I had a facelift five years ago. Do I need another one or can I do something else?

Q. I had a facelift approximately five years ago and it looks like I need a new one! Is that possible? How long is it supposed to last and is there anything I could do instead of doing a facelift?

A. It’s certainly possible that you need a new facelift, although I would explore other options. A facelift generally lasts anywhere from eight to 10 years depending on your surgeon’s technique, your health and if you lose or gain weight.

You may notice that you have a bit more jowling or your neck has more banding. Many of these issues can be improved with minimally invasive techniques and fillers.

Sometimes bands in the neck are the result of a very active platysma muscle. This may result from the skin getting thinner or a muscle getting thicker. This issue may be resolved with Botox or Dysport injections to weaken the muscle.

If you are noticing more jowling, it may be skin laxity or loss of elasticity. One of the newer treatments for this is Morpheus8, which is microneedling along with radio frequency heating of the skin. This helps tighten the skin and improve the texture.

As we age, mid-facial fat is lost, creating a drooping effect. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Voluma, Restylane and Revance can rejuvenate the face.

These techniques can help you avoid another facelift. If, however, you’ve had significant change in your face, you may need a secondary facelift.

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