In most cases, a facelift works best for people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s when signs of aging begin to become prevalent. Deep lines, wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin are the result of the aging process and can be best corrected through surgical techniques rather than non-surgical ones.
Another reason to consider a facelift when you're younger: The healing process may be faster and any resulting scars (although already hidden) may be less noticeable since your skin tends to regenerate more rapidly and more completely than it does when you get older.
A face-lift can give your face and neck a more youthful appearance. Face-lift results are not permanent. With age, the facial skin may begin to droop again. In general, a face-lift can be expected to last 10 years.
There's no right or wrong age to get a facelift, because every face is different. That said, we typically advise our patients who are considering a facelift to shoot for getting it done in their 40s. At this age, you're beginning to see the sagging, and it's only going to get worse.
Facelift surgery results in a refreshed and rested facial appearance. This procedure will not make you look like an entirely different person, but it will reduce noticeable aging for many years. Sadly, facelift surgery is not the fountain of youth, and this procedure will not prevent or even halt the aging process.
The answer is, “No,” since many patients do not have the loose skin or sagging fat/muscles that a facelift corrects. Younger patients often find that injectables such as Juvederm or Botox provide the filling or wrinkle reduction that they desire and with a shorter recovery.
There is usually very little actual pain following a facelift, but you may experience a deep bruised sensation as a result of the swelling, and your face may seem heavy. The bandage you will wear the first night may seem quite snug under your chin. Rather than make you feel restricted, we hope it makes you feel secure.
While facelift results can be different for every patient, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that, on average, patients felt they looked about 12 years younger after their facelift surgeries.
Cost. The average cost of a mini facelift ranges between $3,500 and $8,000. These costs can vary based on location and provider. Additional costs include your hospital stay and anesthesia used.
Can I have multiple facelifts? Technically, there is no limit or “magic number” when it comes to how many facelifts can be performed. But as we mentioned, we want to make sure your results remain as natural as possible. Too many surgeries can make your face appear “pulled” or “worked on,” which is not always desirable.
Facelift fails are most likely to occur when a surgeon doesn't have the level of training and experience required to do a good job with the procedure you want. This is why you should be sure to look for a facial plastic surgeon for any facial surgery, not simply a plastic surgeon.
Injectable treatments will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but they will not remove excess skin, improve skin laxity, or eliminate skin sagging. The only way to effectively treat these issues is through surgery. A facelift will provide much more long-lasting results than non-surgical options.
Full Facelift
Larger, behind-the-ears incisions allow for optimal removal of excess skin and fat for more dramatic results. A full facelift provides the longest lasting results, pausing the clock on aging for 20 years or more.
How much does a facelift cost? The average cost of a facelift is $8,005, according to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.
Botox. Probably the best known noninvasive procedure to fight off aging, botox involves a small painless injection that relaxes the muscle tension that causes wrinkles. It's a fairly simple procedure and could have you looking younger in as little as a couple of days.
Generally, a ponytail lift involves incisions made high up on the face – above the front of the ear or beyond the hairline. The facial cosmetic surgeon then pulls the ligaments below the skin to adjust and reduce sagging.
Neck lift surgery (platysmaplasty) is the most effective, but also most invasive, treatment for jowls. It may be the only option available to patients with severe jowls or substantial laxity.
The procedure is minimally invasive as it involves just having one deep stitch on each side of the head buried in the hair line, with a dissolving skin suture, so the scarring is hidden. This procedure gives a "mini-lift" and is a compromise for those who don't wish to undergo a full standard facelifting operation.
- Patients who have undergone a facelift rate themselves as looking an average of 12 years younger after surgery, according to a study in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
When performed correctly by the hands of a skilled surgeon, facelift results can be some of the most natural looking of any cosmetic procedure and can leave you with a rejuvenated and more youthful facial appearance.
With a facelift, you can remove wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin and other undesirable features. The process can be successful in helping you regain the appearance of your younger years.
Facelift recovery time
You should look and feel normal after 2 – 4 weeks. Keep in mind that facelift surgery cannot stop natural aging, so we encourage patients to continue to take care of their skin and make healthy lifestyle choices.
Facelift – Facelift surgery is often considered the ideal solution for moderate to significant jowling. Designed to lift and tighten sagging facial tissue, this procedure can effectively reduce the appearance of jowls and create a more defined jawline.
A mini facelift involves the placement of incisions in front of the ears which extend from the hairline to the bottom of the earlobe. The surgeon will then gently pull the skin and tissues up and outward the ear. Excess skin and tissue are removed to tighten the appearance of the skin.
A facelift is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive cosmetic or treatment options.