What is the real reason so many drs discourage having a FL in your 40s? Does it compromise integrity of the tissues?

There is no age limit for facelift. A good candidate should have apparent laxity of the jowls and/or neck. This can occur at a wide range of ages. Now this isn't just some loosening of the skin. As you look at the jawline, you should see an irregularity in the line, and as you look at the neck, you should see drooping of the skin and/or muscle. If you have that, then you are a candidate for a lift. If not, then you should wait some. Be sure to see a facial specialist for consultation.

There are no drawbacks to a facelift in your 40s if so desired. Usually a much simpler and less aggressive procedure is needed at that age that lasts longer. If you do need a 2nd procedure in a decade or so, it can also be a simple procedure.

The majority of patients don't have substantial aging indications that a facelift can address until at least their late 40's, and sometimes 50's. The decision is based much more on indications than chronological age and would require a consultation to sort out a path forward.

Thank you for your enquiry.
One of the reasons for advocating facelift later in life is that the difference between the preoperative appearance of the face and post-operative appearance of the face is more striking and therefore makes the intervention appear more worthwhile.
There is no scientific data to suggest that ageing is worse after facelift intervention irrespective of the age when the procedure takes place. If you are sensible about regular use of sunblock and protect your skin from the ageing effect of the sun, if your weight is generally stable and you are not a smoker, your ageing is likely to be slower and the impact on the facelift procedure will last longer.
I generally advise patients to examine their appearance in the near when they lie down completely flat. The changes in the characteristics of the facial features are relatively similar to the impact of the facelift procedure. If someone feels that this is the type of change they wish to achieve and this is the right time for them to pursue it, I believe that they have their own answer to the question.
Conversely if they feel that the degree of change between lying down and standing up is still relatively small, it suggests that the impact of the facelift procedure may be limited and they might feel that the acquired the associated scars without a degree of improvement that is meaningful to them.

There is no reason not to do it in your 40's, unless you don't really need it. I prefer do this procedure in the 40's because women often look like their daughters in their 20s after the procedure. If you wait longer so you are saggier, you won't be able to achieve your desired result. Doctors refuse because they do not think they can improve someone, so it also depends on their experience and technique.

Everyone ages differently and there are hereditary issues as well that can affect the appearance. I have done facelifts to patients in their late 30's and upward. The age is not important but it is important to choose patients that are good candidates for a facelift. So, I would not discourage a patient in their 40's from having a facelift if they were a good candidate for the procedure.

It’s nice to know that most plastic surgeons are honest. A facelift in the 49 s is not unheard of but most people of that age simply get no benefit from it

Hello, hope you are well. The decision to undergo/perform a facelift is based on the patient's facial anatomy, not the patient's age. Plenty of people are candidates for facelift surgery in their 40s. It is simply less often recommended because for some there may be insufficient skin laxity to justify the procedure. Someone who has a properly executed facelift in their 40s will not 'age worse' than they otherwise would.
Best,Dr. Tower

There is no age limit on face lift. Any patient who may benefit from lifting and rearrangement of mid and lower face tissues, debulking (reduction of fat volume) and similar, may be a candidate for procedure that involves elements of structural face lifting. This is an issue you should discuss with a couple of board certified plastic surgeon in person. Good luck.

There is no absolute reason why you can't have a facelift in your 40's. Each patient needs to be assessed individually and the risks and benefits discussed. However, waiting until your 50's and 60's will most likely give you more "bag for your buck". You will always look more rejuvenated after a facelift. Obviously, you will continue to age but you will always look more rejuvenated than if you never had a facelift