If you’re in your late 40s chances are you’ve started noticing some changes to your face. A few more wrinkles around the eyes, deeper crow’s feet, maybe a double chin has crept in while you were busy raising kids or focusing on your career.
Our skin is the largest organ of the body and it represents what’s going on inside. As your hormones shift your skin will change as a result.
Not to mention the reduction in collagen if you’ve spent time in the sun or experienced significant weight loss…
IS 50 TOO OLD FOR A FACELIFT?
Getting a facelift is a big decision, and a common question is whether you’re too young or too old? You’ll be pleased to know there’s no cut off date! What’s more important is the elasticity of your skin and what level of health you’re in.
Generally, getting a facelift all depends on your own aesthetic preference but the issue of skin laxity and general signs of ageing will affect the results.
Below you’ll find a few of the most common areas people focus on with a facelift before 50. Once you have a deeper understanding it’ll help you decide whether it’s the right time for you to consider surgery.
Oh, and we’ll also give you the inside info on some of the risks so you know what to expect after it’s all done.
Some surgeons recommend having skin tightening procedures in addition to a facelift, in order to produce the best results, but ultimately, it’s your choice. The surgery itself involves grafting fat into the cheek area to produce a fuller face as well as tightening the skin.
However, if you’re at the younger end of the age-scale or you’ve been blessed with good collagen and you only have mild sagging, there is a thing called a mini facelift, or endoscopic facelift.
A mini or endoscopic facelift is a more affordable and less invasive procedure for people with good skin laxity and who just need a minimal lift. Which is one of the reasons getting a facelift before you’re 50 can be a good idea.
The better your skin is to begin with, the better your results will be overall.
What’s the difference between a facelift and an endoscopic facelift?
A full facelift involves removing excess skin and lifting the muscles of the face and it’s been a common procedure since its inception in the early 1900s.
In contrast, a mini facelift doesn’t remove any skin but uses endoscope technology to lift the inner muscles of the face and rearrange the fat so your face regains that fresh look you once had (and probably took for granted).
According to a study published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, people consider themselves to look 12 years younger after a facelift.
There’s no magic age for getting a facelift, some people choose to have one at 35, others 40, 50 or 60+. According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, getting a facelift when you’re in your 40s provides longer lasting results than it does for people in their 50s and older.
The question is, what’s right for you? It’s certainly not a decision you should rush into and you’ll need to consider whether you’re in best health for surgery. As we age, the risks become greater.
If you’re considering a facelift in your 40s you’ll likely have particular areas that you want to focus on. While we might say a silent prayer for the invention of botox and fillers, after a while the skin above and below the eyes will succumb to gravity.
That’s when you know it’s time to talk to someone about a more permanent solution. Eyelid surgery – upper or lower blepharoplasty – is really the only solution to that sagging skin under the eyes. Droopy eyelids? Same.
A full facelift will not only remove sagging or loose skin above or below the eyes but it also involves replacement of fat and will tighten the muscles of the face if that’s what you need.
Your surgeon will help you determine what’s possible for you and what to expect, determined by the elasticity of your skin, any sun damage and history of smoking.
NB: In order to qualify for surgery you’ll need to be in good health, and be willing to give up smoking for at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Any medications will need to be disclosed and discussed with your doctor.
We want you to have the best possible outcome and it’s in your best interests to have realistic expectations.
Below is an outline of the difference a facelift is likely to have before you’re 50.
FOREHEAD
Lines can begin to appear on the forehead as early as in your 30s but in your 40s they tend to become more noticeable.
Other not-so-great news is that your skin becomes thinner and slightly drier after 40 which means it loses the ability to bounce back in the way it once did.
The good news is that a facelift will pull back the forehead skin to create a smoother look and if you choose a surgeon with the right experience, the result will look fresh and natural, rather than tight and obvious.
It’s super important to have discrete scarring as this is your face after all.
Our surgeons make sure your scars will be hidden beyond the hairline and behind the ears. A good surgeon will use precision and care to ensure any scars are hidden along natural anatomical lines.
EYES
The eyes often show signs of ageing first. It starts with slight creases around the eyes and next thing you know, you’ve developed an obsession with looking at people’s faces to examine whether their lines are deeper than yours.
Preventive measures such as Botox and filler can make an impressive difference but they’re temporary. If you truly want to retain a youthful look, by the time you are in your late 40s and early 50s you might require surgery to achieve the look you want.
Be mindful that a good facelift should look natural. Allowing for some movement while also stretching the skin requires extensive experience and an eye for detail.
Blepharoplasty is commonly included as part of a full facelift and it can include the upper or lower lids, or both.
Weighted eyelids make you look tired and when the skin below the eyes sags it draws the face down producing an exhausted look.
Removing the loose skin will instantly open the eyes and provide a fresher appearance.
CHEEKS
Depending on the natural shape of your face, your cheeks can begin to look sunken and drawn in your early 40s.
This is partly due to fat loss – either through exercise, weight loss or reduction of collagen through the natural ageing process.
As fat is moved back into the cheek area it lifts the face and can fill out the nasolabial folds and marionette lines that appear around the mouth.
Not everyone has these folds but if they do appear they can make you look like you’re sad or angry when you’re not. A good surgeon will know how to move the tissue and skin so as to refresh the face without making it look like you’ve obviously had surgery.
JOWLS
For some the jowls show the most noticeable signs of ageing. A facelift will correct any drooping or sagging by lifting the skin and reinstating it in a tighter position. The result is a more prominent jawline which has a very youthful effect. Lifting the jowls can reinstate your smile and make you look fresher and happier.
NECK
For older women, a neck lift is recommended along with a facelift as the skin on the neck can show obvious signs of ageing. Tightening the neck also affects the jowls so your entire lower face and jaw will look revived and younger.
Overall, a facelift before you’re 50 should last for well over a decade and provide lasting results that need little to no additional treatment. Skin tightening and injectables can be used to enhance your facelift but in many cases they won’t be necessary.
KNOW THE RISKS
Before choosing to undergo any cosmetic surgery you need to be aware that surgery carries risks. There is a likelihood you will experience pain and swelling as well as some numbness which will reduce over time. General anaesthetic is also a risk factor.
If you want to know more, speak to one of our friendly consultants and let them answer any questions you have about getting a facelift in Turkey.
Email us at hello@asthetica.com or simply click the calendar link below to book your free 20-minute discovery call with one of the team: https://calendly.com/astheticaintl/