A Budget-Friendly Facelift

If your face is telling you that gravity has taken its toll, while your bank account and job status are saying that you can't afford the time and money for a facelift, there may now be hope for pleasing all three! A new mini-facelift procedure referred to as QuickLift, gives many of the same benefits of a full facelift, with the added benefits of same-day results and minimal downtime that come as a result of its being a minor outpatient procedure.

Basically, only the skin on the lower part of your face will be tightened, giving results similar to those from a traditional lower facelift. However, the difference is fewer complications and more timely recovery.

This S-lift procedure has been performed, in various formats, since the 1990s. It basically starts with a small "S"-shaped incision spanning from the sideburn area, past the ear, and back to the hairline near the nape of the neck. The resulting inconspicuous scar covers connective tissue and facial muscles that are gently tightened. The result is a lasting effect on the jaw line and upper neck. Any extraneous skin is carefully tailored and sutured under magnification, using special techniques that help minimize the visibility of any scarring.

Chief mini-facelift candidates are both men and women between the ages of 40 and 65, whose skin has lost some of its elasticity around the chin and jaw line. For some patients, additional procedures, such as a submental tuck or liposuction of the neck and jowl area, may be recommended. These techniques can be performed along with the facial surgery for enhanced results.

This procedure is suitably referred to as a "weekend facelift" because of the decreased amount of downtime involved, compared to traditional aesthetic facial surgeries. Of course, the recovery time depends somewhat on the patient, as well as on the type of career the person has. Many times, patients can manage pain with regular acetaminophen, and swelling can be reduced by sleeping with the head elevated as well as applying cold compresses. Bruising can be masked by makeup, as well.

Some mini-facelifts, such as QuickLift, also differ from traditional facial surgeries in that rather than giving a "pulled back" appearance; a more natural look can be achieved. Results include a general firming, a defined jaw line, and an elegant neckline.

If you would like the younger looking face that comes with plastic surgery but aren't sure you can afford the time off or amount of money needed for a traditional lift, you may want to consider this less invasive procedure.