Types of Mini Facelifts

• A facelift can make a person look younger. Chaos/Photodisc/Getty Images

  A facelift, or rhytidectomy, refers to surgical procedure aimed at reducing wrinkles and improving the overall appearance of the face. Mini facelifts are very similar to traditional facelifts, but the incisions are somewhat smaller. You need to consult your surgeon to choose the type of facelift that might be suitable for you.

Cutaneous

• A cutaneous, or skin only, facelift removes wrinkles from the lower face and neck. The surgeon makes incisions behind the ear and dissects the skin from the fat and muscle, stretching it back, then closes the incisions. This is the oldest form of facelifting. It poses little risk to the muscles or the nerves under the skin.

Temporal

• Temporal facelifts address the eyebrow area. Patients use this type of facelifts to tackle slightly drooping or lowered eyebrows. In a temporal facelift, the surgeon makes incisions to lift the skin on the sides of the brows.

Platysmaplasty

• Platysmaplasty, also known as submentoplasty, refers to a procedure targeting the platysma muscle located beneath the skin on the neck. Many people find that this muscle starts protruding from the neck with age, resulting in two neck "cords" or bands. During a platysmaplasty, the surgeon separates the skin from the protruding platysma muscle, then reattaching the muscle more closely, removing any protrusions.

Liposuction

• Liposuction refers to a removal of excess fat from beneath the skin on the face, chin and neck. During liposuction, the surgeon makes tiny incision, usually under the chin, and uses different instruments, such as suction apparatus, to get the fat out.