The visible signs of aging, such as increased skin laxity in the mid and lower face, can add years to your overall appearance. For many, this can be distressing, especially when basic over-the-counter products aren’t doing enough to keep your skin firm and supple. The experts at Columbus Facial Plastics at The Sullivan Centre in Columbus, OH know that a face lift procedure can effectively turn back the clock so you can enjoy a more youthful appearance.
What Is the Right Age for a Face Lift?
In general, most people who have a face lift are between the ages of 40 and 50, which is the point where many moderate signs of aging are most visible on the skin. Younger people, such as those in their 30s, will not need an advanced anti-aging surgery since non-invasive techniques may be able to maintain younger-looking skin. However, the “best age” for this procedure is truly an estimate.
Ultimately, the best time to have this treatment will depend on the condition of your skin. Because of genetics, lifestyle factors, and skin type, people may age at different rates. For example, people with darker complexions may not see moderate to severe signs of aging until they are over the age of 50, while very fair-skinned people may see visible aging closer to their late 30s or early 40s.
Factors That Determine Skin Aging
There are a few factors that will determine the speed of your skin aging. Some factors, such as your genetics, your skin type, and your skin tone, cannot be altered, so the natural aging process is essentially “locked-in” up to a point. However, factors such as stress, alcohol and tobacco use, skincare habits, and sun damage may also contribute to faster skin aging. Sun damage in particular is thought to be responsible for the vast majority of skin aging.
Types of Face Lifts
A traditional facelift focuses on the mid and lower face to tighten skin and reinforce a more youthful appearance. This procedure literally lifts the skin and removes excess skin to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and skin laxity. However, there are other types of lift procedures that may be more appropriate for your aesthetic concerns, such as:
Lower
A lower lift is designed to tighten the skin on the lower half of the face, particularly the mouth, chin, and upper neck. This procedure is ideal for someone who has very pronounced skin laxity and sagging around the mouth, particularly parenthesis lines, marionette lines, and chin wrinkles.
Mini
A mini lift is a modified procedure that subtly improves the appearance of the lower face, particularly the jawline, chin, and upper neck. This procedure is a good option for patients who are a bit younger or who have very early visible signs of aging.
Mid
A mid lift focuses on the middle part of the face, which is an area that may experience especially pronounced skin laxity on the cheeks, jowls, and jawline. With this procedure, you will be able to achieve a more youthful appearance or even contour the shape of your face.
Neck
A neck lift focuses on the upper and middle portions of the neck to tighten skin and improve your appearance. Skin laxity on the neck can show up earlier than visible signs of aging on the face, so a neck lift might be a good option for those who have visible sagging or loose skin, regardless of aging or other signs of aging on the face.
How Long Will This Procedure Last?
Traditional lifts have evolved quite a bit over the last decade or so, but you can still expect this procedure to take at least two or more hours to complete. Even other variants of this procedure will take hours to finish, particularly if there are severe visible signs of aging.
Can You Have Another Lift in the Future?
A face lift procedure is intended to last for seven to 10 years, so depending on when you have your procedure, you may want to have another procedure in the future to maintain your desired results. That said, some people may be able to enjoy results for longer than 10 years if they take care of their skin by avoiding further sun damage or using other methods to keep their skin supple and firm.
Can You Combine Treatments?
No matter what type of lift treatment you use, you will be able to use several other procedures or surgeries to achieve your aesthetic results. Many people have multiple skin concerns, so combining treatments can be a good way to address all concerns. In particular, other treatments to consider combining with this one may be other surgeries or aesthetic treatments for superficial skin concerns, like pigmentation concerns.
Other Surgeries
Because a face lift only treats the middle and lower areas of the face, it may be a good idea to include an eye lift or a brow lift with your treatment plan to achieve a more cohesive result. Many people who experience skin laxity in the lower face will also experience laxity on the upper face, particularly around the eyes.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments can be used for multiple purposes, such as tightening the skin or correcting pigment concerns. Laser treatments combined with plastic surgery can create long-lasting results.
Injectable Treatments
Injectable treatments can be used to restore facial volume or even contour facial features to achieve a specific aesthetic result. While a lift procedure can tighten the skin, there are some areas of the face that will benefit from additional facial volume, such as the cheeks, under the eyes, or around the mouth. Dermal fillers can also increase the volume of the lips, change the shape of the jaw, or even accomplish an artificial nose job.
Other injectable treatments include neurotoxins like Botox, which can relax tense muscles that cause a certain type of wrinkle. Dynamic wrinkles can form around the mouth but are generally found on the forehead and between the eyebrows, which are areas that plastic surgery procedures may not be able to correct.
Aesthetic Treatments
For superficial skin concerns, like rough skin, pigment concerns, sun damage, and general skin health, it’s best to use aesthetic treatments. Aesthetic treatments include facials, chemical peels, microneedling, IPL, and microdermabrasion. Each of these aesthetic treatments can improve the overall tone, texture, and quality of the skin and can be used as part of your regular skincare routine.
Skincare Products
Integrating medical-grade skincare products is a good general step to enhance the health of your skin. It’s important to use good quality anti-aging skincare products to help turn over new skin cells, which can improve the tone, texture, and overall appearance of the skin. High-quality skincare products also work well when they are combined with aesthetic treatments and cosmetic surgery.
Our skin experts can recommend skincare products that are appropriate for your skin concerns and your preferred skincare routine. While some people may enjoy using many steps for their skincare, others may prefer a simpler routine that will be easier to manage day to day. Using good quality products on a routine you can stick with is the best way to maintain skincare consistency.
Who Are Good Candidates?
One of the biggest benefits of this procedure is the fact that it’s so highly customizable. If a traditional lift is not ideal for your aesthetic concerns, there are other lift variations to consider, such as a mini lift or a neck lift. The ability to customize this procedure means you will more easily and reliably achieve your aesthetic goals, whatever they may be.
Most people with moderate to severe wrinkles are good candidates for a face lift procedure. People who are between the ages of 40 and 50 typically make the best candidates, but people younger or older may be eligible based on the condition of their skin. The best way to evaluate whether or not you are a good match for this procedure is to attend a consultation appointment.
Rewind the Clock Today
Visible aging can be hard to handle when it doesn’t seem like ordinary skin products don’t seem to make a difference. Fortunately, a traditional face lift or other lift procedures can restore your youthful appearance. Please contact Columbus Facial Plastics at The Sullivan Centre in Columbus, OH to schedule your consultation appointment today.
