40 year old woman, is a mini facelift an option for me at this point? (photos)

Question

Hello, I am unhappy with the decent of my lower cheeks and jowls, and lack of definition in my jawline. **Please note that I have already done non invasive procedures such as Thermi-Tight to my lower face along with a chin implant and neck liposuction.** While I was pleased with the improvements of those procedures I am now wanting a more significant longer lasting improvement. Is a mini lower facelift a good option for me at this point? Thank you kindly for any advice.

Vito C. Quatela, MD · Answer

You would be a candidate for deep neck contouring. This involves a small incision under the chin to remove the fat pad under the muscle (liposuction does not address this fat nor does weight loss), the digastric muscles which bulge with aging, the submandibular salivary glands which can also descend in the neck with aging, and to tighten the superficial muscle of the neck. This will create definition in the neck. To address the jowls, a facelift is the surgery of choice. However, the jowls at this point are not prominent, and it would be appropriate to start with the deep neck contouring.

Edward Buckingham, MD · Answer

The aspects of a mini facelift are different depending on the provider. It is recommended you have an in person consultation with your desired surgeon to discuss which options are best for you to provide the desired results as well as understanding the limitations inherent to the surgery.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime.​  Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Phillip Chang, MD · Answer

Hi jennyinkansas

As you get older, volume loss is more dramatic and collagen begins to stretch. The strategy at this time is to optimize facial volume and lifting the extra sagging tissue.  This is the optimum time to have a mini facelift. The average age for a mini facelift is about 40 years old. The goal of the procedure is to lift the jowls upwards, thereby restoring volume to the cheeks while improving the jawline. For more information about this procedure, please visit our website.

Keith Hodge, MD · Answer

Based on the photos, I would suggest fat grafting to your central and lateral cheeks to add volume to your central face. I would combine this with liposuction of the lower and medial cheek and buccal fat removal to decrease the volume of the cheek lateral to the corners of the mouth. This would reverse the current disproportions of your cheeks. I am happy to discuss this in more detail in person.  913 663-3838 We have a north and a south office. Good luck!

Gregory S. Keller, MD, FACS · Answer

While a mini-facelift would be possible for you, it would leave you with scars. Ellevate (with a trampoline Platysmaplasty) is a technique of doing a necklift without incisions: all through needle holes. Combined with FaceTite, it should work well for 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.

Piotr Osuch, MD · Answer

Hi there, based on photos you posted, MACS lift seems to be a good option for your to address lower 2/3 part of your face, jowls and restore your jawline definition. If you'd like to get more heart shaped face, you can consider Bichat fat pads removal as well. Both surgeries can be combined under one, general, anesthesia and will result in rejuvenating and refreshing your face with a procedure which is less invasive and has a shorter downtime period than full face lift.
Best regardsPiotr Osuch, MD, PhD

Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear jennyinkansas,

Thanks for sharing your photos. They are helpful but you will need a in-person examination to determine what is best for you. I do see your concerns regarding mild laxity of the jowl and cheek. I also notice mild acne scarring which will be helped as well with the considerations below.

The beginnings of facial skin laxity start at 30 years old when collagen skin repair diminishes and passive skin aging relaxes downward. The web of fibrous compartments under the skin loses fat, stretches, separates and elongates forming 5 growing “waves” of skin at points of attachment, developing:
•	hooding along the eyes,
•	lower eyelid / cheek junction or tear trough / nasojugal fold
•	nasolabial fold,
•	lateral mouth commissure and marionette folds,
•	jowls and neck.
The reversal of natural collagen reduction, skin redistribution and volume replacement of the face are the initial foundations of anti-aging and therefore rejuvenation of your skin tightening and folds.
I would recommend that you:
1.	Consult with a talented, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and his team regarding non-surgical and minimally invasive options.
2.	A non-invasive, Zein Obagi, MD, ZO Skin Health retinoid program and peels for exfoliation, external collagen stimulation and skin tightening and acne / oily skin improvement. Peels will further stimulate collagen tightening and “shrink-wrap” the skin. 
3.	Sculptra is a minimally invasive injection series of bio-stimulatory filler for face and neck skin tightening.
4.	I cannot evaluate the thickness of your skin to consider a micro-lipocontouring of the jowl and sub-mental area but minimally invasive tightening options such as ThermiTIGHT or FaceTite are useful!
5.	Minimally invasive jowl and cheek lifting options such as EuroThread or Silhouette FaceLift suspension sutures.  
6.	A mini-facelift is an option for you but it will not lift your jowls or cheeks. 
I hope this was helpful. All the best!

40 year old woman, is a mini facelift an option for me at this point? (photos)

Answers (9)

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