Am I a candidate for a mini facelift? (Photo)

Question

I am only 25, which I know is generally considered very young for this procedure. I have genetically prominent jowels that have always made me very self conscious, I’m also starting to see some smile lines/wrinkles. I would love to get a consultation but I would like some opinions on whether this is a reasonable option for me or if there’s a reason I absolutely shouldn’t.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I would not recommend a mini facelift but you may be a candidate for a lip lift.  A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

Even though you are only 25 years old, you might be a candidate for a facial procedure if you are self conscious about your appearance. I would need at least a virtual consultation with you to tell you what could benefit your appearance and get a sense of what is really bothering you the most. From your picture, I can see a small fullness in the jowl area and a long philtrum (the area between your nose and upper lip border). Potential procedures that could improve your appearance would be: Lip lift, micro liposuction with fat grafting to the pre jowl areas, a min facelift. You may check my page on instagram @betterplasticsurgery or just look at at mu RealSelf photos.

Ruslan Zhuravsky, DO · Answer

The lower facial fullness / jowling on younger patients like yourself is a bit different from what we typically see in age related cases. This is not a laxity issue, but more of a fullness issue in a specific area. Energy based devices like facetite typically work well for cases like this as they melt some of the subcutaneous fat while tightening the skin in this area. Younger patients do even better as they have a strong healing / tightening response. Just make sure to find a well qualified provider that knows how to use the device, especially in areas like this. Words of CAUTION: I have seen masseter botox recommended for cases like this, but it only makes it worse as it decreases the fullness BEHIND the area of concern, blunts the gonial angle, and exaggerates the "jowl". Buccal fat pad reduction is another popular procedure and often requested for similar cases. HOWEVER, it decreases the fullness above this area, so my advice to similar patients has been to avoid that as a first line procedure. If that is something you want as an adjuvant for facial slimming and cheek contour exaggeration, it can be done 4 - 6 months later. Hope that helps!Good luck.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Surgery is something that can't be undone and I'd be very careful not to undergo surgery until you absolutely need it.  Most women undergo their first facelift in their late 40s or early 50s when gravitational aging in the face begins to outpace noninvasive alternatives.  I'd focus on noninvasive and preventative measure such as Botox, fillers, medical based skin care.  You might also consider an energy based device like Sofwave to tighten the tissue noninvasively.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

You would not see any benefits from facelift. Small cannula liposuction of hold may be the only thing you need. Good luck.

Am I a candidate for a mini facelift? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Mini facelift

Answer: Mini facelift

Answer: Not a facelift candidate

Answer: Not a facelift candidate

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Everything you need to know about Mini Facelift

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Am I a candidate for a mini facelift? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Mini facelift

Answer: Mini facelift

Answer: Not a facelift candidate

Answer: Not a facelift candidate

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mini Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.