So you want a face lift but you want a faster recovery time. Well, a mini-face lift is the perfect option for you. It is an alternative face lift procedure best suited for younger patients. Like non-surgical face lifts, mini-face lifts usually require only a short recovery time, which is why they are also called "weekend face lifts". With a mini-face lift procedure, doctors can fix specific problem spots of the patient. Mini-face lifts are very flexible and can concentrate on treatment of specific facial areas, as well as the jaw and neck areas.

Who are the likely candidates for a mini-face lift? Patients who have an excessive amount of skin around the neck and jaw line, as well as those who show aging in their mid-face area would benefit most from a mini-face lift. Going through the procedure is very easy. Unlike traditional face lifts, which require incisions around the ears and along the hairline, mini-face lifts only require small incisions. Some mini-face lift procedures don't even require any type of skin removal.

In a typical mini-face lift operation, an incision under the chin is made for a liposuction-like effect on the neck and jaw area. This step is also taken to tighten the neck muscle. Sometimes, a chin implant is also inserted to accentuate the jaw line. Another type of mini-face lift is called "endoscopic." It involves making incisions behind the hairline and inside the mouth, which lifts the skin tissue and facial muscles.

Mini-face lifts are more suitable for patients who are in their 20s or 30s. The procedure is more effective if it is performed early because it can prevent signs of aging. Those who choose to do undergo mini-face lifts look youthful constantly.

The recovery for a mini face lift can be as short as four or five days. Despite its less complicated procedure than an actual face lift, mini-face lifts can also pose some hazards. For instance, mini-face lift patients who undergo excess skin cutting can experience nerve-damage, bleeding, and hematoma, which is collected blood under the skin.