Facelift

Types of Facelift Procedures at Des Moines Plastic Surgery

Not every face ages the same way, so not every facelift looks the same. The right approach depends less on age and more on which parts of the face have actually changed. Each option below is built around a different combination of concern, scope, and downtime. 

Facelift surgery is highly customizable. During your facelift consultation, Dr. Robbins will evaluate your facial anatomy and recommend the approach that matches your goals.

Full Facelift

A full facelift is the right choice when laxity has progressed across the cheeks, jawline, and neck together rather than in one isolated area. It is the most comprehensive surgical option and tends to suit patients with moderate to significant skin sagging, jowl development, and neck banding that all need correction in the same procedure. Incisions are placed in the hairline and behind the ears so they sit hidden once healed. The deeper SMAS layer is lifted and tightened, excess skin is removed, and the contour is reset. Recovery is the longest, but the change is the most complete and most long-lasting. 

Lower Facelift

A lower facelift is the right call when the cheeks and midface still look balanced but the jaw has softened. It focuses on the jowls, jawline, and the bottom third of the cheeks rather than rebuilding the entire face. Because the surgical scope is narrower than a full lift, incisions are shorter and recovery is generally faster. The lower face often shows age-related changes before other areas, making this procedure a popular option for patients seeking targeted correction of jowls and jawline softening without addressing areas that are not yet a concern. 

Mid Facelift

A mid facelift is selected when the concern sits higher on the face, in the cheek hollows and under the eyes, rather than along the jaw or neck. It restores volume and lift through the cheeks and upper face. Patients whose primary concern is flattening in the cheek area or a tired, hollowed appearance often choose this option while their jawline still holds its shape. Incisions are typically smaller and placed near the hairline or inside the lower eyelid. Because the work is concentrated in one zone, downtime is shorter than a full lift, with a refreshed but subtle result. 

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift suits patients with early jowl development or mild jawline softening who want a meaningful correction without committing to a full surgical lift. Most candidates are in their forties or early fifties, in good overall health, with skin that still holds reasonable elasticity. The procedure uses shorter incisions placed in front of the ear and sometimes extending into the hairline. The underlying SMAS tissue is tightened and lifted, and a smaller amount of excess skin is removed before closure. Recovery is meaningfully shorter than a full facelift. Most patients return to desk work within five to seven days, compared to seven to fourteen for the comprehensive procedure, with strenuous exercise resumed in about two to three weeks. 

Neck Lift

A neck lift is chosen when the cheeks and jawline have aged well but the area beneath the chin no longer matches. It can be performed on its own or combined with another facial procedure when neck laxity, vertical muscle banding, or fullness under the chin are the primary concerns. Some patients have well maintained midface and cheeks but a neckline that has softened ahead of the rest of the face. In those cases, treating only the neck delivers the most natural outcome. When the lower face and neck have both changed, pairing the two procedures on the same day shortens total downtime and produces a more balanced profile.