At The Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center, Dr. Kole regularly performs two different types of facelifts. Facelift procedures are effective in reducing the signs of an aging face, and because all individuals age differently, each person’s facelift procedure is customized to their own needs and desired results. It can be difficult, however, to decide which type of facelift procedure is best for you, and so we highlight some of the most important differences here. We focus on the traditional facelift versus the short-scar, commonly known as the “mini” facelift.
Length of Incision
The traditional facelift procedure is done through an incision that can span from the hairline behind the ear to the hairline near the temple of the head. Dr. Kole performs traditional facelifts using the tragus incision, which minimizes scarring in front of the ear, and other scar are well-hidden behind hairlines. The length of the incision allows Dr. Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center to tighten and reconstruct facial muscles from the temple to the jawline.
In contrast, the short-scar facelift uses a shorter incision starting at the temple and ending at the earlobe, eliminating scars around the ear and hairline near the ear. The short-scar or mini facelift targets signs of aging that are a result gravity and loss of elasticity in the skin, but does not target wrinkles in the neck or vertical wrinkles extending from the mouth.
Depth of Dissection
The traditional facelift, in addition to its longer incision, also dissects the facial muscles deeper than a mini-facelift. In this type of procedure, surgeons go underneath the facial muscle that extends from the base of the neck into the face and restructures the muscle in order to pull facial features more tightly into their original youthful position.
The mini facelift, due to its shorter incision that does not extend into the neck, does not access this muscle by restructuring it. Instead, the short-scar procedure uses sutures to pull this muscle into place, and does not dissect more deeply to restructure the muscle. Because of this, the mini facelift is a less aggressive procedure, and can be more appropriate for younger patients who do not want to spend as much time recovering and who do not suffer from greater signs of aging.
Ancillary Treatments
The traditional facelift can be accompanied by a number of ancillary procedures to create a more youthful appearance for the entire face. As the incision can stretch from the temple to the neck, common procedures done with a traditional facelift are a brow lift or a neck lift. Additionally, at The Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center patients can get facial implants that add volume to areas that may have sagged or lost fullness due to aging. If patients want other procedures done along with their facelift, the traditional method is usually preferred depending on the mount of facial laxity.
To schedule your priate complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate for a facelift procedure, call our office at 215-315-7655 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Kole
