What Age Should You Get a Facelift?
When people think of facelifts, they often picture someone in their 50s or 60s seeking to reverse the signs of aging. But times have changed. With modern techniques and shifting beauty standards, many patients are exploring facelifts earlier in life—even in their late 30s and 40s.
Celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, who at 38 is being praised for her refreshed look and renewed glow, are helping to reshape the conversation. Younger stars are proving that taking steps earlier can sometimes be more natural and subtle than waiting until later.
So, is there a “right” age to get a facelift? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all, but there are guidelines that can help you decide.
What’s the Best Age to Get a Facelift?
While every patient is unique, most facelifts are performed between ages 40 and 60. This is when signs of aging like sagging skin, deepening facial folds, and jowls become more noticeable and can’t always be corrected with fillers or non-surgical treatments.
That said, some patients choose to undergo facelift surgery earlier, often in their late 30s or early 40s, when early changes begin to show.
Quick Answer: The best age for a facelift is typically between 40–60, but patients as young as their late 30s may benefit if early signs of aging are present.
Why Some People Choose Facelifts in Their 30s or 40s
- Early Prevention: A facelift in your late 30s or 40s can act as a preventative step, maintaining youthful contours before more advanced aging sets in.
- More Natural Results: By addressing mild laxity early, the results are often subtle and blend seamlessly with your natural appearance.
- Social Influence: High-profile celebrities and influencers are making facelifts less taboo, normalizing the idea of earlier intervention.
- Longer-Lasting Benefits: When performed earlier, a facelift can “reset” the clock, extending the youthful look for years.
What a Facelift Can Address
A modern facelift is not about creating an overly tight or “pulled” look. Instead, today’s techniques focus on repositioning underlying tissues and restoring natural volume. This means:
- Reducing sagging skin around the jawline (jowls)
- Lifting the cheeks and midface for a youthful contour
- Softening deep folds around the mouth and nose
- Restoring definition to the neck and jawline
Alternatives Before a Facelift
Not everyone is ready, or needs, to take the surgical route right away. Many patients in their 30s and early 40s choose non-surgical options first, including:
- Injectables: Botox and dermal fillers can smooth lines and restore lost volume.
- Laser Resurfacing: Improves skin texture, tone, and stimulates collagen.
- Radiofrequency or Ultrasound Skin Tightening: Non-invasive methods to lift and firm skin.
While these treatments are effective, they have limits. Once skin laxity is more advanced, a facelift is the gold standard for achieving long-lasting, transformative results.
Am I Too Young for a Facelift?
Patients often worry that undergoing a facelift “too young” will mean unnecessary surgery. The reality? The right time isn’t about a number; it’s about the visible signs of aging and your personal goals.
If you’re noticing:
- Early sagging along the jawline
- Lines that no longer improve with fillers
- A “tired” look that doesn’t match how you feel
…then it may be worth a consultation, even if you’re still in your 30s.
What About Older Patients?
Facelifts are also very successful in patients in their 60s and even 70s, provided they are in good health. While recovery may be slightly longer, many patients in this age group achieve beautiful, natural results that restore confidence and vitality.
The Bottom Line
There’s no universal “right age” for a facelift. Genetics, lifestyle, skin quality, and your personal goals all play a role. Some people start exploring surgical options in their late 30s, while others wait until their 50s or beyond.
The best way to know? Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. At Des Moines Plastic Surgery™, we’ll evaluate your concerns, discuss your goals, and create a plan tailored to you, whether that means a facelift now, non-surgical options, or a combination approach. For patients also interested in refining ear shape or position, an ear job can be considered alongside or independent of a facelift to achieve balanced, natural-looking results.
👉 Take the first step and book a face lift consultation.
