Everything you need to know about the facelift or facelift

When should a facelift be considered?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgery used to remove wrinkles and diminish the visible signs of aging on the face.

Most people who refer to a facelift share the desire to improve the appearance of their face by eliminating sagging skin and giving it a smoother appearance.

Facelift surgery or facial rejuvenation can help eliminate wrinkles, which are not possible to hide with injectable fillers.

Since a facelift is a serious medical procedure, you need a board-certified surgeon with experience in the area.

Who is a candidate for a facelift?

The best candidates for a face lift have realistic expectations and follow the advice of their plastic surgeon.

There is no defined optimal age to undergo facial surgery. In fact, the condition and texture of the skin are much more important factors than age in this type of procedure.

That is why it is necessary to visit the plastic surgeon so that through an examination he can determine if a facelift is necessary to achieve the patient’s goals, or if it is preferable that an alternative treatment be carried out to achieve the results he is looking for. The best facelift candidates share certain important traits.

Below is a list of factors that can affect whether or not a person is a good candidate for facelift surgery.

1. Skin elasticity: the skin of an optimal facelift candidate retains some of its flexibility. This is important because this operation stretches the skin of the face to remove wrinkles. Successful healing with maximum results depends on the skin still being quite flexible.
2. Strong bone structure: An optimal facelift candidate will have a well-defined underlying bone structure that will provide support and help achieve satisfactory results. Patients who have weak features may benefit from the use of facial implants as an alternative to or as part of a facelift.
3. Realistic Expectations: An optimal facelift candidate will understand not only what the lift can accomplish but also the limitations of facial plastic surgery procedures. Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon can help a patient obtain the information they need to make the right decision about facelift surgery.
4. Overall Good Health – An optimal facelift candidate will generally be in good health and will inform their surgeon of any pre-existing medical problems in advance. A facelift is an invasive surgical procedure that requires significant healing and recovery, so it is essential that the patient is physically prepared for surgery.
5. Loose skin on the face or neck: An optimal facelift candidate often wants to remove excess skin from the face or neck, tightening the skin, and removing wrinkles at the same time. The surgeon cuts loose skin during the procedure.
   (Source: Facelift Factors, DocShop.com)

Is there an ideal age to have face lift surgery?

As we mentioned before, age is not a determining factor. Most patients who undergo this surgery are between 40 and 70 years old. However, people over the age of 70 can also benefit from surgery.

A qualified plastic surgeon can further evaluate the texture and condition of each patient to make assessments and recommendations as to whether or not they are a good candidate.