The signs of aging can start to appear on your face long before you are ready for them. Too soon you may start to notice that your skin begins to loosen, while the wrinkles appear to be deeper and more noticeable. You want to say goodbye to those telltale signs of aging, but you're not ready to commit to a full face lift. A mini facelift may be the right option for patients who want to achieve a more youthful appearance without a major disruption to their daily life.

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Dr. Morales offers a mini cosmetic surgery option for patients with mild to moderate signs of aging who would like to reverse sooner rather than later.

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Are you a candidate?

A mini facelift works best for patients in their 30s and 40s who experience early symptoms of aging, such as laxity and mild to moderate skin wrinkles. Optimal results are achieved for people in relatively good health who do not smoke. Dr. Morales will personally assess your situation to determine if a mini facelift will provide the results you hope to achieve.

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Specific problems addressed by a mini facelift include:

• Laxity of the skin that causes sagging or drooping on the midface and along the jaw.

• Wrinkles on the lower face around the nose and mouth.

• Early signs of dewlap formation along the jaw line.

• Clusters that have lost definition and their youthful appearance.

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A mini facelift can be performed alone, but Dr. Morales may recommend combining your cosmetic surgery with another surgery, such as eyelid surgery or browlift, to further enhance your anti-aging results. He will discuss your choices with you at your initial consultation so that you can work together to make the right decision for you. Make plans to ask questions and share any concerns at this appointment, so you enter your mini facelift feeling prepared for your surgery.

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About your Surgery

Your mini facelift can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The incisions are placed around the ear in the natural folds of the skin and behind the ear within the hairline. Dr. Morales will take steps to ensure that any visible scarring after your surgery is minimal, so you can feel confident showing your results.

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During your surgery, underlying fat and tissue will be repositioned to create a more youthful contour, while firming and smoothing the skin to reduce the appearance of sagging and wrinkles. Some patients may also benefit from a fat transfer from other areas of the body to add fullness to areas such as the cheekbones or chin. The fat transfer can be done at the same time as the mini facelift, or at a later date.

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The Recovery Process

Recovery from a mini facelift is relatively comfortable, although oral pain medication will be prescribed for the first few days. You will also be instructed to apply ice and sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling and bruising. Usually patients return to their normal activities in 7-10 days, although there may be some residual bruising and swelling for a little longer.

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The results of your mini facelift will be apparent immediately and will continue to improve as the swelling subsides. Most patients enjoy a more youthful appearance for several years before other anti-aging treatments are needed to maintain their new look.