Skip to Content

Facelift and Mini Facelift
in Greenville, SC

Facelift and Mini Facelift in Greenville, SC

Dr. Shawn Birchenough is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery and aesthetics. Dr. Katherine Birchenough is certified in functional medicine and an expert in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. We are Greenville’s premier physician-run medical Wellness and Aesthetic center. At OptimalSelf MD, we offer facelift and mini facelift surgery for men and women in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Spartanburg, and the surrounding communities in South Carolina.

WHAT IS A FACELIFT AND MINI FACELIFT?

Facelift surgery is to help reduce advanced signs of aging, such as deep wrinkles, creases, and folds. Facelifts are typically recommended when other options do not produce the desired improvements, such as dermal fillers and injectables and other medical aesthetics services. Take a look at our facelift before and after photos.

If you only have signs of aging in the lower part of your face, you may not be quite ready for a full facelift. A mini facelift improves facial aging changes in the mid-face, cheek, and lower eyelid areas. This procedure will help to re-establish facial harmony, giving an overall lift to the middle portion of the face. A mini neck lift will help the lower cheeks and neck areas become firmer and more sculpted while removing excess skin and fat. Dr. Shawn can consult with you on which would be most appropriate. You can see the results of the procedure in our mini facelift before and after photos.

Facelift Before & After Gallery

Facelift and Mini Facelift Before and After Pictures in Greenville, SC
Facelift and Mini Facelift Before and After Pictures in Greenville, SC

HOW MUCH DOES A FACELIFT COST?

At OptimalSelf MD, we understand that you want to feel good about yourself, yet cost may be a primary consideration. We recommend that you schedule a consultation as a first step.  As part of the consultation, we explain the price of your facelift or mini facelift, and payment can be made by cash, check, and credit card. We also work with CareCredit® and Alphaeon® to offer our patients financing options.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A FACELIFT AND MINI FACELIFT?

Signs of facial aging can include sagging or hollowing of the cheeks, deepening creases at the corners of the mouth, looseness of skin tone, and drooping jowls. Facelifts remain a standard, effective way to contour the cheeks, soften creases around the mouth, remove lax skin, and lift the lower cheeks. A fresh, more youthful facial appearance often results.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING SURGERY FOR A FACELIFT AND MINI FACELIFT?

A facelift involves the surgical removal of excess skin and fat and direct tightening of the skin and muscles of the face with sutures. Facelift incisions are typically placed at the crease directly in front of the ear and the groove behind the ear to help disguise the scars.

A facelift can be done with other facial rejuvenation surgeries such as neck lift and eyelid surgery, and Dr. Shawn will typically combine it with liposuction of the cheeks. Facelift surgery is usually done under general anesthesia in the operating room. It usually takes from two to four hours to complete, and swelling in the forehead, face, neck, and eyelids is expected afterward, depending on the extent and location of the surgery. Aftercare at home is typical, but an overnight stay in the hospital can be arranged. You may have a drain that comes out the day after surgery.

A mini facelift can be performed in the office, typically, with oral sedation and local anesthesia. The mini facelift is for individuals concerned about their middle face, whereas the mini neck lift is aimed towards patients that want to improve the appearance of their neck and jowl (lower cheek) areas.

The procedure begins with the skin being gently lifted from the underlying muscle. Typically, the muscle can be tightened, small amounts of fat can be removed, and extra skin can be taken off through the incisions around the ears.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO RECOVER FROM A FACELIFT AND MINI FACELIFT?

For facelift recovery, the swelling can last from five to 10 days, depending on the extent of the surgery and the post-operative care. Bruising may be present for five to 14 days.You will be allowed to walk and do some daily activities immediately after the surgery, but strenuous activity will be delayed until Dr. Shawn approves return to more aggressive workouts, usually three to four weeks depending on how you are healing.

For mini facelift recovery, the swelling can last from five to seven days depending on the extent of the surgery and the post-operative care. Bruising may be present for five to 10 days. You will be allowed to walk and do some daily activities immediately after the surgery, but any return to strenuous activity, cardio workouts, and heavy lifting will be under close supervision by Dr. Shawn at about three weeks, depending on how you are healing.

Incisions are made during these procedures in areas where the facelift scars are well-hidden. The initial healing of incisions creates pinkish or light tan skin. The scar changes over the course of one year to be slightly darker than your natural skin color.

HOW LONG DOES A MINI FACELIFT LAST?

On average, a mini facelift lasts about seven years.

HOW LONG DOES A FACELIFT LAST?

On average, a facelift lasts about 10 to 15 years.

CAN I SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION FOR A FACELIFT AND MINI FACELIFT?

If you are considering a facelift or mini facelift, we encourage you to schedule a 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Shawn or an in-office consultation for a fee. Here are some questions that you may want to ask when you speak with Dr. Shawn.

  • “What’s the difference between a facelift and a neck lift? I thought they were the same?”
  • “Do you do that ‘weekend facelift’ or the ‘life lifts’ I see so much about on television? What are those anyway?”
  • “Can I get good results from a mini facelift instead of a full facelift?”
  • “I like the idea of a mini facelift, but what am I giving up by not doing the full facelift?”

OptimalSelf MD is the first center in South Carolina to offer plastic surgery, aesthetics, and wellness for men and women in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Spartanburg, and the nearby areas of South Carolina. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your facelift and mini facelift options.

PRE- AND POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

3D VIRTUAL MODELING TECHNOLOGY

CRISALIX

Crisalix enables patients to answer the common question: “How could I look after the procedure?”

Facelift and Mini Facelift in Greenville, SC