Is 35 too young for a facelift? (Photo)

Question

I’m 35 and have started to notice my eyes and lower face are getting Saggy/droopy and I have fat around the lower cheeks and sides of mouth which is giving it an oblong shape. I also have a long face and have been considering a chin reduction along with lower face lipo or buccal fat removal but I also want to tighten up my skin In lower face and eye area so was thinking about a complete facelift. I want to achieve a more smooth tight youthful skin and v shaped face. Any advice would be appreciated.

Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS · Answer

I don't see anything in the photo you provided that would indicate you might benefit from a facelift.  Your face is thin, so fillers might be considered.  However, I'm sorry to sound like a psychiatrist (I'm not one), but your post makes me think you are generally unhappy, not just about your physical appearance.  You have beautiful features.  You are all over the place with what you want done, which is unhealthy.  I hope you figure out what can bring you happiness in life, but it's not plastic surgery.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

A Mini Facelift can usually be an option on most realistic patients anytime after the age of 35-40. It really depends on your anatomy and genetics. It is best to talk to your surgeon because everybody has different techniques and recovery time is usually based on a number of factors. 
If we are just talking about a short scar facelift, this can typically be done in the office under local anesthesia. Usually there are no drains, no outside stitches, and patients can go out in public the same day, although I usually recommend they low for the first couple days. Most of the initial swelling is from the numbing medicine and your body absorbs it within the first 4-6 hours. Obviously the body heals with swelling and inflammation and usually that maxes out at two days and then starts getting better. Most of these patients take no pain medicine and usually feel very comfortable going out in public within a few days.  I usually call my patients the night of surgery and check on them the next day. If everything is fine the next day, I then let them shower and they do not need a dressing over their incisions. They can usually start using make up after a few days.  At the two week check up, I usually have people start working out and then after six weeks they can do whatever they want. 
I routinely tell people to take a few days to a week off work and to hide out but some people are very nervous especially celebrities and I usually tell them to hide out for two weeks. As with any scar on the human body, initially scars are red, hard and raised and it typically takes six months to a year for them to become a soft thin white line. 
Additionally with recovery, there're many things we do to expedite healing such as nerve blocks during surgery, oral supplements, skin care and scar therapy recommendations, lymphatic massage sessions that are included in our pricing.
I strongly feel that it's very important to have an honest conversation with your surgeon about your particular situation, lifestyle, work environment and specifically which procedures you're having done so that you both have the most honest answer about your recovery and are realistic with expectations and results.
Surgery is not for everyone. In today's day and age, there are many nonsurgical options to consider although surgery usually gets the most improvement specifically of the jowls.
I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of facelifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and an idea of the pros and cons to each of them as well as realistic expectations. 
I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

Hi,
Age  is definitely not a matter to concern in facelift surgery. The anatomy of the deformities defines if you need one and to what extend. I have operated patients age range 30-78 for facelift surgery.
Be sure to have a thorough examination by a board certified plastic surgeon.
Dr. Ali Rıza Öreroğlu MD, FEBOPRASDouble Board Certified Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic SurgeonIstanbul - TURKEY

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. It's not a question of age but rather each individual patient's physical attributes. Based on just your front photo, I would discourage you from having any surgical inetrvention done to your face at present. Also consider the fact that you are a woman of color and more prone to visible scars. Good luck Dr. PG

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Far more important than the technique is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let them explain why one technique may be better than another.  See the below link on some suggestions on finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for you.  Always insist on a board certified plastic surgeon.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

You do not yet have enough sagging to justify a facelift. Concentrate on preventing sun damage by protecting your skin with sunscreen, hats and clothing. Have your dermatologist recommend a medical-grade skin care regimen with retinol and hyaluronic acid. Get regular chemical peels. If you do start to see some jowling, a mini lift, with or without a neck lift would give improvement. I hope this helps.

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

No, 35 is not too young for a facelift if that is truly the best treatment plan. From your photo alone, (which is not sufficient for a true opinion) it does not appear that you need a facelift. It would be important to hear from you exactly what concerns you have about your face. If you feel that your skin is too loose (either because of genetics or massive weightless), some non-surgical energy based options exist for "tightening" based either on radio frequency or laser energy. Alternatively, a facelift might indeed be the best way to tighten loose skin on a given patient, but we usually reserve this option. for patients with facial and neck skin and soft tissue laxity that shows up as sinking cheeks, jowls, or a less youthful jaw line, none of which are apparent in your photo. If you feel that you are bothered by early depressions or sinking in your nasolabial folds (the oblique junction of the cheek and upper lip) then injectables or autologous fat injections might be an excellent less invasive alternative. My advice to you is to seek the advice of an experienced board eligible or board certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person and make some recommendations based on your specific concerns. Best of luck to you.

Daniel Butz, MD · Answer

Everyone ages differently so there isn't an age limit or cutoff for facelift. "Prophylactic facelifts" can treat facial aging before it becomes noticable. There are a number of nonsurgical things you can do to maintain facial volume and minimize fine lines/wrinkles without undergoing a facelift. Fillers are a great way to maintain your upper cheek volume. Botox can help with the active muscles in the upper face and prevent deep wrinkles. And lasers such as Halo and a good skin care regimen with a Retin-A can help keep your skin healthy. 
Hope this helps. Seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Elbert T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your photo and question about the right age for a face lift. First, schedule an in-person consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in your area and have a full evaluation. Your picture does not indicate that a full facelift is appropriate for you at this time. Instead, you may benefit from many other minimally-invasive or non-invasive procedures to help you address your concern areas. Dermal fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane may help add balance and youthfulness to your face if you feel your face is too thin or already has an aged look. Your board-certified facial plastic surgeon can recommend other options and the best course of treatment for you after your evaluation. Good luck! - Elbert T. Cheng, MD

Mark Prysi, MD · Answer

Although facelifts are usually not done in patients in their 30s . It’s usually over 40 that facelifts are done. Patients in their 30s usually have facial dissent and aging changes but do not have significant skin excess. Due to this most aging changes in the patient’s in their 30s can be treated with noninvasive modalities. This would include Voluma injections and lasers
 The main facial surgical procedures that are done in patients in their 30s for facial aging include the endoscopic brow lift at upper and lower blepharoplasty. Also a chin implant can be used for the receding Chin

Is 35 too young for a facelift? (Photo)

Answers (15)

More Facelift Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (15)

More Facelift Questions

Can acupuncture help reduce swelling after a facelift? 3 weeks post op.

What is the difference between a SMART facelift and a traditional facelift and the downtime?

Is it normal for a new bruise to appear 3 weeks after a facelift?

Parotid gland following facelift, advice? 8 days p.o.

8 week post op deep plane facelift and lower bleph. Very swollen at temples and jaw. Will ultrasounds help?

1 week post face and brow lift, do I have necrosis? I vape but had zero nicotine 2 wks prior to surgery. (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS