Do I have jowls? Do I need a facelift?

Question

Im worried im looking old,im also worried if i have a face lift ill look "done"ive not had any ops or botox,im not sure if i have jowls as most surgeons just say what they want you to hear.Please advise.im 41 and i make my own wrinkle oils but thats not going to stop jowls.most drs say no way to surgery and ive no jowls but odd one says i need full lift

Waleed Ezzat, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on your photos, it doesn’t look like you have much skin laxity or sagging jowls at all and don’t appear to be a candidate for a facelift. While you might consider facial plastic surgery down the road, I would recommend holding off until you notice significantly more skin laxity. For now, you could try BOTOX® or dermal fillers if there’s a specific area of your face and/or wrinkles that you’d like to subtly improve. Otherwise, keep up with what you’re doing, because your skin quality looks excellent!

- Dr. E

- Dr. E

George Volpe, MD · Answer

it is very difficult without a good exam to determine if a facelift is indicated. When being evaluated by a surgeon, the surgeon will assess how much redundant skin of the cheeks one has for a lift and also how much redundant skin of the neck region. If the neck is tight and that cheek skin loose, it is possible a small mini type lift may be indicated. The decision to undergo facelift, or at least more importantly when to undergo facelift can be philosophical. If one has a small amount of skin laxity that can be lifted, one may opt to undergo a small procedure. Obviously, if the skin is relatively taught and no change or only very minimal change would be anticipated, it is not time to undergo a facelift. Your surgeon should be able to have an honest conversation with you after a good exam and also discuss with you your goals.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question!  Based on the photos provided, I see absolutely no need for a facelift at this point in your life.  There are no clearly defined jowls, and quite frankly, I think you would be wasting your money with surgery.  Good luck!

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures.  Unfortunately you do not have enough skin laxity for a facelift and would be to young.  If you are looking for treatments I would suggest non surgical such as filler, laser etc.  All The Best

Christopher T. Maloney Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for attaching photos. In my opinion you do not need a face lift and really don't need anything at all. You have pretty facial features. Wait 10 years before doing anything other than a good skincare program. Best of luck.

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question and your photos. I don't think a facelift is the right way to go here. It looks like you have plenty of cheek volume and little if any jowling. I'm not certain what treatments you have undergone thus far, but I would not recommend adding any more volume to the face. If you're looking for a little tightening, you could try some nonsurgical options such as microneedling with RF. Best of luck and take care!

William Lao, MD · Answer

From looking at your photos, I don't really see obvious jowls. There are some droopiness of the facial soften tissue but probably not severe enough at this point to do a full blown facelift. Can try other temporizing solution like threadlift combining with filler/botox.

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

I have performed a number of facelifts on patients your age if they had enough aging changes to justify it. The risk of a pulled or unnatural look should be zero with a well performed deep plane facelift which avoids tension on the skin which is one major reason for a pulled look. The other is that when the deep tissues (such as jowls) are corrected without complete release the face can look unnatural due to the fact that some deep tissues are more tightly fixed than others, so the amount of correctlon is uneven.  That being said, you do not have significant jowling.  You do have fullness that could be improved by  buccal fat removal.  Fillers would be the wrong approach.  An in person examination is necessary to fully  evaluate.

Mark Been, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry. Based on your photos you do no have significant jowls, or other features that typically make one a good candidate for facelift procedures. At your stage I would consider evaluation for filler injections or minimally invasive procedures. Be sure to consult with a board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Fernando Colon, MD · Answer

Based only in your pictures I do not see any jowls
worth treating at this time. A personal evaluation with a board certified plastic surgeon is best. Best wishes.