It’s no small decision to undergo facelift surgery. A facial rejuvenation surgery is a In fact, making the choice to have any type of plastic surgery is huge. You’re willingly going under the knife and putting your faith in the hands of a skilled surgeon who promises to help make your vision of the ideal face a reality. With that kind of confidence instilled in someone, it’s hard not to feel great about your chances of success.
Yet is the universal facelift an acceptable option for everyone? That depends on a few key factors. People of all ages may be interested in this plastic surgery procedure, but the fact is that not everyone who wants to get one should have one. While age is certainly just a number, it plays a considerably more important role in this critical decision-making process when considering plastic surgery. Here’s what you should consider if you have a facelift surgery in mind.
The Best Age for a Facelift
Don’t assume that just because you’re an adult, you can walk into your plastic surgeon’s office and request a Dallas facelift procedure. The truth is that not every adult is a candidate — even those who are of suitable age. The first point to consider is whether you actually have a need for it. Most of the time, facelifts are best reserved for people over the age of 40.
Those younger typically don’t have a very specific or targeted need for this cosmetic surgery just yet. Of course, the signs of a potential need could be there — you may have deep lines and wrinkles due to smoking or sun damage, for example. There is very little that topical skin products can do for such situations, and in these cases your surgeon may actually consider you a viable candidate.
Otherwise, those over the age of 40 are usually prime candidates — and often, the usual patient is well over the age of 50. That’s because it’s during these decades that the most visible signs of aging become more pronounced. These include issues like fine lines, wrinkles, more pronounced lines, creases, and sagging jowls. All of these can have a cumulative effect on the face, lending you a more aged appearance that takes away from your real age.
Of course, every case is situational. It is hard to nail down a precise best age for facelift surgery. Your plastic surgeon may deem you a perfectly suitable candidate for a facelift if you’re under the age of 40 simply by virtue of the condition of your skin. Since everyone ages at different rates, it’s largely up to you and your doctor to determine if this is the right step for you.
What to Consider Beforehand
It’s important to consider whether you’ve exhausted all of your options before leaping into the world of plastic surgery. Of course, if it’s something that you’ve wanted to do for years and you know that it will make you happy and help you look and feel your best, you should press forward. There’s no time like the present, and self-improvement is a high-end form of self-care that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Yet you should also consider your motivations in wanting to have a facelift. If your medicine cabinet and vanity are crowded with anti-aging skin care products and you’ve spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on products that ultimately did nothing for you, you probably don’t want to keep blowing your bank account in the vague hopes that something might eventually stick.
That’s because, while topical products certainly have their benefits and can prove useful for a number of purposes, they usually can’t effectively target the needs of truly aging and sagging skin — that is, sagging skin that’s aged beyond repair because it’s lost its collagen and elastin. This is a natural part of the aging process that happens to everyone, but the speed and rate at which it occurs may differ. When you no longer have the desire to try every magical potion under the sun, it might be time to consider whether undergoing a facelift is the right choice for you.
Different Types of Facelifts
You have options where facelifts are concerned.
- Mini Facelift: The mini version is an ideal option for younger candidates who want to make some slight tweaks and improvements but don’t need more invasive surgical enhancement quite yet. This procedure involves making a very minute incision, and when the work is done your downtime should be quite minimal. This means you can probably expect to resume regular activities within just a few days.
- Liquid facelift: In a liquid facelift procedure, the individual undergoes several injections of dermal fillers—materials designed to replenish facial volume and enhance a more youthful look.
- Traditional Facelift: By contrast, the traditional facelift, or full facelift, is designed to provide you with the full scope of work encompassing both your neck and your face. It’s the ideal option for older patients who are concerned about those deeper lines and sagging spots that no amount of skin care products could ever hope to resolve. During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will remove the skin and reshape your face, in the process creating a leaner and more refined silhouette that looks and feels sculpted and youthful.
- Neck lift: Some people may benefit more specifically from a necklift. A neck lift may be recommended if your primary concern revolves around lines and sagging in the neck. In this case, you may not require any work on your face, but could benefit from smoothing and sculpting on the area strictly below your chin. Since the neck is often a strong giveaway of your age, it may be one of the most effective moves you make if your primary concern is looking and feeling younger.
Questions and Answers
How does a facelift work?
Typically, a facelift includes lifting the skin and firming the facial muscles. The firming of the facial muscles helps to give a more youthful appearance. Facial fat may be sculpted, removed, or repositioned. The skin is then draped over the reshaped contours, and excess skin is trimmed and closed with stitches or tape.
At what age should women get a facelift?
Individuals seeking significant cosmetic changes often opt for facelift surgery in their 40s, 50s, or 60s. A facelift in your 40s may yield subtler results due to less pronounced signs of aging compared to those in their 60s.
When does a facelift look best?
Typically, your facelift results will appear impressive after 1 month and peak at 6 months, with lasting benefits for years.
Does skin age faster after a faccelift?
While additional signs of aging may emerge in the future, the impact is likely delayed for several years. Post-surgery, expect consistently firmer and smoother skin than if the procedure had not been performed.
Book Your Facelift Consult
If you’re ready to book a consultation for your facelift cosmetic surgery and find out if you’re the right age for this cosmetic procedure, contact Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Raja Mohan today.