You’ve probably heard the term facelift or face lift to describe the procedure that tightens up your skin and muscles on your face, neck, and jawline after years of gravity, sun exposure, and aging have taken their toll. But what exactly is this procedure called facelift surgery? And when should you consider getting one?
What Are The Different Kinds Of Face Lifts?
There are two main types of facelifts: mini-facelifts and full face lifts. Mini-facelifts, or partial face lifts, focus on lifting a certain portion of your face. For example, mini-facelifts could work to reduce wrinkles around your mouth or eyes. Full facelifts, however, lift all aspects of your face – such as sagging skin on your cheeks or jowls – along with reducing wrinkles and fine lines on your neck and across your forehead. The average cost for each type is also different; full facelifts tend to be much more expensive than mini facelifts because they require a longer procedure time and take more effort during recovery.
What Happens During Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery?
Although there are many variations in how facelift surgery is performed, you can expect your surgeon to make one or two incisions on each side of your face. After numbing your skin, he or she will remove excess fat and muscle tissue and raise skin around your cheekbones and neckline to create a more youthful appearance. The procedure usually takes between two and four hours. Most patients experience discomfort afterward but minimal pain. As always, talk with your doctor about what to expect before you go under anesthesia. If you’re particularly nervous about surgery, discuss sedatives with your doctor—some surgeons have a nurse administer a mild sedative before they begin cutting.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Facelift Surgery?
Since a facelift is considered a cosmetic procedure, costs vary widely. According to RealSelf, most people spend between $2,000 and $6,000 on a single session of rhytidectomy. If you’re looking for an average cost of facelift surgery, you can expect to pay around $3,400. That said, it’s important to note that some patients have reported paying much more or less than these figures.
What Is A Mini Facelift Before And After?
A mini facelift, also known as a mini-lift or an SMAS lift, is a non-surgical procedure that lifts and tightens loose skin and tissue on your face. This type of facelift is recommended for people who have loose skin and sagging in their mid-face but still want to avoid invasive surgery. Your surgeon will make small incisions under your ears or inside your mouth to access muscle tissue. He’ll then use a special tool to tighten these muscles, which helps lift up sagging tissue in your cheeks and around your mouth. A mini facelift can be performed as a standalone procedure but usually goes hand in hand with other procedures like laser treatments, chemical peels or botox injections.
How Much Does A Mini Facelift Cost?
The average cost of a mini facelift ranges from $5,500 to $7,000. Price can vary depending on geographical location, medical provider and optional surgical procedures such as liposuction. If a mini facelift is performed in combination with another procedure such as neck lift or blepharoplasty it may be significantly more expensive. In addition to facelifts there are other facial rejuvenation procedures that range in price according to area treated; ranging from under $1,000 to over $10,000 per treatment. Full face lifts can cost upwards of $10,000 and are typically more invasive than mini facelifts. Check with your healthcare provider for an estimate of costs specific to your case or contact multiple cosmetic surgery clinics for quotes.
What Are The Benefits Of Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery?
A mini facelift is often called a mini face lift because it uses an incision that is similar to that of a neck lift. The incision runs along your hairline, just behind your ears, and across your jawbone toward your neck. The result is a subtle lifting of certain areas in the front of your face: eyebrows, cheeks, lower eyelids and corner of mouth. A mini facelift is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete. Recovery time ranges from two weeks to three months, depending on whether or not you have other procedures done at the same time or how much bruising or swelling occurs as a result of surgery.
How Much Does A Facelift Cost?
The cost of facelift surgery ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, with an average price of about $9,150. But as always, every procedure is different and these prices can increase or decrease based on your unique case. The cost of a mini-facelift is closer to $5K whereas that for a full lift could be closer to $10K depending on what you’re looking for in terms of size changes and number of procedures you need.
What To Expect During Your Facelift Recovery?
The average facelift recovery can cost between $5,000 and $25,000. Some patients pay more if they opt for medical tourism or use a more skilled surgeon. Rhytidectomy is considered minor surgery and lasts one to two hours. Your body will go through a healing process that includes inflammation, redness, scabbing and scarring. Expect at least four weeks of recovery time before returning to work, including another four to six weeks before you feel completely healed—and even longer if you undergo a blepharoplasty or brow lift at the same time.
