How Young is Too Young for a Facelift?

One of the most common questions I receive from patients is, “Am I too young to consider a facelift?” There is a common belief that facelift procedures are specifically intended to treat older patients. This is not completely unfounded. According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), only 13% of patients who underwent facelifts in the US last year were age 50 or younger. With this said, I do not personally believe that the determining factor in this decision should be a patient’s age, but their unique situation and what they hope to achieve through their surgery.

How Young is Too Young for a FaceliftThe goal of a facelift is to create a more refreshed facial appearance by lifting the cheeks, reducing jowls, reducing lower eyelid prominence, and softening the nasolabial folds. When determining if a patient is a candidate for a facelift, I focus on factors like genetics, their unique anatomy, and the degree of their visible signs of aging, instead of just their age. After all, every patient is different and some may begin to show their age earlier than others.

Part of the reason I feel more comfortable recommending this procedure for some younger patients is due to the subtle nature of my signature short scar facelift. During a short scar facelift, I make small incisions that begin in the temporal hair and extend downward in front of the earlobe. The skin and soft tissue is then repositioned to provide a natural-looking lifting effect to the face. This allows for excellent results with only minimal scarring and very little downtime for recovery required (though this can vary from patient to patient).

Still, even with this option available, I am aware that some younger patients still may not feel ready for facelift surgery. This is why I offer a number of minimally-invasive nonsurgical treatments for facial rejuvenation. These services, including facial filler injections, Botox® Cosmetic injections, and fat transfer for the face can produce outstanding results for patients with a wide variety of aesthetic imperfections.

If you are interested in undergoing a facelift, but concerned that you may be too young, I would recommend coming in for an in-person consultation. During our meeting, I will run you through all your potential facial rejuvenation options to help work out the treatment plan that best fits your needs and preferences. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. And follow me on social media for additional tips, photos, and news from the world of cosmetic surgery.