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Is 40 Too Young for a Facelift?
My skin and facial muscles have started to sag. I don't really have wrinkles, but I do have sever Marionette lines. My cheeks are sunken and my eyes look hollow. I've heard and talked to doctors about several lasers and fillers, but realized that at the end the tab would cost as much as a facelift, considering that I'd have to go back every year for more fillers and more laser treatments. They say though, that I'm too young for a Facelift. Any advice?
Asked 41 months ago by
Amarine in Sunnyvale, CA
+5
Many 40-year old patients benefit from skillful facelifts
20 years ago, this question would not have come up. It would have been considered inappropriate by most surgeons for a 40-year old to consider a facelift except perhaps in acne patients with skin laxity. Now, especially for patients in the entertainment industry who make their living on air, it is more common than not that they undergo cosmetic surgery, including facelifting procedures.
20 years ago the typical facelift patient would have had been offered a facelift with high lateral pull...
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+5
Facelift - Think physiological age, not chronological age
I am glad this question was asked because I answer it frequently in my practice. Some of my patients are "older" at 40 than others at 60 based on their lifestyle, health history, and other physical issues.
In general, most 40 year olds do not yet have the indications which would necessitate a facelift, or are what would be described as "early" facelift candiddates . However, I have certainly seen many women in their early 40's with evidence of jowls, midfacial...
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+4
Consider Autologous Fat Grafting
Facial soft tissues (and even the facial bones) actually lose volume and projection with age. The concerns you describe, sunken cheeks, hollowed eyes, and marionette lines can all be treated successfully , and permanently with autologous fat grafting by restoring youthful contours to the face.
The contemporary approach to surgical rejuvenation of the face consists more and more of an attempt to restore facial volume and contour, in an attempt to emulate youthful facial features. My...
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+4
It's anatomy, not age that counts with a facelift
Cosmetic surgery modifies anatomy. This may or may not translate into changes of aging. This is no operation that makes a person younger. An operation changes anatomy that may produce the perception of more youthfulness. Some things like typical blepharoplasty can actually make a person look older later in life. So all things being equal, age itself is not a qualifier for an operation. The anatomy is. You have to analyze your anatomy and determine why it is you look the way you do. It may...
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+3
It sounds as though you are being given good advice and...
It sounds as though you are being given good advice and that much of your problem may be volume loss rather than loose skin, sagging tissue, or gravitational descent. While rarely a facelift is reasonable on a 40 year old, usually it is reserved for those over 45 to 50. It depends on the anatomy and what you describe are not typically why a facelift is done. Fillers and fat injections are probably best for you for now.
+2
Optimal Ages for Facelift Surgery
It is presentation rather than age that is the most relevant when considering a facelift. Depending upon a patient's genetics with regards to prominence of cheekbones and jawline, the amount of skin damage from environmental exposure or smoking, and the amount of fat in their face(whether you are heavy or thin in the face) will determine your presentation at the time of facelift consultation. In patients that have very strong bone structure, with little sun-damage or no...
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+2
Facelift at 40 is an option
While you are not too young for a facelift, it may not be your best option. The key is to find a facial plastic surgeon who performs a wide variety of procedures then sit down and discuss your goals for surgery. The surgeon can then guide you through your options and suggest the best procedure to get your desired results. At 40 you may even be a great candidate for a mini-facelift!
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
Facelift at 40 years old
Forty is on the younger end of the spectrum for this surgery. However, we all age differently and certainly our expectations/preferences for our appearance also vary. Typically, if genetic factors conspire to make us develop jowls or neck skin laxity at a younger age, and if this is visible and bothersome, an experienced surgeon may evaluate you and agree that surgery is an option. It is important you find someone you trust who can give you an honest opinion, and tell you 'no' if it...
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Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
No set age for a face lift
There is no set age for a face lift.
A face lift is indicated when the patient wnts to remedy the signs of aging. Deep nasolabial gold perioral lines, jowles, and neck lines.
We age at different pace. If you are aging at 40 then you need a face lift if you want to reverse the signs of aging.
Choose a board certified PS and you will be happy.
+2
No, but you probably won't benefit enough to make it worthwhile
There is no absolute age range for facelfits. In my practice women start seeking surgery around the mid forties while men the mid fifties. My job is to appraise the cost/benefits for the patients. Most patients who come in at age 40 decide to put off the surgery after we have made an analysis.
There are some procedures that are done on younger patients resulting from familial traits such puffy eyelids or fat under the chin. They can make a younger patient look older but they are really...
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+2
Most likely it's too young
The symptom of aging that you are describing seem to me that possibly you've had a significant weight loss. It is not uncommon to show dramatic sings of aging after significant weight loss. This is due to loss of facial fat and decreasing health of the skin.
If you have significant skin, a descending neck and jowling than you may be in need of a facelift. If not than fillers, perhaps even fat injections, maybe Botox and a good skin care program including peels is a good way to go.
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+2
It depends on how you are aging
Although 40 might sound young for a "face lift" - for some patients it is the correct procedure. Everyone ages at a different rate, and different parts of the face may age faster or slower. Some patients would benefit from full facial rejuvenation (face, eyes, and brow), while others only need the brow, and some just need the lower face addressed. It is not uncommon these days to have a patient who was heavy for a period of time, and now successfully reset their weight-point at...
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+2
Consider Fat Grafting
Hello Amarine,
Based on your description of things and the fact that you have already consulted with Surgeons who have not recommended a Facelift, I am going to assume that your anatomy (skin, jowls, neck to jaw ratio, etc.) is not favorable for even a mini-lift or S-lift. So heed their advice and wait until it is time when your anatomy will be more favorable for a Facelift that will give you results worth having.
Now as far as your severe marionette lines, sunken cheeks and hollow eyes -...
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New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
40 is not too young
40 is not too young for a Facelift as long as you have the indications for surgery, I will not just operate on anyone, however, if you have the classical indications of facial aging and a surgical procedure would give you the best results in comparison to any other non surgical options I would give you that option. I do not use age as a predetermining factor for surgery but determine if anatomically the patient is ready for a surgical procedure.
+1
Probably NOT too young for a Facelift
The best candidate for a facelift is a physically healthy person who is realistic in their expectations regarding the appearance of loose facial and neck skin. You do not need to wait until the signs of aging are severe, an increasing number of men and women elect to have facelifts performed at a younger age at the first signs of a sagging lower face - creating a less dramatic and less noticeable result than if they had waited longer. In general, a facelift performed at a younger age creates...
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+1
The most common age for facelift surgery in my practice is around the 49-50 year mark.
The most common age for facelift surgery in my practice is around the 49-50 year mark. The youngest patient I have performed a facelift on was 39 years old. So, occasionally, it is appropriate to have this surgery at a younger age.
The disadvantage of having this procedure performed at too young an age is that, while you will always look younger and better than you would have if you didn’t do the procedure, you will continue to age. As a result, you may be...
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+1
What Is the Best Time for a Facelift?
Age has very little to do with whether one requires facial rejuvenation. I have performed facelifts in patients in their late 30’s that had significant marionette lines, wrinkles and jowling depending on their genetics and their environmental changes. I think the most important thing is the end goal to have a natural, youthful-looking face that does not look operated on or overdone. There are multiple combinations and variations that are short of a facelift from Botox and Fillers to...
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+1
What is too young for a facelift?
There is no set age for a Facelift, it depends on how you are aging. You may be a candidate for the "short scar lift" and possibly combined with fat injections. It is most important to be evaluated by an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that performs these procedures. Be sure to see many before and after photos of work done on younger patients .
+1
Age is not necessarily the only criteria
The youngest person I performed facial rejuvenation surgery on was 27 years old, the oldest one is 86. I do not think at the age alone determines whether you can or cannot have facial rejuvenation surgery.
Because how old you are, forgive me, I meant how young you are, you may need a different procedure then somebody who is, say, 65 of 70 years old. Perhaps, volume adjustments, like fat grafting along with conservative facial rejuvenation procedure, or a short scar...
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Reno Plastic Surgeon
+1
Too Young for a Face Lift? No
While I have never done a full face lift in a patient that is 40, I did a mini-face lift in a 42 year old this week. It is very difficult to set an age cut off for any facial rejuvenation procedure. The important thing is to talk to your surgeon and come up with a plan for not only the next 1-5 years, but for the next 10-20-30+ years. This will help keep your look natural and refreshed forever. Facial rejuvenation is something that must be individually tailored to...
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+1
Too young for a facelift?
Everyone's face ages differently depending on genetics, skin care, and environmental factors. Patients in their 40's may start noticing some jowling, loose neck skin, and even banding of the neck muscles. You may be an excellent candidate for a short scar facelift where the incisions are minimal and the lift improves the jawline and neck laxity. See an experienced facelift surgeon for a proper evaluation.
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Minilifts would be perfect for you
After an analysis, it is likely that a short scar minilift,adjusting facial fat and the fibrous tissue would be best. a newer vertical lift can augment your cheekbones and improve the nasojugal groove
+1
Age limits for a facelift or facial surgery
Absolutely not. There are many reasons for premature skin laxity of the face, some genetic and some environmental. I would advise you to undergo a modified face lift to incorporate the improvements you would like to make.
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Is 40 too young for a facelift
I would certainly like to see you consider microlipoinjection where fat is transfered in very small amounts to fill the face in - sometimes this is enough to lift up the face and support the skin. Without actually looking at you I can't tell if that is something that might be helpful or not. I have performed facelifts in younger people like you but only after discussion of all the other options that might be considered. See if you can avoid that big of a procedure...
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Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Facelift - Is 40 too young?
Although one shouldn't generalize and each patient is unique, forty does sound too young for a facelift. There are some patients that have medical conditions causing premature loss of skin elasticity that may be good candidates for a facelift even at age 40. Patients who have spent significant amounts of time under the sun, may have premature facial aging that a facelift may benefit. Therefore, there are exceptions. You mentioned several things that I...
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