Facelifts are the gold standard of cosmetic procedures, offering the most comprehensive results when it comes to facial aging concerns such as loose skin, a loss of facial definition, jowls, and deep creases. They are also a big investment, prompting patients to wonder when exactly is the best time to undergo this procedure. This blog discusses the benefits of facelifts at different age milestones and how to plan your facelift for maximum impact.
When Is the Best Time to Get a Facelift?
We won’t mince words: there is no “best” or “correct” time to get a facelift, or any cosmetic procedure for that matter. That’s because these procedures are so custom to you and your unique needs; there is no standard. What’s more relevant is what aging concerns you have and their severity.
Facelift candidates are usually examined for the specific concerns that a facelift can address:
- A tired, haggard appearance due to loose skin
- A lack of facial definition through the lower third of the face (jowls, chin, neck, mouth)
- Deep creases around the mouth and nose (nasolabial folds)
- Loose skin and muscles throughout the face and neck
As we age, the elasticity of the skin and tissues begins to degrade, resulting in loose skin and a loss of facial definition. This process is different for everyone and can be influenced by genetics as well as lifestyle factors such as sun damage and smoking.
Is It Ever Too Early For a Facelift?
It can be! The thing about cosmetic surgery is that it does not stop the natural aging process—even with a facelift, your skin, muscles, and tissues will continue to age just as they always have.
Undergoing a facelift before you really need one may result in the need for an additional procedure later on in life. Of course, there are alternative facial rejuvenation options for younger patients, which we’ll discuss later on in the blog.
Facelift Benefits Age 40
At or around age 40, patients start thinking about their facial rejuvenation with a facelift. Although everyone is different, your forties are usually when the slowing of collagen production (which slows after age 20!) starts to affect the face, resulting in an increase of visible wrinkles, sagging skin and tissues, and a loss of elasticity or “bounciness.”
If you’re in your forties and thinking about a facelift, your surgeon may recommend a mini facelift instead, which is less invasive than a traditional facelift and addresses the lower-mid region of the face, where we see the bulk of facial definition loss.
While you may still want a full facelift or “touch up” mini facelift later in life, the results of your procedure should last a good 10 to 15 years and can push back the clock.
Facelift Benefits Age 50
Generally, around age 50, patients start considering a full facelift for their facial aging concerns. The traditional facelift can restore a sharp jawline, lift sagging tissues for a more youthful contour, and remove loose, sagging skin.
Your fifties are a great age to consider a facelift, as this timing gives you a lot of mileage out of your procedure, as you’ll be able to enjoy the results well into your sixties and even seventies with proper maintenance and skin protection.
Facelift Benefits Age 60+
Facelift patients in their sixties and beyond can typically benefit from a combination facelift and neck lift, which addresses the full slate of facial aging concerns in addition to treating the neck of hanging skin, neck banding, and the dreaded “turkey neck.” At Center for Plastic Surgery, a facelift and neck lift are combined into one seamless procedure, so patients receive a comprehensive, long-lasting treatment that is harmonious.
Non-surgical Alternatives to the Facelift
None of us fit into neat categories 100% of the time, so if your concerns don’t match with your age range, not to worry. At Center for Plastic Surgery, we take a truly holistic approach to facelifts and facial rejuvenation. Our signature FACE360 program combines surgical, non-surgical, and cosmetic techniques to provide a truly comprehensive plan that helps you specifically.
For example, if you’re not quite ready for a facelift but still have specific concerns, our team can utilize dermal filler injections to restore lost volume, BOTOX® Cosmetic to address fine lines, and laser rejuvenation to boost collagen production and smooth rough skin for a completely minimally invasive rejuvenation.
The possibilities are truly endless, as our team will cater exactly to you and your short-term (and long-term!) goals. Combining surgery and non-surgical procedures can achieve a beautiful result that is suited exactly to your needs at any age.
Interested in Facelifts in Washington, D.C.?
Let our experts create a facial rejuvenation plan that reveals your best self at any age. Call Center for Plastic Surgery today at (301) 652-7700 for our Chevy Chase location and (703) 560-2850 for our Tysons Corner location.