A facelift is one of the most effective and efficient surgical techniques for taking years off  your appearance.  By targeting several signs of aging at once, a facelift can shave off 12 to 15 years in a single procedure. Although the facelifts of past decades have caused some wariness over the unnatural “pulled look”, the truth is that in the hands of a skilled surgeon with an artistic eye, facelift results can be subtle and natural-looking. Chances are, depending where you live, you pass dozens of people on the street every day who have had a facelift that was done so well you didn’t even realize they’d had work done. The right surgeon can give you a subtle and natural-looking facelift at any age, but when speaking generally about the best age for a facelift, there is a sweet spot.

What is the best age to get a facelift?

Like everything else involving aesthetics, personal preferences, and the unique makeup of each individual, this question has to be answered on a case-by-case basis. It is generally accepted, however, that 45 to 55 is an ideal age to get a facelift. Here’s why:

• The skin has begun to loosen and sag

There’s really no reason to get a facelift before you have at least a centimeter of pinchable skin laxity below the jawline. For most people, middle age is when the facelift begins to make sense.

• And yet, the signs of aging have not yet completely set in 

Waiting until the face has fully aged means the facelift will require significantly more tissue repositioning, which can result in more obvious results. This won’t bother everyone, but if you’re hoping for subtlety, it may be best to start a little earlier.

• Fewer procedures required for maximum results

Once the signs of aging have set in, not only will the facelift itself require more tissue repositioning, but additional procedures, such as neck lift or eyelid surgery, may also be needed to achieve the desired results. If you get your facelift a little earlier, it might be all you need to achieve a more youthful appearance. 

• Faster healing process

The body’s capacity to heal slows as we get older. Although common, the facelift is major surgery, and the healing time is significant. People on the younger end of the spectrum tend to heal from it more quickly. 

Again, every person is different. Genetics plays a significant role in the way our faces are structured and the way they change shape over time. Some people begin to form jowls in their 30s, which may make them good candidates for a facelift at an earlier age than others. And conversely, some people may just plain prefer not to consider a facelift before they turn 70, which is perfectly fine, too. 

So, when is the best time to get a facelift? When you’re ready!

We’re here to help you look and feel your best | Feel Beautiful 

At Feel Beautiful in San Diego, we’re committed to helping you love the way you look. When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Laverson will listen to your goals, discuss your areas of concern, answer your questions, present you with all your options, and use his skill and expertise to create a personalized treatment plan designed to help you look and feel your best.  For more information about facelifts, or to schedule a facelift consultation with Dr. Laverson, give us a call at (858) 295-4001 CONTACT US today.