Mother’s Day is Sunday May 14. Most moms sacrifice their bodies, sleep, possibly a lucrative career, and much physical, mental and emotional energy for their children. While it’s all worth it, most moms want to restore some of the youthfulness and refreshed appearance that has been given up to time and family sacrifice. This is why more and more moms want cosmetic procedures as their Mother’s Day gift. Giving the gift of youthfulness as a gift certificate or as a specific procedure, such as a Mini Facelift, is growing in popularity and can make for a very happy mommy.

Putting your best face forward
A Facelift is the gold standard of facial rejuvenation. It’s one of the most common surgical procedures I perform. There’s definitely an art to realigning the facial tissue so that the skin doesn’t look stretched or “wind blown” and lays in a naturally firmer, more rested and youthful position. Each surgery is unique due to individual facial structures and skin condition. For those dealing with the early signs of loose sagging skin who want a faster recovery time, a Mini Facelift could be an option.

What is a Mini Facelift?
A Mini Facelift is a shorter surgery with a hidden incision that is smaller than a full Facelift. It is best for those who have minimal aging of the forehead and neck and relatively good skin elasticity. You can simulate the effects of a Mini Facelift by placing a finger on either side of the jaw and pulling skin back toward the earlobe by about a centimeter on each side. It can also be a great refresher for people who’ve already had a Facelift.
What aging issues does a Mini Facelift address?
A Mini Facelift mostly addresses loose skin in the mid face that has dropped. It helps with refining the skin in the lower face for a smoother, tighter jawline. Marionette lines, which are the folds around the corners of the mouth, can also be slightly reduced with this procedure, although the nasolabial folds will not.
How is a Mini Facelift different from a full Facelift?
…..During the Mini Facelift, the sagging skin and tissue is repositioned and attached in a very slightly higher. These factors make the Mini Facelift very comforting to anyone weary of any complications or recovery from surgery:

…..During the Mini Facelift, the sagging skin and tissue is repositioned and attached in a very slightly higher. These factors make the Mini Facelift very comforting to anyone weary of any complications or recovery from surgery:

…..While there is some variance in what this procedure involves, the Mini Facelift primarily takes place above the parotid salivary gland, which reduces the risk of nerve damage.
…..The surgery has minimal downtime with swelling and discomfort resolving over just a few days to a week. It’s sometimes referred to as the “weekend lift” because the recovery is so fast.
…..Mini Facelifts are also performed using local anesthesia.

When  a Mini Facelift is not enough?
The success of a Mini Facelift requires firmness of the tissues otherwise results can be disappointing or short lived. A full Facelift will be the right choice in the case where there is substantial skin laxity and droopiness This procedure would require a longer recovery time and a larger incision, but the full Facelift would provide the desired results of a long lasting youthful appearance when there is more loose skin.

To see if a Mini Facelift is a good fit for you personally or to give as a Mother’s Day gift, schedule a consultation at our newly updated website www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Facial aging appears in our 20’s as subtle changes occur. The 30’s ushers in more as natural fullness lessens and the face slowly becomes heart shaped. The 40’s, however are different.  Fat loss and tissue changes become very visible as the cheeks become flat and lack definition… while lines, wrinkles and folds develop in many areas. The lips start to thin; the eyes and brows start drooping.  Aging continues over the decades. We can’t stop the aging process…but we can address it.

This is the time of year when men and women come to my office to get information, to  tailor a program that addresses their aging issues, and to start on procedures that defy aging by taking years off the face.

To Prevent, Augment or to Rejuvenate…that is the question. 

Prevention involves doing small things at a younger age to prevent or correct early signs of aging. Celebs are doing a lot of “early prevention” treatments…so they can minimize the visible signs of aging and always years younger.

Augmentation changes your features…e.g. chin implants reshape a chin that has lost volume and definition.

Rejuvenation corrects age related changes that have occurred…e.g. men and women just want to look a few years younger without changing their complete appearance

Balance and proportion need to be correct to achieve the desired improvement.  The goal is to get outcomes that look natural and improve the face…not manipulate it while striving for perfection.

BALANCE MEANS:  a youthful face that doesn’t look done but it does encompass features that are proportionate with each other as follows:

1)  Eyes should have 1/2 inch between the upper lid and brow. Outer corner turns up slightly.

2)  Brows should be aligned with each other and have a slight arch at the tail.

3)  Cheeks should be oval in shape, full and high on the face while tapering in

4)  Lips…the upper lip should be two thirds smaller than the bottom lip with slightly upturned corners.

 Knowing When to do What…is a key factor at any age or stage in life.  When younger patients ask me for filler, injectables of fat…and there are no visible signs of aging…they want enhancement rather than corrective or preventive treatment. Also, surgery is an option only when you’re ready and when it is age appropriate or it can actually make you look older and “done.”

I advise my patients:  Start doing small interventions early and then maintain…a little intervention with fillers and injectables is good for making improvements…but beware…a lot is not always better.  Check on my procedures at: www.davinciplastic.com.

I am certified by multiple medical boards, have years and years of experience, I stay current with today’s advancements and I am also an “expert injector.”  Pictures of my patients tell a wonderful story!  

OK….this is the time of year to start getting ready for the Holidays.  Come in for a personal consultation so you can put your best face forward!

Steven Davison M.D.

“DAVinci….where we combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”