Drooping in lower face, Will a mini facelift be enough? Should I consider another procedure? 39 y/o (photos)

Question

I am only 39 but have what I think is pretty advanced dropping in my lower face for my age. I can’t imagine having a full face lift at my age but am not sure if a mini would be sufficient. Or is there something else you suggest? Thank you

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I agree you could benefit from a facelift even though you are only 39. Don’t try to figure out the different types of facelifts because they are all pretty similar. Concentrate on finding the right surgeon who you feel comfortable with. Also, I am not a fan of fat injection but you may get that recommendation. I wouldn’t spend  the extra money for it.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. You are likely a candidate for a neck lift to address the drooping you’re referring to. This procedure targets the neck and throat directly by removing submental fat and tightening the skin to create a naturally lifted appearance. 
I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can conduct a more thorough physical examination. They will be able to assess your concerns and suggest the best surgical approach to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos, it appears that lower face/neck lift with fat grafting around eyes/cheeks, jawline, may be a good procedure for you. In person consultation with a baord certified plastic surgeon with good reputation in face/neck lift , is recommended.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is my expertise and a huge portion of my practice. Asymmetry is normal and expected. Buccal fat pad gives slimming not symmetry. Masseter botox will make you slimmer and make the jawline more loose. Fillers help give shaping and contouring. If you want perfect or close to perfect symmetry you need maxillofacial surgery or implants customized. I suggest seeing an expert to go through all options. Most of my younger clients use fillers to give them shaping especially on the cheeks, jawline, and chin which make the face look more slim and tight; and threads such as PDO or Instalift can build collagen and support the facial shaping and skin looseness over time, slowing down the aging process and given the face a more “snatched” look; and morpheus8 or PiXel8 deep microneedling RF can tighten crepe skin especially on the neck and jawline and is great for long term tightening of the full face, neck and chest; its often used to give the face a slimmer more sculpted look because it tightens the skin and gives lift. an early face lift can be performed as well even in younger clients if they want a different facial shape, maxillofacial surgery with bone breaking or shaving can also be done. For facial slimming a combination of treatments are always needed. Options include: 1. Buccal fat pad removal to reduce fat on the lower face 2. Factite or Renuvion/J Plasma to tighten the lower face, jawline, and chin to reduce fat and give the jawline and neck tightening and shaping. 3. Botox to the masseter to reduce the muscular size of the jaw giving the face an illusion of being more slender 4. Fillers to the jawline, chin, cheeks, temples and brow help to shape the face and make it more angled and defined Always use at home derma rolling (see link to Emerageskin x anteageMD roller plus stem cells/hyaluronic acid ampules) and peels like emeragecosmetics enlighten or aerify that can be used to improve skin quality and tighten the skin while improving wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and Melasma. See an expert who does facial shaping with surgical and non surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD · Answer

Definitely be seen and evaluated in person by a plastic surgeon with experience and training in facial aesthetics, and discuss you specific concerns. Based on your photos, it looks like you would be a candidate for a few different options depending on your goals and how much of a procedure/recovery you would like. A facelift, fat grafting, jawline contouring, and/or radiofrequency skin tightening may all play a role here.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Adding Morpheus and TCA peel  along with the advanced lower face/neck mini lift would give great results and is affordable at around $20,000 for such amazing transformation under local and is almost painless.  Look fabulous and natural right away.

Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on the heaviness of your lines, a mini will not be sufficient. You will be best improved with a facelift.

Seung Ki Youn, MD · Answer

Hello, this is from V.LIF Plastic Surgery in KoreaWith 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.
If you don't have concerns on your eye and forehead area, you can consider facelift from your mid face. Our Mini Facelift means lifting partial part of your face considering individual condition.We devide face into 3 parts. 
1. Mid face2. Lower face3. Double Chin+Jawline.
Depending on your face condition(How much your skin is sagging and loose), we recommend how many parts you will need to elevate.
Mini facelift at V.LIF is not a short lasting facelift elevating just your skin layer with minimal incision which is performed at other clinics.It's not a mini facelift with minimal incision which is performed at other clinics.V.LIF's Mini Facelift is a long lasting surgery which lasts more than 5years-10years(depending on the scope) 
We dissect wide range of SMAS layer and cut off retaining ligaments which is essential and excise saggy skin

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear mama2kate,
Although a mini facelift might be in order in your case, there are many facial rejuvenation procedures and options that are available today.  I would recommend consultation with an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon for an examination and discussion of those options.  Good luck!

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Everyone ages at a different rate. Some patients at 39 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 39 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

Drooping in lower face, Will a mini facelift be enough? Should I consider another procedure? 39 y/o (photos)

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