Studies show that despite almost half of patients considering facelift surgery, most of them come to a conclusion without meeting with a medical professional, often leading to suboptimal results. Patients who are better suited for a surgical facelift may proceed without the guidance of an expert, while others who could achieve optimal results through non-surgical options may opt for an invasive procedure unnecessarily.
At Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, we’re committed to helping you make informed, confident decisions, so we require in-person consultations for your face tightening procedure in New York City. We have your best interest in mind—long-term—and Dr. Pearlman has the proven expertise in facial anatomy to guide you depending on your age, timeline, and budget.
While nothing can substitute for a personal consultation, we’ve outlined the key differences between a “mini” and “full” facelift to prepare you for your first visit.
What is a mini facelift?
A “mini facelift,” otherwise known as a “short flap” rhytidectomy, is a less-invasive facelift technique that focuses on tightening the lower third of the face, particularly the jowls and neck. Medical professionals gave this technique the name “short flap” in reference to the incisions—which start above your ears and end behind your earlobes, unlike a traditional facelift which requires longer incisions that sometimes reach the hairline.
While the results of a mini facelift are less dramatic and don’t last as long as those of a traditional facelift, sometimes less is more. Every patient’s situation, from their facial anatomy to their budget and lifestyle, is unique, so there is no strict age restriction on when you need to consider a “full” facelift, instead. Dr. Pearlman typically recommends this less-invasive face tightening procedure in New York City for patients between the ages of 35 and 45, but we’ll help you determine the best plan for your specific situation during your consultation.
The Benefits of a Mini Facelift
Studies show that about 83% of people struggle with premature aging, particularly noticing changes in their neck and lower face that worsen after the age of 30. In many of these cases, a full facelift is not necessary to achieve their desired results, as a mini facelift in NYC can address:
- Minimal sagging in the lower face
- Early jowls
- Excess skin in the neck
Here’s a closer look at the benefits of our short flap rhytidectomy technique.
Lower Cost
The complexity of your face tightening procedure in New York City is one of the primary variables that determine your facelift cost. The more severe and widespread laxity you’d like to address, the more complicated your facelift surgery will be.
Less Invasive
Due to the smaller incisions and less drastic changes to your skin’s underlying skin and muscle structures, recovering from a mini facelift requires less downtime than a traditional facelift. Most patients can return to their normal activities within 2 weeks after their procedure with minor swelling.
Preventative
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons agree that preventing skin aging is always more ideal than reversing more severe signs of aging; hence why doctors recommend applying SPF every day. A mini facelift can address those signs before they become more pronounced, slowing down future aging by repositioning the underlying facial tissues to their original, youthful position—early.
The Limitations of a Mini Facelift
A mini facelift only addresses moderate sagging in the lower face. If you’re struggling with more severe skin laxity beyond the general jawline area and/or drooping of your cheeks and mid-face, it may not be an ideal solution for noticeable, lasting results.
More Subtle Results
A “mini” face tightening procedure in New York City provides limited effects, as the smaller incisions restrict your surgeon’s ability to reposition the tissues responsible for skin laxity. The primary goal of this technique is to provide a natural lift in the cheek area, not to tighten your entire face and enhance all of its natural contours.
Shorter Duration of Results
The extent to which Dr. Pearlman can manipulate your facial tissues determines the longevity of your results. Due to the restrictions of a mini facelift, the depth that he can reposition the skin and muscle tissue is not as great as that of a traditional facelift, nor as comprehensive.
Typically, a mini facelift offers results that last between 3 and 5 years, while results from a deep plane facelift can last upwards of 10 years.
Downtime and Recovery
While a mini facelift requires less downtime than a more invasive facelift, there will still be downtime. As with any surgery, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-operate care instructions to expedite the healing process, which can take between 1 and 3 weeks.
When to Consider a Full Facelift
Typically, your facial anatomy changes in your 40s as collagen and elastin production declines, your muscles weaken, and fat pads diminish. However, there is no universal timeline for skin aging, so there is no universal “right” time to undergo a face tightening procedure in New York City. Factors such as your genetics and lifestyle can slow—or accelerate—the natural aging process.
That being said, if you’re experiencing moderate to severe skin laxity or sagging beyond the lower face (such as around the midface, including the cheeks), a mini facelift may not be suitable.
Deep Plane Facelifts
Dr. Pearlman specializes in extended deep plane facelifts, an advanced face tightening procedure in New York City that offers more dramatic yet natural-looking improvements that last longer than those of a traditional facelift. The term “deep plane” refers to the area where the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS)—the underlying tissue network extending from your neck and lower face to your forehead—and muscles connect, which are responsible for facial expressions.
Unlike a traditional facelift, this technique repositions the skin and muscle together as a unit. This more in-depth facelift is typically the most effective solution for patients in or beyond their 40s, whose facial anatomy has changed beyond the surface.
By meticulously placing tension on the SMAS muscle to “lift” those tissues, Dr. Pearlman delivers more impressive results without the “pulled” or unnaturally tight appearance often resulting from traditional techniques. While a deep plane facelift uses practically the same incision techniques involved in our mini facelift procedure, Dr. Pearlman creates an additional extension from above the ears to the hairline. The deep plane facelift is more anatomically correct, as the skin and SMAS muscle develop as a single layer in an embryo and then fuse to the underlying glands and structures.
Restoring the SMAS to its original position, anchoring it upward and back toward the ears, allows us to address more severe laxity throughout the neck, jowls, cheeks, and jawline. If you’re also seeking upper facial rejuvenation to correct sagging around the forehead and brows, Dr. Pearlman may recommend combining your facelift procedure with a more targeted secondary surgery such as a brow lift.
When to Consider a Neck Lift
A neck lift, otherwise known as a lower rhytidectomy, specifically addresses aging in the neck. This procedure may be more suitable in cases of isolated neck laxity and poor jawline definition—and platysmal bands, or if your neck is your only concern. Beyond repositioning excess skin, Dr. Pearlman can also address fat accumulation around the chin to redefine your jawline contours. However, if there is too much laxity of the skin, it needs to be redistributed and necessitates a facelift to achieve this result.
Neck Lifts Compared to Neck Liposuction
While Dr. Pearlman’s comprehensive neck lift techniques may involve liposuction—before repositioning the platysma muscle—neck liposuction alone is sufficient for some patients, depending on their goals. Liposuction permanently removes fat, but it does not tighten your skin or the underlying muscles, so it cannot address concerns such as a “turkey neck.”
If your primary concern is a “double chin,” neck liposuction may be a standalone solution. If you’re struggling with excess fat and skin around your neck, Dr. Pearlman may recommend combining liposuction with a neck and face tightening procedure in New York City.
Alternatives if You’re Not Ready for Surgery
We recognize that surgery is a commitment that not everyone is ready to make, nor is it always the most suitable solution. While no aesthetic injectables or laser therapies can provide the same extent or longevity of results as surgery, they can improve less severe cases of skin aging with less downtime.
For example, you may opt for a “liquid facelift,” which uses a precise combination of Botox and dermal fillers to smooth wrinkles and restore volume. While injections offer almost immediate results, it’s important to note that they require regular maintenance every 6 to 12 months, unlike facelift surgery. By replenishing volume and smoothing fine lines, these injectable formulas can provide some “lifting” effects, but they do not compare to that of a surgery that directly repositions the underlying tissues.
NYC’s Top Facelift Specialist Is Here to Guide You
As an award-winning, uniquely dual board-certified surgeon, Dr. Steven Pearlman travels across the world to share his proven facelift techniques. He leads the leaders. Beyond facelifts, Dr. Pearlman also specializes in rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty (including hooded lid surgery in NYC), and a range of other advanced facial plastic surgeries to help you achieve all of your aesthetic goals.
→ Learn More About Our Approach to Eyelid Enhancement in NYC
At Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, we empower beauty, and that starts by empowering you. Book your consultation to discover the best face tightening procedure in New York City for your situation, or use our virtual facelift planning tool for immediate guidance.
