WTF Is A Mini Facelift, And Will It Make Me Look Like Lindsay Lohan?

As a beauty writer, I’m blessed (and sometimes cursed) with more info than I could ever process on the latest aesthetic treatments we’re all supposed to get for younger, clearer, plumper skin, whatever. And one cosmetic surgeon in my inbox, Dr. Renata Khelemsky, is convinced the mini facelift is the aesthetic trend to look out for in 2025 for women in their thirties to fifties.

I’m sure you’ll have picked up on this by now, but this is pretty much just a facelift, only mini — focused on the lower half of the face, with shorter incisions and a quicker recovery. Basically, it’s kinda less scary and great for those looking for a lil’ lift but nothing too drastic and for those like me who are this close to marching into a doctor’s office with a pic of LiLo’s recent glow-up.

That said, other aesthetic specialists like TikTok’s fave, Dr. Shereene Idriss, a board-certified derm and founder of Idriss Dermatology in NYC, are a whole lot less down with the whole trend. So, what’s the deal with mini facelifts, exactly? Betches spoke to Dr. Khelemsky and Dr. Idriss to get you #answers.

WTF Is a Mini Facelift?

Image Credit: Getty Images

A mini facelift is like your garden-variety facelift but “more streamlined” and “less invasive,” as Dr. Khelemsky puts it. The surgeon likes the procedure for younger patients to address “early signs of aging, such as mild jowls, slight neck laxity, and excess skin around the jawline.”

Don’t be fooled by the cutesy name, though. We’re still very much talking about invasive surgery here — it’s just the incisions are smaller, the amount of skin being lifted is less, and the recovery time is shorter.

“In my practice, even though it’s called ‘mini,’ the procedure still addresses the deep plane of the face to lift and tighten areas like the midface and jowls,” says Dr. Khelemsky. “I modify the technique to minimize the amount of skin lifted, preserving the important connections between the skin and underlying tissues.”

Because a mini facelift isn’t as in-depth as a regular facelift, “the result is not only more natural but also less traumatic,” says the expert, adding that recovery takes between two and four weeks. In contrast, full recovery for a regular facelift can take months — so you’ll be looking snatched by Galentine’s Day.

So, Like, Should You Get a Mini Facelift?

Like with any aesthetic procedure, whether or not you get a mini facelift is ultimately up to you. But if you’re in your twenties or early thirties, maybe don’t?

Dr. Idriss is seeing younger and younger patients who are looking for a facelift and compares the trend to the filler boom circa Kylie Jenner’s lip kits. “Just as I would say that someone in their twenties and early thirties doesn’t necessarily need filler, I’m saying that you do not need a facelift in your early thirties,” the expert says.

For Dr. Idriss, the main argument against getting a facelift — even if it’s mini — early on is that results only last up to 10 years. “So, if you have a facelift at 35, are you prepared to do it again at 45, 55, and 65?” she asks. “Repeated facelifts, even if they’re called ‘mini facelifts,’ will gradually reduce facial volume, so each time you get a facelift, your face will shrink. This begs the question, what will you look like in your sixties if you get a facelift in your thirties?”

Dr. Khelemsky puts the ideal age to seek out a mini facelift (should you wish) around your late thirties or forties. “The goal is to enjoy a refreshed look during the current and even next stage of life rather than waiting until aging becomes more pronounced and surgery feels inevitable,” she says.

Any younger than that, preventative skincare, healthy lifestyle habits, and minimally invasive treatments are the way to go, says Dr. Idriss, except for rare exceptions (and that’s probs not you, sorry!!).

Before making a decision, know that mini facelifts come with a bunch of “potential risks, including infection, scarring, prolonged bruising and swelling, and sensory changes to the skin, as well as rare but known complications from anesthesia,” adds Dr. Khelemsky. Yikes.

Mini Facelift Alternatives

First, the bad news: No matter what you heard on BeautyTok, you basically can’t replicate the effects of a facelift without actually *getting* a facelift, per both experts. Sorry.

But!!! You can still address the signs of aging that are affecting your confidence with less invasive treatments. Dr. Khelemsky says fillers can help add volume to your face; ultrasound and radiofrequency treatments can stimulate collagen production; and skin resurfacing treatments like chemical peels and lasers can drastically improve skin texture.

Meanwhile, Dr. Idriss suggests non-surgical facelifts as another option. “Incorporating treatments like PRP or PRF can strengthen your skin’s foundation,” she says.

All in all, both experts recommend researching and finding a really skilled dermatologist or surgeon whose aesthetic you trust. The right person can help you address your concerns with a mix of methods while also dissuading you from any procedures that wouldn’t be a good idea in your specific circumstances.

In the end, Dr. Idriss says it best: “The goal isn’t to look like a different person but to maintain your natural beauty and become the best version of yourself over time.” I’m really hoping the best version of myself turns out to look like Sydney Sweeney, though, TBH.