One of the most difficult things for almost all people to assimilate is to notice the marks and wrinkles that the passage of time leaves on our bodies. But it is even more noticeable in our face, which is always in view, in all seasons and at all times. While all the natural changes in our body can be accepted and assimilated, to say that everyone stays genuinely happy and serene by observing them is hardly credible.
This is where endless interventions of all kinds are offered in the market to rejuvenate the face. They range from the simplest cosmetic products to outpatient medical treatments. Of all this, the most “aggressive” approach of all is the facelift, which is considered by many to be the last resort, highly recommended when the signs of ageing are too obvious. Deciding at what age to undergo a facelift is an increasingly debated question, in this article, we will evaluate what is the best age to have a facelift.
At what age should you get a facelift?
The answer to this question varies depending on each person, so there is no specific or correct answer. There may be people in their sixties who still do not require it, as there may be others who are in their forties and denote a very early degree of ageing.
The truth is that the most conservative approaches to aesthetic medicine (fillers, botox, laser, peeling…) undoubtedly allow you to save time and further advance the age at which you undergo a facelift. As a counterweight to this aspect, the perception that each one has of their ageing process is usually always greater than it is. This leads many patients to request cosmetic interventions to hide even the first signs of tissue flaccidity.
Generally speaking, the age range in which a facelift is performed is most often between 55 and 60 years. Around this age the changes caused by the passing of the years become more evident. However, there are also younger people who undergo facelifts.
Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
Signs of facial aging
As the years progress, the production of collagen in the skin decreases considerably and the signs of ageing can begin to become more evident. This is a natural process that affects everyone.
Here are some of the most common facial ageing signs:
The appearance of nasolabial folds
These can also occur prematurely and are usually noticeable after 25 to 30 years. To try to slow down this sign of ageing, bio revitalization can be very helpful. However, when the folds are deep enough, no cosmetic treatment can lead to long-lasting results.
Aging around the eye socket
The skin of the periocular area is much more delicate than that of other areas of the face and one of its characteristics is that wrinkles called crow’s feet appear. This can be effectively counteracted with hyaluronic acid, botox or other specific fillers if they are in an advanced phase.
Loss of volume and contour of the lips
You may not know it, but the upper area of the lips is sensitive to estrogen, which is the female sex hormone, which physiologically decreases with menopause. From the first hormonal changes, the lips also begin to age, gradually losing their natural plumpness and showing folds and fine lines called barcode wrinkles, which are usually more evident in people who smoke.
Spots and uneven complexion
The typical smooth and shiny texture is characteristic of young skin, but over the years the skin cell renewal process slows down and this causes the dermis to lose its ability to reflect light and the texture to appear irregular and with enlarged pores, since the complexion is no longer uniform but uneven and with dark spots.
Deep wrinkles
Wrinkles are caused by the force of gravity, which causes the soft tissues of the face to gradually slide downwards. These wrinkles are not linked to expressive lines and begin to appear between the ages of 35 and 45 when the skin begins to sag, especially in the most critical areas.
If these two factors begin to manifest themselves, perhaps it is the right time to consider a facelift:
- Psychological factor: if you look in the mirror and you no longer recognize yourself or you think that your physical appearance does not correspond to your inner image. This can lead to a whole series of antisocial behaviors. Perhaps you avoid photographs or you do not feel completely comfortable when leaving the house.
- Cosmetic products and beauty treatments no longer work: there is a time when peels, fillers and creams will only be effective in correcting small defects and will not provide permanent results.
What are the stages of cosmetic surgery?
Types of facelifts
Temporary ear lift or rejuvenation
The temporo auricular lift is the classic “pull” that has a rejuvenating effect, while the cervical lift can also modify some facial features. This type of lifting acts mainly on the relaxation of the facial muscles, the excess skin, the repositioning of the muscles that have become heavier and flabby with age, and the elimination of excess skin.
Corrective lift
This type of lifting is the one that, in addition to repositioning the facial muscles and eliminating excess skin, also modifies constitutional imperfections, such as a receding, a too prominent chin, a low forehead or a low eyebrow.
Mini lifting
It is also possible to obtain an excellent facelift result, performing a lift with minimal intervention, with less detachment, minimal muscle suspension, moderate pull and minimal skin removal. Thirty to fourty years old is the average age for a mini facelift!
Some mini lifts affect the entire face (from the temples and cheeks to the neck) while partial mini lifts only treat a part of the face. These are the parts of the face that can be treated separately:
- Temporary or mini facelift: The highest part, which would be the part of the temples.
- Temporary interior mini facelift: The one that focuses on the part of the cheek before the ear.
- Cervical mini lifting: It is the one that includes the neck and the submental area. Younger people generally request a temporary lift, while those who require a neck lift instead have typically already received a top lift.
Coronal or coronary lift
This lift is the one that completely smooths the frontal wrinkles with an upward vertical pull. It leaves a scar from one ear to the other and is only required to lift the forehead and hairline, as frontal wrinkles can usually be treated with botox.
Full facelift
This type of lifting improves the skin and the soft parts of the lower two thirds of the face, which includes the area of the ears, the cheeks, and the entire part below the jawline. The excess fat is removed, the lowered muscular plane is retensioned and the skin is readapted to this newly remodeled contour. Full facelifts are performed under general anesthesia.
Check out the most frequently asked questions before surgery!
Which procedure is recommended for which age?
Talking about the right age is complicated since each case is very specific. However, if you want to rejuvenate your face, it is never too late for a facelift. In general terms, people who get facial facelift surgery are usually between 55 and 60 years old. At age sixty, facial rejuvenation procedures work, superfluous skin tissue is removed, subcutaneous musculature is reshaped, and volumes are balanced at the same time.
An excellent result can also be achieved in older patients who are aged between 70 and 80 years. It is always important to have realistic expectations, to avoid extreme lifts with unnatural and unsightly effects. According to clinical studies, a facelift tends to rejuvenate people’s faces for about ten years.
The appropriate age for the facelift can vary from person to person. The most advisable thing to do is consult a plastic surgeon, who will evaluate the structural state of the skin and suggest the way forward for an optimal result, be it a partial facelift or a full facelift.
Schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon
Ageing is inevitable and its manifestations can be particularly noticeable on the skin of the face, which is often exposed to environmental factors. Sagging skin, the development of the jowls and the loss of definition of the neckline are all characteristics that can intensify over time. Getting facial plastic surgery gives patients more control over their appearance.
A face-lifting surgery, also called a facelift or rhytidectomy, is an anti-aging cosmetic surgery that can reverse or improve many age-related changes on the face and neck. During the procedure, the skin, facial muscles and underlying tissues are tightened, trimmed and reshaped to give a more youthful appearance. If you want to discuss your candidacy for a facelift, don’t hesitate to contact us!
