What’s the Right Age for a Facelift?

Posted on January 27, 2021 in Facelift

Without guidance from a plastic surgeon, it can be difficult to decide whether you’re ready for a facelift. A facelift addresses aging signs like wrinkles, skin laxity, and jowls, but not all patients who see signs of aging are ready for surgery.

The Right Age for a Facelift

Many patients ask what the right age is for a facelift, but the truth is this varies for every patient. There is no certain age when all patients will become candidates for a facelift. Instead, an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Ransom will evaluate the signs of aging that bother you and recommend whether or not a facelift is your best option. On average, facelift patients are typically in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Who is the Best Candidate for a Facelift?

Candidates for facelifts are generally healthy but see some moderate-to-severe signs of aging. Commonly, facelift patients will see issues like wrinkles near the eyes, deeper lines and folds near the mouth, jowls and poor definition at the jawline, sagging or loose skin, and excess fat/laxity at the neck or just below the chin. In addition to seeing these concerns, facelift patients should be generally healthy and, ideally, should be nonsmokers. During a consultation, Dr. Ransom will evaluate your concerns and health and recommend whether or not a facelift is right for you.

What Type of Facelift Should I Have?

For patients with more severe sagging and drooping, Dr. Ransom typically recommends a traditional facelift, also known as a full facelift. This addresses a range of issues caused by loose skin and volume loss, including jowls, drooping and folds in the cheeks, and neck bands. During a traditional facelift, Dr. Ransom lifts both the skin and muscle tissue to create a natural look and more complete rejuvenation.

Patients with less severe aging signs may be candidates for a mini facelift. A mini lift uses shorter incisions and less extensive tightening or lifting of the tissues. This is a great option for patients who have moderate aging signs or who require a shorter recovery period after their facelift.

Should I Have a Facelift or Fillers?

If your aging signs are not yet severe enough to warrant a facelift, Dr. Ransom may recommend a non-surgical option instead. Dermal fillers can be used to achieve a “liquid facelift” by adding volume to areas like the cheeks and under eyes. In particular, dermal fillers are often used to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, or the “parentheses” lines that run between the nose and mouth.

If mild to moderate skin laxity is an issue, a laser procedure or RF microneedling may be suitably effective. These procedures work to stimulate new collagen production, resulting in firmer and more youthful-looking skin.

Dr. Ransom is now offering patients Profound RF Microneedling as a non-surgical facelift option. Profound is an advanced microneedling system that safely stimulates collagen using radiofrequency energy to lift and smooth the skin. In particular, Profound can help reduce the appearance of jowls or sagging throughout the face, creating a more youthful appearance without the downtime of surgery.

Schedule a Consultation

Ultimately, the best way to determine whether it’s the right time for you to have a facelift is to schedule a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. Dr. Evan Ransom specializes in facial plastic surgery and can help you choose the best procedure for you.

To schedule a consultation, call our office at (415) 843-7939 or contact us online.