A facelift is a procedure designed to rejuvenate and firm the skin in a targeted area of the body. This procedure attracts a growing number of younger and older individuals. But what is the optimal age for a facelift?
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What is the optimal age for a facelift?
Summary
Published July 4, 2025,
updated on July 7, 2025,
by
Lilia, Scientific Editor
—
4 min read
What is a facelift?
A lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to firm and rejuvenate a part of the body. It is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon and a competent medical team. The principle of the lift involves removing excess skin and sometimes fat responsible for sagging. By tightening the skin and underlying muscles, the procedure achieves a smoother, more youthful appearance. In theory, a lift can be applied to almost any area of the body. The procedure follows similar steps regardless of the target area: the patient is first anesthetized, either locally or under general anesthesia depending on the chosen method. Next, incisions are made to access the internal tissues. Excess skin and fat are removed, sometimes using liposuction. The muscles are then tightened, the skin repositioned, and the incisions closed with sutures. A dressing is applied over the scar to protect it during healing.
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What age is recommended for a facelift?
It is common to think that facelift is a procedure reserved for older adults, since skin loses elasticity over time and tissues tend to sag due to aging. It is true that this surgical intervention delivers satisfactory outcomes in this group, which explains why many choose it. However, in reality, age is only one of several factors to assess when determining if someone is a suitable candidate for this operation.
Several additional factors come into play: skin quality, family history, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, sun exposure, or inadequate hydration, as well as patient expectations. For instance, some individuals have a genetic predisposition to reduced skin firmness, which may begin to loosen in their late thirties. Likewise, life events such as a rapid and significant weight loss or pregnancy can trigger premature skin sagging. Thus, there is no ideal age for undergoing a facelift. The procedure’s relevance depends mainly on the patient’s specific needs and visible skin changes. A 25-year-old who has experienced significant weight loss or a new mother seeking abdominal skin tightening may consider a facelift, even if they do not match the age criteria traditionally associated with this practice.
When age is the only criterion, individuals between 40 and 60 years old are suitable candidates.
At this stage, signs of skin laxity become most marked in the face and neck, making a facelift more effective and visible. Before age 50, skin laxity is often mild. A facelift may be premature if less invasive techniques such as thread lifts, hyaluronic acid injections, or ultrasound could suffice.
Sources
LEWIS C.M. & al. Should face-lifts be performed before the age of 40? Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (1985).
LAVIN T. J. & al. Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation Procedures in Patients Under 50 Prior to Undergoing Facelift: Habits, Costs, and Results. Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2015).
SILINA E.V & al. Influence of pharmacological preconditioning on the results of lifting operations efficiency. Heliyon (2018).
PASCALI M. & al. Facial Aging Surgery: Healing Time, Duration Over the Years, and the Right Time to Perform a Facelift. Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2021).
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