How Young Is Too Young For A Facelift?

How old do I have to be to consider a facelift? That question has become more complex with the growing number of individuals concerned about their appearance at an earlier age. Gone are the days where only patients that are 65 years or older are considering a little extra help with a facelift. Now, Las Vegas, NV patients in their 40s are trying to put those signs of aging into slow motion and are considering the cosmetic help of a facelift at an even earlier stage in life. So now the question is how young is too young to consider a facelift?

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi is the Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIP Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas and he wants to give you some helpful information on knowing when you should consider a facelift. When the time is right for a facelift is not so much about the patient’s age but more about what signs of aging they experiencing in order to make this procedure the right choice.

What causes our skin to break down….

Several factors help contribute to the natural process of the loss of elasticity in the skin:

• Stress

• Environmental factors, such as sun exposure

• Unhealthy habits, such as smoking

• Weight loss

• Genetics

• The natural aging process

All of these factors can play a role in this breakdown process which is why not everyone ages at the same pace. Some people have good genetics handed down to them and look amazing at 55. Others have certain life experiences and maybe they have encountered more stress than the next person. With all that in mind, there really is no magic age as to when someone should consider a facelift. Instead of looking at the numbers, look at what you see in the mirror, especially if you are over 40. Those factors will help determine if you are the “right age” to consider a facelift.

What to expect as we age

Starting in the mid to late 30s, our skin begins to change as collagen production diminishes and skin loses elasticity. It begins to accelerate as we enter into our 40s and 50s. Women and men alike begin seeing sagging skin in the jowl, neck, or cheek areas as well as wrinkles or lines that have taken up permanent residency in certain areas of the face. Today, with the new innovative technology and surgical options available, facelift procedures are being chosen by even younger Las Vegas individuals who are wanting to shave off a few years from their appearance!

Early intervention can help

Typically a 30 year old should not have to consider this cosmetic procedure because their skin is generally not severely damaged nor do they have deep static wrinkles (lines or creases that exist when the face is at rest). When we enter into our late 30s or early 40s, that is when our skin begins to change and is less likely to “bounce back”. So when is it too young to get a facelift? Studies have shown that individuals in their 40s who received facial rejuvenation help with a facelift procedure had better results and quicker recovery times. A 40-something patient still has skin that has some elasticity to it and less issues to correct than with an older patient, which showed a facelift gave younger patients in their 40s more satisfying outcomes that lasted longer.

What are the issues without a number

Putting a patient’s age aside, a consultation with a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Khorsandi, should be the determining factor if a patient is ready for a facelift. The typical signs of aging that transcend into the next step for a patient to consider a facelift are:

• Static wrinkles – wrinkles that remain even after you are done smiling, laughing, or showing emotion

• Deep permanent lines or creases in the nasolabial fold area (mouth and nose)

• Sagging facial skin

• Droopy jowl or neck area

• Excess or loose skin in the cheek area

• Constant look of tiredness

• Wrinkles or puffiness around the eyes

• Dermal fillers, BOTOX, laser treatments, and other noninvasive facial options are no longer effective

Let a plastic surgeon decide

Deciding whether a patient is too young or may not be the right candidate for a facelift procedure should be determined by a board-certified plastic surgeon. A qualified, experienced surgeon will examine their patient and discuss all possible options to optimize the best end result. If a patient in their 30s or 40s thinks they need a facelift to correct what they see then a trusted plastic surgeon, like Dr. Khorsandi, will make sure that the patient would fully benefit from a facelift and if not, then he will point them in the right direction of what other options could be utilized to create a younger-looking complexion.

Typically, when the word facelift is spoken, it evokes thoughts of people in their 60s or 70s trying to turn back the hands of time and reestablish their youthful appearance. With the cosmetic world growing at a rapid pace, the deciding factor of when someone is considering a facelift procedure has dropped significantly in number. Even though more people in their 40s are considering facelifts, regardless of age, one thing has not changed, which is certain factors that need to be present to warrant such an invasive surgical procedure. Dr. Christopher Khorsandi is a highly respected plastic surgeon in the Las Vegas area at VIP Plastic Surgery who will help create a customized procedure plan that yields your optimal results. If you are interested in a facelift procedure contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Khorsandi today.