Mini Facelift

What Is a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is designed to lift the jowls and tighten loose skin in the neck. The best candidates for mini facelifts have mild to moderate jowls and other early signs of facial aging. Minilift surgeries share many similarities with Dr. Kolstad’s full lower facelift procedures, but also have important distinctions.

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 lies in the muscle layer beneath the skin.

The facial muscle layer is typically referred to as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system). As facial skin loses elasticity and begins to sag, similar changes occur in 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 safe, noninvasive way to tighten sagging jowls. A limited SMAS dissection reduces downtime after a facelift and speeds recovery. Extensive SMAS dissection is not necessary for mild jowling and only lengthens the period of recovery.

Where Does Dr. Kolstad Perform Mini Facelift Surgery?

In 2024, Dr. Kolstad opened a state-of-the-art surgery center at his San Diego office. Our surgery center is on the fourth floor, offering expansive views and natural lighting throughout. It was important to Dr. Kolstad to design an OR that felt warm and inviting, rather than the traditional, cold, enclosed spaces found in most operating rooms.

On their way into surgery, our patients are greeted by white marble floors, blue skies shining through large windows, and the privacy of a single OR in a surgery center. We love showcasing our surgery center and would happily give you a tour during your consultation.

The OR features the most innovative and modern functionalities, including the amazing privacy glass! With the flip of a switch, the OR goes from transparent floor to ceiling windows to opaque, private. If you want to see more of our office and stunning surgical center, click here.

Dr. Kolstad performs facelift surgery under general anesthesia using board-certified anesthesiologists.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Mini-Facelift?

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

What to Expect on the Day of Mini-Facelift Surgery

On the day of your procedure, we will welcome you to our world-class ambulatory surgery center in San Diego, briefly review your treatment plan, and ensure all last-minute questions are answered. Your procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, but local anesthesia with sedation may be an option in certain cases. Once you are asleep, Dr. Kolstad will make small incisions at each ear that extend into the hairline. An additional incision may be required beneath the chin. Through these openings, Dr. Kolstad carefully refines your appearance by firming the underlying facial structures and removing excess, loose skin. Once all changes are complete, the doctor will close your incisions with advanced suturing techniques and place you in the recovery area until you are cleared to return home.