When Is It Time for a Facelift?

Many of my facelift patients in Louisville want to know if they are the right age for a facelift. This is tricky to answer because the right time for a facelift will vary from patient to patient. There is no magic number that can be applied to everyone.

The age at which someone may be a good candidate for facelift surgery will depend on many factors. To know whether it’s right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

Have skincare products or fillers stopped having the same effect they used to?

If you use a high-quality, medical-grade skincare product line and are noticing that your skin isn’t looking as good as it used to, it may be time for a facelift. Likewise, if you regularly visit a medical spa for nonsurgical treatments like dermal filler injections and find that they aren’t making a difference, it may be time to consider a surgical option.

As we age, nonsurgical treatments and skincare products will continue to help our skin looks it’s best, but they provide limited benefits. When more substantial changes are needed and your regular routine is no longer working, facelift surgery may provide the additional enhancements you need.

Are you noticing deeper lines or wrinkles?

Deep lines and wrinkles that don’t go away when you smile can be treated with a facelift. Facelift surgery smooths wrinkles on the mid-face and is especially helpful for improving the appearance of laugh lines or parenthesis marks around the mouth. In addition, a facelift can help create a tighter, more defined jawline and reduce the look of jowls in the lower face and neck.

However, a facelift will not help with lines and wrinkles on the forehead or around the eyes. For these concerns, a brow lift or eyelid surgery may be needed in combination with a facelift for more complete results.

Are you bothered by sagging skin?

Sagging skin is a common problem and can result from aging or weight loss. While some nonsurgical treatments can provide mild skin tightening benefits, only a facelift removes excess skin so that it’s gone for good. This creates a more taught and youthful look that can last 10 years or more.

During facelift surgery, I remove extra skin and tissue that contributes to a tired, aged appearance. I also remove or reposition fat to redistribute facial volume and tighten the underlying muscles. This combination of skin removal, fat redistribution, and muscle tightening creates a more defined and youthful facial structure.

Do you like your face better when you smile?

When you smile, the muscles in your face draw the skin upward–giving you a more lifted appearance. If you notice a significant change in how you look smiling vs. at rest, it may be time to seek surgical treatment. Facelift surgery can provide the lifting effect that you notice when smiling, but in a natural, subtle way that reduces the effects of gravity for many years.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to learn more about facelift surgery and how it might benefit you, contact us today to schedule your visit.