Facelift option when I'm 26? (Photo)

Hi Sashaspmm,A facelift is not an option at this point.  Facelifts on very young people like yourself, will result in no improvement and only facelift scars to show for it.  Facelifts are for loose sagging skin.  Young faces can have irregular contours which appear to be sagging, but is actually not sagging.  Many young people as well as old will have a small bulge of fullness just above the outside of the corner of the mouth.  Even a very tight facelift will not flatten out that bulge.  Depending if the cause is partially contributing from the buccal fat, that may help, but may not achieve the desired result.  The cause of the bulge is due to an anatomic structure called the modiolus, which is a collection of muscles which are all overlapping at the corner of the mouth to help lift, pull back or lower the corners of the mouth depending on your emotions.  Please see the web reference for a description of the modiolus of the face.  There are 8 muscles which control the corner of the mouth.  Even if each muscle edge is very thin when they are all stacked on top of each other, there can be some bulk to that area.One option is to add volume below the lower lip to make the chin area and marionette area fuller and brighter.  This can make the volume of chin below the lower lip match up better with the modiolus area.  I have tried using facelifting techniques to try to flatten out that bulge.  Liposuction won't get it.  Buccal fat reduction is a possibility, but too much buccal fat removal can be aging in itself, and cause the skin of the cheeks to become looser.Don't bother with Contour Threadlifts, which was recalled in April of 2007 (Google it).  There were numerous complaints and when the results looked good, they did not last more than a year.Young skin is firmer not, tighter.  When pinching the skin it is firm and thick, not tight like a drum.  Try squeezing cheeks on a child.  Firm not tight.Hope that adds some additional insight along with my colleagues.Best,Dr. YangP.S. If you find my answers or other doctors answers to questions are helpful, please +1 those answers to push up the better answers to the top, which helps others who read the same post, get to the more helpful answers first.P.P.S. There is a new feature on Realself, which is the "Follow" button. It is similar to the "Like" button on Facebook. If you like my response or any of the doctor responses while you research on Realself, you should "Follow" them. You will get email updates, when the doctors you follow post any new answers to questions, post new photos, or have any new reviews.

I agree with my colleagues, you are not a candidate for a facelift. However non invasive skin tightening combined with selective fillers and a good skin regimen will definitely help. The best thing to do is consult a board certified plastic surgeon and come up with a game plan to your liking. I hope this helps!Ritu Chopra MD

It's way too early for a facelift.  However, filler and Botox can help fill in areas or contour your face gently without surgery.

Hello Sashaspmm,Thanks for your question.Honestly, a facelift would not be right for you.Your main issue is a mismatch between the volume of your facial skeleton and surface area of your skin. This can be seen in the slight sag in your cheeks primarily.If Radiesse worked for you, I would suggest you stick with using it to restore your cheek volume.  The rest is up to the maintenance you perform on your skin.  Sunblock usage is a must to slow down UV damage to the skin.  To this you could add chemical peels, hyaluronic acid topical products, microneedling, laser resurfacing, and medical grade skin care.It is important to avoid losing too much weight as this deflates the volumes in your face.  This makes people look older.Thread lifting is a waste of money so don't bother.  Just my opinion though!I hope this was helpful.Take care,Dr. Shah

 Thank you for your picture. He will certainly do not need a facelift.  Other surgical procedures in my opinion,  based on your photos are not necessary either. I would recommend just maintaining the health of your skin with the good sunscreen and  moisturizer at this point. 

Thank you for your question and photo.  Based on your photo (and age), you are not a candidate for a facelift.  You have no loose skin that would benefit.  Buccal fat removal is a procedure for patients with really wide cheeks, removal of the fat will help create a sleeker profile.  Removing buccal fat on you would make you look hollow and older.  I would suggest not doing that either.  I would start with simple skin care to help improve the quality of your skin and continue to keep it youthful.  

Thank you for your question!  A facelift or necklift are designed to help remove sagging skin or "jowls" around the neck, mouth, and jawline.  These usually develop with age, and are greatly influenced by genetics, as well.  I do not see much in the way of jowling from your picture.  Also, because you are 26, I would not predict you would have much in the way of jowling, as well.I would recommend filler or fat transfer for the areas around your nasolabial folds and you mid-face (area around your mouth and below the eyes).  This would help to tighten the overlying skin and give an overall refreshed look.Be sure to consult with a board certified facial plastic or general plastic surgeon, who specializes in facelifting and facial fillers. I hope that this helps!-David Gilpin

You are definitely not a candidate for facelift. Frankly, I can't really make a case for use of injectables either. Your face is useful an attractive. I suggest you enjoy it while you can.

There are three issues that you are asking about:  1)Buccal Fat Removal  2)Skin Appearance  3)Thread Lift. Buccal Fat Removal: This is the removal of fat from your face to give the lower face a less "round" appearance.  Since you are not stating you feel your face is too round, this would not be a good option. Skin Appearance:  If you do not like the texture and tone of your skin, there are laser treatments to smooth and tighten your skin.Thread Lift: Judging from your photograph, you are not a candidate for a thread lift or any kind of facelift, as this surgery is reserved for patients whose anatomy included sagging skin, hanging jowls, and an aged appearance. Your best option to address your concerns would be, in my opinion, laser treatments to improve the texture and tone of your skin.  I advise you to seek a board certified plastic surgeon to ensure your expectations are clearly defined and the results are appropriate.Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question.

Thank you for sharing your question and photo with us. At this age, I do not recommend a facelift procedure.  I would also caution agains doing buccal fat removal at this point.  You have nice transitions in the face and small subtle maneuvers such as adding volume may be a more prudent approach at this point.  You may want to consider Voluma or Restylane Lyft in the mid face / cheek region to give them more definition.  In addition some non-surgical tightening devices such as Ulthera or Profound can help give you more tone to the skin but may be something you can delay for a while.  I would recommend visiting with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who has a lot of experience in the non-surgical realm so you can discuss your options in more detail.