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Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift

Posted in Plastic Surgery

In the realm of plastic surgery, terms for procedures can be quite confusing. A “mini facelift” or a “full facelift” and the techniques involved with each can vary greatly from one surgeon to the next. This is why it is so important to find a surgeon who is not only board certified, but is also able to showcase plenty of facelift before and after photos that show the quality of work he or she performs on a regular basis.

In general, if you have minimal skin laxity and only wish to see a slight improvement, a mini facelift is the procedure for you. If you wish to have more improvement to tighten up the jawline and smooth the neck, a full facelift may be necessary because the invasiveness of the procedure allows for deeper tissue tightening. Both procedures will provide improvement to facial wrinkles and an overall more rejuvenated facial appearance.

The best thing you can do during a consultation with your plastic surgeon is to fully explain the results you desire with the facelift procedure. With your expectations in mind, Dr. Calabria can recommend the surgical solution that will best meet your needs.

Dr. Calabria’s “Full Facelift”

Dr. Calabria offers some of the most cutting-edge techniques for facelift procedures. He regularly performs the “vertical facelift,” which utilizes two discreet incisions that allow him to reposition the facial tissue in a vertical vector. Manipulating the tissues in this way has lead to quicker healing and more aesthetically pleasing results than a traditional facelift.

The lower eyelid area is also improved with Dr. Calabria’s full facelift. He repositions the orbicularis oculi muscle and fills the area with micro fat grafting to replace lost volume. He often recommends the use of fat grafting during the facelift procedure, especially for patients who are thin or who have thin skin. To accomplish this, he uses the stem cell fat transfer technique, which uses liposuction to remove fat from certain areas of the patient’s body, such as the stomach and thighs. The fat is purified, and the stem cells are separated to be reinjected into the face. This technique is often very successful because the body does not reject its own tissues.

Dr. Calabria’s “Mini Facelift”

If you seek minimal improvement and are concerned about downtime, Dr. Calabria offers the “One-Stitch Facelift,” which provides results similar to if you were to put your fingers on your cheeks and pull up. The technique utilizes the patient’s own skin to anchor the lift and hold the tissue in place. Only two very small incisions are made, and the procedure involves local anesthesia without sedation. The result is a natural one: never too pulled, overdone, or “wind blown.” It is considered a true “lunchtime lift” because it is quick, and the patient can return to routine activities immediately. Feel free to view Dr. Calabria’s One-Stitch Facelift before and after gallery to see the great results this “mini facelift” can achieve.

If you are interested in a natural looking facelift, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Renato Calabria has extensive experience performing techniques that are customized to meet your needs. Please contact our Beverly Hills office by calling (310) 777-0069 or our Rancho Mirage location at (760) 836-0077. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form.

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