Facial aging occurs when the skin, fat, and deeper facial tissues gradually lose support and shift downward over time. These structural changes, especially in the cheeks, jawline, and neck, are what most strongly contribute to an older or tired appearance. While topical products and injectable treatments can improve fine lines or add temporary volume, they do not correct the underlying tissue descent that defines advanced facial aging.
A surgical facelift addresses facial aging by lifting and repositioning the deeper structures of the face rather than focusing solely on the skin. By restoring support to areas affected by sagging and volume shift, a facelift can recreate more youthful facial contours and produce longer-lasting rejuvenation than nonsurgical options. This structural approach is why facelift surgery is often considered the most effective way to turn back the clock on facial aging.
What Happens to the Face as We Age?
While every person ages differently to an extent, the following patterns are common.
Facial Volume Shifts & Descends
Most people don’t just lose volume as they age; the remaining volume is also redistributed.
- Fat pads in the cheeks gradually move downward.
- Fullness in the upper face diminishes while heaviness develops lower.
This shift in volume alters facial proportions and balance, often giving the face a squared look.
Natural Support Structures Weaken Over Time
Even those with healthy, supple skin may begin to notice sagging as they age.
- Ligaments and connective tissues stretch with age.
- Reduced support allows tissues to settle lower on the face.
- Jawline definition becomes less distinct.
Skin Quality Changes Add to the Appearance of Aging
While these shifts are secondary to the main causes of facial aging, they contribute to an aged appearance.
- Collagen and elastin production slow over time.
- Skin becomes thinner and less resilient.
- Texture changes amplify the appearance of sagging and folds.
Because these changes occur beneath the skin, treatments that only address surface concerns often have limited impact on advanced facial aging.
How a Surgical Facelift Addresses Facial Aging
When performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, a facelift can effectively address the structural changes that occur as the face ages. Rather than focusing solely on surface wrinkles, facelift surgery targets sagging and laxity in the cheeks, jowls, and neck that develop as underlying tissues lose support and descend over time. By lifting and repositioning these areas, a facelift restores firmer, more youthful facial contours and helps the face look refreshed rather than simply tightened.
Our surgeons often perform deep plane facelifts, an advanced technique designed to address facial aging beneath the skin. This technique lifts tissue below the surface and over facial muscles to produce dramatic repositioning and tightening of the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
Because it corrects aging at a deeper structural level, a surgical facelift can produce longer-lasting improvements than nonsurgical treatments, though it does require a more involved recovery process.
Why Nonsurgical Treatments Have Limits for Advanced Facial Aging
Nonsurgical treatments, such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators, are excellent options for addressing early signs of aging, but they’re temporary and don’t reposition tissues that have shifted downward over time. As a result, people with more advanced facial sagging may notice that nonsurgical results become subtler or shorter-lived.
Some people may also experience a plateau effect, where repeated nonsurgical treatments no longer deliver noticeable improvement. At this stage, adding more product may not restore youthful contours and can sometimes create fullness without lift. In these cases, a surgical facelift may offer a more effective way to address the underlying structural changes responsible for facial aging.
Signs Facial Aging May Be Better Addressed Surgically
Facial aging affects each person differently, and there is no single sign that makes surgery the “right” choice. However, certain changes may indicate that a surgical approach could provide more meaningful and lasting improvement than nonsurgical treatments alone:
- Persistent sagging despite injectables: Fillers and neuromodulators that no longer improve facial contours or require increasingly frequent maintenance can suggest that tissue descent rather than volume loss is the primary concern.
- Deepening facial folds and jawline “blurring”: Creases or sagging that progress even with good skin quality and consistent nonsurgical care may indicate that a facelift is a better option.
A consultation with a qualified facial plastic surgeon can help determine whether facial aging is best addressed with continued nonsurgical treatments, surgery, or a combination of both.
How Long Do Facelift Results Last?
The good news is that facelift results are long-lasting, with many patients enjoying their results for about 10 years or more. Although a facelift cannot stop the aging process, it can reset the face to a more youthful baseline by correcting structural changes that have already occurred.
You can help preserve your results by:
- Protecting your skin from the sun
- Living a healthy lifestyle
- Scheduling maintenance treatments and touch-ups as needed
Planning a Personalized Approach to Facial Rejuvenation
Because facial aging affects multiple areas, facial rejuvenation is most effective when planned comprehensively. Our experienced facial plastic surgeons assess facial structure, skin quality, and aging patterns to determine whether a facelift alone or a customized combination of treatments, including procedures such as blepharoplasty or a brow lift, is the most appropriate approach for restoring balanced, natural-looking facial contours.
Getting Started
While a facelift requires a more significant commitment than less invasive procedures, our patients find the results and rewards are well worth their investment. We encourage you to view our before and after facelift photos to see some of our dramatic Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery patient transformations. Then, request a consultation or call us at (980) 949-6544 to schedule an appointment.
Leave a Reply