How long does a mini facelift last? If I have surgery in my 30s, will I need a revision at 35 or 40?

Question

I want to understand how any kind of facelift/minifacelift works. Lets say i have a mini lift surgery at 30, will i look older in my 40’s than i will naturally look if i hadnt have any surgery? I mean would having a surgery at a young age make me look older in the long term? Will i need multiple revisions in my life time? Becuse of the area has been cut and tissues will fall down eventually? I am interested in lifting lower part of my face only.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

I would have to see you in person to determine if a Mini Lift would be beneficial to you at this point. You might do better with laser treatment and maybe some fillers. However, if you do have early sagging, such as jowling and loose neck skin, then a Mini Lift could give you a big improvement. The results can last anywhere from 8 to 10 years or more, depending on how well you care for your skin.
It’s not uncommon to get more than one Mini Lift or facelift over the course of a lifetime; no matter what you do to your face, you will continue to age and eventually the tissues will sag again. However, once you have had surgery, you should always look slightly younger than your peers. The facelift doesn’t degrade the quality of your skin; it simply removes excess skin. Consulting with a facial plastic surgeon will give you an opportunity to get answers to all of your questions so you can decide what procedures are best for you at this point. I hope this helps.

Benjamin Caughlin, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a great question. 
The cause of aging is a combination of loss of bone, subcutaneous fat, collagen, and support. As well as skin laxity from skin/smoking/wind and life.  30 is young. Remember that. You have a lot of years to live. We want to get you looking good now but we also want you to age well and naturally. That is key and you should find a surgeon who appreciates that and is willing to build a rejuvenation plan that fits you personally.
  
We need to assess with a good facial analysis for recommendations but in your age group fat or other “volumizers” such as fillers typically do great. Fillers are made for young people who need small adjustments and they do well for that reason. At this point a lift or skin tightening procedure may make you look good today but can have an odd look in the aging process.
  
The best thing you can do is find a surgeon you trust and get a good physical exam, and build a treatment plan that gets you to your goal. My best advice is be patient and take it slow. The last thing you want is an “over done look”.
Hope this helps.Best of luck,DrC

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

For unique cases where a variety of modalities could be used to treat the condition, I would suggest an in person or virtual consultation to develop a custom and effective treatment plan.  It is difficult to precisely define the best option without collecting the same information. I suggest reaching out to an expert for a consultation with surgical and non-surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Although most people don’t have enough looseness of skin and soft tissue to warrant a facelift in their 30’s, occasionally someone shows a some early slight sag of ski or fat in the jowl area.  The advantage of a mini facelift at such an early age is that the improvement will be subtle, and most friends would only notice that you look good.  Your appearance would be very natural.  Fortunately, as with all facelift techniques, the surgery does NOT hasten any future aging changes.  You would still age at your normal rate.  What is more, even though aging continues, you can always look younger than your age by doing “mini” or less invasive procedures before the aging changes become severe.  Generally a facelift result lasts about 10-15 years, but this can vary with each person.  You would only need another lift when the new aging changes begin to bother you.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Facelift procedures are not usually indicated in people in their 30s.  Nonetheless, some patients do seem to age faster in their face either due to weight loss or sun exposure.  In these cases, a mini lift is indicated.  The results will last longer in these younger individuals.  You will not age faster due to the surgery.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question. It can be agreed a facelift is not a solution to stop ageing, therefore even with a facelift unfortunately the ageing process still continues. The process will differ from patient to patient, depending on the quality of skin and lifestyle. The Concept Facelift, i perform on my patients, a facelift giving the same surgical results as a traditional facelift, however performed under local anaesthetic therefore reduced recovery period (swelling and bruising) and risks. This is a good facelift giving natural results, providing patients with a youthful look. This facelift will last approximately between 7-10 years, therefore the same longevity that a traditional facelift would give. All The Best

Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO · Answer

Thanks for asking a very common question that many patients want to know the answer to!  In essence, a quality lift should have BOTH the muscle (SMAS layer) and skin tightened.  This will give you the longest lasting result (7-10 years on average).  Having multiple lifts in one's lifetime is quite common.  The most important factor, in my opinion, is to be sure that your first lift is a high quality, technically sound, lift.  That means seeking a doctor who performs a few of these procedures per week (not per month/year). I've included a video clip that may be helpful to you.Best,Doc L

Fred G. Fedok, MD, FACS · Answer

Your questions are right on target and it is what we have to struggle with and discern with every patient. The difficulty in answering is that it depends on your anatomy, how you are aging, what "kind" of mini lift, and the skill set of the surgeon.  What is clear is: 1)  our perceived age is a combination of many anatomic features - ie. facial volume, skin texture and quality, skeletal changes and your own personal goals, 2) we all continue to age, 3) If you enjoy a long life your will be a candidate for some kind of revision - but it may not necessarily involve another facelift, 4) to the best of my knowledge and my observation is that having a well executed  surgery at one point in time will not make you age "worse" at a later point in time.See a qualified surgeon and I believe you can get a good opinion.Be well and best regards,Fred

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Your questions are valid and bring up important issues about our faces as we age, and how to slow the process.  Generally, approach the aging face in a step-wise pattern, starting with least invasive measures and progressing to more invasive, like surgery.  Maintenance starts with healthy lifestyle and moisturizers.  Fillers and Botox are the next step, as they are the best option in the 30’s and 40’s.  Mini-Facelift in the mid 30’s, 40’s, even early 50’s, followed by full facelift after that.  This gradual approach avoids that sudden transformation and obvious whispers about having work done.  Having surgery at a younger age, if needed, does not speed the aging process.  However, you want to avoid what I call the “Hollywood Effect”, that tight look seen after too many facelifts pulled too tightly!  Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

Hi @ChinImplantRemoval
Thanks for the great question! 
Facelift patients are definitely getting younger, and actually enjoy a greater benefit at younger ages. However, in your 30's I might suggest a few alternatives which would not work well in older adults who would be best served with a modern facelift. The reason is, if you have loose, sagging skin - the only answer is a facelift. You cannot fill loose skin with filler and expect a natural looking result.
The facial aging process is like a train that is continuously moving along the train tracks. There are things like a healthy calorie-restricted diet, rich in antioxidants, avoiding sunlight and wearing sunscreen that can slow the train down. Things like weight fluctuations, “sunworship”, smoking, and a poor diet can speed it up.
A facelift is a powerful anti-aging procedure that can pull that train back, but it does not stop this process. Nothing can.
With the Modern Quick Recovery Facelift technique I use, we've consistently seen patients look 10-15 years younger and results can last 10-15 years but is often a one-and-done procedure meaning you do not need to keep returning for touch-ups or procedures like you would with filler and botox.
The use of physician or medical-grade skincare like a Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamin C, and Hydroquinone can all significantly help you protect your facelift investment.
Best Wishes,
K. Chopra, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon
Johns Hopkins Trained
Face, Body and Breast Expert

How long does a mini facelift last? If I have surgery in my 30s, will I need a revision at 35 or 40?

Answers (12)

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