Is a Mini-Facelift Painful?

Most experience only mild discomfort during the recovery period. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation, so you’ll be comfortable and relaxed throughout. Afterward, you may feel tightness, swelling, or bruising in the treated areas.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

A mini-facelift typically requires two to three appointments. The first is the consultation to assess your goals and determine if you’re a candidate. The second is the surgery, which is an outpatient procedure. Afterward, you’ll have one or two follow-up appointments to monitor recovery and ensure optimal healing.

How Long Until I See Results?

You can expect noticeable results from a mini-facelift within a few weeks, but most patients start to see the final results in about 2 to 3 months. These results typically improve over time as the skin continues to heal and settle into its new position, providing a refreshed and more youthful appearance.

Can I Combine a Mini-Facelift With Other Procedures?

Yes, a mini-facelift can be combined with treatments such as eyelid surgery , neck lifts , brow lifts , or dermal fillers to address multiple areas of concern in one session.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Mini-Facelift?

At Facial Aesthetic Concepts, our facial plastic surgeons perform micro-lift procedures, focusing on their patients’ safety and natural results. Although micro lifts are generally low-risk, any surgery carries potential risks, including anesthesia reactions, bleeding, infection, and rare cases of nerve injury or temporary weakness.

Mini-Facelift

Introduction

Introduction to Mini-Facelift

As we age, it’s natural to want to look as vibrant as we feel. But skin can start to lose its firmness, leaving us with fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging, especially around the face and neck. The slowing production of collagen and elastin—the building blocks that keep our skin smooth and tight—is a big reason this happens. Stress, lifestyle choices, and even genetics can speed up this process. If you want to restore a firmer, more youthful appearance, a micro lift might be just what you need.

Reach out for a free consultation to learn more about how a micro-lift can help you look and feel your best. We offer flexible appointment times at three Southern California locations, so finding a time that works for you is easy. Let’s discuss your goals and how we can help you.

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Before & after photos

Mini-Facelift B&A

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Dr. Richard Congnes, a dermatologist, examines a patient in a medical setting. The patient, wearing a leather jacket, appears attentive as Dr. Congnes gently assesses her. The image highlights the doctor-patient interaction and emphasizes personalized healthcare. - Mini Facelift in San Clamente, Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

What is a Mini-Facelift?

A microlift is a popular choice for men and women looking to refresh the early signs of aging, focusing on the cheeks, chin, jawline, and neck. Unlike a traditional facelift involving larger incisions around the hairline, a microlift uses small, hidden incisions placed within the ears. The surgeon gently repositions the skin and underlying tissues through these openings to achieve a naturally youthful look. Ideal for those with mild to moderate sagging in the neck and jawline who aren’t ready for a complete facelift, this minimally invasive procedure typically takes under an hour and can be performed with local anesthesia.

What Are the Benefits of a Mini-Facelift?

One of the main advantages is its ability to target specific areas of the face, such as the jawline, cheeks, and neck, providing a more youthful, refreshed appearance. The procedure normally requires smaller incisions, which means less scarring, minimal downtime, and a quicker recovery than traditional facelift surgery.

Another benefit is that a mini-facelift delivers subtle yet noticeable results, helping to restore skin elasticity and tighten sagging areas without drastically altering your natural features.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Mini-Facelift?

Ideal candidates for a microlift are generally healthy, have a balanced diet, and are physically active, all of which can support better healing. Certain medical conditions, like a history of blood clots or issues with wound healing, might make surgery less suitable, so your surgeon will carefully review your medical history and may recommend tests. Non-smokers are preferred due to lower risks of complications; nicotine can hinder healing, so staying smoke-free for at least four weeks before surgery is often required. A microlift offers subtle, rejuvenating changes, so discussing your goals with your surgeon will clarify achievable outcomes.

Let’s get strated

What’s the First Step?

The first step in getting a mini-facelift with Dr. Bryan Brandon or Dr. Richard A. Gangnes at one of our three Southern California locations is scheduling a consultation. During this initial meeting, your personal facial plastic surgeon will carefully assess your facial structure, listen to your aesthetic goals, and discuss any concerns you may have. They will then determine if a mini-facelift is best for you, explain the procedure in detail, and tailor the plan to your needs. This consultation is an important opportunity to ask questions, set realistic expectations, and ensure you feel comfortable and confident moving forward with the surgery.

What to Expect on the Day of Mini-Facelift Surgery

During the mini-facelift procedure, your surgeon will make small incisions around the ears and hairline to lift and reposition your facial tissues and muscles, addressing sagging skin and restoring a youthful contour.

Dr. Brandon or Dr. Gangnes will also remove excess skin and smooth out wrinkles along the jawline, neck, and cheeks for a rejuvenated, natural-looking result. Unlike a complete facelift, the mini-facelift focuses on the lower portion of the face and is ideal for those experiencing moderate sagging or early signs of aging.

Mini-Facelift Recovery

Microlifts are often performed outpatient, taking under two hours and requiring a recovery period of about a week. Most patients experience minimal discomfort, with some temporary bruising and mild numbness being the most common side effects.

As bruising and swelling decrease, the refreshed effects of your micro lift will gradually appear. If you experience prolonged pain or significant swelling, our medical team is here to assist you throughout recovery. A microlight offers a more subtle rejuvenation with less downtime than a traditional facelift, making it a popular choice for those seeking quicker recovery.

Transparent Pricing

How Much Does a Mini-Facelift Cost in Orange County, CA?

A mini-facelift in San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and the greater Orange County area typically ranges between $6,000 and $12,000.

It’s important to remember that while a mini-facelift is generally less expensive than a full facelift, prices can fluctuate. Schedule a consultation with your surgeon for your specific quote.

Why Choose Facial Aesthetic Concepts?

Since 1980, Facial Aesthetic Concepts has been a leading name in cosmetic surgery throughout Orange County and Los Angeles, specializing in procedures like facelifts, microlifts, and rhinoplasty. With a meticulous and artistic approach, both Dr. Bryan Brandon and Dr. Richard A. Gangnes are dedicated to achieving natural-looking results while ensuring a comfortable and collaborative experience. Having performed over 4,000 combined facial rejuvenation procedures, they combine technical precision with a focus on each patient’s unique aesthetic goals.

Dr. Bryan Brandon brings a wealth of expertise and education to our practice. He graduated as valedictorian in high school, earned a biomedical engineering degree from California Polytechnic University, and completed his medical training at UC Irvine. He further honed his craft through a prestigious fellowship with Dr. Vito Quatela in New York.

Dr. Richard A. Gangnes has over 30 years of experience in facial plastic surgery. He is a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon with both the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), and as a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Facelift FAQ’s

Schedule A
Consultation

Schedule your complimentary consultation online to explore the best face-refreshing options tailored to you. Choosing a micro-lift or any facial procedure means finding a highly qualified facial plastic surgeon and an experienced team you can trust. At Facial Aesthetic Concepts, we combine advanced technology with unmatched medical expertise to deliver the best possible results. With over 30 years of experience serving Orange County, our renowned surgeons and skilled staff are ready to provide a full skin analysis and a treatment plan for your desired goals.