Carmel Mini Lift: A Natural-Looking Mini Facelift in Monterey
If you want noticeable facial rejuvenation without the long downtime or dramatic changes of a traditional facelift, the Carmel Mini Lift may be your ideal solution. Performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Morwood in Monterey, CA, this mini facelift procedure offers a refreshed, youthful appearance with shorter scars, quicker recovery, and natural-looking results.
What is the Carmel Mini Facelift?
The Carmel Mini Lift is Dr. Morwood’s custom version of a mini facelift, designed for patients who want subtle yet effective facial rejuvenation. It targets sagging in the lower face, jowls, and neck, while preserving your natural facial expressions and features.
Unlike a traditional facelift, this procedure involves shorter incisions, often made around the ears and hairline, to lift underlying facial muscles and restore volume without looking “overdone.”
Dr. Morwood developed this approach after years of refining techniques from experts around the world, including the short scar facelift, S-lift, and MACS lift. His method blends artistry and precision to create a facelift that’s customized for each patient.


Why Choose Dr. Morwood for a Mini Facelift in Monterey?
Dr. David T. Morwood is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience delivering refined, natural-looking facial rejuvenation results. Known for his artistic eye and patient-first philosophy, Dr. Morwood uses the most advanced tools and techniques to customize every procedure.
Patients in Carmel, Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Salinas trust Dr. Morwood for:
- A personal, one-on-one consultation and treatment plan
- Customized techniques tailored to your anatomy and goals
- Consistent, natural-looking results that reflect your best self
- Flexible anesthesia and facility options
- Comprehensive post-op care including same-day follow-up
Browse our before and after gallery and read real patient testimonials to see why Dr. Morwood is the preferred choice for facelift surgery near Monterey.
The Benefits of the Carmel Mini Face Lift
- Provides natural-looking rejuvenation of the lower face and neck
- Less invasive than a full facelift
- Performed under local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia (your choice)
- Minimal downtime compared to traditional facelifts
- Shorter, well-concealed incisions
- Suitable for in-office procedures
- Can include fat transfer for added volume
- Option to combine with skin resurfacing for enhanced results
FAQs About Mini Facelifts in Monterey
Who is a candidate for the Carmel mini facelift?
You may be a good candidate if you have early signs of aging—such as mild to moderate skin laxity in the lower face or neck—but aren’t ready for a full facelift. Most patients are in their 40s to 60s, in good general health, and want natural results with a shorter recovery time. During your consultation, Dr. Morwood will evaluate your facial anatomy and goals to recommend the best treatment plan.
What happens during mini facelift surgery?
Using small S-shaped incisions hidden around the ears and hairline, Dr. Morwood lifts and repositions the SMAS layer (muscle and connective tissue) and may tighten the platysma muscle in the neck. This deep-layer lifting reduces tension on the skin and improves longevity. If needed, fat grafting can restore volume to cheeks or temples. The procedure typically lasts 2–3 hours.
What is the downtime and recovery like after a mini facelift?
Most patients return to desk work and light activity within 4 days. Swelling and bruising peak early and improve quickly. Sutures dissolve or are removed within 10 days. Dr. Morwood provides 24/7 post-op care and sees all patients the day after surgery. Light exercise resumes in 1–2 weeks, and most patients fully recover within 2–3 weeks.
Who isn’t a candidate for a mini facelift? What are the risks?
Patients with significant skin laxity or those expecting dramatic changes may be better suited for a full facelift. Smokers, individuals with unmanaged medical conditions, or those unable to pause strenuous activity during recovery may not be ideal candidates. As with any surgery, risks include bruising, swelling, asymmetry, or scarring, though complications are rare.
How Much Does Carmel Mini Lift Cost in Monterey, CA
Pricing varies based on anesthesia type, surgical time, and whether additional procedures like fat grafting or resurfacing are included. Financing options are available. You’ll receive a detailed treatment plan with personalized pricing during your consultation.
Can the Carmel mini facelift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Many patients choose to combine their mini facelift with eyelid surgery, neck lift, or skin resurfacing for more complete rejuvenation. Volume restoration with fat grafting is also a popular add-on.
Schedule Your Mini Facelift Consultation in Monterey
Dr. Morwood is regarded as a top provider of cosmetic surgery for the face in Salinas, Pacific Grove, and the surrounding areas of California’s Central Coast. If you’re considering facelift surgery to restore youthful definition to your lower face without a dramatic change, the Carmel Mini Lift might be perfect for you. Contact Dr. David Morwood in Monterey today to book your mini facelift consultation.