgery include:

Infection: Sometimes, bacteria can cause wound infection after surgery. Dr. Turner follows extremely sterile techniques and prescribes antibiotics after surgery to prevent this.
Hematoma: A hematoma is a blood collection that might form inside your wound. If it doesn’t resolve on its own, Dr. Turner might have to surgically drain it.
Seroma: When fluid accumulates in your wound, it’s called a seroma. Seromas usually go away on their own, however, sometimes they need to be drained with a needle.

Mini Facelift Sydney Cost & Prices – How much is Mini Face lift in Sydney?

Mini face lift cost is highly variable, and it depends on many factors. Depending on what kind of surgery you are getting, and whether or not you want to combine it with other procedures like blepharoplasty, brow lift, or neck lift, the cost of a mini-facelift might be higher or lower.

After you agree on a plan with Dr. Turner, you will receive a detailed quote that includes the surgical fees, anesthetist fees, and hospital fees. Usually, most women and men find the cost of mini-facelift surgery very affordable, and there are several options available to help you finance your plastic surgery in Australia.

For an estimate of your own Mini Face lift cost in Sydney or Newcastle please phone 1300 437758 – contact Dr Turner’s team or download the Price Guide on the Pricing page.

Funding Your Mini Facelift Surgery

We can also provide information on a Mini Facelift Payment Plan and medical finance or Private Health Insurance subsidy would apply.

FAQs – Questions about facelifting

How long does a mini facelift last?

A mini-facelift gives more long-standing results compared to less invasive procedures like dermal fillers. Although the surgery restores your youthful beauty and firmness, there’s no way to stop aging altogether. The results of a mini-facelift can last up to 10 years, however, this largely depends on the quality of your skin and your general health.

At what age should you get a mini face lift?

A mini-facelift is suitable for men and women aged 30 to 50. After that, usually, the wrinkles are much deeper and there might be a lot of excess skin, so a full facelift might be a superior choice in older patients.

Does a mini face lift address the neck?

Yes, the mini-facelift pulls and tightens skin in the lower half of your face, chin, and upper neck.

Does a mini face lift look natural?

Yes! Dr. Turner has developed some advanced techniques over the years so that your face does not look “overdone” after surgery. A mini-facelift at Dr Turner Plastic Surgery can give you a young and natural look, and no one will notice that you’ve had a cosmetic procedure.

How can I lift my face without surgery?

Dr Turner’s medispa – Skin Atelier – has several non-surgical ways to remove wrinkles and rejuvenate your face, such as dermal fillers and laser treatment. Nevertheless, these procedures offer less dramatic results and last a shorter time compared to a mini facelift and do not actually “lift” drooping skin.

Medical References – Further Reading:

What to expect during your consultation with Dr Turner

If you’ve decided you want to get a mini facelift, you’ll need to come in for a consultation with Dr. Turner. First, Dr. Turner will ask you some general questions about your health, family history, and any medications you take. He will then perform a physical assessment of your features and ask you about what you’d like to change. After learning what your desires are, Dr. Turner will give you one or more options that can help you get the cosmetic results you want. Don’t be surprised if he uses a marker on your face to show you how the surgery will go. Once you’ve discussed your options with Dr. Turner and agreed on a plan, he will schedule you for operation according to your preference.

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

Enquire to find out more about your surgery
Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure

Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?

A GP Referral is required to Consult with Dr Turner (under new AHPRA Regulations)
Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral

Making The Most Of Your Consultation

Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation
You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simple clothes
Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

Find out more about pricing and payment plans
Request more information about the procedure – call or contact us

How to Book Your Consultation

You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment

BOOK A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFO

To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2

Contact us or call on 1300 437 758 to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.

Email us for more information: enquiries@drturner.com.au

Mini Facelift Surgery Sydney NSW