My face is aging so quickly! What is the best approach to help me look younger? (photos)

Question

The lower corners of my mouth are very bothersome. Would a facelift help in this area and also fix my flat cheeks? I'm only 42

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

I would recommend a facelift/necklift with facial fat grafting. The only true way to elevate the corners of the mouth is to use the deeper tissues to help re-suspend them. A facelift/necklift provides the most natural outcome without putting incisions around the mouth. I would recommend seeing a board certified or board eligible plastic surgeon with aesthetic surgery training/experience who can perform a full exam and provide safe recommendations.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures! With the pictures that you’ve provided it seems that you would benefit from surgical and non-surgical treatments.  Fillers would address the sides of the mouth and Botox would help with the marionette lines as well as your nasolabial folds.  If you are looking for a more permanent solution, surgical options are available as well.

A mini facelift or midface lift is another great option for many people to correct malar bags and other signs of aging around the eyelids. The recovery & downtime is very minimal. There are usually no drains, most people can go out the same day, you can shower the next day, there are no scars behind the ears, and you can wear your hair up anytime and most patients take no pain medicine. There are never any guarantees of course with any procedure whether it is surgical or nonsurgical in nature.

I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of facelifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and never be pushed out with just one suggestion. Ultimately there are pros and cons to every procedure whether it's surgery or not surgery. It should always be your choice. I have had 80-year-old patients be very happy without having had any surgical procedures.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Without examining you in person, it is difficult to tell exactly what might provide the results you are looking for. Most people start with less invasive nonsurgical treatments (such as Botox and dermal fillers) before choosing a facelift - that is probably what would best benefit you at this point. However, my recommendation is to schedule an in-person consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can examine you and offer options for the most beneficial procedure (surgical or nonsurgical) to give you the results you desire. Best of luck!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, there is not much to be seen on these photos. It appears that fillers for lips and marionette lines (corners of the lips) would be sufficient. Early neck bands can be improved with Botox application. Good luck.

Seung Ki Youn, MD · Answer

Hello;-)
With over 10 years experience, V.LIF has a reputation for excellence in Korea.We do not perform all the plastic surgeries at V.LIF.We are face&neck lift specialized plastic surgery clinic.Our surgeons dedicated soley to only lifting field. So they have high knowledge and experience with lifting surgeries.
As you age your bone shrinks and also due to gravity your skin and SMAS layer sags and it creates nasolabial folds on your mid face and jowls&marionette lines on your lower face. We do wide range of dissection on the skin, SMAS layer and retaining ligaments to achieve the long lasting effects☺️ We pull them and reposition of redundant SMAS on the sunken area to create fuller and plump look

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your photos! Thanks to the advent of new technologies we can do a lot less and achieve more positive, natural-looking results.

With a mini-lift, only the lower face-- from cheek to chin-- is lifted, which effectively eliminates jowls and redefines the cheekbones. As with a face-lift, the mini-lift is often accompanied by a neck lift, which removes fat from below the chin and tightens the neck's platysma muscles, all though a tiny incision under the chin. The best candidates for the mini-lift are those who are unhappy with the contour of their lower face and neck, and whose skin has good resiliency.

Additionally, an effective non-surgical option that might benefit you is Thermage. Thermage is a non-invasive (no incision!) treatment that can tighten skin, renew facial contours, and stimulate your body to make healthier collagen. The procedure uses radiofrequency technology that has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. Fast and easy, Thermage requires no downtime from normal activities.

You may also be a candidate for a Threadlift. A non-surgical face-lift that is minimally invasive and addresses signs of aging in the face, including droopiness of the skin of the brow, cheeks, jowls, and neck without incisions or scars. The procedure can be performed using local anesthesia, and most patients can return to normal activities the next day.

There are a number of  other options to help with facial lines. Liquid Facelift uses advanced techniques to gently lift, soften lines, and contour facial features without surgery and little downtime. Fillers such as Juvederm, Volbella, Voluma, Radiesse, Sculptra, and even your own fat can lift your skin and recontour your face restoring a more youthful appearance. Lips that thin with aging can be made plumper and more kissable, and fine lines around the lips be reduced. I suggest making an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Everyone ages at a different rate. Some patients at 42 have more aging than those much older. It depends on numerous factors including: heredity, history of smoking, lifestyle, sun exposure, excessive exercising, underlying medical health, and significant weight loss.

In the past, it was felt that 42 would be too young to have a facelift. Now most experienced artistic plastic surgeons would feel differently. It really depends more on the extent of aging and the individualized approach that is necessary to achieve a natural appearing improvement. Since every patient is different, the approach to facial rejuvenation (fillers, micro-fat grafts, mini facelifts, facelifts, and combination of procedures) needs to be individualized in order to achieve a natural appearing improvement.

Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly 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 each operative procedure would 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

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based upon the posted photos I would recommend mini anterior facelift with SMAS plication, HA fillers or nano fat grafting to areas of face. Fees in the $10,000 ranges.

My face is aging so quickly! What is the best approach to help me look younger? (photos)

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