Thinking about facelift in your 40s? Here are considerations to think of

Q. I am 46 years old, and I hate the way my jowls and face look. I know many of my friends are having facelifts very early, but I’ve always thought you had to do them after 50. What are your thoughts, and do you think it’s time to have one done?

Having surgery is a personal thing. In Miami and many of the big cities peer pressure certainly doesn’t help! While in the past facelifting was reserved for older patients, there are newer techniques and more demand for this type of surgery. They are very clear indications in my mind for having a facelift at your age. One is a massive weight loss that no matter what you do your skin will not tighten enough on its own. Another indication that would convince me that you need surgery is that every day you wake up looking at your face and neck and either feel depressed and or it bothers you. Having FOMO because your friends are having one and you’re not is not a great indication.

Just because you’re ready for a facelift it doesn’t mean you need to do it. There are many non-invasive procedures, all of which heat up the skin in one form or another to tighten the skin. They are newer modalities that use fine needles that generate energy under the skin that also tighten the skin. If you are beyond those modalities, then possibly liposuction with skin excision might help. If you’re beyond that you might require a neck lift and finally a facelift.

Not all facelifts are created equal, and not all surgeons create great ones. You should use a facial plastic surgeon or a plastic surgeon. They generally have the most training and most experience in doing facelifts. In addition, make sure your plastic surgeon does frequent facelifts. Doing multiple surgeries a year and doing them well takes talent, and a lot of experience.

Buyer beware, there are great marketeers out in the field of plastic surgery as well as great surgeons. When you look to pick your surgeon make sure he is board-certified in your type of surgery. In addition read reviews.

While a facelift can be presented as a minor procedure, it is still a significant operation for which you will need to have good rapport with your surgeon. Choose wisely!

Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner in Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified. Email questions to him at Cwolf@miamiplasticsurgery.com