Face & Eyes

Mini Facelift

at Cadogan Clinic, London’s Leading Cosmetic Surgery Specialists. 

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Award Winning Specialist Clinic

We've won 12 top industry awards since 2010 and regularly feature in the national and international press.

Industry Leading Consultants

We've invited only the very best consultants in the country to practice with us.

Care Quality Commission

Our Leadership has been rated Outstanding by the independent regulator of health and social care in England

GMC Registered Surgeons

All of our surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council.

Medically Reviewed 20 February 2024, by Mr. Bryan Mayou (GMC: 1414396) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading plastic surgeons

What is Mini-Facelift?

The Mini Facelift is a less invasive version of the traditional facelift involving fewer incisions which are skilfully hidden. Despite this, the results are transformational and have a high impact on the patient’s appearance.

Our London Mini Facelift focuses on targeting ageing of the lower portion of the face, the chin, jowls, and upper neck, which is why it is often referred to as the lower face lift. These areas are often the first to show major signs of ageing, usually during your 40s and 50s, with sagging and loss of skin tone. A Mini Facelift will lift and tighten these areas to rejuvenate the face and restore a youthful appearance.

The Mini Facelift can also be combined with other procedures such as Blepharoplasty, Brow Lift, Fat Transfer or Neck Lift, which will enhance the overall effect and ensure you are left with a balanced and fully restored appearance.

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Mini-Facelift At a glance

Surgery Time

1 - 1.5 hours

Time off work

7 days

Hospital Stay

Day Case

Shower

Shower after 1 week

Reasonable Mobility

After 1 day

Exercise

4 - 6 weeks

Sexual Activity

4- 6 weeks

Sleeping on back

3 weeks

Full Recovery

4 - 6 weeks

Driving

1 week


Before and after Mini-Facelift

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Words from our clients:


The cost of a Mini-Facelift


Cadogan Clinic has collaborated with Chrysalis Finance to offer a variety of payment choices for our patients including:
12 months 0% Interest-free - APR
24 - 60 months at 12.9% APR
Flexible Finance

Get in touch now for your estimated mini face lift cost and consultation


Get in touch 0207 901 8500

Included in this treatment

Up to two 60 minute consultations with a leading specialist plastic surgeon at our award-winning premises in Chelsea

Your procedure carried out at London’s leading specialist cosmetic surgery centre of excellence

24/7 on call nurse assistance

Dedicated Patient Co-ordinator, as a personal point of contact through your journey with Cadogan

A pre-operative medical assessment to ensure you are fit for surgery

Comprehensive post-operative aftercare courtesy of our specialist cosmetic nurses


Benefits of a Mini Facelift

  • A naturally restored youthful appearance
    • By tightening the underlying tissue as well as lifting the skin, the Mini Facelift results in a naturally youthful, proportional appearance without looking artificial.
  • A tighter and lifted lower face
    • The Mini Facelift focus on the lower portion of the face, lifting and tightening the jowls and neck lines, and restoring a sharper angle to the jaw.
  • A highly versatile procedure
    • The Mini Facelift can be easily and safely combined with a variety of other procedures to address a range of concerns at once, including the eye, brow, neck and chin areas of the face.
  • Improved confidence and quality of life
    • Patients who have had a Mini Face Lift report feeling more confident and happier in their own skin. They feel more comfortable in social and professional environments and are able to approach life in a more youthful way.

Though not the full surgical facelift, we are still able to achieve beautiful lower face lift before and after results for our patients.

Why do people have a mini facelift?

Why do people have it & Who is suittable

As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin naturally breaks down, resulting in loss of tone, and a softening of the jaw and neckline - also known as jowls. This combined with the development of deep set marionette lines and wrinkles around the mouth and nose can create an aged, uneven appearance to the face. Many patients find this impacts their sense of wellbeing, making them feel self-conscious and uncomfortable.

The Mini Facelift will lift and tighten the skin around the lower portion of the face, lessening the appearance of jowls and opening the face back up to look younger and brighter. This regularly has a positive effect on a patient’s mental health, making them feel happier and more able to socialise comfortably. The physical transformation and results can be seen in mini facelift before and after photos from our talented surgeons.

Who is suitable?

At Cadogan Clinic, our consultant surgeons will assess whether you are suitable for Mini Facelift London in a bespoke one to one consultation. 

Your surgeon will examine your lower face and assess your concerns. They will discuss your expectations of surgery and ensure you understand the results that are possible for you. They will also assess your general physical and mental health to make sure you are suitable for a general anaesthetic procedure, this may include your weight, and any medical and mental conditions you have. You must be over 18 to have this procedure, and most patients are in their 40s or 50s.

What does it involve?

What is a mini facelift and how is it performed?

The Mini Facelift is a surgical procedure which takes 1-2 hours to complete. The length of time depends on whether your surgeon is performing other procedures alongside your Face Lift. Depending on your surgical plan, your surgeon will either carry out your procedure under general anaesthetic, meaning you are completely asleep, or under sedation, meaning you are awake but in no pain and have little memory of the procedure after your initial recovery. Sedation usually has a faster recovery time, meaning you can be discharged sooner.

During a Mini Facelift, your surgeon will make small incisions in the folds of your skin, around your ears and hairline, ensuring that any scarring that may be visible is carefully hidden. After removing any excess skin, tissue and fat, they will then lift the remaining skin and tissue and stitch it back into the position which creates the desired result.

In comparison to many traditional Face Lift methods, the Mini Facelift is far less invasive and more effective. By tightening the underlying muscle and tissue, as well as the skin, the result is much more natural, the effects will last for longer and it is easier to conceal the incision sites.


Mini-Facelift Surgeons

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.


What to expect

Below you will find some key information to help you prepare for surgery and make necessary arrangements to ensure you have the support you need and that everything runs smoothly on the day.

You will meet your surgeon for up to two consultations at our award-winning Chelsea based clinic to discuss the Mini Facelift procedure, your specific concerns for your lower face and the results you are looking for. Consultations are usually between 30-60 minutes and your surgeon will explain the best approach for you and what results you can expect. They will assess your face and look at factors such as your skin laxity, the distribution of your fat and your current lifestyle that may affect these.

To allow for open communication and the best consultation experience, it is a good idea to write down any questions you have for your surgeon before your consultation. This will ensure you feel fully prepared and are able to get the most from your consultation, and also help to set reasonable expectations. Because the Mini Facelift can be combined with surgeries for the upper face such as a brow lift or blepharoplasty, it's important to acknowledge what each surgery will - or won't - affect.

Your surgeon will also conduct a general health and wellness check, take your measurements and take 'before' photos.

Your surgeon will send your intended plan for your Mini Facelift and any accompanying procedures through to your patient advisor. If the surgeon has decided you are suitable for surgery, your advisor will explain the plan, the pricing for a Mini Facelift and any other accompanying procedures, and offer available dates. You will then have a mandatory two week cooling off period to allow you to consider whether you wish to proceed with your Mini Facelift procedure.

If you decide to go ahead with your Mini Facelift, you will next visit the clinic on your procedure day. Before this, you will be asked to prepare for your surgery by making some lifestyle changes and considerations:


  • You will need to complete your pre-operative paperwork to allow your surgical team (surgeon, anaesthetist and nurses) to review all of your medical and psychological notes and advise on any changes you need to make in the run up to your surgery.
  • You will be asked to stop smoking or vaping 6 weeks before your Mini Facelift. This is vital to ensure your recovery is smooth and you heal fully and properly.
  • You will also be asked to cut down on drinking excessive alcohol, as alcohol consumption can cause inflammation and hinder your recovery.
  • In the week before your Mini Facelift, avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin, and any herbal supplements as these can increase the risk of bleeding.
  • You will need to organise a chaperone to come and collect you after your surgery. This should be a family member or friend who can either drive you themselves or accompany you in a taxi and stay with you for the first night.
  • In the 6 hours before you arrive at the clinic for admission, you can’t eat any solid food or consume any juice or milk (including in tea or coffee). You can have sips of clear liquids (water, black tea, or black coffee) up to 2 hours before you arrive at the clinic

On your surgery day, you will be asked to arrive at the clinic an hour before your Mini Facelift will begin. This will allow you to speak with your surgeon, anaesthetist and the nurses to ask any final questions, and to be prepared for your procedure with any marking around your face and neck the surgeon may need to do.

You will then be taken into theatre, where your anaesthetist will administer your general anaesthetic. Mini Facelift procedures at Cadogan Clinic are either done under general anaesthetic, using TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) or under twilight sedation, meaning you are awake but feel no pain and have minimal awareness or memory of the surgery. Both of these options minimise post-operative sickness and nausea and allows for a faster initial recovery.

Your surgeon will then carry out your Mini Facelift. After the procedure is finished, you will be taken to our recovery ward, where you will recover from the anaesthetic or sedation, and a nurse will check your vital health signs. Once you are fully aware of your surroundings and comfortable, you will be taken into our ambulatory ward where you will have something to eat and drink, and a nurse will talk you through any medication you need to take during your recovery. When you are ready, the nurses will ask your chaperone to come and collect you and you will be discharged.

The first few days following your Mini Face lift may be slightly uncomfortable and you may experience some pain around your face. Your surgical team will have prescribed any medications you may need to help to control this and keep you comfortable. You will be up and moving within a day and able to bathe normally in three days.

Your surgeon will ask you to avoid physical activity or strenuous exercise for a few weeks to avoid any strain to the sutures around your ears and lower face. Most patients find they are able to return to working from home within a few days, but may delay returning to the office until any visible bruising or swelling on the face has subsided.

As part of your mini facelift cost, we deliver aftercare and patient check-ups. One week after your Mini Facelift, you will have an in-person appointment with our nurses so they can assess the incisions on your face, make sure you are healing well and remove your sutures. They will provide any advice you need on your dressings and will be able to answer any questions you may have about your ongoing recovery. This process looks different for each Mini Facelift patient, especially if you have had accompanying procedures to further enhance your results. Depending on your surgical plan, some patients are also asked to come back after two weeks, for a further check up or suture removal.

Six weeks after your procedure you will meet with your surgeon so they can check your recovery, discuss your Mini Facelift results and answer any questions about your ongoing recovery from that point. After six weeks, if you have any questions or concerns, you will still be able to contact the team and speak with one of our specialist nurses.

The Patient Journey. A breakdown of what you can expect on your journey with us

We are deeply invested in ensuring that every step of your surgical journey with us is as informative and reassuring to you as it can be. This article outlines what you can expect at each stage of the journey

The Patient Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

The unique approach to the Mini-Facelift means patients look naturally 10 to 12 years younger without changing their expression. Rather than "lifting" the skin, the problem is solved by transforming the subdermal tissues to their original places.

Mini-Lift surgery is an operation performed in a hospital environment, without the need of general anaesthesia, but instead under sedation and local anaesthesia. Mini-Lift surgery takes around 1 to 1.5 hours with incisions inside and at the back of the ear. It can be performed in conjunction with other operations, for example eye lid surgery or injectables, depending on the patient's requirements.

A Mini-Facelift, also known as a Ponytail Facelift, gives a moderate improvement with minimal inconvenience, scars and risk.

As such it can be suitable for anyone, but a particular indication is for younger patients with relatively early signs of ageing, who find this difficult to put up with and are prepared to accept that they will need further surgery later on. Meanwhile, they will probably use lasers, peels and creams to prolong the surgery free period.

This is a change of approach. Only a short time ago, we advised patients to wait until they really could not put up with signs of ageing and then, at an older age, have a full facelift. The patient would be delighted with the dramatic improvement and would be unlikely to require any further surgery. Now patients are generally not looking for a major change, but just not to grow old.

The mini facelift is part of a maintenance programme and is often combined with fat grafting (lipofilling) to replace lost volume and stem cell treatments to improve overall tissue and skin quality. Lasers and peels all have their place.

There are many other anti-ageing solutions available, both surgical and non-surgical. Request a call from one of our patient advisors or book a consultation at the Cadogan Clinic if you would like to discuss your concerns in more detail.

After your surgery, you will be asked to come in for a post-operative appointment to come back and see our nursing staff at the Clinic between 1 and 2 weeks after your surgery. At this point your incision sites will be reviewed, and your preliminary healing will be assessed.

After 6 weeks your surgeon will personally review your progress – again at the Clinic - and make sure you are recovering as expected. In addition, they will remove any stitches and advise you on the need for further dressings.

Throughout the recovery period you will have full access to our 24/7 on call nursing service, and full access to the Clinic and our post-operative facilities.

Our aim is to make you feel as comfortable as possible during the entirety of your recovery period.

You will need to avoid exercise for a few weeks, but you will be able to back in front of a computer as soon as the next day. There will be some swelling and bruising at the incision areas, which is normal and will fade in time and heal over the next week or so. You should be back at work after 2 weeks.

You may have heard or read online about patients, who are in pain with considerable swelling for weeks or months following a facelift, but this is highly unusual. It may be the result of poor technique or deep plane facelift, where all the soft tissues are lifted off the bone and placed at a higher level.

While this can give good results, we at the Cadogan Clinic, do not feel that the discomfort and long recovery time of this deep plane technique is worth it. We focus on getting you lasting, impactful results, without unnecessary downtime and pain or discomfort.

Facelift results are essentially permanent but surgery will not stop your face from naturally continuing to age. For patients who take care of their skin, avoid smoking, and excessive sun exposure, it should be possible to enjoy the benefits of a facelift for many years, having essentially 'put the clock back' a decade or so following surgery.

You should expect to retain the benefits from your facelift surgery. If it makes you appear 10 years younger, you should always retain that 10-year advantage.

There are other external factors that determine how long a facelift will last, such as age of the patient and the condition of the patient's skin.

Darker skin that is in a healthy condition will respond better at the time of the surgery, as opposed to fairer skin that has sun damage or is thinner. However, patients who are under the age of 60 typically have the longest lasting results.

The skill of the surgeon and the technique used are also an important factor in the longevity of a facelift.

There are also many non-surgical procedures that can be used to maintain results on an ongoing basis beyond surgery and keep your face looking young and fresh.

These are all offered at the Cadogan Clinic, and include:

The latest and possibly the best adjunct is regenerative treatment.

Certain lifestyle factors can either increase the risk of complications during and after your surgery, or help sustain long-lasting results:

 

  • Don't smoke: Smoking ages you, accelerating the ageing process dramatically.  The most common impact of smoking before your surgery is that it increases your chances of developing an infection and inhibits your body's natural healing processes. We insist that all patients stop smoking and using nicotine products at least six weeks before surgery.
  • Drink less alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates your skin and we want your skin to remain firm and supple in order for results to be long-lasting.
  • Keep a healthy weight: Significant weight fluctuations can change the shape and elasticity of the skin on your face. To retain that vibrant, youthful look following your facelift, avoid or cut back on alcohol. Your doctor will discuss your current BMI and drug use at your consultation and advise you further on this.
  • Drink lots of water: Water hydrates your skin, it keeps the face looking full and fabulous.
  • Always wear sunscreen: Every day- no exceptions. The sun damages your skin, causes wrinkles and advanced ageing.
  • Take care of your skin: Following the instructions laid out to you by your surgeon for proper aftercare are of the utmost importance. It's also important to use high-quality skin creams, serums and to continue having professional treatments such as peels, fillers or Botox to continue to support your desired aesthetic.

Your surgeon will give you specific advice on how to wash and bathe after the surgery.

In general, you may gently shower and wash your hair 48 hours after a facelift surgery, taking particular care on the treated areas. You can also blow dry your hair on a cool setting. Be gentle when brushing or combing your hair so that you do not catch your comb in the suture lines. You must follow your surgeon's specific advice.

It is normal to feel a little self-conscious when you are in public following facelift surgery due to the visible swelling, redness and bruising that will inevitably occur on the face during the preliminary recovery phase.

The vast majority of bruising and swelling should have comfortably settled by around 2 to 3 weeks, so it is at this point that you should first plan to be seen by friends and colleagues.

Full recovery can take several months, so we do advise you plan well ahead to ensure that you give yourself enough time to recover before a major event such as a wedding or birthday. We would recommend allowing between 2 to 3 months.

It is typically possible to start wearing makeup again 2 weeks after your procedure. At this point, you can then use camouflage or concealer cosmetic products to cover any remnant bruising you may still have.

Of all the scars you may have from plastic surgeries, scars on the face are the best of the whole body. They are not only well hidden, but also settle efficiently. For most healthy people, surgical scars from a well-performed facelift do not cause any issues.

Even for patients who produce keloid scars can consider having a facelift, even though they will require extra Scar Management during their aftercare treatment.

Facelifts are becoming less invasive and scars fewer. Nevertheless, the standard scars themselves are short and hidden around the contours of the face, in the front of the ear, under the earlobe and in the crease behind the ear.

It is perfectly possible to carry out a facelift under a local anaesthetic, but most of our patients prefer the type of general anaesthesia we give at the Cadogan Clinic (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (T.I.V.A.)) for full facelift surgery.

TIVA delivers anaesthetic intravenously via a computerised pump able to monitor anaesthetic levels closely. This close calibration allows your anaesthetist to keep you at a relatively shallow level of anaesthesia, meaning your sickness is minimal following your procedure and you can start your recovery quickly. You will also be allowed home an hour or two after the surgery is completed, even if the surgery has taken several hours.

Local aneasthetic or sedation are better options for less invasive facelift surgery such as mini-lift or micro-lift surgery.

Plastic surgeons tend to be sceptical of non-surgical injection-led treatments when it comes to delivering long lasting facial rejuvenation results.

However, we do recommend non surgical alternatives for younger patients or patients with only minor signs of ageing.

There are limits, however. It is very difficult to fix drooping, sagging older skin. with a non-surgical facelift. You also cannot expect full resolution of deep wrinkle lines and drooping skin with fillers and injections, and of course, over time fillers fade and need to be replenished.

There are also various laser and high energy device rejuvenation treatments that we offer at the Cadogan Clinic, such as Laser Resurfacing, IPL, and Ultherapy. These treatments can be sufficient for some patients, but this depends entirely on the condition of the skin.

We typically recommend non-surgical treatments as a maintenance adjunct to surgical treatment, wherever possible. Surgical facelifts remain the better option to ensure dramatic, long lasting results. When it comes to drooping, sagging skin and deeply set wrinkles on the face, a surgical facelift is the best option.

In sum, whilst non surgical treatments can delay the effects of ageing to a certain superficial level, but the emptiness of the face and folds of loose skin will require surgery.

Yes, a Micro-Lift may be the perfect solution for your excess neck skin, but there are other solutions.

The Micro-Lift procedure is designed to help alleviate early signs of ageing and mild loss of elasticity loss.

This procedure commences with the making of a tiny incision below each ear. The connective tissue below the skin is pulled and held back to create a subtle structural lift in your jawline and neck. The skin will become taut and contours defined again.

The Micro-Lift does not offer drastic results. This is the subtlest in facelift procedures. If you have moderate skin laxity a mini-facelift may be a better choice for you. Or, if you have a problem with severe folds or prominent jowls you may want to consider a full facelift. However, if you are in your late 30s to late 40s and are looking for a light “pick up” in your face and neck area, the Micro-Lift is probably the best solution for you.

Remember that these modern lifting procedures are often combined with fat transfer and stem cell transfer to restore volume in the right places and rejuvenate the skin.

Any extra unwanted fat or double chin is removed by liposuction.

The recovery period for a Micro-Lift is really short. Most patients are back to their regular routines after just a few days. You will experience minimal discomfort after surgery. In addition, the smallness of the facial incisions means that your skin’s healing process will be quicker as well. You have minimal chance of poor scarring.

Jowls are the common term used to describe sagging, hanging skin around the chin and jawline. 

This sagging skin means the lower part of the face loses the definition that we enjoyed in our younger years. In some cases, jowls can also have a negative impact on a person’s facial expressions, leaving them looking permanently sad, grumpy or angry.

There are a number of things which can play a factor in the appearance of jowls. This includes genetics (jowls can be hereditary), environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure, and lifestyle choices, such as smoking and weight loss. Jowls may be less pronounced in people who have more fat, thicker skin or higher levels of collagen. The development of jowls is a very common side-effect of the aging process, as the skin loses its natural collagen and elastin. 

A mini facelift is one of the best surgical treatments available for tackling jowls. A jowl lift can get rid of this sagging skin and give the chin and jawline a smoother, tighter appearance. The underlying structures and muscles of the face are also tightened to enhance the result. Our expert surgeons who carry out this procedure will ensure that you are left with a natural-looking result from your surgery, without leaving the skin looking over-stretched.

It is important that you are prepared for your facelift, before and after the procedure.

Your journey to face lift surgery will begin with an initial consultation where you will be able to discuss with the surgeon what you want to achieve with the surgery and what would be possible, given your facial anatomy. The surgeon will go through the options available, discuss your medical history and take key measurements and clinical photography.

At this stage, you will also have a chance to view a number of facelift before and after pictures to give you an idea as to what the surgery can achieve.

If you decide to go ahead with your face lift, you will be given a two week cooling off period. During this fortnight, you can come to the clinic and discuss your face lift with the surgeon as many times as you like.
The surgery is carried out as a day case and you will need a friend or relative to drive you home afterwards. You will not be able to drive for a week following your face lift.

You can expect to be reasonably mobile after one day of rest, post-surgery.

It takes between four and six weeks to fully recover from a mini facelift. You should see results from this time, but expect to see further improvements for up to 12 months post-surgery.

You should expect some swelling and bruising in the days following your face lift. You should sleep on your back for three weeks after your face lift, in order to avoid sleeping on the surgery sites.

You will return to the clinic within two weeks after surgery when our nursing team will review your incision sites and assess your healing. The surgeon will see you at the six week mark for a final appointment. They will review your progress and remove any stitches.

After a face lift, it is common to experience a temporary bruising of the cheeks, a stiff, puffy and numb face, a raised hairline or sideburn and scarring. However all of these should resolve themselves over time. The surgeon will discuss risks and potential complications with you at your initial appointment.

It is vital that you follow all the aftercare advice issued by your surgeon. Failure to do so may delay the healing process or affect the final result. 

It is important to find a reputable surgeon who is experienced and qualified to carry out your mini facelift.

A good surgeon should be able to explain the procedure in great depth, including the different min facelift techniques - the S facelift, Smas facelift and deep plane facelift  - and advise which would best meet your needs. The surgeon should also be honest about any potential risks or complications, possible outcomes and help you to manage your expectations.

A good surgeon will also be able to tell you about alternative surgical and non-surgical anti-aging treatments available and help decide which option is right for you.

You should check that the surgeon is a specialist in mini facelift surgery and when you have your initial consultation, make sure the surgeon has an extensive portfolio of mini facelift before and after photographs that they can share with you so you can get a good idea of how the results of your surgery will look. Be sure to check out testimonials from previous patients.

A good facelift surgeon will always put the patient’s mental and physical wellbeing ahead of everything else. If you are not physically and psychologically fit and healthy, an ethical surgeon will not attempt to perform the procedure.

Only registered doctors can perform cosmetic surgery in England. You can check if a surgeon is a registered doctor or surgeon on the General Medical Council (GMC) online register.

Some surgeons may be members of professional associations, such as the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). However there are some qualified surgeons who are experts in their field but choose not to sign up to a trade body for their own reasons.

It is important that you are prepared for your facelift, before and after the procedure.

Your journey to face lift surgery will begin with an initial consultation where you will be able to discuss with the surgeon what you want to achieve with the surgery and what would be possible, given your facial anatomy. The surgeon will go through the options available, discuss your medical history and take key measurements and clinical photography.

At this stage, you will also have a chance to view a number of facelift before and after pictures to give you an idea as to what the surgery can achieve.

If you decide to go ahead with your face lift, you will be given a two week cooling off period. The surgery is carried out as a day case and you will need a friend or relative to drive you home afterwards. You will not be able to drive for a week following your face lift.

You can expect to be reasonably mobile after one day of rest, post-surgery.

It takes between four and six weeks to fully recover from a mini facelift. You should see results from this time, but expect to see further improvements for up to 12 months post-surgery.

You should expect some swelling and bruising in the days following your face lift. You should sleep on your back for three weeks after your face lift, in order to avoid sleeping on the surgery sites.

You will return to the clinic within two weeks after surgery when our nursing team will review your incision sites and assess your healing. The surgeon will see you at the six week mark for a final appointment. They will review your progress and remove any stitches.

After a face lift, it is common to experience a temporary bruising of the cheeks, a stiff, puffy and numb face, a raised hairline or sideburn and scarring. However all of these should resolve themselves over time. The surgeon will discuss risks and potential complications with you at your initial appointment.

It is vital that you follow all the aftercare advice issued by your surgeon. Failure to do so may delay the healing process or affect the final result. 

The best age for a minor facelift depends on the person's skin type, overall health, and the extent of their ageing signs. Mini facelifts are typically recommended for individuals in their 40s or 50s who have decent skin elasticity and just mild to moderate ageing signs.

The skin loses elasticity as we age, and the underlying muscles of the face begin to sag, often resulting in wrinkles and lines, as well as a lack of definition in the cheekbones and jawline. These concerns can be addressed with a minor facelift by tightening the skin and underlying tissues, giving the face a more youthful appearance.

The decision to get a mini facelift is a personal one that is determined by your individual goals and expectations. It is a less invasive procedure compared with a full facelift, but it may not provide as much improvement for more severe signs of ageing. The surgery often involves smaller incisions and less tissue dissection, resulting in reduced swelling, bruising, and healing time, and as a result, patients can usually resume regular activities within a week or two of the treatment.

A mini facelift also has the advantage of producing a more subtle, natural-looking result. The operation is intended to treat mild-to-moderate signs of ageing, such as sagging cheeks and jawline, wrinkles, and creases. A mini facelift can create a more youthful appearance by tightening the skin and underlying tissues without making the patient appear overly "done."

It is important to emphasise that a mini facelift is not appropriate for patients who have more severe indications of ageing; instead, a full facelift or lower facelift may be a better option for these patients. Your surgeon will be able to give you more information and advise you on the best course of action based on your specific needs.

In general, a mini facelift may be worth considering if you're looking for a less invasive procedure that can address mild-to-moderate signs of ageing while producing a natural-looking result.

 

A mini facelift often concentrates on the lower third of the face, including the cheeks, jowls, and neck. The goal of the procedure is to tighten and raise the skin and supporting tissues in these areas to give them a more youthful appearance.

On the other hand, the midface and upper neck may also be involved in a lower facelift, addressing more pronounced ageing symptoms. Besides tightening the skin, the operation is designed to lift and reposition the underlying facial tissues. In comparison with a mini facelift, the lower facelift requires a longer recovery period.


A state of the art, award winning clinic.

Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

About Us

Best in Class Facilities

All of our treatments take place at our beautiful boutique premises in Chelsea. We have six consulting rooms and five operating rooms, as well as a dedicated pre and post-operative suite, and a full team of specialist nursing staff.

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A Strong Tradition of Innovation

We were founded in 2004 by world renown plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, best known for his pioneering work in the area of liposuction, lasers and microvascular surgery. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

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How does a mini facelift differ from a traditional face lift (Rhytidectomy)?

There are a number of ways a mini facelift differs from a traditional facelift

While a mini facelift just targets the lower part of the face, a full facelift will target deep folds and wrinkles and improve your face as a whole. As a result, the procedure requires longer incisions.

One of the biggest differences is the position and prominence of these incisions. In a mini lift, there are fewer incisions and these are tucked away behind the ear and in the hairline. In comparison, in a traditional facelift the cuts are made behind and in front of the ears, occasionally extending onto the scalp. This means a lower facelift is much less invasive than its full face counterpart. However other treatments can be carried out at the same time as a lower face lift to improve other areas of the face.

Due to the size and position of the incisions, you may want to consider a mini facelift as an alternative to a traditional facelift if you are particularly prone to scarring.

A mini facelift is the best option for those aged in their 40s and 50s, as it effectively reverses the early signs of ageing. A traditional facelift is more appropriate for patients aged 55 and above, where the fine lines have progressed to deeper set wrinkles, or those who may have more sagging skin around their necks and jawline. Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, resulting in lots of loose skin around the face, may wish to opt for a traditional facelift, rather than a lower facelift.

A mini face lift takes roughly about half the time of a traditional facelift. More complicated and extensive full face procedures can occasionally take longer. Some surgeons used to take well over five hours for the standard full facelift. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these lengthier procedures result in higher pain levels and a longer healing time.

Mini face lift surgery can be performed under either local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic or sedation and is treated as a day case. Most patients will be able to return to everyday activities in one week, post-surgery. In comparison, it takes about two to four weeks to recover from a facelift. Bruising from a full facelift procedure will be visible for at least two weeks. Patients should expect some swelling and bruising at the incision areas after a mini facelift, but this is normal should fade over the course of a week or so.

We offer all facelift techniques at the Cadogan Clinic, and we also offer completely different approaches for male facelift patients to best suit the masculine facial structure.

The S facelift is so called because of the shape of the incision, which is made in the hairline, traveling to the back of the ear. Once this incision has been made, the surgeon will remove excess skin and fat to improve the contours on the lower part of the face.

A superficial musculoaponeurotic system facelift, more commonly known as an SMAS facelift, targets the bottom two thirds of the face. This particular technique addresses the problem of excess fat, sagging skin and unwanted jowls. It is also a great technique for restoring youthful volume to the cheeks.

A deep plane facelift is a technique which promises a much longer-lasting result. A surgeon will access deeper layers of tissue between fat and muscle by way of an incision. This tissue can be repositioned to firm up the neck, add volume and contouring to the cheeks and leave the jawline with a more defined appearance.

As these techniques all target the lower part of the face, they can be combined with a number of other surgical procedures to help improve other areas of the face. Popular choices include a brow lift, which gives the face a more wide-eyed appearance, and eyelid surgery, which is carried out to improve the appearance of hooded or drooping eyelids or eye bags.

Non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers and anti ageing injectables, for example Botox, can help to enhance the upper regions of the face.


What Are The Risks?

Before opting for a Mini Facelift  or any cosmetic surgery, it is vital to be aware of the potential risks and complications. Although the Mini Facelift can produce transformational results, there are risks that you need to consider and discuss with your surgeon.

  • Hematoma - This is the build up of blood beneath the skin around the lower face and will require treatment from your surgeon
  • Poor wound healing - Healing complications or infection can affect the incision sites around your ears and lower face
  • Asymmetry - Occasionally, the face may appear uneven
  • Seroma - This is the development of a lump under the skin caused by buildup of fluid around the incision sites. This will require treatment from your surgeon.
  • Fat necrosis or poor fat graft take - If your Mini Facelift has involved any facial fat transfer, some fat cells may not survive.
  • Temporary numbness - During your recovery period, you may experience some loss of sensation around your lower face. This should resolve within the 6 week recovery period.

In the event of an unforeseen complication or less than optimal outcome to your Mini Facelift, a revision surgery may be required. The need for a revision surgery can arise due to factors beyond the surgeon’s control. Our skilled consultant surgeons are qualified professionals who have performed Mini Facelift procedures numerous times.


It is also important to to acknowledge that any surgical procedure carries a slight risk of:

  • Excessive bleeding 
  • Allergic reaction to general anesthetic
  • Infection at the surgical site
  • Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a vein)

Your surgeon will assess your personal risk for all of these factors alongside your general health and suitability for Mini Facelift surgery. They will also explain how these risks would be addressed and treated in the event they occur.


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We believe in the delivery of excellent outcomes and results, and exceptional levels of service. Our outcomes are natural and long-lasting, and we remain the premier choice for cosmetic surgery treatments in the UK.



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