Question:
I really dont want to get a facelift yet because I am only 39 years old. But I do have areas of concern on my face and I am interested in using a non-surgical alternative. My skin has lost some of its elasticity and there is sagging skin at my jaw line and lower in my cheeks. Are there injectable fillers that can be used to make my face look a bit refreshed before I decide on the full facelift?
Answer:
I think that your approach to your face is a prudent one. I see very few 39 year olds who really require a full facelift. The problem with a facelift at 39 is that you will likely need revision surgery every 10-12 years to maintain your appearance. The paradigm of facial rejuvenation has also shifted. Plastic surgeons have traditionally tightened skin to address loose skin and sagging of the face. This has been performed with facelift surgery and to some degree, laser surgery. What we have found is that not only does the skin of the face lose some of its elasticity, as you have pointed out, but our face also loses volume. The loss of volume is usually in the form of fat atrophy which is why people who have lost weight or are naturally thin appear older than their more full faced contemporaries. I use several dermal fillers and autologous fat (your own fat from your abdomen or hips) in order to add volume your face. I think that this is a terrific alternative to facelift surgery particularly in patients such as yourself.
Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld