Facial Plastic Surgery: Edward Szachowicz, MD
4999 France Ave. S., Suite #210
Minneapolis, MN 55410
Phone: (952) 835-5665
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Mini Facelift
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 Facelift |
| Age: Late 40s to early 50s
Primarily the aging is in the face with early jowling Only minimal skin laxity in the neck May have some fat under the chin Good skin tone and elasticity Good general health (no sleep apnea, blood pressure under control, etc.) |
Age: late 50s or older
Significant jowls Some fat or looseness of skin in neck Muscular bands on animation Areas of fat loss in the face 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.
What Is a Mini Facelift?
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:
- Fat on the cheek drops.
- Jowls begin to form along the jawline.
- Sagging skin makes the jawline less distinct.
- Fat may have accumulated on the neck (without significant laxity of the skin).
The Mini Facelift Procedure
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.
Dr. Edward Szachowicz
(Sack-o-which)
Your face can reflect the way you feel inside through a facelift or another surgical procedure by Dr. Szachowicz.
Meet Dr. SzachowiczBenefits of the Mini Facelift
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.
Risks of the Mini Facelift
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.
Your Consultation
Your cosmetic consultation with Dr. Szachowicz is your personal time to discuss your goals and to receive information on those procedures he may recommend to achieve your desired goals. As part of this discussion, Dr. Szachowicz utilizes a state-of-the-art computerized image simulation system to illustrate possible outcomes for the rejuvenated YOU!
Please bring pictures of yourself when younger – knowing more about your aging journey helps Dr. Szachowicz customize your procedure(s).
Learn More About the Local or Mini Facelift
To explore this option for you using computerized video imaging, request a consultation with Dr. Szachowicz using his online form or call his Edina, MN, office at (952) 835-5665.