You look in the mirror, place your fingers on your jawline, and pull the skin back just a centimeter. "That’s all I need," you think. You don't want to look like a different person; you just want to look like you five years ago.
A mini facelift targets jowls and the jawline. The procedure focuses on early signs of aging. It aims to improve lower-face definition while keeping incisions limited and discreet. If you are looking for rejuvenation without the full scope of a full facelift, a mini face lift is what you need. A lot of people choose Turkey because it’s much more budget-friendly than other places.
In this guide, I’ll explain what a mini facelift can and can’t do, its benefits, and how treatment is planned in Turkey. I’ll cover who it suits, what influences cost, recovery milestones, and key risks to understand. I’ll also compare Mini Facelift with other facelift techniques.
What is a Mini Facelift?
A mini facelift is a focused type of facelift that improves early sagging in the lower face. It’s designed for people who don’t need a full facelift but want a noticeable freshed appereance.
Key Details of Mini Face Lift in Turkey
- It focuses lower face and neck to provide refreshed look.
- Less invasive so recovery time is 1 week for work; 2 weeks for social events.
- Affordable costs, average prices are $2,000 – $4,000 in Turkey for all-inclusive packages.
- Time in Turkey is usually 5 – 7 Days.
- Local Anesthesia.
- Operation Time is about 1 – 2 Hours.
- Hidden scar: scars are usually placed around natural creases and hairline edges
How is a Mini Facelift Performed in Turkey?
In Turkey, a mini facelift is usually done as a planned day-surgery procedure in a hospital setting. The process is similar to other countries, with a clear pathway from assessment to surgery and early follow-up.
So, what are the stages of a mini facelift? Let me explain:
Pre-assessment: your surgeon reviews face shape, skin quality, and laxity patterns.
Planning: the team agrees on the target areas and the scar placement strategy.
Anaesthesia: it’s commonly done with local anaesthesia, depending on your needs.
Lift and support: the surgeon repositions and supports the tissues for lower-face definition.
Closure: incisions are closed carefully to keep the scar line discreet.
Early aftercare: you leave with written guidance and a scheduled review plan.
For international patients, we often add:
Online review before travel and a medical check after you arrive.
Transfers and accommodation coordination to reduce stress around appointments.
Planned follow-ups before you fly home, and remote checks later.
Who is a Good Candidate for Mini Facelift in Turkey?
A good candidate for a mini facelift usually has early to moderate lower-face sagging and wants a subtle, natural refresh. You also need good overall health and realistic expectations.
You may be a good fit if you:
Notice early jowls or a softer jawline, without major neck looseness.
Have reasonable skin quality and some elasticity (skin “spring”).
Feel well and have no uncontrolled medical conditions.
Keep a stable weight, since big changes can affect results.
Don’t smoke, or you can stop nicotine before and after surgery as advised.
I must remind our patients that Mini Facelift brings improvement. It doesn’t stop time. Ageing continues. So, to decide you should check the past before & after results.
How Much does a Mini Facelift Cost?
Generally, the price range is between $3,500 and $8,000.
In Turkey, many clinics offer mini facelift prices in the low-to-mid thousands (often as a package), while the UK, US and Europe are usually up to 73% higher for the surgery alone. Mini facelift pricing depends on what’s included and how much lifting you need.
What is the average mini facelift price in the UK?
In the UK, prices range from £6,000 to £10,000 and more. It depends on the clinic and surgeon's prestige. This often does not include hotel or travel expenses.
How Much does Mini Facelift Cost in Turkey?
Our all-inclusive packages generally range between $2,000 and $4,000. This price covers not just the surgery, but your accommodation and transfers as well.
Further reading: How Much Does a Facelift Cost in the UK? Here, you can see before and after photos of real patients who have had a mini facelift in Turkey. These photos showcase the results achieved and help you understand what’s possible. Reviewing real cases can assist you in making a more informed and confident decision. Facelift Turkey Before and After Photo Gallery. Click for more >>Mini Face lift Turkey Before & After
Our knowledge about facial proportions is the secret of our know-how. We examine the particularities of your face and create a greater balance between your unique features. We are not the ones to say that. Our patients are! From day 1 I've had a great experience from being picked up from airport and taking to my motel 5 star than the next day being picked up from my motel and brought to hospital for consultation my interpreter Asim who is a great guy who sorted everything out for me than I met my doctor who is a great doc had a few laughs and felt like 20min and I was away starting everything blood tests ... I had a really good experience care in turkey and Dr Ahmet Hamid Sakarya. I came for a facelift and breast augmentation and I am happy with both results, DR Ahmet listened to all my concerns and customised the procedure to suit me and he has a good eye for detail and natural results. The hotel and hospital were great and care in turkey were available when I needed themMini Facelift Patient Reviews
From day 1 I've had a great experience…
October 20, 2025Great experience for face lift and breast Augmentation with DR Ahmet
June 04, 2025
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Mini Facelift Procedure Recovery
Mini facelift recovery is usually quicker than a full facelift. You should expect swelling, bruising, and tightness early on. Most people feel socially presentable within about two weeks.
Typical timeline
First 2–3 days: swelling starts and your face feels tight.
Days 4–7: swelling and bruising often peak, then start to ease.
Days 10–14: many patients feel comfortable in public again.
Weeks 3–6: firmness softens and the jawline looks more natural.
Months 3–6: the result continues to refine as tissues settle.
Up to 12 months: scars keep maturing and usually fade further.
Expect initial swelling to resolve gradually as your body heals. While bruising disappears quickly, you will likely feel lingering tightness or numbness. This is a standard part of tissue recovery. To ensure an optimal outcome, our surgical team provides a comprehensive aftercare plan. to guide you through every phase of your recovery.
Important steps for Mini Facelift Recovery
You should maintain stable health during your recovery process..
You should establish a good sleep schedule to aid healing.
You should avoid nicotine, because it reduces blood flow to healing tissue.
You should attend all follow-up appointments, especially if you travelled for surgery.
Why Should I Get a Mini Facelift in Turkey?
People choose a mini facelift in Turkey for a practical mix of value, experienced teams, and streamlined medical travel. The key is choosing a clinic that prioritises safety, transparency, and follow-up.
If you want a natural result, but also need it to be efficient, Turkey can work very well when the clinic’s process is organised and medically led. If you feel rushed, or the plan is vague, that’s usually a sign to pause and reassess.
What matters most when you are coming to Turkey for Mini Facelift:
An international board member surgeon who examines you and explains realistic limits.
A hospital-grade operating environment and qualified anaesthesia care.
A written follow-up pathway, including support after you return home.
What are The Benefits of Mini Facelift Surgery?
The main benefits of a mini facelift are a fresher lower-face shape with less disruption than a full facelift. It’s often chosen for quicker social recovery, a discreet scar, and cost awareness.
Common benefits include:
Sharper jawline: improves early jowls and soft jawline edges.
Natural-looking refresh: supports facial shape without changing your identity.
Shorter downtime: many patients feel presentable sooner than with larger lifts.
Discreet scarring: the aim is a short scar that sits in natural borders.
Less extensive approach: focuses on the lower face when concerns are limited.
Budget-friendly planning: can be appealing when you want an affordable cost option.
Our Cosmetic Surgeons
Surgeons
Prof. Dr. Arif Türkmen Prof. Dr. Arif Türkmen was born in the İslahiye district of Gaziantep and completed his primary, secondary, and high school education there. In 1981, he received the Atatürk 100th Anniversary Award.
In 2002, he became the first Turkish Plastic Surgeon to pass the European Board of Plastic Surgery examination (EBOPRAS).
In 2005, he received the gold medal as the best candidate in the European Federation of Hand Surgery examination.
Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Hamdi Sakarya Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Hamdi Sakarya, a leading Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon with Care in Turkey, specializes in innovative aesthetic solutions.
He has a US Medical Equivalency Certificate (ECFMG) and a member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and The European board of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery (EBOPRAS).
Our Partner Clinics
We select our partner clinics in Turkey for safety first. We work with hospitals that are licensed and regularly audited. We prioritise JCI-accredited facilities or hospitals that meet comparable international quality and patient-safety standards. We also look for modern operating theatres, qualified anaesthesia teams, and 24/7 emergency support.
Medicana Hospital
Memorial Hospital
Medipol Hospital
Medical Park Hospital
Liv HospitalRisks & Complications
A mini facelift is generally safe when a qualified team operates in a proper facility. Still, it can cause complications like bleeding, infection, nerve irritation, and scarring problems.There’s also 0.2% chance of temporary nerve injury among reported outcomes yet these are very rare. According to a study in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, among the six studies that included 739 patients there were no major complications reported.
Risks are considered in two layers. Some risks affect comfort and healing, like bruising, numbness, and scar redness. Other risks need fast action, like bleeding or infection.
Possible risks include:
Bleeding (haematoma): blood can collect under the skin and needs prompt review.
Infection: uncommon, but it can affect healing and scar quality.
Poor scarring: scars can widen, thicken, or stay red longer than expected.
Skin healing problems: tight or fragile skin can heal slowly, especially with nicotine use.
Nerve effects: you can get temporary weakness or altered sensation in the lower face.
Numbness: reduced feeling near the incision is common early on. It can last longer.
Asymmetry: small differences can remain, even with careful planning.
Contour issues: you may see lumps, tethering, or irregularity as swelling settles.
Fluid collection (seroma): fluid can build up and need drainage.
Anaesthesia risks: nausea, blood pressure changes, and rare serious reactions can occur.
Blood clots: travel and reduced movement can raise the risk in higher-risk patients.
We plan your aftercare as carefully as your surgery. While you’re in Turkey, we monitor swelling, wound healing, and early warning signs. After you return home, we schedule regular online appointments so your recovery stays on track. If an unexpected issue occurs, we provide clear guidance and, when medically appropriate, discuss corrective care options under a transparent revision policy.
Who is Not a Good Candidate?
A Mini Facelift is not a universal solution. I warn my patients to review their aesthetic goals. After we discuss the aim of the patient we need to check if mini facelift is an answer for these goals. You might not be a good candidate if the procedure can not safely meet your aesthetic goals. This usually relates to specific medical risks, the condition of your skin, or unrealistic expectations.
We advise against this procedure if you have:
Uncontrolled Conditions: Such as poorly managed diabetes or severe heart disease.
Bleeding Risks: Including the use of blood thinners that cannot be paused safely.
Heavy Neck Laxity: Significant "turkey neck" or platysmal bands often require a comprehensive Neck Lift.
Nicotine Use: Smoking, vaping, or patches constrict blood flow and jeopardize healing. You must be able to stop as advised.
Unrealistic Expectations: Expecting "zero scars" or "permanent youth" is not realistic.
Travel Limitations: If you cannot commit to the required stay in Turkey for safe follow-up checks.
A Note from the Surgeon: In consultation, we look for a match between your anatomy and your goals. Patients often ask if a mini lift can "fix everything." If you have heavy aging signs or cannot stay for proper aftercare, we will have an honest discussion about alternative plans. A safe result depends on the right operation, not just the fastest one.
Other Types of Facelift Techniques
Patients often weigh the Mini Facelift against other options. We value transparency. Below, we compare this procedure with other common facelift methods.
Mini Facelift vs. Extended SMAS Facelift
The Difference: The Extended SMAS facelift targets deeper facial structures and is ideal for significant sagging. The Mini Facelift is for moderate aging.
Recovery & Cost: The Extended SMAS requires longer operating times and recovery. Consequently, the cost is higher. The Mini Facelift offers a lower price point and less downtime, making it attractive for those with early aging signs.
Mini Facelift vs. Deep Plane Facelift
The Difference: Deep Plane lifts reposition the whole muscle layer for dramatic results on deep wrinkles. It is more invasive. The Mini Facelift provides subtle, natural enhancements.
Why Choose Mini? If you want to preserve natural facial expressions with minimal risk, the Mini Lift is superior. It is less invasive and avoids the "over-pulled" look some patients fear with aggressive surgeries.
Mini Facelift vs. Traditional Facelift
The Difference: Traditional facelift in Turkey involve larger incisions and comprehensive tissue rearrangement. This means higher costs and longer recovery.
Modern Approach: Many patients today prefer the Mini Facelift because it allows a quicker return to everyday life. It replaces the extensive trauma of traditional methods with a "tuck" technique that yields natural results.
FAQ
How Long Does a Mini Facelift Last?
Mini-facelifts usually last from 5 to 10 years. This duration can vary, depending on factors such as skin quality, age, and lifestyle.
Is a Mini-Facelift Worth the Money?
For those concerned about early aging, a mini facelift can be a great option. It is both cost-effective and satisfying, without the downtime and invasiveness associated with a full facelift.
What is the Best Age for a Mini Facelift?
There’s no “perfect” age for this operation. It’s more about the state of your skin and the extent of aging signs. However, many people choose this procedure in their 40s and 50s when early aging signs start to show.
Can a Mini Facelift Go Wrong?
While rare, complications can occur, such as infection, bleeding, or unsatisfactory results. Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon minimizes these risks.
How Painful is a Mini Facelift?
Patients typically report minimal discomfort during the procedure thanks to local anesthesia. Post-procedure, any pain can be managed effectively with prescribed medications.
Does a Mini Facelift Lift Eyes?
No, This operation primarily targets the lower face. To address aging signs around the eyes, procedures like blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can be combined with a facelift surgery.
Can You Get a Mini Facelift Twice?
Yes, it can be repeated if signs of aging reappear over time.
Can I Walk After a Mini Facelift?
You will be able to walk around soon after your procedure. However, it is recommended to rest and have minimal activity for the first few days to help the recovery process.
Does a Mini Facelift Leave Scars?
There will be small scars, but they’re usually well-hidden in the hairline or behind the ears and fade over time within the mini facelift recovery time.
Does this surgery Affect the Neck?
A mini facelift can help with minor sagging in the upper neck. For significant neck aging, however, a neck lift may be a better option.
How Do You Sleep After the Surgery?
For the first few weeks, you should sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling.
How Long Do Stitches Stay in?
Stitches are typically removed 5 to 7 days post-procedure.
Are You Awake During the Surgery?
Yes, a mini facelift is usually performed under local anaesthesia, so you’re awake but won’t feel pain.
How to Choose the Best Facelift Technique?
The best facelift technique for you depends on your specific concerns, goals, and facial anatomy. An in-depth consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons can help you make an informed decision.
To learn more about facelift surgery or schedule a consultation, please contact us. We’re here to guide you on your journey to a fresher, more youthful you.
