Facelift or Other Options? (Photo)

Question

Hello, my main concern in lower face (particularly my left cheek). Is it time for a facelift or are there other option. I am 48 1/2.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

You can get a facelift, but you'll get a great result with an in the office Ellacor procedure.  It is designed for that area and can give you a great result.

Muhsin Yilmaz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

At 48, if you are starting to notice more laxity and sagging in the lower face, especially on one side, I would definitely consider a facelift and neck lift. There are non-surgical treatments that can give some temporary tightening, but if the main concern is true skin and tissue laxity, they generally cannot give the same level of correction or longevity as surgery.
A properly performed face and neck lift can address the lower face, jowls and neck together and create a much more balanced result. It is also important to assess the asymmetry rather than simply treating the left cheek on its own, because facial asymmetry is very common and can have several causes.
Of course, you would need an in-person assessment to determine whether you are ready for surgery, but if you are looking for the most effective and long-term option, I would certainly have a consultation for a face and neck lift rather than spending years chasing the area with temporary treatments.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

From the photos, the main issue appears to be early lower-face laxity/asymmetry rather than a severe amount of excess skin. At 48, the right choice depends on whether the concern is mostly volume/contour in the cheek, skin laxity along the jawline, or true jowling/neck looseness.

For mild changes, carefully placed filler or fat grafting, skin tightening, and skin-quality treatments may help, but they will not lift loose tissue the way surgery can. If there is definite jowling or lower-face descent on exam, a lower facelift, often with neck work, is usually the more predictable option. I would recommend an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon so they can assess your skin quality, cheek support, jawline, and neck from multiple angles.

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

A lower facelift could be a suitable solution for the asymmetrical sagging in your face. To fully correct the asymmetry, it would also be appropriate to support the procedure with fat injections. However, before making a final decision, I need to meet with you one-on-one to evaluate your overall health and expectations.

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can understand from your question, I definitely recommend deep plane facelift.
It would be better face to face consultation.
Best regards!

Zeshaan Maan, MD · Answer

You don't appear to have significant jowling on the lateral photograph of your face, which is the main area a facelift addresses. You maybe benefit from laser resurfacing and possibly some fat grafting to specific areas of your face. Your best bet is to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon with a focus on facial rejuvenation.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

You look great. But I know it’s about maintaining the familiar look of your face as long as possible. Depending on what you have tried in the past, there may be non-surgical options.

Many patients get tightening and lifting with either Ultherapy (which is an ultrasound based treatment) or radiofrequency microneedling (there are many brands).

As a surgical option, some patients benefit from removal of the “buccal fat pad” in the cheek rather than a full facelift. This can sometimes be done through an incision inside the mouth. If overdone, this can deflate the lower face and cause sagging, so it’s critical to have an in person consult with a surgeon whose before and after photos agree with your aesthetic.

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

I can't tell what the concern is. Is it the lack of volume or the fine lines forming here when you smile? If so, then something to build up collagen is going to be your best bet- be it something like sculptra injections or skincare treatments like radiofrequency microneedling.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

From the two Limited photographs presented, you look fantastic for your age and are NOT a candidate for a facelift procedure. If you're trying to augment your left cheek, consider placement of fillers.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. Thank you for posting your photos and question! It is hard to provide you with the best option based on the photos here. You're smiling in the first photo, which makes it challenging to assess how much jowling there is. On the partial oblique view there appears to be some early/minor jowling and wrinkles around the mouth. If that's a fair assessment, a treatment called Ellacor may actually be more suitable than a facelift. This procedure achieves skin removal by micro-coring without creating any scars, and without needing general anesthesia. The recovery/downtime is significantly less burdensome, and the results are especially impressive in the peri-oral area.
Best,Dr. Tower

Facelift or Other Options? (Photo)

Answers (13)

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