Is a facelift advisable at 37? If so, which one? I am experiencing mild droop in the midface and jowls

Occasionally I perform facelifts in patients younger than 40 but this is exceptional. A mini facelift deals with sagging from the jaw up to the eyelids. It is a thorough procedure, not a miniaturized operation as the name suggests. The proper operation needs to be wed to the aesthetic problems. Usually there are no shortcuts.

In the vast majority of cases, a facelift is NOT the best answer for reversing facial aging in a 37 year old woman. There are often many less invasive options that can improve a younger person's appearance short of a facelift. Please seek an in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation. A surgeon that is too eager to perform a facelift on a 37 year old should give you pause.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

But some people may age more quickly than others and may benefit from some sort of lift.  You can consider non-surgical options such as Ulthera which uses a deep ultrasound to tighten the skin.  This is good for patients with early jowling and neck laxity whose skin is not excessively heavy. When you have a facelift, you want to make sure that you have enough deep sutures to hold up the SMAS so that the results will last.  Some of the advertised small incision surgeries do not last more than a year.  Get a few opinions about what  your options are.

As each patient has individual needs in facial rejuvenation, it is impossible to advise you in what you would need to maximize your result without a direct examination.  However, there are some general rules which apply, all things being equal.  Younger patients tend to have more elastic skin and less signs of facial aging.  Younger patients usually can be improved with less extensive surgery such as a mini lift via a short scar incision.  Older patients skin is less elastic and there can be more signs of facial aging such as jowling and neck bands.  Correction of these problems requires a more extensive approach.  The single stitch facelift and other variations such as the thread lift, although heavy marketed, have not given predictable long lasting results.  Best to see a surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for consultation as to what would be best in YOUR case.

There is no strict age range for facelift surgery, but consult with an experienced facial plastic surgeon who can offer you several options. 

A face lift at your age is a bit early. There are so many other alternatives which are noninvasive.  Consider ThermiTight and Fat transfer.  

There is no optimal age for a facelift. If you have signs of jowling in the cheeks and laxity in the neck, a facelift can effectively reposition the soft tissue of the face to its more natural, youthful position. Most 37 year old patients do not have appreciable amounts of jowling or neck laxity to warrant a facelift. That being said, a thorough history and physical examination by an experienced facial plastic surgeon will answer many of your questions and give you a good treatment strategy.

Thank you for the question.To best help you, please send in some pictures of a front, left and right side view of your face in order to determine which procedures or techniques would be bets for your case and that way come out with the best review.Dr. Campos

Typically a facelift at the age of 37 is not needed. There are many non surgical options that may be able to correct your areas of concerns. Find a plastic surgeon in your area and schedule a consultation to be evaluated. The American Society of Plastic Surgery website is a good place to go or look on Realself for a plastic surgeon in your area.

It is unusual for someone in their 30's to actually require a facelift, but there are a few exceptions.  Facelifts vary tremendously and techniques usually aren't as much dependent on the age of the person, rather the condition of the facial aging.  "Single stich facelift" could represent a number of techniques but most have been demonstrated not to last long.