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?

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10 answers to “Is 40 too young for a Facelift?”

A: Facelifts may be appropriate in some younger patients

Sanjay Grover, MD

A facelift may be an appropriate patient for someone in their early 40s is they are showing signs of early aging such as facial laxity, jowls, neck laxilty.  More commonly, patients in their late 30s or early 40s may present with signs or periorbital or eye aging and would benefit from an endoscopic... more

A: Most likely it's too young

Christopher L. Hess, MD

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... more

A: It depends on how you are aging

Michael A. Bogdan, MD

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... more

A: Facelift vs. Fillers

Steven Wallach, MD

Although you are a bit young, it sounds like you have a fair amount of facial aging - more than most 40-year-olds.  If you have severely deep nasolabial folds and jowls that are significant, then a facelift may be the best thing for you. You are quite perceptive about the cost of fillers and the need to... more

A: Consider Autologous Fat Grafting

Michael Law, MD

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... more

A: Many 40-year old patients benefit from skillful facelifts

Brent Moelleken, MD

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,... more

A: It's anatomy, not age that counts with a facelift

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

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... more

A: It sounds as though you are being given good advice and...

Richard P. Rand, MD

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... more

A: Consider Fat Grafting

Kamran Jafri, MD

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... more

A: Facelift - Think physiological age, not chronological age

Stephen Prendiville, MD

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... more

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