Mini Facelift | Refresh Your Look Without Major Downtime

A Subtle Lift for Early Signs of Aging

A mini facelift is a popular facial rejuvenation procedure designed to address early signs of aging with minimal downtime. By targeting mild skin laxity in the lower face and jawline, a mini facelift can smooth marionette lines, define facial contours, and restore a rested, youthful appearance, all through smaller incisions and a shorter recovery compared to a traditional facelift.

At Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego, patients often turn to the mini facelift as an effective entry point into surgical facial rejuvenation. While it offers meaningful results, those seeking deeper, longer-lasting correction often explore more advanced options like the Artiste Lift™.

The Artiste Lift : The Future of Preservation Deep Plane Facelift Surgery Explained

What Is a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is a less invasive version of a traditional facelift. It’s designed for individuals with early signs of facial aging, such as mild jowling, skin laxity, or softening of the jawline.

By using shorter incisions, typically hidden around the ears, the procedure lifts and repositions sagging tissues of the lower face. Excess skin is removed, resulting in a more refined, natural look.

Because the underlying deeper structures are only partially addressed, the mini facelift offers moderate improvement and a quicker recovery, making it ideal for those who aren’t quite ready for a full facelift.

Who Is It For?

A mini facelift may be right for you if you:

Have mild to moderate sagging in the lower face
Want to improve jawline definition or reduce marionette lines
Prefer a shorter recovery and less invasive procedure
Are in your 40s to early 50s and not yet ready for a full facelift

While it’s a great option for early facial aging, patients with more advanced laxity or deeper folds often benefit from more comprehensive facial lifting techniques.

Mini Facelift vs. the Artiste Lift™

What’s the Difference?

Both the mini facelift and the Artiste Lift™ aim to rejuvenate the face, but they differ in scope, technique, and longevity of results.

A mini facelift is designed for patients with early signs of aging, typically those in their 40s to early 50s who want to address mild sagging around the jawline and marionette lines.

It involves shorter incisions and focuses on lifting superficial tissue for a subtle, natural-looking improvement with a quicker recovery time.

The Artiste Lift™, on the other hand, is a comprehensive deep plane facelift with vertical neck lift, ideal for patients with more advanced aging in the face and neck.

This technique repositions deeper structures, restores volume, and refines the neck and jawline in a way that looks natural but significantly more transformative.

If you’re unsure which is right for you, a consultation can help determine whether a mini facelift will meet your goals, or if you’re ready for the more advanced rejuvenation of the Artiste Lift™.

Real Patient Transformations

Our patient came to us seeking a natural, refreshed look—hoping to restore youthful contours to her cheeks and eliminate excess skin. The results of her transformation are truly remarkable. Her jawline is now beautifully defined, volume has been restored to her face, and her skin appears firmer and naturally rejuvenated. To achieve this outcome, Dr. Balikian performed a comprehensive facial rejuvenation procedure, which included a preservation deep plane facelift, deep vertical neck lift with submandibular gland reduction, temporal brow lift, bilateral upper blepharoplasty, full face fat transfer, and full face CO2 laser. Each component of this tailored approach worked in harmony to produce balanced, natural-looking results that reflect Dr. Balikian’s artistry and expertise.

Who wants a snatched jawline! This patient came to us bothered by her jowls and just wanted them lifted to redefine her jawline. She is a perfect example of how Dr. Balikian’s method of a deep plane facelift and deep neck lift can unveil your natural beauty without looking like a different person. She has such natural beauty to her face that combining an extended deep plane face and neck lift with conservative fat transfer and targeted laser resurfacing, unveiled those beautiful features without creating a done look. That is the purpose of properly done full facial rejuvenation; not to create something new, but to unveil the beauty within.

This patient came in wanting a sharper jawline with a natural, athletic appearance. To achieve this, Dr. Balikian performed a Deep Plane Face Lift with Vertical Deep Necklift, Perioral CO2 Laser and Fat Transfer to Partial Face.

Dr. Balikian preformed his signature Comprehensive Artiste Lift which entails a Preservation Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Vertical Neck Lift, Facial Fat Transfer & CO2 Laser.

View the Facelift Photo Gallery

Mini Facelift Procedure Overview

Mini facelift surgery involves:

Discreet incisions near the ears
Lifting and repositioning of superficial tissues
Removal of excess skin
Skin tightening for a refreshed, natural result

Most mini facelifts are performed in-office or under light anesthesia, with less post-operative swelling and downtime compared to more extensive facial surgeries.

Recovery and Results

Recovery from a mini facelift is typically quick, with most patients returning to light activity within 5 to 7 days. Mild swelling and bruising may occur but usually resolve within a couple of weeks.

To support healing, Dr. Balikian uses ELIXIR MD™ yellow light therapy immediately after surgery. This advanced treatment targets inflammation, reduces swelling, and promotes smoother incision healing, helping patients feel more comfortable and recover faster.

Post-Facelift Healing: How We Accelerate Facelift Recovery and Minimize Swelling and Bruising

The result is a more refined, youthful appearance with less downtime and a smoother overall recovery.

Benefits of a Mini Facelift

A mini facelift offers a targeted, less invasive approach to early facial aging, delivering visible improvement without the downtime of a full facelift.

Lifts mild sagging around the mouth and jawline
Shorter incisions and quicker recovery
Natural-looking results
Minimal scarring
Ideal for patients not yet ready for a full facelift

For the right candidate, it’s a subtle yet powerful way to restore a more refreshed and youthful appearance.

When a Mini Facelift May Not Be Enough

While a mini facelift can create beautiful results, it does have limitations. It doesn’t fully address:

Deep tissue sagging
Neck banding or skin laxity below the jawline
Significant volume loss or deep facial folds

For patients looking for longer-lasting and more transformative results, procedures like the Artiste Lift™ offer deeper repositioning of facial structures, comprehensive neck refinement, and the ability to restore natural volume, all in one advanced surgical experience.

Considering a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift can be an excellent option for the right candidate. If you’re noticing early signs of aging and want a refreshed, youthful look with less downtime, schedule a consultation to find out whether a mini facelift, or a more advanced procedure like the Artiste Lift™, is the best path for your goals.

Learn More About Facial Plastic Surgery

Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Balikian is an experienced, double board-certified, facial plastic surgeon. He is double board-certified both in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Balikian belongs to a very select group of elite cosmetic surgeons with at least six years of specialized surgical training exclusively in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck.

Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon

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