Should You Consider a Facelift in Your 40s?

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A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to address signs of aging in the face and neck. 

Patients often ask me what is the best age for a facelift? My answer is always the same: “If you are going to have a facelift at some point in your life, the younger the better.” A facelift makes you look a lot younger, and it also slows down how fast your face continues to age. So, if your facelift is done in your late 40s, you will still look much younger in your 60s than other women who are 60. 

Although most facelifts are performed on women in their 50s, I perform many facelifts on women in their 40s. Typically, these women show some premature signs of aging, with a rather sudden change in their appearance from how they looked just five years ago. This subset of patients are much better candidates for a surgical facelift than non-surgical modalities. Many of these women tell me that they have spent thousands of dollars on fillers, lasers, and thread lifts without any appreciable benefits. 

Here are some reasons why a facelift can be an excellent choice in your 40s:

• Addressing early signs of aging – In your 40s, you may begin to notice fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin around the eyes, mouth, and neck. A facelift can target these concerns effectively.
• Long-lasting results – Facelift surgery provides long-lasting results, often a decade or more. This makes it a worthwhile investment in maintaining your youthful appearance.
• Customized solutions – Facelift procedures can be tailored to your specific concerns and goals, ensuring a natural-looking outcome that enhances your unique features.
• Confidence boost – Many individuals report increased self-confidence and improved self-esteem after a successful facelift. It’s an opportunity to feel as youthful and vibrant on the outside as you do on the inside.

The fact is that when undergoing a facelift in your 60s, you could potentially turn the clock back 20 years, and similar results are possible for women in their 40s, meaning they could look close to the way they did in their late 20s or early 30s. Of course, results vary among individuals.

Other Facial Cosmetic Surgeries to Combat Aging

Facelift surgery targets the mid-to-lower face and neck, excluding the lips. If your concerns focus more on the eyes, forehead, or mouth, the following procedures may suit you.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure that rejuvenates the appearance of the eyes by addressing issues such as:

• Drooping upper eyelids
• Puffy bags under the eyes
• Excess skin and wrinkles around the eyes

During upper and lower eyelid procedures, the plastic surgeon makes precise incisions to remove excess tissue and tighten the area, resulting in a more refreshed and youthful look.

Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)

A brow or forehead lift is a surgical procedure that targets the forehead and brow area to correct the following:

• Forehead wrinkles and frown lines
• Drooping or furrowed brows that create a tired or angry appearance

During the surgery, the surgeon lifts and repositions the brow and smooths the forehead skin to create a more youthful, rejuvenated look.

Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation can enhance the size, shape, and fullness of the lips. These procedures may involve:

• Upper lip lift: A lip lift shortens the distance between the bottom of the nose and the top of the upper lip, sometimes referred to as a long lip. The space commonly becomes longer as we age.
• Lip implants: Surgical implants can provide a long-lasting solution for lip enhancement.

Lip augmentation can create more defined, fuller lips and is often chosen for a youthful and attractive appearance.

Not Ready for Surgery but Desire Facial Rejuvenation?

Several non-surgical treatments are available to complement and extend the results of your facelift or serve as standalone solutions. 

Consider these non-surgical options in your 40s:

• BOTOX® Cosmetic: Botulinum toxin (BOTOX®) injections can smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, particularly on the forehead and around the eyes. They work by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for these lines.
• Dermal fillers: Injectable facial fillers like hyaluronic acid-based products can add volume to areas that have lost fullness, such as the cheeks and lips. They can also fill in deeper wrinkles and folds. You may be able to achieve the results you seek by combining different dermal fillers for what is often called a “liquid facelift.”
• Laser skin resurfacing: Laser treatments can improve skin texture, reduce pigmentation irregularities, and address fine lines and wrinkles. They work by stimulating collagen production and removing damaged skin layers.
• Chemical peels: Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to the skin, which exfoliates the outer layers and encourages the growth of smoother, younger-looking skin.
• Microneedling: Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. This stimulates collagen and elastin production, producing smoother, more youthful skin.
• IPL PhotoFacial: Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments penetrate deep beneath the skin to deliver broad-spectrum light to generate new collagen and tissue production. IPL can address age spots, wrinkles, sun damage, rosacea, enlarged pores, bags under the eyes, and other issues on the face and neck.

Find the Right Facelift Technique to Meet Your Needs in Socal

If you want a dramatic improvement or a more subtle rejuvenation, there is a surgical facelift procedure or non-surgical treatment that’s right for you, whether you are a man or a woman.
Dr. Ackerman is now accepting new patients and invites you to schedule a facelift consultation at his Newport Beach office. Call (949) 536-9047 today or complete our online contact form.