Colorado Facelift Surgeons Say Popularity of Non-Surgical Procedures Proves Need for "Mini" Facelift Procedures

    DENVER, CO, July 11, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For years, men and women turned to facelift surgery to reduce sagging skin and wrinkles, but the recent rise in popularity of BOTOX Cosmetic and injectable fillers points to the need for a procedure that can provide the dramatic results of a facelift, with less downtime. Dr. Steven Vath and Dr. Andrew Wolfe (www.denverminifacelift.com), Colorado facelift surgeons, think that the mini facelift can be the solution that people are looking for.

"BOTOX is extremely popular because it is non-surgical (meaning minimal discomfort and no downtime), but still delivers noticeable results. BOTOX reduces wrinkles caused by muscle contraction, such as crow's feet or frown lines. However, it does not reposition facial and neck sagging or reduce wrinkles caused by loose skin as does a facelifting procedure. Another downside, of course, is that BOTOX results are not permanent," says Dr. Wolfe. "The results that a facelift can deliver are dramatic and long-lasting, but many patients are reluctant to undergo an invasive procedure that has a significant recovery period."

"That's where the mini facelift comes in," adds Dr. Vath. "Many of our Denver and Boulder cosmetic surgery patients choose the mini facelift because it is a 'happy medium' between non-surgical options like BOTOX and a traditional facelift. A mini facelift can deliver many of the results of a traditional facelift - reduced wrinkles, a sharper jaw line, and a tighter neck - with decreased discomfort and downtime."

A major difference between a traditional facelift and a mini facelift is the location and length of the incision. A traditional facelift usually requires an incision that goes into the hair-bearing scalp, runs down along the hairline, and around the ear with an extension into the hair behind the ear. A mini facelift incision is made from the sideburn hairline down around the ear. Because the incision for a mini facelift in Boulder doesn't actually go into the hair, the hairline is not disturbed. This avoids lifting the sideburn and leaving a bald spot that often results from a traditional facelift. In addition, the mini facelift usually doesn't require an incision beneath the chin, saving another scar which can frequently cause a small indentation and added discomfort.

The placement of the incision in a mini facelift also allows for a more vertical lift (as opposed to lifting toward the ears in a traditional facelift). Many Boulder plastic surgery patients find the look of the mini facelift to be more natural because of the vertical direction of the lift. Another major advantage of the mini facelift is that tightening of the underlying tissue is performed without going beneath the layer where the facial nerves reside. This can greatly reduce the risk of any nerve damage.

"BOTOX and other injectable fillers are a great option for patients whose primary goal is to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles," says Dr. Vath. "For patients who have loose skin along the lower face and neck, a facelift - mini or traditional - is going to deliver the results that most people are looking for."

"Patients with more advanced signs of aging may require a traditional facelift to get the most out of the procedure," says Dr. Wolfe. "Ultimately, a good surgeon will be able to adjust the facelift procedure for each patient's needs - so whether they call it a mini facelift or a traditional facelift, it should be customized for you."

Dr. Steven Vath and Dr. Andrew Wolfe (www.denverminifacelift.com) are board-certified plastic surgeons practicing at the Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Denver, which offers a full range of cosmetic procedures for the face and body. Dr. Vath earned his MD from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed a General Surgery residency at George Washington University and received his Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training at the Louisiana State University Medical Center and Charity Hospital. Dr. Wolfe earned his MD at The Chicago Medical School before receiving advanced surgical training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Georgetown University Medical Center.

Website: http://www.denverminifacelift.com/

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