Mini facelift age 39- too early? (Photos)

Question

I will be 39 in two months, and I have some laxity in my lower face. Static lines around my mouth, as well as some more exaggerated lines when I am smiling or talking. Is it too soon to consider a mini facelift? I have tried lasers and been unhappy as it reduced the volume I had in my cheeks. I am looking for a subtle change that will last for a few years. But I don’t want to do a procedure now that will make me look unnatural in 10 years if I do it too early. Thanks!!

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. You have only the most minimal jaw line irregularity and looseness of the platsyma muscle in your neck. Your skin quality looks to be excellent and your overall facial shape and contour is excellent. Mini facelifts work exceptionally well in young patients such as yourself. The mini facelift should include a limited amount of skin undermining with a vertical/posterior vectoring of the SMAS layer underneath, which should help to sharpen and smooth your jawline and eliminate the early muscle banding in your neck.  It should help improve the static lines around your mouth, although will not eliminate them completely as they are secondary to muscle attachments under your skin.  Your overall face/neck contour and shape is excellent so a mini facelift will give you that subtle change and improvement that you are seeking and should not leave you looking unnatural as the years pass.  If you are a good candidate, a mini facelift can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation only to minimize your cost.

Oliver Chang, MD · Answer

Just based off your photos (without seeing the full face is hard to give full assessment and without an exam) - but you might consider some fat grafting to the nasolabial areas to start and seeing if that is enough for you to last you until you are ready for a bigger procedure. It is hard to assess the full face from the limited photos but sometimes addressing the midface with some type of lift will help pull the cheeks back up a little so the nasolabial folds are not as prominent. (All depends on what you are comfortable with and not all surgery will give the pulled, fake look).

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

you COULD do a lower face lift if you wanted to... it's not necessarily based off of age as it is of the clinical exam. However, I think in your case, esp since you said you are looking for a subtle change, you would be best benefitted by adding back facial volume (not to mention you said that you feel you lost volume anyway). I see a LOT of volume loss to your lower face, and it's often one of the approaches rquired to fully treat marionette lines anyway so even if you did a mini lift, you probably need fat grafting as a complement.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos  one could consider anterior neck lift to improve neck fulness and platysma muscle band, mild jowls. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial rejuvenation would give you a chance to discuss your options. Good luck.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I would not recommend a lip lift at your age but I would recommend 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.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Maybe maybe not.  I think you would need to be examined in person to determine if there would be any benefit. Although there are plenty of surgeons who who do a facelift on you

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

It sounds like you are a candidate for a Mini-Facelift. My favorite technique is the MACS short scar Mini-Facelift. Developed in Europe, it is the ideal approach for the younger patient, not ready for a full facelift, or patients who desire a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery time. It addresses both the mid face area (especially the jowls) as well as the neck, if needed. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to explore the best options for you.  Good luck

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Personally, I’m not a big fan of mini procedures.
They tend to deliver mini results with almost the same drawbacks.
I don’t see a really strong indication for facelift surgery at least not yet.
My recommendation would probably be to wait and then do a proper facelift when you feel ready for it.
 A quality done facelift will not make you look worse in 10 years.
A quality facelift should never look like you had an operation.
I’m currently 61 years old and had a facelift when I was 48.
I have zero regrets even though I clearly don’t look anything nearly as good today as I did in my early 50s.
Regardless of what you decide to do by far the most important variable is provider selection.
If you really feel like you want to have surgical intervention, then start the process by consulting with doctors over the next year or two.
Finding the right provider takes time and usually requires having multiple consultations until you find the right provider.
Finding the right plastic surgeon is much more difficult than most people realize.
Most people have very little experience consulting with plastic surgeons.
By having multiple consultations, you’ll get better at the process, become a better consumer and you will learn how to vet plastic surgeons better.
There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the right provider.
The more consultations you scheduled the more likely you ought to find the better provider for your needs, regardless of what you choose to do.
Having a consultation with a plastic surgeon, doesn’t mean you need to have an operation.
You’re just getting a consultation.
This is how you get informed and understand your treatment options, as well as begin to understand who knows what they’re talking about and who doesn’t.
There are substantial differences in skill and experience among board, certified plastic surgeons, and including those with overall good reputations.
 When and out slow down and schedule more consultations.
Don’t jump into decision-making about permanent irreversible aesthetic procedure. 
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

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