Facelift or filler: which would you suggest to give me a younger look? (Photo)

Hello, thank you for your question. So its difficult to make the final decision based on your photos. Its really what results and exceptions you are seeking. If you have never had any filler, it maybe a good option to have fillers done before making the decision for facelift. Fillers are non permanent solution to giving you a semi lifted look. Other options such as neurotoxins may help with fine lines and wrinkles.
Facelift is a surgery tighter skin in the mid face and neck, but again depends on what results you are looking for and what is bothering you.

Truthfully, an in-person consultation examining you in repose (without smiling) would be a better forum for contemplating this topic. As a board certified plastic surgeon, I think it is important to tell you that age does not determine if you should have surgery or filler. It’s truly a question of what bothers you, and what your lifestyle allows in terms of correction. Fillers address lack of volume. Surgeries address sagging skin and structure. Often, when I perform facelifts, I use autologous fat which is superior to filler in almost every respect. The most important aspect is to know *how much* is just right – in regard to surgery as well as revolumizing. Natural is key, and you do not want to look older, which is precisely what un-subtle facial surgery can do. So, in summary: filler/autologous fat will address the volume depletion of the midface that happens as we age, but only surgery can permanently remove loose excess skin to create a sharp, youthful jawline. Even after you have your treatments and procedures, routine upkeep is needed to help maintain your results, such as using medical-grade skincare products and lasers. I recommend that you consult in person with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns and goals to determine the treatment plan that’s best for you!

Based on your photos, I believe that you will benefit from either fillers by an experienced injector or by a facelift. The photos that you submitted make it difficult to assess your cheeks since you are smiling, but I would recommend neurotoxins (muscle relaxants, such as botox, dysport or xeomin) to the forehead, between the eyes, and the crow's feet. I would further recommend fillers under the eyes, cheeks, smile lines, and lips. It's difficult to give you a chiseled jawline because of the significant laxity of the cheeks that blend into the neck. That would be the main limitation of fillers for your face.

A facelift, coupled with fat grafting to the cheeks, smile lines, and lips, performed with an upper and lower eyelid lifts will give you the best possible result as it will address all the issues including loss of fat, laxity of jowls, and improving the jaw contour.

As you know, surgery is more expensive, risky, painful, and requires downtime, but it can give you a long lasting result. Fillers are less expensive, less risky, less painful, and requires minimal downtime, but will give you a result that will last 1-2 years on the average. I recommend that you consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is skilled at both fillers and facelifts and let them advise you in person. Ultimately, you have to make the decision. The good news about having fillers in the near future is that if you don't like it, you can always have a facelift in the future.