Facelift surgery can be an effective way to address more advanced signs of aging, from sagging skin to deep lines and wrinkles. However, the right timing for this procedure looks different for every person. Age alone is not the best measure. At Robey Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ashley Robey evaluates each patient based on facial anatomy, skin quality, volume distribution and other individual factors to determine whether a facelift is the right option and when.
What Is Happening to Your Face as it Ages?
Facial aging affects the skin, fat, muscle and bone at the same time. When you’re in your mid-20s, collagen production begins to slow, and your skin gradually loses elasticity. These slight changes in skin quality can progress into more advanced sagging as you reach your 40s and 50s.
Fat pads in your midface also begin to descend and diminish while the SMAS layer, a structural fibromuscular sheet beneath the skin, begins to loosen and stretch. On top of that, the underlying bone structure of your face can also become less defined with age. All of these factors together can cause your face to look more aged. A facelift addresses this by lifting and tightening the lower face and restoring a more youthful contour.
Why Do Some People Show Signs of Aging Sooner?
Each person’s face ages differently because of factors like genetics and lifestyle. Some people are more prone to skin laxity and jowling and may start to notice sagging in their early 40s, while others may have thicker or more resilient skin and not see significant changes until later.
Sun exposure and smoking are two major factors in skin health and aging. Excessive exposure to both breaks down collagen faster and can cause facial aging to occur sooner. Rapid weight loss is another factor that can cause patients to have a more aged appearance (a topic we’re hearing about more frequently with the rise of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide).
What Is the Average Age Range for Facelift Patients?
The average age for a facelift patient in the United States has traditionally been around 55. However, that average is shifting. Data from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s 2024 Annual Trends Survey shows that patients aged 35 to 55 now make up 32% of all facelift cases, up from 26% in prior years. However, it is important to remember that not every patient in their 30s or 40s is a good candidate.
Why Doesn’t Age Alone Determine Candidacy for a Facelift?
Genetics and Lifestyle Are Personal
Inherited traits like bone structure and skin thickness set the foundation for how the face ages. What comes after this also has a major impact, since lifestyle factors like UV exposure and tobacco use are also responsible for early signs of aging. Two patients born in the same year can have vastly different levels of facial aging.
Facial Structure and Volume Loss Vary from Person to Person
Aging doesn’t affect every face the same way. Some patients experience early volume loss in the midface, with sagging and deep nasolabial folds, while others may notice more laxity along the jawline and neck first. The degree and location of these changes help Dr. Robey determine whether a facelift is the right option.
Overall Health Is a Crucial Factor
A facelift is a surgical procedure, so a patient’s general health matters just as much as their cosmetic concerns. Being in good physical health promotes a safer surgery and smoother recovery. Part of the consultation process at Robey Plastic Surgery is reviewing your full medical history to confirm that the timing is right from a cosmetic and a health standpoint.
What Are the Signs You Might Be Ready for a Facelift?
If you’re noticing certain structural changes in the mirror, a surgical consultation may be worth exploring:
- Jowl Formation: Jowls develop when fat and tissue along the jawline descend below the mandible. This is one of the earliest signs of lower face aging.
- Neck Laxity: Loose skin, excess fat and visible banding along the front of the neck signal that the platysma muscle has separated or weakened. A neck lift performed alongside a facelift tightens this muscle and restores a smoother profile.
- Deep Nasolabial Folds: The lines from the nose to the mouth deepen as midface volume descends. While fillers soften these folds temporarily, a facelift is a longer-lasting wrinkle treatment.
- Facial Volume Descent: When cheek fat pads migrate downward, the face develops a hollow appearance in the midface with more volume and tissue along the lower jaw. A facelift lifts and repositions these tissues.
What Does a Facelift Not Address?
Because the facelift is focused on the lower half of the face, it does not treat fine lines around the eyes. It also cannot change the quality of your skin or treat textural and surface-level concerns like sun damage or hyperpigmentation. Dr. Robey may recommend complementary treatments for certain patients, like blepharoplasty for hooded lids or a brow lift to correct forehead sagging. Other treatments can be used to treat the surface of the skin. Microneedling helps stimulate collagen production for smoother, firmer skin and laser or radiofrequency treatments can tighten and resurface the tissue on the face.
What Happens During a Facelift Consultation?
At Robey Plastic Surgery, the consultation is a detailed process that takes every factor into account. This is your opportunity to learn more about the surgery and explore whether the timing feels right.
Dr. Robey is a quadruple board-certified surgeon, with specialization in plastic surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, otolaryngology and anti-aging medicine. She is one of only 13 doctors worldwide with this specific combination of credentials. These areas of expertise give Dr. Robey a deeper knowledge of the facial and neck areas and how to make them look natural and youthful.
Dr. Robey believes in recommending surgery only for patients who would truly benefit from it. If a nonsurgical option like FaceTite or radiofrequency microneedling would better suit your current stage of aging, she will let you know.
Is 40 Too Young for a Facelift?
The 40s are when many people first start to notice changes that are harder to address with makeup or skincare. The jawline can soften with early jowling, and the beginning stages of neck laxity can become more apparent. By this point, collagen production has slowed considerably, and the cumulative effects of sun exposure and lifestyle habits can start to be seen.
Most patients during this stage can refresh their appearance with non-invasive methods like FaceTite. However, other patients who want to address these changes sooner may still be a good candidate for a facelift, depending on the extent of the facial sagging.
Is 50 a Good Age for a Facelift?
This is the most common decade for facelift surgery. At this time, facial aging has usually progressed, and the skin has lost much of its tightness and firmness. Hormonal shifts during this decade, particularly through menopause, can accelerate skin thinning and loss of facial fat. A facelift at this stage allows Dr. Robey to address multiple concerns in a single procedure, including the jowls and nasolabial folds, and the skin is still elastic enough to hold up well after the surgery.
Can You Get a Facelift at 60 or Older?
Patients who are seeking facelift surgery in their 60s and beyond usually have more advanced laxity on the face and neck, and their skin may be thinner with more substantial volume loss. The bone structure of the face often changes by this time, making sagging look more pronounced. These factors will influence how Dr. Robey plans the surgery. Healing can sometimes take longer in older patients, though many individuals in their 60s and 70s are still good candidates for the surgery and healing process.
What Other Facial Procedures Should You Consider?
Mini Facelift
This surgery is focused more on the lower third of the face and is used for milder cases of sagging and jowling. The incisions with a mini facelift are shorter, and the procedure is less involved than a traditional facelift, which usually means a shorter recovery timeline. Patients in their 40s may be at the best age for mini facelift surgery, but may not be good candidates for a full facelift yet.
Neck Lift
A neck lift is used for sagging skin, excess fat and loss of definition between the chin and the neck. It can be performed on its own or alongside a facelift. Those who are bothered by a “turkey neck” appearance or a lack of jawline definition from the profile view are often good candidates for this procedure.
Platysmaplasty
A platysmaplasty tightens the platysma muscle, which is the thin band of muscle that runs along the front of the neck. As this muscle weakens during the aging process, it can separate and create visible vertical bands that make the neck look more aged. During a platysmaplasty, the surgeon tightens and repositions the muscle. This technique can also be performed as part of a neck lift or facelift.
Learn More About Facelift Surgery in Carmel, IN
Dr. Ashley Robey has earned recognition as one of Indianapolis’ top plastic surgeons, including the Indianapolis Star’s Best of Indy award for Best Plastic Surgeon in consecutive years. She has also received the RealSelf Top Doctor award, the Patient Choice Award and the Compassionate Doctor Award, all of which reflect the quality of care her patients experience.
If you’ve been thinking about a facelift and want an honest, personalized evaluation from an expert, call 317-721-7110 or schedule a consultation online.
