Subtle surgical artistry for a refreshed, refined appearance.
Women and men from throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with early signs of relaxation in the face and neck are often good candidates for a mini facelift in Edina, MN. Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Szachowicz performs this minimally invasive facelift, also called the Local Lift, with the patient under local anesthesia with some sedation.
COMPARISON OF FACELIFT TECHNIQUES
| Local or Mini Facelift | Standard Mini Facelift |
|---|---|
| Age: Late 40s to early 50s Primarily the aging is in the face with early jowling |
Age: Late 50s Significant jowls |
| Only minimal skin laxity in the neck | Some fat or looseness of skin in neck |
| May have some fat under the chin | Muscular bands on animation |
| Good skin tone and elasticity | Areas of fat loss in the face |
| Good general health (no sleep apnea, blood pressure under control, etc.) | Needs chin implant |
Mini facelifts have recently received a lot of attention as more people from throughout the Twin Cities become aware of minimally invasive procedures that can be performed earlier in the aging process to extend their youth-span. People who have their procedures performed under local anesthesia report a quicker recovery with less side effects from anesthesia.
During your consultation with Dr. Szachowicz, computerized video imaging is used to educate you about your options, and simulate a result of rejuvenation surgery. Dr. Szachowicz will review your medical history to see if you are a candidate for a Local Lift.
The mini facelift is a surgical procedure for those who are showing some of the effects of aging in the face that may occur after prolonged exposure to the sun or tanning beds, a significant illness, or a prolonged stressful life event. Many people come through their 40s and feel that their faces have really changed and lost some vitality. A Local Lift (mini facelift) is designed to correct the aging that is happening primarily to the face, including:
The procedure involves an incision in front of the ear and slightly behind the earlobe. No hair removal is necessary as the incision goes around the tuft of hair in the temple.
Local anesthesia is placed mostly in the cheek area and sometimes under the chin is fat removal with liposuction is necessary.
After the skin over the cheek is elevated, suspension sutures are placed to support the cheek fat pad, define the jawline and gently lift the neck muscles. Usually some skin excess is removed, but the primary goal is to restore the youthful support and tone to the face. A compression dressing is used overnight to minimize the occurrence of blood collecting under the tissues after surgery.
See real results from Dr. Szachowicz’s skilled artistry. Our gallery showcases natural-looking facelifts and complementary facial rejuvenation procedures—refined enhancements that restore harmony, definition, and confidence.
Every result reflects a personalized approach—shaped by your unique features and goals. Expect refreshed contours, smoother skin, and subtle improvements that look like you—just more rested and refined.
The mini facelift heals more quickly than a standard facelift because the amount of surgery in the front part of the neck is minimal. The sutures in front of the ears come out in 7 to 10 days and the bruising can usually be concealed adequately by 10 to 14 days.
No surgery can arrest the aging process, but restoring the support and tone to the face slows the aging process. The result will gradually age with you over the next 5 to 7 years. The real benefit to early surgery is that you still have good skin tone and elasticity, so a more limited procedure can still give you large results.
The best candidates have good general health, with few prescriptive medications. After surgery, a medical grade skin care system will be suggested to help you skin maintenance. A collagen stimulation treatment such as Fraxel® laser skin resurfacing or microneedling is recommendation at least 3 times per year to stimulate your skin to produce new collagen.
No strenuous activity is recommended as you heal to prevent blood from collecting under the tissues as they heal. Some surface irregularities may be noticeable in the early phases of healing, but smooth with continued healing. Bruising occurs to some degree in all patients, but can be covered with concealer as soon as the sutures are removed. Arnica montana, an anti-bruising herbal, is given to help with the resolution of bruising. Liposuction in the neck is initially swollen, then has some tissue stiffness, and finally softens as the healing is complete.
Because suspension sutures are used instead of open surgery, the risk to the underlying nerves are much less. There will be some numbness of the cheeks which usually resolves in the next 3 to 6 months after surgery
“Dr. Szachowicz is a master at his craft. I would highly recommend him to everyone. I have been seeing Dr Szachowicz for over 5 years and I couldnt’ be happier with my treatments and results. He is extremely brilliant, knowledgeable, and honest. I have recommended him to many friends and will not go to anyone else. ”
“I feel so great about myself.
“Your aesthetic eye, attention to detail, overwhelming kindness and generosity are very much appreciated. Now, when I look in the mirror, I feel so great about myself. I realize how fortunate I am to have someone as wonderful as you to give me such a precious gift!””
“Thank you for being there to help me on my journey. Thank you for being such a professional. Thank you for helping me have nicer skin again. Thank you for being a kind and caring person who came through with flying colors. Thank you for being the person I always have thought you were. Thank you for being there to help me on my journey.”
“Dr. Szachowicz is a master at his craft. I would highly recommend him to everyone. I have been seeing Dr Szachowicz for over 5 years and I couldnt’ be happier with my treatments and results. He is extremely brilliant, knowledgeable, and honest. I have recommended him to many friends and will not go to anyone else. ”
