Facial aging doesn’t happen all at once.

You may first notice a little less definition around your jawline, deeper folds around your mouth or changes in your cheeks. At first, nonsurgical treatments may be enough to address what bothers you.

But there can come a point when fillers, Botox^® and laser treatments aren’t addressing the real problem anymore.

So, how do you know when it’s time to consider a facelift in Chevy Chase, MD?

Pay Attention to Where Your Face Is Changing

A facelift isn’t designed to treat every sign of facial aging.

Instead, facelift surgery primarily addresses changes caused by sagging skin and the descent of deeper facial tissues, particularly through the cheeks, jawline and lower face.

Signs that may be worth discussing with a facial plastic surgeon include:

• Jowls that have begun to obscure your jawline
• Sagging through the cheeks or lower face
• Loose or excess skin
• Deepening folds around the nose and mouth
• Loss of definition between the face and neck

These changes don’t automatically mean you need surgery. They do, however, help distinguish concerns that may respond to a facelift from problems better treated another way.

Know What Fillers Can and Can’t Do

Dermal fillers can restore lost volume, enhance facial contours and soften certain lines and folds.

What they can’t do is remove loose skin or reposition significantly sagging facial tissues.

That’s an important distinction.

If volume loss is responsible for the changes you’re seeing, filler may still be an excellent option. If your primary concern has become jowling or significant laxity through the lower face, continually adding volume may not address what’s actually bothering you.

At that point, it may be worth discussing whether surgery offers a more appropriate solution.

Your Jawline Can Be a Helpful Clue

One of the most noticeable signs of lower facial aging is a jawline that gradually becomes less defined.

As facial tissues descend, jowls can develop along the lower jaw and change the transition between your face and neck. A facelift can reposition these tissues and improve definition through the lower face.

Depending on the extent of neck aging, a facelift may also be combined with a neck lift to address loose skin, muscle laxity or excess fat beneath the chin.

Don’t Use Your Age as the Deciding Factor When Deciding if It’s Time for a Facelift

There isn’t a specific age when everyone should consider a facelift.

One person may develop noticeable jowling and laxity in their 40s, while another may be happy with nonsurgical treatments well into their 50s or beyond.

Your anatomy, skin quality, genetics, sun exposure and other factors all influence how your face ages.

Instead of asking whether you’re “old enough,” consider whether the treatments appropriate for earlier signs of aging can still accomplish what you want.

What If I’m Not Ready for Surgery?

Considering a facelift doesn’t mean you have to get one.

If your concerns are still relatively mild, nonsurgical treatments may provide the improvement you’re looking for. Depending on what’s bothering you, options may include fillers, Botox^®, laser treatments or other skin rejuvenation procedures.

A consultation can also establish a longer-term plan. You may learn that you’re a good candidate now, or your surgeon may recommend continuing with nonsurgical treatment and revisiting facelift surgery later.

How Long Can Facelift Results Last?

A facelift can create long-lasting improvement, but it doesn’t stop the natural aging process.

Your face will continue to change over time. Maintaining healthy skin and protecting it from ultraviolet exposure can help support your skin following surgery. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when outdoors.

The goal isn’t to freeze your appearance at a particular age. It’s to create a refreshed result that continues to age naturally with you.

Is It Time for a Facelift in Chevy Chase, MD?

You don’t need to diagnose yourself before scheduling a consultation.

If you’re increasingly bothered by jowling, lower facial sagging or loose skin and nonsurgical treatments aren’t addressing those concerns, that’s enough reason to explore your options.

If you’re considering a facelift in Chevy Chase, MD, contact Capital Facial Plastic Surgery online or call our office at 240-630-8175 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Adam Singleton.