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A mini facelift offers the perfect solution for patients looking to address the early signs of aging without undergoing a more invasive traditional facelift. Designed to lift and tighten the lower face, this procedure tightens sagging skin, defines the jawline and neck, and smooths out wrinkles. If you’ve noticed loose skin or a loss of youthful contours around your chin and jawline, a mini facelift procedure can restore a more vibrant and youthful appearance with minimal downtime.
Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and patient-focused care, Dr. Lapuerta creates customized treatment plans to ensure results that enhance your natural beauty. As a less invasive procedure, the mini facelift delivers beautiful outcomes with a shorter recovery, making it a popular choice for patients who want to rejuvenate their appearance without extended downtime. Schedule your consultation today and learn how Dr. Lapuerta can help you achieve a refreshed, confident look.
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"This man is a WIZARD! Extremely skilled, very caring, kind and an incredible surgeon. Consultation was excellent. Dr. Lapuerta is lovely and truly takes the time to understand your goals and discuss options in detail so you know your choices and can align them with your expectations and desired outcomes. Also, his team is incredible! Everyone from office staff, to consultants, to medical professionals - all of his team - wonderful, caring, kind, supportive and very helpful. And the surgical results are five star: I look like myself, but 20 years younger. I am not even exaggerating. All care, instruction - pre and post op - very thorough. You feel like the whole team is there for you every step of the way. Because they are."
Review from L.W. | Source: RealSelf | Nov 09, 2023 Plastic Surgery Patient
A mini facelift is a less invasive procedure than a traditional facelift designed to target sagging skin, loose skin, and early signs of aging in the lower face and neck. Unlike a full facelift, which addresses more extensive facial aging, the mini facelift procedure focuses on tightening and lifting the jawline, chin, and lower half of the face.
Dr. Lapuerta performs the procedure using small incisions placed discreetly around the hairline and behind the ears. These incisions allow him to remove excess skin, tighten the underlying tissues, and smooth wrinkles for a more youthful and refreshed look. With its ability to deliver natural, subtle improvements, the mini facelift is a popular choice for patients seeking noticeable results without the downtime associated with a more invasive cosmetic surgery.
On the day of your mini facelift, Dr. Lapuerta will use either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. The surgery begins with small incisions placed along the hairline and behind the ears, allowing for precise access to the treatment area.
Dr. Lapuerta then tightens the underlying tissues, removes excess skin, and repositions the remaining skin for a smoother, more lifted appearance. The surgical procedure typically takes 2–3 hours, and most patients return home the same day to begin their recovery.
The mini facelift targets specific concerns in the lower face and neck caused by aging, including:
The mini facelift provides a subtle yet impactful improvement to your overall facial appearance by focusing on these areas.
A mini facelift is an excellent choice for those wishing to refresh their appearance while maintaining a natural, understated look. As a less invasive procedure, it requires smaller incisions and comes with minimal downtime compared to a full facelift. The results are beautifully subtle, restoring youthful contours in the lower face and neck without looking overdone. With a shorter recovery period, most patients report only mild discomfort and can return to their daily routines within a week. Beyond the physical enhancements, a mini facelift can boost your confidence, leaving you feeling more youthful, vibrant, and refreshed.
The mini facelift is ideal for those wishing to turn back the clock on mild to moderate signs of aging appearing in the lower face and neck. You may be a good candidate if you:
During your consultation, Dr. Lapuerta will review your medical history and learn about your individual aesthetic goals to determine if the mini facelift procedure is right for you. Patients with significant facial aging or loose skin may benefit more from a full facelift or other facial procedures.
Following a mini facelift, patients can expect mild swelling and bruising for the first few days, but these symptoms improve rapidly. Dr. Lapuerta provides detailed post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results.
Most patients return to light activities within one week and can resume more strenuous activities after about two weeks. The small incisions are carefully placed to minimize visible scarring, and they heal discreetly within the hairline. Dr. Lapuerta monitors your recovery through follow-up appointments to ensure your results meet your expectations.
The mini facelift delivers noticeable improvements in your facial appearance, including a more sculpted jawline, smoother skin, and enhanced facial contours. Results look natural, refined, and youthful.
By removing excess skin and tightening lax underlying tissues, a mini facelift delivers long-lasting results, with many patients enjoying their rejuvenated appearance for years. Patients can extend the longevity of their mini facelift results by adopting a healthy lifestyle and protecting their skin from excessive sun exposure.
Recovery time
Average Procedure time
Post-op Follow-up
Procedure Recovery Location
2-3 Weeks
4-6 Hours
1 Day
In & Outpatient
A mini facelift is geared toward patients who only have minimal skin laxity. With a mini facelift, only skin is removed, resulting in a smaller scar. Patients with minimal skin and/or tissue laxity or volume loss may be good candidates for a combination of BOTOX®, facial fillers, and fat injections. The use of injectables can achieve both a degree of lift and restore loss of volume. Dr. Lapuerta can help determine if a mini facelift or a combination of Botox and injectables will be able to achieve the improvements a patient is seeking. A mini facelift will not address any of the underlying tissue layers below the skin. Most patients considering a facelift have moderate to severe skin and tissue laxity and are better served by other facelift techniques, which Dr. Lapuerta can also assist with.
Absolutely. Frequently, patients will also elect to include upper or lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or a forehead lift. This allows patients to reset the clock on all aspects of facial aging with one surgery and one recovery.
The mini facelift is less invasive than a full facelift, targeting signs of aging in the lower face and neck, while a full facelift addresses more extensive signs of aging, including the mid-face and upper face.
Dr. Lapuerta can perform the surgery using either general anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with sedation, depending on your preferences.
The procedure uses small incisions placed along the hairline and behind the ears, resulting in minimal and discreet scarring.
With proper care, results can last 5–10 years, with longevity depending on factors like skin quality and the natural aging process.
