The Facelift Window: How Long is Yours Open?

Many men and women who consider facelift surgery find themselves grappling with one major question: "When?"

The question of "when" is difficult for even experts, such as the Sarasota facelift specialists at the Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center, to answer — simply because there isn't a universal timeline. The aging process is gradual and unique for every person, and while one woman might find that BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal fillers are enough to maintain her looks, another at the same age might be ready for the dramatic transformative powers of a full facelift.

Think of the timeline for a facelift like a window. Before it opens, your skin probably doesn't need much help; a good skincare routine and perhaps some injectables will keep it looking its best. Later on, the window might be closed when your age makes it more risky for your doctor to perform the surgery. Every person's window is different. Let's take a look at some ways to determine whether it's time for a facelift.

Too Early

Factors that affect how quickly your face ages include:

• Heredity
• Lifetime sun exposure
• Weight
• Smoking habits
• Ethnicity

Because these factors vary wildly from person to person, predicting when to have a facelift isn't as easy as some think. Generally, doctors weigh physical appearance more heavily than age when evaluating a patient's eligibility. Jowls, excess skin around the lower face and neck, fatty deposits, and deep wrinkles can all be alleviated by a facelift, and doctors generally recommend waiting until some or all of these concerns are present in order to get the most bang for your buck.

If you're bothered by fine lines or dynamic lines (lines that appear when you move your face), dermal fillers or BOTOX Cosmetic may be a better fit. For those who are unsatisfied by age spots or poor skin tone, cosmetic treatments such as chemical peels or laser therapy can provide effective, non-invasive help.

Too Late

Of course, putting off a facelift until a late age can carry its own set of drawbacks. Though patient well-being is a prime concern for plastic surgeons, this is especially true in the case of older patients. As overall health declines, the risks associated with surgery and general anesthesia rise. Though these patients might benefit cosmetically from a facelift, their surgeons may not feel that the procedure is in their best interests. 

One alternative that can be safer for older patients is the short-scar facelift. As its name implies, this facelift variation uses a shorter scar to create dramatic results for patients in less time than a traditional facelift. Less time under general anesthesia means less risk. Although the short-scar procedure won't deliver results that are as dramatic as a full facelift, it can address some common trouble spots.

Right on Time

The best way to determine when you're ready for a facelift, of course, is to consult your preferred plastic surgeon. He or she can provide guidance about your personal timeline and make recommendations for alternatives in case it's still too soon.

Typically, good candidates for facelift surgery are nonsmokers who are in good physical and mental health. Though most facelifts are performed as outpatient procedures, each patient should have a good support system to help with chores and errands, and patients should be able to devote at least 10 days to recovery.

Most importantly, surgeons encourage their patients to seek facelifts and other surgeries for their own personal fulfillment — not because they feel pressured by loved ones to improve their appearances. When it comes to facelifts, clear goals and realistic expectations matter much more than age.