When Should I Get A Facelift?

Any kind of cosmetic surgery or procedure can be a life-changing decision. At Princeton Plastic Surgeons, we prioritize our patients’ physical and mental health: we work with you every step of the way to make sure that you’re the right candidate for your procedure, you are healing comfortably and that you are happy with your outcome.

If we determine together that a facelift can accomplish your goals, then you can rest assured you are making the right decision.

Am I too young/too old for a facelift?

At Princeton Plastic Surgeons, our facelift patients are typically between 50 and 60 years old, with some clients in their 40s and some in their 70s and 80s. However, your chronological age is not a very good indicator of whether the time is right for you to get a facelift. What matters most is that your face shows signs of aging that are affecting your health or confidence, and that you and your skin are well enough to heal without complications.

If sun damage or genetics have made wrinkles or sagging skin appear earlier than you’d like, a facelift is an excellent way to reclaim your youth and regain confidence in your appearance. Generally, the younger you are when you get your first facelift, the easier it will be for you to heal now and if you opt to have another facelift done in the future. If you are concerned about your aging skin but feel like a full facelift may be too drastic for your needs, we encourage you to inquire about a mini facelift, a brow lift or nonsurgical anti-aging options like Botox or dermal fillers.

If you are of a more advanced age, your physical health is our only criteria: a facelift is a serious surgery, and we are dedicated to our patients’ health above all. We often welcome back older patients who want a second or third facelift — if you have received a facelift before, we can more precisely judge your results and recovery.

Do I have the right skin type for a facelift?

The ideal facelift patient has relatively healthy skin prior to their surgery. Serious damage from smoking, overexposure to UV rays and other environmental factors can impact your results or even preclude you from being able to have a facelift. Otherwise, unless your skin is particularly sensitive or you have a significant health condition, facelifts are appropriate for skin types of a range of ages, textures, and shades.

You know your skin better than most — do you have a history of allergic reactions to medications? Are you very prone to scarring? Are you prepared to spend time keeping your skin healthy after your procedure? These are important questions to address before you choose a facelift. A consultation with your plastic surgeon is necessary prior to receiving a facelift so we can be sure your skin will heal seamlessly and you will be satisfied with your results. Dr. Hamawy meets with all his patients personally prior to scheduling any procedure. This can help determine if a facelift is indeed the best option to meet your needs and if there are any individualized concerns that must be accounted for during and after your surgery.

Will a facelift address my concerns?

Facelifts are wonderful cosmetic procedures because they are easily customizable. For example, there are full facelifts and mini facelifts to address concerns at different levels of severity. And, there are several other facial cosmetic surgeries — like neck lifts and eyelid surgeries — that are frequently combined with a facelift to fix very specific concerns if a facelift alone isn’t enough.

At its simplest, a full facelift can lessen the appearance of deep wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, improve lines between the nose and mouth and lift sagging cheeks and jowls. You might consider a brow lift or a mini facelift if some, but not all, of these sound like your concerns. If you are hoping to correct drooping eyelids, undereye bags or extra skin around your neck, adding an eyelid surgery or neck lift can help. The best way to determine which procedure or procedures are right for you is to schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon. At Princeton Plastic Surgeons, facial surgery is our specialty. Dr. Hamawy and his staff can expertly guide you through your options.

How soon will I be able to resume my normal lifestyle?

Facelift recovery time varies greatly depending on how much work you decide to have done. Typically, you can resume normal activity levels after a week of rest, but signs of your surgery may last for several weeks afterward. Dr. Hamawy emphasizes natural-looking results that heal seamlessly and don’t make you look like you’ve had surgery — as soon as any residual swelling and bruising resides, you’ll be ready to jump right back into your daily life right away.

If you are wondering if you can fit a facelift into your busy schedule, we recommend factoring in the long-term benefits that a facelift can bring. A boost in self-confidence can make all the difference in your health, energy level, and social interactions. Our staff has seen first-hand on many occasions the difference in patients’ attitudes and lifestyles before and after their facelifts. We know that after you see your final results and reveal your new self to the world, your few weeks of recovery will fade quickly from memory.