San Diego Mini Facelift Specialist | Mini Face Lift Surgeon In La Jolla

Are you searching for how much a mini facelift costs in San Diego?  Looking for the best mini facelift in San Diego?  Do you want information on whether you are a better candidate for a mini face lift, neck lift or full face lift?  With so many different types of surgical facelifts and injectable face lifts it can be difficult finding a place to start.

Dr. Kolstad’s mini facelift in San Diego is a less invasive procedure designed to tighten sagging and drooping of the lower facial area. The recovery time is less than a full facelift but the results can be just as remarkable. Dr. Kolstad believes the happiest patients are the ones that do their homework before surgery. You can never ask too many questions or do too much research. Knowing which features bother you will help guide Dr. Kolstad to create a strategy unique for you.

Mini facelift surgery is designed for someone with early to moderate signs of facial aging. Sagging jowls and loss of skin tone creates a tired, aged appearance. A minilift is designed to improve the contour along the jawline and neck.

There are many facelift surgeons in San Diego and we understand it can be hard to find the right one. Dr. Kolstad is a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon.  He does not perform breast or body plastic surgery. By focusing all of his expertise on rejuvenation of the face and neck Dr. Kolstad can design a facelift that best fits your unique features.

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What  Is A Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is designed to lift the jowls and tighten loose skin in the neck. A mini facelift is known by many names: La Jolla Lift, Lunchtime Lift, Quick Lift, Weekend Lift, Easy Lift and the now defunct, but previously nationally known Lifestyle Lift. Regardless of the trademarked name mini facelifts rely and similar basic principals.

The best candidates for mini facelifts have mild to moderate jowls and other early signs of facial aging. Minilift surgeries have many similarities to Dr. Kolstad’s full lower facelift procedures but have important distinctions as well.

The incisions for a mini facelift and a full lower facelift are the same. Both procedures also lift loose facial and neck skin equally well. The most important difference between a mini facelift and a full lower facelift has to do with the muscle layer underneath the skin.

The muscle layer of the face is typically referred to as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system). As the facial skin loses elasticity and begins to sag similar changes are occurring to the SMAS. Very heavy jowls are almost always due to sagging of the SMAS.

Dr. Kolstad’s mini facelift tightens, lifts and redrapes the SMAS layer. The SMAS is lifted in a very safe and noninvasive way to tighten a sagging jowl. A small amount of SMAS dissection lessens the downtime of a facelift and speeds the recovery. Extensive SMAS is not indicated for mild jowling and only lengthens the period of recovery as well as the duration of surgery and time under anesthesia.

How Is Dr. Kolstad’s Mini Facelift Different Than Other Mini Lifts In San Diego?

Many surgeons are unable or unwilling to tighten the SMAS during a mini facelift surgery. The SMAS requires years of training and technical precision to get right. Some surgeon’s “mini facelift” will tighten then skin and avoid the SMAS entirely. Facelift surgeries that only tighten loose skin will lead to short-lasting, over-pulled results.

Dr. Kolstad’s mini facelift will always include a variable degree of SMAS lifting and tightening.

What Are The Advantages Of Mini Facelift Surgery Compared To Full Facelifts?

There are many advantages of mini facelift surgery in San Diego.

• Min facelifts require less time in surgery than facelift procedures. The shorter duration of anesthesia means less nausea and queasiness after surgery.
• Minifacelift surgery has less swelling, frequently less bruising and overall less downtime.
• Minilift procedures costs less compared to full facelift surgery.
• Mini face lift surgery has less dissection along the facial nerves and less risk of injury.

Who Is A Candidate For A Mini Facelift?

Candidates for mini face lifts are often younger than those needing a full face lift. Many of Dr. Kolstad’s mini facelift patients are in their 40s or early 50s.  The signs of aging are less significant and there is a mild amount of loose neck skin. The best mini face lift patients have thinner skin without significant jowling.  A heavy face or prominent jowling almost always require SMAS lifting and would receive limited benefit from mini facelift surgery in San Diego.

Am I A Candidate For Mini Facelift Surgery If I’ve Had Full Facelift?

Absoluetly!  Even the best facelifts in San Diego will benefit from a touch up procedure in the future. There is no pause button for aging. A mini lift or S (short scar) lift can tighten up the neckline without the downtime or cost of a full facelift.

How Much Recovery Time Is Needed After A Mini Face Lift?

Patients should expect at least 7 days of downtime for the swelling and bruising to improve. Most patients do not complain of significant pain after surgery. Bruising is the biggest cause of prolonged downtime. To minimize bruising Dr. Kolstad recommends avoiding fish oil or tumeric before surgery and using Arnika post procedure. Dr. Kolstad typically advises to prepare for about 10 days of bruising. Full activity typically begins about 2 weeks after surgery.

Dr. Kolstad – Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment for a Facelift in La Jolla, San Diego and the surrounding areas call us at (858) 859-2563 or get in touch with the form below.