Guest Post - Facelifts Three Types

What’s the Difference between an Upper, Mid, and Lower Facelift?

By: Dr. Vartan Mardirossian

These days, the word “facelift” is no longer a catchall term for a single surgery. In fact, there are many different types of facelifts, and some are targeted to certain areas of your face. Here, you will learn the differences between upper, mid, and lower facelifts so you can make the best decisions for your own unique needs.

What Is a Facelift?

Typically, when you hear the word “facelift” used in a generic sense, it typically refers to a procedure that changes the appearance of everything below one’s ears. It’s the bottom two-thirds of the face, for the most part. During this sort of surgery, the goal is to pull the skin tighter and reposition it to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, to remove sagging skin, and more. A full facelift can take years off your appearance if done properly and by an experienced, talented plastic surgeon. 

Upper, Mid, and Lower

These types of facelifts apply to procedures that are carried out on the corresponding part of the face. A full facelift targets the lower two thirds, which are considered the mid face and lower face. In order to treat the forehead and eye areas, you would also need an upper face lift, which targets these areas. It is technically a different procedure, but it can be performed at the same time as a more traditional facelift if the patient chooses. 

• Upper Facelift – Once upon a time, the upper facelift was more commonly known as a brow lift. Some surgeons still refer to it in that manner, but it incorporates a variety of procedures that affect far more than just the brows. Today, surgeons use methods that are far less invasive to enhance the appearance of the forehead and the eyes during an upper facelift.
• Mid Facelift – A mid facelift, on the other hand, targets sagging skin and wrinkles from just below the eyes to the top of the lips. Here, the surgeon will enhance your nose, your cheeks, and the areas just above your upper lip to provide a more youthful appearance.
• Lower Facelift – Finally, this sort of surgery applies to areas like your laugh lines, jaws, and in a few cases, your neck and the area below your chin. There are cases in which a lower facelift can improve the way these areas look, but in others, different procedures may be needed.

Mini Facelifts

Many of today’s best surgeons can perform what are known as mini facelifts that focus on one of these areas of your face. They are far less invasive than the full facelifts from years ago, too. The risk of infection and recovery time is minimal, but the results can be spectacular just the same. Learning more about mini facelifts and how these surgeries can affect different parts of your face is the first step in making the decision that is right for you.

If you are curious about facelifts, whether you want a full facelift or a mini one, this information can certainly help as you do your research. It’s best to contact your preferred surgeon to schedule a consultation and discuss treatment options, however, since different surgeons tend to perform different procedures. 

Call Palm Beach Plastics FFS Surgeon for a Free Consultation. (SKYPE or Phone) Also Call for an in office appointment. 

Note: Vartan is my doctor, business associate, and friend.