Choosing between a mini facelift and a full facelift comes down to how much facial aging you want to address. A mini facelift is designed for mild sagging in the lower face and early jowls, using smaller incisions and typically involving a shorter recovery. A full facelift provides more comprehensive rejuvenation by lifting the mid-face, jawline, and neck, making it a better choice for moderate to advanced signs of aging.
At Illuum Cosmetic Surgery in Novi, our board-certified plastic surgeons perform full and mini facelifts, helping patients choose the approach that best matches their goals.
A full facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, is a comprehensive surgical procedure that addresses moderate-to-significant signs of aging in the mid-face, lower face, and neck. Our surgeons perform a deep plane facelift, working beneath the skin’s surface to reposition the deeper support structures (the SMAS layer) that have sagged over time.
Smooths deep creases and eliminates jowls
Corrects sagging in the cheeks and mid-face
Removes excess skin and fat for a lasting result
A full facelift often includes a neck lift for a harmonious result from the cheeks down to the collarbone. Many patients pair it with fat transfer to restore lost volume.
A mini facelift is a less extensive option for early-to-moderate signs of aging, primarily in the lower third of the face. It uses shorter incisions – typically hidden around the ears – and focuses on tightening the skin and underlying tissues of the jawline and jowls.
A mini facelift is ideal when signs of aging are mild to moderate and you want a subtle refresh rather than a dramatic change. It is a more targeted procedure than a deep plane facelift.
Many patients come to us with specific concerns, such as wanting “the folds by my mouth and nose pulled back” or addressing the “lower face/jowl/neck.”
A mini facelift targets the lower third of the face:
Reduces Jowls: Softens sagging skin along the jawline
Defines the Jawline: Restores a sharper, more youthful contour
Lower Mouth: Addresses mild sagging and marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
A mini facelift does not significantly address the neck or the mid-face (cheeks and under-eye area).
The full facelift provides a much more extensive correction:
Mid-Face Volume and Sagging: Lifts descended cheek fat pads to restore volume and reduce hollows
Deep Nasolabial Folds: Softens creases from the nose to the corners of the mouth
Significant Jowling: Eliminates jowls by repositioning deep foundational tissues
Lower Face and Jawline: Creates a crisp, well-defined contour
Neck Laxity: When combined with a neck lift, addresses “turkey neck,” vertical bands, and excess fat under the chin by tightening the platysma muscle and removing loose skin
Because the neck and lower face age together, treating both at once creates a balanced, harmonious result. Some patients also consider a standalone neck lift depending on their needs.
All facelift procedures at Illuum Cosmetic Surgery are performed in our private, fully equipped operating room at our Novi facility, with your safety and comfort being our priority from consultation to final follow-up.
Your surgeon makes small incisions concealed within the natural creases around your ears. Through these, the underlying tissues are tightened, and a small amount of excess skin is removed. This allows for a quicker surgical time and more rapid recovery while still delivering a noticeable improvement in jawline contour.
A full facelift is more intricate. Incisions typically start within the hairline at the temples, continue in front of the ear, and loop under the earlobe into the hairline behind the ear. An additional small incision may be made under the chin to tighten the neck muscles. Our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Lakin and Dr. Ozolins, release and lift the entire deep plane unit of muscle and tissue, addressing the root causes of facial aging.
The deep plane technique is the modern standard for natural-looking results. By lifting deeper structures, the skin is re-draped without tension – avoiding the “pulled” or “wind-tunnel” look of older, skin-only techniques. The outcome is a refreshed you, not a different person. Because aging is also about lost fullness, many facelift patients choose fat transfer, which uses your own fat to add natural volume where you have lost it.
A one-on-one consultation is the most important step. Our surgeons assess your skin quality, anatomy, and overall health to recommend the safest, most effective procedure.
A mini facelift may be right for you if you have:
Good skin elasticity with minimal sun damage
Mild to moderate jowling and sagging along the jawline
A relatively firm neck
Realistic expectations for a subtle, targeted refresh
A desire for a shorter recovery period
Younger patients in their 40s or early 50s who are starting to notice changes but do not yet have significant neck laxity are often good candidates.
A full facelift may be the better fit if you are concerned with:
Significant sagging in the cheeks and mid-face
Deep creases, including nasolabial folds and marionette lines
Prominent jowls that obscure the jawline
Loose skin, vertical bands, and excess fat in the neck
A desire for the most comprehensive, long-lasting rejuvenation
Because the full deep plane facelift treats the lower face and neck as one unit, it is ideal for patients who want to correct both areas at once.
Candidacy is more about your physiological condition than chronological age – a healthy 65-year-old may be a better candidate than an unhealthy 50-year-old. Key points for surgery at Illuum Cosmetic Surgery:
There is an age limit of 72 years old for surgery
A BMI under 42 is required; being at your goal weight before your consult helps your surgeon give the most accurate recommendation
Avoiding nicotine is essential before and after surgery, since it interferes with blood flow and slows healing
Your full medical history is reviewed to confirm you are a safe candidate
You can send photos for review or schedule an in-person visit, though our surgeons prefer in-person assessment when possible.
Recovery is one of the biggest differences between a mini facelift and a full facelift.
Because a mini facelift involves a smaller area of dissection and shorter incisions, most patients experience less swelling and bruising and are ready to return to work or social activities within 7–14 days.
A full facelift requires a more extensive lift of the deeper facial tissues – often combined with a neck lift – so recovery is longer. Swelling and bruising are typically more noticeable during the first two weeks, and most patients feel comfortable returning to public activities after 2–3 weeks. Many patients take about 2 weeks off work, though those with physically demanding jobs may benefit from taking 3–4 weeks off before returning.
Regardless of the procedure, you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that elevate your heart rate for approximately 4–6 weeks to allow the tissues to heal properly. Final results continue to improve as residual swelling resolves over the following months.
A mini facelift produces a beautiful, natural-looking refresh for the lower face. Results typically last 5 to 10 years, though the natural aging process continues. Longevity depends on genetics, skin quality, and lifestyle choices like sun protection and not smoking.
A full facelift generally produces longer-lasting results – often 10 years or more – because it repositions deeper tissue and treats both the face and neck. Pairing your facelift with fat grafting can further enhance and extend the refreshed look you achieve. No facelift stops aging entirely, but both procedures set the clock back and help you look as youthful as you feel.
Cost depends on the estimated length of surgery, case complexity, and whether you combine your facelift with another procedure, such as fat grafting. Because a full facelift is more involved than a mini facelift, it typically represents a larger investment. Here is what you can expect at Illuum Cosmetic Surgery:
You receive an estimated price range before scheduling a consultation, and a full quote by email afterward
A $50 non-refundable consultation fee is due at booking and applied toward your treatment cost once surgery is scheduled
We do not work with health insurance – all cosmetic procedures are out-of-pocket
Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, and Alphaeon, with several monthly payment options
Mini Facelift – Pros
Shorter scars/incisions
Typically quicker recovery
Lower cost
Good for early, mild sagging and a subtle refresh
Mini Facelift – Cons
Does not correct the neck or mid-face
Results may not last as long
Not ideal for advanced aging
Full Facelift – Pros
Treats mid-face, lower face, and neck together
Deeper, longer-lasting correction (often 10+ years)
Ideal for moderate to advanced sagging
Deep plane technique for natural results
Full Facelift – Cons
Longer scars (though well-hidden)
Longer recovery period
Larger investment
The most reliable way to decide is to consult a surgeon who can examine your face in person. At our Novi office, Dr. Lakin or Dr. Ozolins will review your medical history, listen to your goals, and co-create a plan designed to illuminate your self. Consultations typically last about 45 minutes, so there is plenty of time for your questions.
When it comes to a mini facelift vs. a full facelift, the main difference is scope. A mini facelift gently lifts the lower face and early jowls with shorter incisions and a quicker recovery, while a full facelift corrects the mid-face, lower face, and neck together for deeper, longer-lasting results. Your ideal choice depends on how much sagging you have, whether your neck needs attention, your recovery timeline, and your long-term goals.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons – Dr. Lakin and Dr. Ozolins – can help you find the right fit and, when helpful, pair your lift with fat grafting for a natural result.
About the Author
Dr. Gregory Lakin
July 15, 2026
Nurse Injector
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University and worked as an operating room nurse at Michigan Medicine for 2 years before transitioning to aesthetics. She
received her certification as a Nurse Injector, and attended further training and certification through Allergan Medical Institute. She absolutely loves being a Nurse Injector and is very passionate about
combining medicine and the creativity and artistry of aesthetics in her practice. It is extremely important to her to remain educated and up to date with the newest and best treatments and injection techniques. Her goal as an Injector is that when you sit in her chair that you feel comfortable, fully educated on your procedure, and confident and happy in your results when we are done. She loves forming connections with her patients and feels truly honored to be a part of your journey to becoming your most confident self, inside and out! She is a great listener and looks forward to creating an individualized plan to meet each of her patient’s unique goals and desires. Some of her favorite treatments include lip filler, Botox, and midface/cheek filler (but there is so much more!). When she is not injecting, you can find her trying new recipes, spending time with family, working out, gardening, or taking a long walk with her dog.
Heidi Winkler BSN, RN
Director of Nursing & Surgical Services Leadership
Heidi’s goal is to ensure every patient has a positive experience and is satisfied with the high quality of service provided by our clinical staff. Her passion as a caregiver is to impact each person’s life in a positive way.
PACU Nurse
Tonya has been a registered nurse for 15 years. She earned her BSN at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
She started her career as a trauma RN in Detroit. She has been working as a recovery RN for the past 8 years. She loves being part of a team that makes a difference in people’s lives.
Her passions include lounging with her fur babies, family, and friends, traveling, crunching, and recycling.
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