While facelift approaches and philosophies have evolved, the goal of these procedures is always to create a refreshed, balanced, and natural-looking result. At Faces, PLLC, in Jackson, MS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. J. Randall Jordan creates personalized treatment plans based on your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle.
What Is a Facelift?
A typical facelift, also known as a SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) facelift lifts and repositions facial tissues while removing excess skin to restore jawline definition, soften jowls and marionette lines, and improve neck contour. Today’s facelifts go beyond tightening skin, reversing gravity’s effects in the deeper structural layers of the face.
Dr. Jordan offers several facelift options, including deep-plane facelifts that vertically reposition muscles
and tissues. This approach can deliver long-lasting, natural results when paired with a thorough recovery plan.
What Is a Mini Facelift?
A mini facelift, also known as a short- or limited-incision facelift (or LIFT, a technique developed at Faces), focuses on the lower face, using smaller incisions that typically don’t extend far behind the ear.
Dr. Jordan’s technique emphasizes minimal scarring, limited anesthesia, quicker recovery, and long-lasting results.
While mini facelifts are ideal for early jowling and mild lower-face laxity, they’re less effective for significant neck banding or loose skin. Many patients in their 40s or 50s choose this option to stay ahead
of visible aging with a lighter touch.
What Are the Benefits?
Many patients seek out facial cosmetic surgery because they want their outward appearance to match
their inner vibrancy. Benefits of all facelift methods include smoother skin, more youthful contours, a
sharper jawline-neck transition, and a more alert, approachable look.
The deep-plane facelift offers the most comprehensive change across the cheeks, jowls, and neck. A mini
facelift provides targeted lower-face refinement with shorter downtime. At Faces, we often combine
facelifts with eyelid surgery, brow or forehead lift, or CO2 laser resurfacing to enhance texture and tone
when appropriate.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Ideal candidates are healthy nonsmokers with realistic goals. Mini facelift patients often present with
early jowling and good neck tone. Those with more generalized laxity or platysma separation in the neck
may benefit more from a traditional or deep-plane approach.
While most of Dr. Jordan’s facelift patients are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, your age is less of a factor than your holistic health and willingness to commit to your provided recovery instructions.
What Happens During and After Facelift Surgery?
Surgery begins with careful planning and marking to guide lift direction and incision placement. Full facelift incisions typically follow the hairline near the temples, curve in front of the ear, and extend behind the earlobe. Mini facelifts use shorter incisions that stop before the posterior hairline. Through
these incisions, Dr. Jordan repositions deeper support layers and trims away excess skin for a smooth, natural finish.
Most patients return home the same day with detailed aftercare directions and a schedule of follow-up
visits. Our team will explain how to keep your incisions clean and when to resume exercise and other daily activities.
Define Your Goals, Discover Your Options
During your private consultation at Faces, Dr. Jordan will review your medical history, assess your skin quality, and ask questions about concerns such as jowls, an irregular neck contour, midface volume loss, and surface texture. Based on that discussion, he’ll help you decide whether a limited-incision facelift, traditional SMAS facelift, deep-plane approach, or a combination of anti-aging procedures is the best fit for your anatomy
and your aesthetic goals.
A mini facelift can be a proactive tune-up with shorter downtime, while traditional and deep-plane
facelifts remain the gold standard for comprehensive rejuvenation. We invite you to schedule your consultation to have an open and honest discussion about your options.