47, thin, athletic, is a mini facelift the right choice for me? (Photos)

Question

I'm 47, thin- athletic. In 2018, I started Sculptra, 1 syringe & it gave me great results. I repeated it every 18 months. Over 2 months ago, I had Sculptra again, but I don't see any difference. I lost a couple of lbs & my skin is sagging. Besides sculptra I don't have any fillers. I tried to take photos with the worst lighting to show the face texture. I think of getting a mini facelift for a nice V-shaped and tighter face. Would this procedure help me to look younger?

Bora Ok, MD · Answer

Hi from Istanbul, thanks for your question. A mini facelift effectively tightens the muscles and skin and would help reach the result you want. If you're considering this, the procedure would involve a preauricular incision, which would be sufficient without the need for a submental incision for neck tightening. If there is also sagging in the midface, a midface lift can be added to the procedure for a more complete look. Hope this helps, best of luck to you.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

Being young and athletic is always an advantage. Looking at your photos I can see that a mini facelift could definitely improve your jowls and neck including the area under your chin. A lip lift will also be very helpful to improve your overall results. I see that you are using your lipstick above the borders of your lip because you are aware that your philtrum is too long. The lip lift will eliminate the need to do that and will give you a much better result. Check out the lip lift results on my photos. Or on instagram @betterplasticsurgery.

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

I think you would do great with a mini facelift and/or even just a neck lift, depending on what areas of your face bother you the most. With sagging skin, a lift and skin removing procedure are going to be your best options.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Yes, based on the photos you'd be perfect for a mini facelift.  This would improve the laxity in your face and neck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You are a little early but a facelift would not be unreasonable.  I recommend a standard facelift. The mini facelift will cut out done important steps

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You may want to consider FaceTite in addition to further Sculptra treatments.  FaceTite uses RF technology to tighten the skin of the face and neck.  It is minimally invasive with no anesthesia required.  Visit my website or a provider near you to learn more.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

A necklift only addresses the neck skin laxity. It will not improve the jowls or cheeks. A mini-lift  and a midface-lift also vary significantly in what is done, depending on the surgeon performing it. They are usually performed in patients with minimal laxity and would not improve the neck. The terms facelift and lower facelift mean different things to different patients and vary in their extent from surgeon to surgeon. A facelift or a lower facelift which would include the neck area would have the potential to produce the best cosmetic result of the neck, central cheek and jowl area. Micro-fat grafts can produce a long term improvement of the areas that are volume deficient.

It is important to realize that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do based on limited photos 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.

Facial rejuvenation needs to be individualized. What would be an ideal approach for one patient is not necessarily the same for someone else. Based on the examination and discussion at the consultation, you should have a better understanding of the various options that can achieve the best cosmetic result for you.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

YES! seeing those nicely posted face photos I agree with mini face/neck lift SMAS plication. Fee quoted in direct email only. Bet to virtual consult with some boarded plastics.....

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I don’t see a good indication for a facelift surgery. A facelift primarily treats, jowls and neck laxity which you don’t really have. Your jaw line is sharp and close to perfect. You do have evidence of sun damage on your skin and if you’ve not done, so already, I should just daily use of sunscreen and avoidance of excessive sun exposure.
You may want to consider chemical peels or laser rejuvenation treatments. Likewise do use of Retin-A may give nice results over time.
Find a really talented provider for Botox and fillers and rely on that for now.
I sometimes refer people to Dr. David Mabrie MD in San Francisco as a reference for what can be achieved using fillers alone.
I’m not suggesting everybody get on a flight and go to San Francisco to have him treat you, but his website has an extensive collection of very high-quality before and after pictures of patients treated using only fillers. It gives an idea of what can be accomplished using only fillers in the hands of the right provider. Understanding what fillers can accomplish, can give people an insight into what the gold standard is, and what to look for when interviewing local providers.
Finding someone who is exceptionally talented with fillers is not always easy or straightforward. A lot of people claim to talk the talk but when it comes to deliver, can they really walk the walk?
Overall, you have a very attractive face with close to perfect bone structure.
Sun damage is unfortunate, but the best we can do is prevent ourselves from receiving more. Your neck shows mild, platysmal bands. These sometimes respond nicely to Botox treatments.
For now, I would probably hold off on a facelift, but you’ll probably find no shortage of surgeons happy to take your money.
It’s certainly not wrong to have a facelift. I had mine at about your age, but my face didn’t look nearly as good as you do.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD