Facelift, Mini Facelift, & Liquid Facelift: What’s the Difference?

As we age, changes in our skin and facial structure can slowly shift the look we see in the mirror. Many patients come to Dr. Yee curious about their options for facial rejuvenation – but with so many terms like “full facelift,” “mini facelift” and “liquid facelift,” it can be confusing to know which option is right for you.

To help you better understand your options and what to expect before your consultation with Dr. Yee, we’ve broken down the basics of each type of facelift procedure for you.

What’s a Traditional Facelift?

A traditional facelift, also called a full facelift, is a surgical procedure that focuses on lifting and tightening deeper facial tissues, removing excess skin and recontouring the jawline and neck. Because this procedure can target deeper layers of facial tissue and muscle, it often leads to longer-lasting and more natural-looking results than other less extensive techniques.

Recovery typically involves a few weeks of noticeable swelling and discomfort, with gradual improvement over several months. Because it’s a more extensive surgery, a traditional facelift is often the best choice for patients with significant sagging, jowling or loss of definition along the jawline and neck.

What’s a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is a less extensive version of the traditional facelift and is best for patients who are noticing early signs of aging, such as mild jowling or slight laxity in the lower face, but aren’t yet ready for a full facelift.

The mini facelift uses smaller incisions and focuses on more limited areas of the face, often around the jawline and lower cheeks. Because the procedure is less involved, recovery tends to be faster and less extensive compared to a traditional facelift.

Men and women often choose a mini facelift when they want a significant but subtle refresh, without the downtime associated with more comprehensive surgery.

What’s a Liquid Facelift?

Unlike the two surgical options above, a liquid facelift is a nonsurgical treatment that uses injectable options like dermal fillers and neuromodulators like BOTOX® to restore volume, smooth lines and subtly lift the face.

Although it’s nonsurgical, a liquid facelift is very customizable. Dr. Yee can use a combination of fillers to add volume to areas like the cheeks, temples and around the mouth, and neuromodulators to relax muscles and soften dynamic expression lines.

Because a liquid facelift doesn’t involve surgery, it can be a great option for those with mild to moderate signs of aging who want improvement without recovery time. Results are immediate and can last anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on the products used.

How to Choose the Right Option

Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best facial rejuvenation procedure for you:

• The severity of signs of aging. A traditional facelift is generally the best fit to address more advanced signs of aging like deep wrinkles and sagging, while a mini facelift can subtly address early to moderate aging.
• Your desired recovery time. Liquid facelifts require no surgical downtime, mini facelifts involve a shorter recovery and traditional facelifts take the longest.
• Your cosmetic goals. All three options can create beautiful, natural results when performed by a skilled cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Yee, but surgical options will offer the most dramatic and longest-lasting change.

If you’re thinking about facial rejuvenation, the first step is to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Yee. During, she will listen to your goals, assess your facial structure and create a customized treatment plan that’s a perfect fit for you.

To get started, call our Little Rock office at 501-443-5083 or contact us online.

Facelift, Mini Facelift, & Liquid Facelift: What’s the Difference?

Triple-board-certified surgeon Dr. Suzanne Yee of Little Rock, Arkansas explains the differences between a facelift, mini facelift and liquid facelift.

Dr. Suzanne Yee

Dr. Suzanne Yee