Am I Too Old for Facelift Surgery?

Many older individuals worry that they might be too old for a facelift. Although the specific appearance of an individual is more important than age, two groups of patients typically receive the greatest benefit from facelift surgery: younger individuals who wish to preserve a youthful appearance and delay signs of aging, and older individuals who desire to reverse the clock. While younger patients may obtain more long-lasting outcomes due to their more elastic underlying tissues, the advantages of facelifts at any age are noteworthy.

If you would like to learn more about facelift surgery, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eugene Alford at Alford Facial Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX. He will listen to your goals and discuss what you can expect from facelift surgery. Dr. Gene has more than 30 years of experience and is one of only three other physicians in the Houston area with such extensive facial plastic surgery experience.

Undergoing a facelift

Most people start to experience the effects of aging and environmental factors on their face, such as wrinkles, lines, loose muscles, sagging tissues, and excess skin, when they reach their 30s. Facelift surgery, also called rhytidectomy, can address these issues by smoothing out wrinkles, lifting sagging jowls, and refreshing facial tissues in the neck, jaw, cheeks, and eyes, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Gene uses advanced surgical techniques to tighten and elevate the skin, deep muscles, and fatty tissues of the face and neck. He customizes each procedure to suit the individual's unique facial structure, goals, and desires. At Alford Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gene aims to make patients appear more youthful and refreshed, without the "operated-on" look, using various techniques such as mini-facelift, modified, limited-incision, or traditional facelift. This ensures that each patient achieves the best possible results.

A facelift procedure offers a comprehensive range of benefits that can significantly rejuvenate one's overall appearance.

These include:

• Multiple surgical options to tailor the procedure according to individual needs
• Addressing several signs of aging simultaneously
• Tightening saggy, loose skin
• Smoothing out wrinkles, creases, and lines
• Reducing the appearance of a double chin and sagging or large jowls
• Enhancing the definition of the jawline
• Contouring the neckline
• Virtually invisible surgical scars
• Natural-looking, long-lasting results
• Suitable for both men and women

Will there be scars after a facelift?

Dr. Gene takes great care to minimize the visibility of incisions during a facelift. This involves placing them within or along the hairline, as well as behind the ears, while ensuring that the hair in the front and behind the ears is preserved. With time, these incisions become barely noticeable, typically within several weeks of the procedure.

Care after a facelift

Most patients can resume normal social and business activities within 3 – 4 weeks following surgery. In the rare case of bruising or discoloration, makeup can easily camouflage these issues during the initial weeks after surgery. However, it is recommended not to apply makeup directly over the incisions until one day after the sutures have been removed. Makeup can be applied up to the line of the incisions without any concern.

Schedule a facelift consultation in Houston, TX

Are you ready to learn more about facelift surgery to decide if it’s right for you? If so, schedule a consultation with Dr. Eugene Alford at Alford Facial Plastic Surgery in Houston TX. He will answer any questions that you might have about the surgical procedure and help alleviate any concerns you might have about undergoing the surgery at your age. Contact us to learn more.