As we get older, we tend to ignore the frown lines and wrinkles on our faces that give away our age. However, in today’s world of social media and video calls, our wrinkles, frown lines, sagging skin, loss of volume on the cheeks, not to mention the formation of jowls, all make it evident that there’s no hiding the passage of time.

The first step in planning for the possibility of a facelift, mid facelift, lower facelift, minimally invasive facelift, or neck lift is to schedule an in-person consultation with triple board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Jose Barrera in San Antonio, TX.

By taking a closer look at each of the facelift types offered by Dr. Barrera, you’ll be equipped to decide which of these may be best for you.

Upper Facelift

An upper facelift (also known as a brow lift, forehead lift, or eyebrow lift) is typically performed on the area above the corners of the eyes. Since the procedure effectively returns youthfulness to the eyes, patients with sagging skin or wrinkles on their forehead or brow line benefit the most. Erasing 10-15 years from your appearance, an upper facelift can make you look refreshed, more alert, and younger.

Full Facelift

Dr. Barrera employs an individually customized approach using the deep plane facelift technique to remove excess skin and reposition fat across the middle and lower facial areas and neck. Once this step has been completed, he separates the skin from the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), a tissue sheet of collagen and elastin fibers and fat cells. He then goes on to reposition the muscles over the cheekbones into a younger and natural-looking position.

The Mini-Facelift

Rejuvenating the lower two-thirds of the face, a mini-facelift is often performed together with a neck lift or liposuction of the neck. With incisions made at the ear tragus, the small flap of cartilage covering the ear channel and continued around the ear, drooping skin on the middle and lower facial areas is excised. The incision is then supported with sutures in the underlying muscle structures and the SMAS. A more natural proportion between the lower face and neck is achieved when a mini-facelift is combined with a necklift.

Hairline Facelift

Women who like to pull their hair up into a ponytail without exposing any scars behind their ears appreciate Dr. Barrera’s hairline facelift, the incisions are hidden behind the ear. There is an option whereby no incisions are placed in front of the tragus or anterior hair tuft, allowing the patient to wear their hair in a ponytail fashion. The minimally invasive facelift can hide the incision behind the ear where a ponytail hairstyle can disguise any scars. 

Male Facelift

Men seeking a rejuvenating facelift can benefit from minimal incisions, a strongly defined jawline, and improvement in the submental fullness below the chin. A customized male facelift can provide the aesthetic features most desired for the jawline and neck areas.

Mid-Facelift or Cheek Lift

A mid-facelift or cheek lift helps address dynamic wrinkles, under-eye hollows, and sunken cheeks from the corners of the eyes to the corners of the mouth. By working through small incisions made in the hairline and inside of the mouth, Dr. Barrera lifts and tightens skin together with the underlying muscles over the cheekbones.

Not only are mid-facelifts long-lasting, but they can dramatically improve the appearance of your cheeks, nose, and upper lip. When combined with a proper skincare regime, only one is typically needed in a patient’s lifetime.

Lower Facelift

A lower facelift targets everything below the corners of the mouth. The procedure lifts and tightens loose skin and smooths deep wrinkles of the lower third of the face for a more youthful facial appearance. A lower facelift will improve the jowls, the jawline, and the chin and neck areas when combined with a neck lift.

Men and women who opt for a lower facelift can minimize nasolabial folds (laugh lines) and lift sagging skin on the jawline. Improve the appearance of your profile with a lower facelift and say goodbye to those jowls with a procedure often considered a ‘mini’ procedure that involves less downtime.

Combination or Alternative Procedures

Depending on your individual needs, especially if you have visible signs of aging throughout the face, you may benefit from combining procedures for dramatic, game-changing results. By combining surgeries, you might be able to save on overall operating fees and enjoy enhanced results with a single recovery.

Non-Surgical Alternative Procedures

For patients with only minor signs of aging, non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures may be enough to restore their youthful look. These procedures include BOTOX® and Dysport ® injections, laser resurfacing, as well as dermal fillers.

Contact Us and Take the Next Step

Interested in learning more about triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jose Barrera’s facelift procedures? Discover your best surgery options with an in-person consultation for a complete facial evaluation and customized treatment plan based on your goals. Our team is committed to providing each patient with an optimal outcome with natural-looking results. Please contact or call us today at (210) 468-5426!