Should I have fillers or Mini Facelift to address nasolabial folds and lower face sagging? (photos)

Thank you for your question and for providing photos. You may be a candidate for a facelift to angulate the jawline, reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, and elevate the lower face sagging you’re referring to. For male patients, it’s important that surgical incisions are placed inconspicuously due to shorter hair, and meticulously closed to prevent scarring.
Facelift procedures are customized based on gender, age, and skin laxity. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon. They will be able to determine the best treatment option for you and answer any questions you may have about your chosen procedure.

FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime.​ Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Unfortunately, your hairstyle makes it difficult to hide your facelift scars. You might be better off softening these lines with fillers. However, only a lift will give long term results and you might consider this if your hairstyle becomes longer.

There are a number of surgical and non-surgical options that can improve one's cosmetic appearance: fillers, skin-tightening procedures, lasers, fat contouring, and face lifts. Each
has benefits and drawbacks. Mini procedures do not produce the long lasting maximum improvement that is achieved with a natural appearing artistically performed lift performed by an expert experienced plastic surgeon. That is achieved by a combination of elevating the sagging tissues, removing the excess skin, contouring the fat, and adding micro-fat grafts or fillers where there is a deficiency.

Keep in mind, that following the exact advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of the proposed operative procedure may not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California