What is the perfect age to get a facelift?

What types of facelift procedures are available?

There are a wide variety of facial plastic surgeries that can be performed to achieve a younger and more vibrant appearance. At Harmony Facial Plastic Surgery we perform customized procedures including facelift, deep plane facelift (our specialty!), mini facelift, brow lift, mini brow lift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, and chin augmentation to help each patient achieve their goals.

In general, a facelift and a deep plane facelift can both address sagging and wrinkles in the mid-face (think smile lines and jowls), a brow lift and blepharoplasty/eyelid lift can correct signs of aging in the upper face and near the eyes, and neck lifts including deep neck lifts are designed to address concerns in the lower part of the face like bands and loose skin. Because there are many strategies and combinations of procedures that can provide a customized result to match your aesthetic goals, it's always best to come in for a consultation and receive specific guidance.

Deep plane face lifting is one area where we are different from other practices. This technique is more advanced and tedious but leads to better results for patients that last longer. Deep plane facelifts involve dissecting under the tissue that has fallen in the cheeks and jowls, to lift them as one unit with the skin, cheek fat, and blood vessels, all still attached to each other. By dissecting under the strength layer (the SMAS) that wraps the facial muscles, a more effective and natural-looking result is achieved. Other types of facelifts lift just the skin, or don’t go far enough under the deep structure of the face (SMAS) to create the same effect and they tend to stretch back faster because the strength layer/SMAS is not appropriately addressed.

Are different facelift procedures recommended for people of a certain age?

With all the different customizable options available, many people considering a facelift wonder if certain procedures are better for those in specific age ranges.

Are different facelift procedures recommended for people of a certain age?

With all the different customizable options available, many people considering a facelift wonder if certain procedures are better for those in specific age ranges.

Facelift Procedures for Those under 40

It is rare that we would recommend a surgical facelift for someone in their thirties. Genetic and hereditary factors are usually the cause of early facelifts. Somes patients have faces that are very heavy and affect their aesthetics and confidence. They look older than their age or their facial balance is just not right. An example of this would be a younger female patient who has inherited a heavier-jowled facial structure and feels it does not match her age or femininity. In this instance a facelift would be the best procedure, from a results and longevity standpoint. Of course, in today’s over-filtered world, talk to your plastic surgeon about what is possible and ideal. Having no smile lines at all is not natural, and yet filters remove them all the time!

Often, for those in their 30s or above who want to address the first signs of aging, non-surgical procedures like neurotoxins, fillers, and laser/energy treatments are the first course of action. We start losing collagen in our mid-twenties, and each year after that around 1% is lost each year. So a 35-year-old would have 10% less collagen in their skin. Treatments aimed at building back collage like lasers, microneedling, and chemical peels can be highly effective for fine lines and wrinkles that appear in this stage of life. Occasionally a brow lift or other more minor single-area treatments could be used.

Facelift Procedures for Those 40 and Over

The 40s might be considered primetime for a facelift and other complementary procedures. Typically at this age, aging is noticeable and surgical correction may be warranted, but, and this is important, there is still plenty of elasticity in the skin. This is key for outstanding outcomes, and many patients are more satisfied with their results when they undergo surgery sooner rather than waiting until aging becomes more prominent. In this age range, procedures such as a deep plane facelift, traditional facelift, neck lift, and even fat grafting are great options for facial rejuvenation. Younger facelift patients tend to “bounce back” more quickly and have shorter recovery times.

Facelift Procedures for Those 50 and Over

At 50 and over, a facelift is still the gold standard for facial aging, especially if there is still a fair amount of skin elasticity. Since, at this point, signs of aging may be very noticeable and apparent throughout the face, we often recommend a full-face rejuvenation to ensure that parts of the face don’t look more aged than others. This ensures a harmonious look (the inspiration of our practice after all!) and usually includes a deep plane facelift, neck lift, brow lift or eyelid lift, and possibly other procedures. Sometimes chin augmentation and fat transfer are also included to completely rejuvenate the face. Lasers and other energy devices are excellent treatments to undergo at the same time.

It’s important to seek out a highly trained and experienced surgeon who knows how to create a younger but still age-fitting look with the right technique. This will avoid an unnatural, pulled appearance. The goal is always to make it look like a patient hasn’t had surgery, and more extensive signs of aging make this more challenging and require more skill. Ask your surgeon to describe their technique and why it is the right one for you.

Non-Surgical Alternatives

While non-surgical alternatives, sometimes referred to as a “non-surgical facelift” or a “liquid facelift,” are typically the first recommendation for those in their 30s, if your goals at any age can be met with less invasive options, they are another choice. Neuromodulators like Botox can smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid fillers can fill hollow spots and treat deep lines like nasolabial folds (smile lines), jowls, and forehead lines. Skin laxity and texture can be addressed with various laser treatments. Because these options are minimally invasive, do not require anesthesia, and have little to no downtime, they are an option for many different kinds of patients and needs. It is important to note that non-surgical treatments cannot do what surgery does. Fillers never, ever lift tissue. Instead, by adding volume in strategic areas, they help combat the volume loss/deflation that occurs with age. This leads to more attractive and youthful contours. There has to be enough “bounce back” in the skin to avoid fillers just looking puffy.

The Right Facelift for You

While the term “facelift” is often used universally, you can certainly see that there are many choices and decisions to make in order to determine what will give you the best results and fit in perfectly with your lifestyle. No matter what your age, deciding whether to undergo any cosmetic procedure is an important task.

Along with the specifics of the surgery or procedure itself, there are other things to consider. Surgery comes with necessary downtime, and you must ensure that you are able to take adequate time to rest while healing. While more minimally invasive treatments do not require downtime, there will be a need for regular maintenance and repeat treatments.

Budget is also a consideration and may be a bigger piece of the puzzle in your 30s versus your 50s. Surgical procedures are, of course, more costly upfront, but consistent appointments for fillers can also add up.

The best way to make a solid decision for your facial rejuvenation is to consult us. Helping patients feel confident again is my life’s work. You deserve the joy of seeing yourself in the mirror and recognizing yourself, having pictures taken of you, and feeling confident in your skin.