Mini Facelift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Algonquin, IL

A mini facelift, also known as a short scar or minimum incision facelift, is a surgical procedure that elevates facial skin and soft tissues to address visible facial aging without using the invasive techniques of traditional facelifts. It uses smaller incisions to address early to moderate concerns, allowing you to correct them before they worsen. (1)

Utku Dolen, MD, is a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon at Northwest Medicine Plastic Surgery. Dr. Dolen is board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, demonstrating his dedication to providing the highest level of care to each of his patients.

If you are interested in meeting with Dr. Dolen to discuss your mini facelift, please schedule a consultation by calling (847) 854-3522.

About Mini Facelifts

A mini facelift is a variation of the traditional facelift that uses shorter incisions and less invasive techniques to address wrinkles, creases, jowling, skin laxity, and other visible signs of facial aging. This procedure elevates sunken facial tissues, skin, and muscles across the middle and lower portions of the face, allowing you to address each of your concerns before they become much more significant.

Benefits

There are several benefits to mini facelifts, including:

  • Reduced Recovery: The primary benefit of the mini facelift is its shortened recovery time. This will allow you to return to each of your daily activities sooner than other facial rejuvenation procedures.
  • Softened Signs of Aging: Dr. Dolen can perform this procedure to restore a more vibrant and youthful appearance.
  • Ideal for Younger Patients: Younger patients can receive a mini facelift as a form of “prejuvenation,” or pre-rejuvenation, to address early-forming signs of aging before they can deepen.
  • Individualized Treatment Plans: Dr. Dolen personalizes each treatment plan around each patient’s unique anatomy, concerns, and goals.
  • Lasting Results: The effects of a mini facelift can last for up to a decade, which is significantly longer than the results of many other treatments and procedures.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a mini facelift if you have started noticing early signs of visible aging around the middle and lower face. These can include:

  • Wrinkles
  • Creases
  • Fine Lines
  • Jowling
  • Lax or Sagging Skin
  • Descending Fat
  • Volume Loss
  • Poor Facial Definition (2)

To qualify for your procedure, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should also be nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine. Dr. Dolen will determine your candidacy during your consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step to transforming your appearance is attending a personal consultation with Dr. Dolen. Here, he will meet with you individually to discuss what a mini facelift consists of, your medical history, your personal concerns, and your goals. He also performs a physical evaluation of your facial structure and skin quality.

Dr. Dolen will use this information to create a treatment plan for your concerns. He will determine the best surgical approaches, and he may recommend additional procedures to enhance your outcomes. Dr. Dolen will also answer any questions you may have so you feel confident approaching your mini facelift.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation and receive your personalized procedure plan, please call (847) 854-3522.

We are proud to serve the areas of:

  • Barrington
  • Schamburg
  • Hoffman Estates
  • Arlington Heights
  • McHenry
  • Crystal Lake
  • Lake in the Hills
  • Algonquin
  • St. Charles
  • Union
  • Huntley
  • Carpentersville
  • DeKalb
  • Marengo
  • Woodstock
  • Carry
  • Bartlett
  • Streamwood
  • Wauconda
  • Dundee
  • Elgin
  • Aurora
  • Naperville
  • Fox Lake

If you live near us, we encourage you to stop by our office and schedule a consultation!

Preparation

After scheduling your procedure, Dr. Dolen will provide detailed instructions to help you prepare, which may direct you to:

  • Discontinue Certain Medications: Refrain from taking any medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning or antiplatelet properties.
  • Arrange Time Away: Prepare to take a step back from any personal or professional responsibilities to give yourself time to heal.
  • Prepare a Ride: Have a trusted friend or family member drive you home after your procedure.
  • Fill Your Prescriptions: Before undergoing your mini facelift, pick up any medications you may need as you recover.
  • Cease any Substances: Avoid consuming nicotine or alcohol in the months leading up to your appointment.

Procedure

Dr. Dolen performs each mini facelift on an outpatient basis. When you arrive, he will meet with you one last time to confirm each of your desired corrections.

Dr. Dolen will first place an incision that extends around the ears, which is shorter than that of a traditional facelift. This length and placement will allow any post-operative scarring to fade and blend with the natural contours of your ears. Through the incisions, Dr. Dolen will carefully lift and tighten your facial skin, soft tissues, and facial muscles to recontour your appearance and remove excess skin. He will then suture each incision before dressing the area and allowing you to rest under the care of the Northwest Medical Plastic Surgery team.

Recovery

After your mini facelift, you may experience some swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own with time, but you may also manage them using medications Dr. Dolen prescribes and plenty of rest. You may return to most of your daily activities after resting for approximately one to two weeks, but you will need to refrain from any strenuous activities until you have recovered.

Dr. Dolen provides a full set of post-operative instructions so you understand what to expect ahead of time. By following each direction, you will be able to swiftly and safely return to each part of your routine.

Results

After making a full recovery, you will be able to enjoy your subtle yet profound enhancements. Your skin will appear smoother and tighter, your facial sculpt will be accentuated, and you will appear more youthful overall. Each of these effects can also lead to improvements in your self-esteem and sense of body positivity.

The results of a mini facelift are long-lasting, with many of Dr. Dolen’s patients experiencing their effects for up to a decade. While no procedure can truly stop the natural effects of aging, a mini facelift can provide you with long-lasting rejuvenation that can delay the onset of wrinkles, volume loss, creases, and other aging signs.

Cost of Mini Facelifts in Algonquin, Illinois

The cost of your mini facelift will vary depending on the details of your treatment plan. These can include the type of corrections Dr. Dolen performs, the extent of each correction, the overall complexity of your procedure, whether he performs any additional treatments, and more. Once he has met with you to discuss each of these factors, he will provide you with a total cost estimate.

To learn more about our pricing, please schedule a consultation by calling (847) 854-3522 or visiting our office.

FAQ

What is the difference between a mini facelift and a traditional facelift?

A mini facelift specifically uses limited incisions to address early to moderate signs of aging in the middle and lower portions of the face, while a traditional facelift uses larger incisions to correct more significant aging concerns.

What type of anesthesia will Dr. Dolen use during my mini facelift?

Dr. Dolen will perform your mini facelift using general anesthesia, which means you will be unconscious throughout the entirety of your procedure.

What concerns can a mini facelift address?

A mini facelift can address early to moderate signs of aging across the middle and lower face, including wrinkles, creases, fine lines, jowling, sagging skin, descending fat, and more.

How will I know if I am a good candidate for a facelift?

The best way to tell if you are a suitable candidate is by attending a personal consultation. Here, Dr. Dolen will be able to assess your medical history, personal concerns, and facial anatomy to decide whether a mini facelift will meet your needs.

How long will it take for me to recover from my mini facelift?

Your recovery time will vary depending on the extent of your procedure. You can expect to return to most of your daily activities after one to two weeks, but Dr. Dolen may direct you to refrain from more strenuous activities for another several weeks.

Are the results of a mini facelift permanent?

The results of a mini facelift are not permanent, as no procedure can truly stop the natural aging process. However, you will be able to enjoy your results for several years to come, with many of Dr. Dolen’s patients experiencing effects for up to a decade.

Can I pair my mini facelift with any other procedures?

You certainly can! Mini facelifts are extremely effective in conjunction with neck lifts, fat grafting, and non-surgical rejuvenation treatments like microneedling or botulinum toxin injections. Dr. Dolen can help you explore your combination options during your consultation.

References

  1. Van Pham T, Truong KHTN. Short or Minimum Incision Deep Plane/Extended Deep Plane Facelift/Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2020;36(04):376-385. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1714118
  2. Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. Nih.gov. Published March 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/#article-28568.s4