Dr. DuPéré’s Mini Facelift Techniques
While the term “mini facelift” can be confusing as it has been used differently by various facial plastic surgeons, all agree that a mini facelift involves limited incisions and minimal undermining (i.e., skin detachment) to reduce bruising and swelling following the procedure. In the mini facelift, the front portion of the neck is not operated on but is instead lifted strictly from the back. Dr. DuPéré performs multiple variations of the mini facelift, including:
- “Skin-only” short-scar facelift where the incision is around the ear (i.e., in front and back of the ear), but not extending into the hair, with minimal skin detachment.
- MACS (minimal access cranial suspension) lift, which involves a small incision in front of the ear and into the scalp near the temple.
In the more extensive, classic facelift, the front of the neck is also opened and the muscle repaired, fat is removed from under the chin (double chin), and often a chin implant is added to complete the facial harmony. In such cases, the SMAS is lifted both vertically and obliquely, and the incision extends behind the ear, which is necessary for greater access to the tissue and muscle supporting the skin.
Using the MACS lift, Dr. DuPéré can still lift and reposition part of the SMAS layer in a vertical fashion, reducing the appearance of jowls and wrinkling in the midface. As with the other types of facelift he performs, Dr. DuPéré strives for a natural look without creating too much tension on the skin when he closes the incision.