Signs You May Be Ready for a Facelift

There isn't one particular age that’s the “right” age for a facelift. Instead, you may be ready to consider facelift surgery when changes like loose or sagging facial skin, jowls, deeper folds, and loss of definition along the jawline become significant enough to bother you and can no longer be adequately addressed with nonsurgical treatments. At Riverside Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Ben J. Childers, MD, FASC, works with patients to develop personalized surgical plans designed to refresh their appearance while maintaining natural-looking facial proportions and features. 

If you've started wondering whether fillers, skin treatments, and other nonsurgical options are still enough – or whether a facelift in Riverside, CA may better match the degree of aging you're seeing — keep reading for some of the signs that could mean you're ready to take the next step. 

Am I too young for a facelift? 

Facelift candidacy is based more on the changes you're experiencing than the number of candles on your birthday cake. While many facelift patients are in their 40s, 50s, or beyond, facial aging happens at different rates depending on genetics, sun exposure, weight changes, skin quality, and other factors. Someone younger who has developed meaningful tissue laxity may be a better candidate for a facelift at 40 than an older patient whose concerns can still be addressed nonsurgically. Dr. Childers considers your anatomy, degree of aging, health, expectations, and goals to determine whether facelift surgery is appropriate. 

How do I know when it’s the right time for a facelift? 

The right time to consider a facelift is often when visible changes in the lower face have become significant enough that less invasive treatments no longer provide the improvement you want. Fillers and skin treatments can be valuable for concerns like lost volume, fine lines, or skin quality, but they can't reposition substantially sagging facial tissues. Some signs that you may be ready to discuss facelift surgery include:  

• Jowls along the lower face 
• Loose or sagging facial skin 
• Deepening folds around the mouth 
• Loss of jawline definition 
• Facial aging that no longer responds adequately to nonsurgical treatments 
• A desire for longer-lasting, more comprehensive correction 

Which type of facelift do I need? 

Not every patient needs the same degree of surgical correction. A traditional facelift may be appropriate when there is more significant sagging and laxity involving the lower face and jawline, while a mini facelift can be an option for select patients with earlier or less extensive signs of aging. The incisions, extent of tissue repositioning, recovery, and results can differ between approaches. During your consultation, Dr. Childers will evaluate where your facial tissues have changed and how much correction is needed to recommend the surgical approach that can best match your anatomy and goals. 

What procedures can be combined with a facelift? 

Facial aging doesn't always occur in one isolated area, so some patients choose to combine facelift surgery with other procedures for a more balanced result. A neck lift can address lax skin and loss of definition below the jawline, while a forehead lift can improve drooping tissues and signs of aging in the upper face. Facial fat transfer may be used when age-related volume loss is contributing to hollow or deflated areas. The right combination of facial rejuvenation surgery depends on which parts of your face are showing meaningful changes. Again, Dr. Childers can develop a surgical plan that addresses the areas that concern you while preserving natural facial proportions. 

How long do facelift results last? 

Facelift results are long-lasting, but surgery doesn't stop the natural aging process. Many patients enjoy their results for years as the repositioned facial tissues settle and continue aging from their new starting point. How long facelift results last can be influenced by skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, weight fluctuations, lifestyle habits, and the type of facelift performed. Maintaining a stable weight, protecting your skin from the sun, and following a consistent skincare routine can help support your results as you continue to age. 

Refresh your appearance with facelift surgery in Riverside, CA 

If sagging skin, jowls, or loss of facial definition have you wondering whether you're ready for a facelift, a personalized consultation can help you understand your options. At Riverside Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ben J. Childers offers facelift surgery in Riverside, CA, along with mini facelift, neck lift, forehead lift, facial fat transfer, and other procedures that can be tailored to your needs. Contact our friendly team to schedule a consultation and discuss which approach may help you achieve the refreshed, natural-looking facelift result you have in mind.