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When is a Face Lift the Best Choice?

At what age is a face lift appropriate?

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+6

A Facelift is "worth it" when the benefits outweigh the risks

And that's a very personal assessment.  Technically, a facelift sharpens the jawline by elevating / smoothing the jowl, softening the nasolabial fold, smoothing the cheek skin, and defines the neck by removing fat and tightening skin and underlying muscles.  The direct risks of the procedure are related to the necessary incisions and resultant scars, the possible loss of facial skin (which is a greater risk with a history of smoking), and possible damage to the facial... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+4

Facelift surgery involves restoration and tightening of...

Facelift surgery involves restoration and tightening of the underlying facial fascial system (often referred to as SMAS) with excision of excess skin and redraping of the skin/SMAS in an upward vector (i.e. - reverse the natural pull of gravity and aging). Signs of fallen tissue may manifest as: increasing or deepening of the nasolabial folds marionette lines (corners of the mouth to chin region) jowling excess neck skin with less than ideal neck line, etc. This is not to be confused with... more
Christopher Chung, MD
Longview Plastic Surgeon
+3

Facelift timing

This is a wonderful time in aesthetics as we have tools available to address aging which were previously unavailable to us. We recognize aging to be a combination of volume loss of the face, loss of elasticity of the skin and structural changes of the face. A true rejuvenation needs to address all of these issues. The process is a continuum which begins in the late 30's. Where you fall in this continuum will dictate the best intervention for you. Botox fillers and lasers... more
Robert W. Kessler, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+3

Facelift: When is it the Best Choice?

This question is frequently asked in my practice. If performed properly and for a patient with the right indications, Facelift is a wonderful procedure. Surgical indications for Facelift are: jowls, plasma banding ("ropes" that fall down under the chin and extend toward the chest), facial and neck skin laxity, obliquity of the angle the neck makes with the chin. When a patient has these indications, and a desire to address them, there is no replacement for a Facelift. There is... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

When you are tired of looking at yourself in the mirror

If you can look at yourself in the mirror every day and not pull and push on the wrinkles, the jowels or the "granny bands" in the neck then you are pretty well adjusted to growing old. Very few of my facelift patients report that they don't mind lookiing in the mirror before surgery but afterwards it is so easy to llok at what they see in the mirror or the wondows or in their rear viwe mirrors...putting on makeup is a lot more fun again. Mostly, you are ready for a... more
Phillip C. Haeck, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift Options and Choices

Ideally a patient should have a consultation in a plastic surgery practice that offers a full range of surgical and non-surgical options so that an appropriate, comprehensive and highly individualized treatment plan can be developed. Surgical or even non-surgical treatment of facial aging changes must be carefully individualized to match each patient's aesthetic needs and desires. In helping a patient to make decisions about plastic surgery for facial rejuvenation, I always examine... more
Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift to improve sagging in a patient, fillers and fat

Facelifting is used to remove excess skin that produces sagging. It is extremely valuable when it is necessary and performed by a qualified caring surgeon. Aging changes can be broken up into 3 classes: 1.) Sagging skin- treated best in all cases with facelift. There are only a couple of types of lifts that are used. Your surgeon can explain what type is best for you. The gold standard lift is a SMAS Imbrication Lift. 2.) Volume loss- Beginning... more
Todd Christopher Hobgood, MD
Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Am I a good candidate for face lift surgery?

Great question. depending on your age, severity of wrinkles or loose skin on face and neck area. If you're in your early 40's non-surgical lifts such as Botox or fillers are best choices. However people in their late 40's and older might be good candidates for mini face lift. People with sagging neck tissue and presence of neck bands may also require neck firming procedure in addition to their mini face lift.
Kevin Sadati, DO
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

It depends which area concerns you most and if it is the jowl and jaw line some facelift maybe appropriate treatment for you.

Facelifts essentially reverse the gravitational changes to the face which occurs with time. They tighten the skin and elevate the tissue to its original position. Traditional facelifts however, do not access other aspects of facial aging such as loss of volume in the lower part of the face, active lines caused by muscle contraction and the appearance of the skin. Overall, it depends which area concerns you most and if it is the jowl and jaw line some facelift maybe... more
Adrian Richards, MD
London Plastic Surgeon
+2

How to Time a Facelift

Facelift surgery generally treats laxity of the skin of the cheeks and jawline, and loss of definition of one's neck and its timing depends upon many factors.  In those patients that have significant sun damage from early or continuous sun exposure, that have relatively less than pronounced cheekbones, and maintain a low body weight, facelift surgery often indicated in the early 40's.  Modern facelift surgery techniques should elevate the facial fat that descends with... more
Daniel Shapiro, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift as the Best Choice

Facelift is the best choice to correct loose and sagging facial skin, help restore the fullness of the cheek/cheekbone area, clean up the jawline, reduce or eliminate jowls and improve the neck-jaw angle. Facelift is often best when integrated with other rejuvenating techniques like skin care, skin resurfacing (laser or peels), fillers/fat grafting.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Time for a facelift procedure?

A facelift procedure is the best choice when the patient and/or the plastic surgeon feel as if they have exhausted the non-surgical techniques available including Botox and Filler Injections. It is also when the patient feels they look tired and their face and/or neck is sagging. This usually happens in the early to mid-fifties depending on the individual patient. However, everyone ages differently depends on how the individual patient ages chronologically as well as social indicators such... more
Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift Surgery is Best When

This is an excellent question and in many ways reflects the confusion there is about this misunderstood procedure. In a time when we hear about “non surgical facelift” or “liquid facelift”, the definition of a facelift becomes unclear. The definition of a facelift for most cosmetic surgeons is a surgical procedure to address loose skin and deeper tissue which results in descent of the cheeks, loss of definition of the jawline and loose skin under the chin. In practice... more
Amiya Prasad, MD
New York Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2

Define what your goals are and know what a facelift does to decide if it is the right choice

The word facelift is tossed around quite a bit but I think many people aren't fully aware of what it does. A facelift is a 3-dimensional operation that corrects the signs of aging both with the fat and muscle layer under the skin as well as tightening the skin itself. That is really the key to having it look natural. Terms like "liquid facelift," which addresses the volume issue with injections, or "nonsurgical facelift," which encompasses a range of things to tighten... more
Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

The best candadite for a Facelift procedure

Having a Face Lift doesn't stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, but the effects are long lasting; years later, you'll continue to look better than if you'd never had a Face Lift at all. The best candidates for plastic surgery are women and men who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. You can decide by identifying your reasons for wanting cosmetic surgery and educating yourself about what you can realistically expect. more
Vivian Hernandez, MD
Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

When is a face lift the best choice?

The best time to have a Facelift is when 1 you have extra skin that cannot be improved to your level of expectation via non-surgical alternatives 2 when you can afford the procedure 3 when your health affords you the opportunity to have this procedure 4 when you are committed to learning about the different methods of doing a "Facelift" = they are not all the same even though the word "Facelift" is expressed 5 when you have done your homework and feel confident yo have... more
Michael Kulick, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift

A facelift is best when there are structural signs of aging in the face. It is important to look at the face like a house. There is the foundation and the paint. Both need to be properly maintained to look the best. Skin care is like the paint and a facelift is maintaining the underlying support structure.
David L. Abramson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

When you are ready to accept the risks!

Hello and thanks for your question.  A facelift is typically performed to tighten loose skin around the lower face and neck area.  The elasticity of this skin is reduced and does not tighten with less invasive means of enhancement.  That being said, a patient needs to be ready to accept the risks associated with surgery.  An open and in-depth conversation with your plastic surgeon about these risks will help you get prepared for surgery. Good luck, Dr. Shah ... more
Manish H. Shah, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

The right time for a facelift

Facial rejuvenation is a combination of non-surgical modalities, surgical modalities, and skin care.   There are certain signs of aging that non-surgical options such as botox, fillers (ie juvederm, restylane, radiesse) alone can not effectively treat.  In these cases, surgical options are  recommended.   With facelift surgery, you can look years younger, more alert, and healthier. A facelift can refine your natural attributes, remove wrinkles and frown lines,... more
C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Timing of Facelift Surgery

At the end, it comes down to pros & cons of the procedure plus the patient's own philosophy. To go ahead with a facelift is a very personal decision. Usually, polling all friends, family members and even plastic surgeons never replaces the personal decision based on a solid understanding of all options, alternatives, risks, recovery and the final outcome. For instance, a "smaller" facelift on a relatively young person may be the best option if this person is not... more
Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face Lift Surgery

The age group for Face lift surgery in my practice varies from mid-40's to 80's.  More and more women and men are desiring to improve their facial sagging and neck earlier in life and enjoy the benefits for many years.  Most often patients say they have recently seen a picture of themselves and don't like or feel as old as they appear in the photo.   If you have loose skin in the jawline area and loose kin in the neck area and you desire improvement then you are... more
John Ward, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

When a Facelift is the right choice?!

First, I would say when you are ready! During the natural aging process, sun exposure, stress and the effects of gravity take their toll on your skin. Unwanted wrinkles and sagging skin on the face can make many men and women look older than they are and feel unhappy about their appearance. The most common areas for wrinkles and sagging to occur include the deep lines that form from the corner of the mouth up to the nose, called the nasolabial folds, loose skin and cheek tissue that... more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face Lift is the Gold standard.

When someone is interested in facial rejuvenation and is appropriate for it the Face Lift is the procedure where all others are measured against. A well done Facelift is done to improve the jowls , cheeks , Nasolabial folds and  the neck area . The things to consider at the time of making the choice are cost, time off, your comfort level with an invasive procedure and what it is that you are trying to accomplish. You should have a consult with a Board Certified... more
Walter D. Gracia, MD
Arlington Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift, jowls

When you look in the mirror and lift your skin on the cheek, jawline or neck, it is time to consider facial rejuvenation surgery. There are no non-invasive, or minimally invasive treatments that have that effect. I have seen so many disappointed patients who have undergone costly non-invasive treatments, or minimally invasive surgeries. The results they expected were far greater than these types of procedures can deliver. Seeking out a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals is... more
Patti A. Flint, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

When to have a facelift

When you look in the mirror and feel you look older than you really are or older than you feel, and the main culprits are loose skin underneath the chin, hanging over the jawline, and sagging cheeks and brows- you may be ready for  a lift. If on the other hand your main concerns are volume loss, sun damage, wrinkles- these issues can be addressed with a "liquid facelift" or volume restoration with fractionated skin resurfacing.  If you think you... more
Roy A. David, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
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