LIFTING E MINILIFTING
"The face is our most prominent feature."
Unfortunately, it is also one of the first areas to show signs of aging and can reflect an image of ourselves that does not match how we feel. The passage of time affects not only the superficial layers, with skin damage from the sun, environmental factors, and oxidative stress, but also the deeper tissues, which are influenced by gravity. As a result of sagging and loss of elasticity, we see the appearance of deep folds, marionette lines, reduced definition of the eye area and jawline, as well as loose neck skin with visible platysmal bands, often referred to as “Turkey neck”.
“Thanks to a sophisticated understanding of facial aging, a range of facial rejuvenation techniques, from non-surgical to surgical, can now be tailored to each individual, enhancing every facial detail. These include full facelifts and mini facelifts, often combined with fat grafting and injectable cosmetic treatments.”
Typically, the lower face and neck are affected by tissue laxity, while the mid and upper face primarily experience volume loss. Following treatment, your face will regain a rejuvenated and firm appearance while preserving the full expressiveness that makes you unique.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCEDURE
With a facelift, I can reposition the tissues of the face and neck that have developed laxity over the years. This helps reduce wrinkles, redefine the jawline and the contour beneath the chin (cervicomental angle), and restore a fresher, more youthful appearance.
Incisions are generally concealed within the natural crease in front of the ear, behind the earlobe, and extending toward the temple area. I then place suspension sutures to lift the deeper tissues of the neck and midface, and carefully remove any excess skin.
Sometimes I also combine the procedure with facial fat grafting to restore lost volume and enhance the skin’s radiance and glow, which can be affected by the passage of time.
To treat the neck area, I make a small, curved incision under the chin through which I address the platysmal bands using the corset suture technique. If needed, I also perform neck liposuction to remove any excess fat.
Finally, some patients may also need to correct drooping eyebrows, a common sign of facial aging. In these cases, I extend the area of treatment from the temple to the brow, or I access the brow directly.
“For patients with moderate skin laxity who wish to improve the midface area and redefine the jawline, I prefer to perform a mini facelift, which involves smaller incisions and shorter recovery time.”
FOR A MORE CONSCIOUS CHOICE
Good candidates for this procedure are those who wish to enhance their facial appearance, are in good health, are non-smokers, and have realistic expectations. Often, brow sagging with noticeable loss of skin elasticity, a poorly defined jawline, or significant sagging of the lower facial and neck tissues can significantly impact your overall appearance. In our practice, most patients are between 50 and 70 years old; however, we are seeing an increasing number of younger patients who, due to limited skin laxity, may benefit more from a mini facelift rather than a full facelift. Recommendations for this procedure depend primarily on your clinical situation and the quality of your skin, rather than your age. It is important to understand that a facelift cannot stop the aging process, but it can restore a refreshed, radiant, and rejuvenated appearance to the face with long-lasting results. The success of a facelift relies not only on the surgical technique used but also on the quality of your skin.
We believe in taking the time to understand your expectations and the reasons that led you here. We will make a realistic assessment of whether you need this surgery. This is an important decision that deserves careful consideration and full awareness of both the benefits and potential risks. If you feel uncomfortable seeing your face take on a tired, dull, or aged look, this may be the right time to explore your options together, starting with a comprehensive full-face approach that targets the key areas to enhance.
Given the significant social impact of this procedure, both in terms of recovery and adjustment to the results, it is important to carefully choose the right timing, allowing yourself a slow, attentive postoperative period. You will need to give your face a few months to fully heal and to see yourself reflected again with a renewed and rejuvenated appearance. The most serious risk in this type of surgery is tobacco use. Nicotine stimulates receptors in the skin’s blood vessels, causing strong vasoconstriction that reduces blood flow and increases the risk of skin necrosis and poor wound healing, which can result in unsightly facial scarring. For this reason, even more than with other procedures, you will be advised to avoid smoking completely for at least 6-8 weeks before and after the operation.
The final results will not be visible immediately. Recovery time can vary depending on the technique used and the extent of the procedure. In general, during the first 72 hours, you may experience bruising, swelling, and puffiness, most noticeable around the eyelids. After 3 weeks, the swelling will have significantly reduced, and you can resume daily activities. More vigorous physical activity can usually be resumed after 4–6 weeks. The final shape of the breasts will become visible and attractive after 3-6 months. We consider the outcome final and stable after 1 year from the procedure. While the results are long-lasting and significant, they cannot stop the natural aging process, which will continue gradually. Lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and weight fluctuations can all influence how long the results last. Dr. Elisa Bolletta often combines regenerative aesthetic treatments to enhance and help maintain the results achieved.
On the day of your surgery, you will be welcomed into a peaceful and safe setting. After the final preoperative assessments with Dr. Elisa Bolletta and preparation in the operating room, you will be anesthetized. The procedure will be carried out using the technique best suited to your face, aiming to enhance the natural expressiveness and harmony of your features.
The duration varies depending on the extent of the procedure. A mini facelift generally takes 2–3 hours, while a full facelift of the face and neck area can take 4–5 hours.
At Elisà Plastic Surgery, your comfort and peace of mind are our top priorities. One of our primary goals is to provide an almost entirely pain-free experience from start to finish, which is why we place great importance on anesthesia. With local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia, you will not feel any pain during the procedure. In the postoperative period, you may experience mild discomfort, which can be easily managed with prescribed medication. You will also need to wear a shaping and compression garment for at least 2 weeks after the procedure, as instructed.
In the first few days, you may notice swelling and minor bruising, which usually resolve within 10–15 days. Most daily activities can be resumed after about 2 weeks, while the final results gradually emerge over the following months with firmer skin and more balanced facial features.
During recovery, it is essential to avoid strenuous physical activity, direct sun exposure, and sudden neck movements. Carefully following the postoperative instructions provided by the team is crucial to ensure safe, even healing.
Facelifts and mini facelifts are safe procedures, but they can carry risks such as prolonged swelling, temporary asymmetries, changes in skin sensation, or slightly visible scars. Significant complications are rare and minimized through a personalized preoperative assessment.
The goal is to enhance your natural expression without altering your distinctive facial features. Each procedure is tailored to your facial structure and volume, combining facelift and mini-facelift techniques, and, when needed, fat grafting to achieve a harmonious and natural result.
Postoperative follow-up appointments are scheduled in the days immediately after the procedure and then at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year to monitor healing and ensure successful results. Each visit provides an opportunity to assess progress and make any necessary refinements.
The team at Elisà Plastic Surgery includes the lead surgeon, Elisa Bolletta, the anesthesiologist, and dedicated nursing staff. They all work together seamlessly to provide safety, precision, and results that are natural and elegant.
