40 years old. Is a mini facelift too early for me? (Photo)

Your photos show jowling, sagging, and possibly poor skin elasticity. All of these can be influenced by genetics, as well as by lifestyle choices such as smoking, which dries and ages the skin. It’s not too soon to get a Mini Lift in your 40s. In fact, many of my patients get their first cosmetic surgery at that time. It turns back the clock by about 8 to 10 years and lasts that long, too. You can add in a real “wow” effect by getting a chemical peel to resurface and rejuvenate your facial skin at the same time. I hope this helps.

Great question and one that we see a lot. The decision as to exactly which procedure you will need will be determined during a physician exam. Based on your photos, you appear to be a good candidate for a mini lift- which in my hands is a short incision around the ear with some muscle tightening. Other options will be to consider noninvasive devices such as Ultherapy, which uses high intensity focused ultrasound energy to create some tightening. I also see volume loss in your mid face (area under your eyes)- and adding volume there will improve the 'sagging' appearance in your lower face. There are pros and cons to the different treatments, and a more detailed conversation can be had in person. 

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

I have treated many patients in their 40's with Mini Facelifts to correct early signs of facial and neck laxity.  From your photos, it appears you have a degree of laxity which would be improved to give you naturally appearing rejuvenation.  It also appears that you have a degree of facial volume loss, one of the earliest signs of facial aging, which could be addressed with facial fat transfer at the same time.  I would suggest an in person consultation to discuss your cosmetic goals, have a thorough facial evaluation, and discussion of your cosmetic options.  I have provided a link below.  Good Luck!

It sounds and looks like you are a candidate for a Mini-Facelift. My favorite technique is the MACS short scar Mini-Facelift. Developed in Europe, it is the ideal approach for the younger patient, not ready for a full facelift, or patients who desire a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery time. I would also consider fat grafting to your face to re-define your jaw line and fill out those areas that have lost volume over time.

This is a very common question.  There are several options which range from minimally invasive treatments such as fillers and energy treatments like Ultherapy.  A mini lift could be a good option for you, but you really need an in person evaluation to be sure.  Best wishes.

Hi and thanks for your question and photos.  It's not a patient's  age in years that matters.  What matters is the degree of aging that exists in their face.  I would need to see you in person to do an exam to know for sure, but it does appear that you have a fair amount of laxity that would be addressed well with a mini-facelift.  I have done patients in their mid 30s after giving birth and observing increased laxity after losing weight.  I would be happy to see you for a consultation as my office is in the Philly suburbs.  Good luck.  Dr. Pontell

Age is not the main determinant of when it is time for a facelift. If there is significant laxity in the lower face, jowls and neck that are becoming bothersome then a facelift can give an excellent and natural result. It is not uncommon to see changes in the face, especially along the jawline and neck in your 40s that may benefit from surgery.  A combination of non-invasive options, such as ultherapy and filler may also offer nice improvements if you are not quite ready for surgery.  An in office consultation and evaluation will be helpful to give more specific recommendations as to which options would be best to achieve your goals.

If there is facial laxity it is reasonable to do a minilift in the 40's.  Non-surgical treatments like Ulthera or Thermage provide some improvement but much less and only for a couple of years or so.  A minilift procedure will provide much greater correction and hold that correction for typically about 10 years or sometimes quite a bit more.  If you are significantly bothered by the laxity that shows in the photos you sent, then you should seriously consider minifacialplasty. 

There is no age limit in either direction. When laxity exists and a patient understands the surgery and post op process then they are a good candidate. Also the benefit of early surgery is that the tissue is in good shape and the result will last much longer.