How Young Is Too Young For A Facelift?

Many people associate the term “facelift,” with older people attempting to reverse the aging process. However, there is a recent surge in younger people requesting facelift and neck lift surgery. 

Shockingly, in 2012, a leading Harley Street doctor reported a 250% rise in women between the ages of 35 and 40 requesting surgery: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2126970/Does-need-facelift-40-As-surgeons-reveal-worrying-rise-30-somethings-demanding-nip-tucks-ward-ageing-look-results.html. 

What is a facelift?

Rhytidectomy (commonly known as a facelift) is a procedure to tighten and smooth out the skin by pulling and lifting the skin back with minimal scarring. For a more in-depth explanation as to what is involved, visit the BUPA website. 

Celebrities have long been associated with facelifts or “nips and tucks” in an attempt to keep their youthful looks with the press constantly querying who has gone under the knife.

Depending on whether you choose a mini-lift or a full lift, the cost can range from £3,000 to £10,000 in the UK.

How do I know if I am ready for a facelift?

This is a question that is asked of doctors regularly. The simple answer is only you know that. If you feel that you are unhappy with how your face looks (wrinkles, loose skin, heavy jowls, saggy neck, etc) then perhaps a facelift could be something that you are interested in. However, as with any surgery – cosmetic or otherwise – there are risks involved and it does not guarantee your chosen result. You are advised to consult with your GP and research your surgeon thoroughly before deciding one way or the other. For more information about the risks and recovery involved, check out the NHS website. 

Some conditions are caused by age (wrinkles, crow’s feet, etc) but some are part of your genetic makeup (jowls, saggy cheeks, etc) and surgery is likely to be the only option to change this.

So, how young is too young?

Although the most common age range in the UK for facelifts is between 40 and 70 years, many surgeons suggest having the surgery closer to 40 than waiting too long. The skin’s elasticity is strong in the early 40s with results showing that patients who have facelifts at this age have better, longer-lasting results than those who have the procedure older or younger. 

Therefore, to reduce risks or complications – and for a better chance of a positive result, patients are strongly discouraged from undergoing a facelift before the age of 40.