Younger, Better, Faster: The Facelift Renaissance

Facelifts are having a big moment right now, but does everyone partaking really understand the risks?

In fact, 30 and 40 seem to be the new 60 as far as modern facelifts go, and the results can be spectacular. Back in June, a 50 year old US woman who travelled to Guadalajara for a facelift went viral on Tik Tok for her impressive results. Part of the virality is likely due to how candid the video documentary she’s been making of her journey is, including right after surgery and her recovery.

And then there are the female celebrities people can’t stop speculating over, and not because their work is by any means obvious or overdone. On the contrary, these women look so good going into their 40s and 50s that it’s hard to believe they could have achieved it through natural means…and yet, if they have had work done, well, it’s imperceptible. Just look at the headlines and photo captions: Is she aging backwards? She looks 20 again! I even covered this recently in a YouTube video.

(And yes, I keep hammering home the speculative part because we have no real way of knowing what work people have had done unless they disclose it, not even with an extensive celebrity photo history).

Whether this crop of younger celebrities have or haven’t had surgery is besides the point. The perception and speculation that they have is fueling a fast-growing trend: younger and younger patients seeking surgical means for facial rejuvenation. Moreover, these procedures are being marketed to the younger set as the ultimate fix for early aging.

In a world that’s increasingly chasing the look of everlasting youth online (complete with HD filters), the temptation for ‘results that good’ can be intoxicating. And add to that the infamous ‘filler fatigue’ that’s become the legacy of circa 2000-2020 attempts to stave off time ‘non-surgically’ … well, you can understand why so many women are turning towards the proverbial knife as a safer aesthetic bet.

Mini lifts. Ponytail lifts. Deep plane facelifts…

But here’s what many don’t realize: Facelift surgery at any age carries real risks.

Risk of infection, risk of anesthesia complications, risks of bleeding, risks of necrosis, asymmetry, nerve damage, risks of a poor result. Granted, facelifts have come a long way in the past 20-30 years. The techniques surgeons are using now to reposition the deeper tissues of the face plus the addition of volume (and often a lip lift, blepharoplasty, or browlift) give impressive results. But that doesn’t excuse the risks people are taking on, and age is another factor.

While you can be too old for a facelift (tissues have a hard time healing as we get older and skin can become difficult to work with), I worry that you can be too young for a procedure this invasive. The earlier you start, the greater likelihood that you’ll want more surgeries in the future to maintain your results. More surgery over a lifetime means potentially more scar tissue, more revision complexity, and a higher risk of complications.

Another issue I’m uneasy with is this aging backwards trend and aiming for surgical results that turn back the clock, with the goal being to make someone look 20 or 30 years younger. All of us are getting older. There’s no denying or getting out of that. So are plastic surgeons then doing people a disservice by performing surgeries that have them almost unrecognizable except with a high school picture? It sounds like a good idea in the mirror, not so much in real life. Should we all be drawing an ethical line at helping people feel confident in their skin while still appropriate for their age? There’s nuance in that distinction I think our society is avoiding coming to terms with. To paraphrase Michael Crichton in his most famous book (Jurassic Park): just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.

And cosmetic tourism is a whole other blog in and of itself, as many younger people who might have been considering surgery in the distant future, find themselves considering getting it done now (potentially pairing it with a vacation). It relates to this trend of chasing beauty as many people strapped for cash are searching for providers overseas to save money rather than waiting. Yes, there are great doctors around the world (I have patients fly in from out of country) but is it the doctor or the price tag that’s influencing that decision? Again, that can come with risks and costs, even with the best surgeon.

About Those Facelift Risks?

• Hematoma (1–3%)
  Essentially a pool of clotted blood (think a very serious bruise). It’s the most common serious complication of a facelift and often requires urgent intervention, especially in deeper surgical planes like the neck.
• Facial Nerve Injury
  Temporary or permanent weakness is rare but possible, even in expert hands. Injury to the marginal mandibular nerve can lead to visible asymmetry while smiling.
• Skin Necrosis (up to 2%)
  Most common in smokers (12x risk). Compromises healing, leads to scarring, and may require additional surgical correction.
• Infection (3%)
  Rare but serious. Longer surgeries and combining procedures (like a facelift + eyelid lift + neck lift + lip lift) increase your risk.
• Venous Thromboembolism (0.1–2%)
  This includes blood clots like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Thrombosis (PE). Rare but potentially fatal. Risk increases with longer surgery times, hormone therapy, obesity, and travel.
• Hair Loss
  Sideburns and hairline recession are often overlooked side effects but they can be noticeable. Poor incision design or tension can permanently alter the natural hairline contour.*

*This is something that a hair transplant (like the ones I perform) can treat.

Before You Commit To This Kind of Surgery, Consider that:

• Technique matters…but experience matters more.
  Deep plane facelifts may give better long-term results but require advanced anatomy knowledge. Mini lifts? They often overpromise and under deliver, sometimes even leaving worse scars. Always review your surgeon’s gallery, not just their Instagram (Where their best work is shown).
• Combined procedures carry combined risk.
  A facelift isn’t “just one surgery.” Adding in neck lift, brow lift, eyelids, and fat transfer extends the OR time and recovery. Sometimes staging your procedures is safer and delivers better results.
• Not all scars stay hidden.
  Even expertly placed incisions can widen, pigment, or disrupt your hairline. Hair transplants can sometimes be desired to correct these issues post-op, adding to cost and healing time.
• Expectations matter.
  No facelift lasts forever. Some relaxation happens within a year. And the “tight tight tight” look? That’s not realistic or desirable. Neither is asking to look like you did in high school.
• Medical tourism can be risky.
  While some international surgeons deliver excellent results, others underplay risks and provide limited follow-up care. You should understand exactly what recourse you’ll have if something goes wrong in a foreign country.
• Fillers are not the enemy.
  I think a lot of this facelift trend started when the whispers began about over-filling. Yes, fillers can be over-used and create a puffy appearance. But they are still a standout tool in our arsenal. Listen to your doctor. You might not be at the point where you need surgery, just well placed, minor volume adjustments and (potentially) smaller procedures (think lip lifts and upper blepharoplasty).

Final thought: If you’re under 45 and thinking about a facelift, consider that:

• There’s no shame in wanting to look your best at any age.
• But absolutely everyone gets older and a whole host of problems come with trying to cheat that.
• Many facial plastic surgeons (including myself) think what’s truly beautiful is a natural result that honors your age and your starting place. Feeling confident? It’s not looking 20 years younger; it’s looking like you but (perhaps) refreshed.

Thinking about facial rejuvenation or hair restoration?

Not sure where to start or what makes sense for your age or anatomy? We’re here to help you make the most informed decision possible.

Visit cityfacialplastics.com or Linkovhair.com to learn more about the procedures we offer or book a consultation. Curious about hair restoration? Make sure to check out my gallery.