At what age should you start considering facelift. I am 51 years old and wondering should i wait or do a facelift now.

The optimal or best time to have or consider a facelift is when you view yourself in a mirror and see a face that no longer fits well with your energy level or how you view yourself.  

A Facelift lifts the fallen cheek, will smooth and tighten the jaw, neck skin and muscles.  A truly natural Facelift does not pull or deform the face but, rather, rejuvenates in a manner that is natural appearing and maintains your personal identity.  This requires time, a great deal of effort and artistry. Facelifts that rely upon pulling the tissues up with strings or threads or do not focus upon neck rejuvenation are less effective and often do not appear natural. Mini-facelifts or neck lifts do not address the entire facial aging problem. A Facelift which targets the neck, jawline and cheeks creates harmony and balance among the various facial components and; thus, creates a radiant appearance. 



So when should you consider a Facelift? 



Usually, the signs of aging creep up upon us, starting in the late 40s.  However, there are some individuals that with significant weight loss or congenital predisposition require a Facelift earlier.  



Liquid Facelifts utilize facial fillers, such as Radiesse and Voluma to lift and contour the mid-face without surgery.  These wonderful products, are comparable with the tissues of the face, replace volume loss that occurs in all faces over time.  Facial fillers are not a substitute for a Facelift but can often postpone the need for one, especially if the main concern is volume loss rather than sagging skin. 



However, when the jaw-line shows jowls or the neck tissues sag it is time to consider a surgical Facelift.  The scars are well hidden in the hairline and are placed along the ear contour to further reduce their visibility. When outpatient surgery(go home the same day) is performed with care and precision  patients experience hardly any discomfort.  The object is not to pull the face up, which distorts the mouth and facial appearance, but to gently lift, contour and smooth out all areas that require a natural revitalization.  



The final answer regarding should one wait to have a facelift is centered upon if you are psychologically prepared to have surgery and if you demonstrate characteristics of lax facial tissues.  A Facelift is definitively an uplifting experience that gives lasting pleasure.

There is not one best age for a facelift. I perform many procedures for patients in their forties, and occasionally in their thirties if they have significant aging changes from weight loss, acne, or other reasons. I have also performed facelifts for many patients in their eighties, and even two in their early nineties. I do find that patients having surgery when aging changes are present but not pronounced have better results 12 to 15 years later than a patient with severe skin laxity and decreased skin elasticity.

There's no perfect age to undergo facelift surgery. Your eligibility for surgery is determined by the signs of aging present on your face, not your chronological age. An in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can give you a definite answer. In the meantime, if you've noticed significant sagging and laxity around your jawline, chin, or neck, you're likely a good candidate. I wish you luck in your decision.