Beauty
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Know if a Facelift is Right for Me?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

There are a number of factors that identify a good candidate for facelift surgery. If you have been considering getting a facelift, the following key factors should help you to understand whether or not you are a good candidate for the surgery. Of course, this advice is not meant to replace the advice and counsel of your physician and surgeon.

The first thing to consider, of course, is your overall health. If you are not in good health, it is generally not a good idea to undergo cosmetic surgery. This is true unless you have the rare circumstance in which the surgery will somehow correct your health problems. Anesthesia, the surgery itself, and the healing process can be very demanding. For a person in poor health, they can simply be too much to sustain.

Doctor taking notes
Doctor taking notes

Even if you are in good health, be sure to discuss any medication or regimen of supplements that you are taking with both your physician and your surgeon. Certain types of medicine can cause adverse effects during surgery and the recuperation period. Furthermore, be sure to tell your surgeon if you are a smoker. A facelift is a surgery that targets the skin. Smoking inhibits blood flow in the skin and, thus, can inhibit the healing process after a facelift.

Before undergoing a facelift, be sure to assess your emotional health. Many people jump into plastic surgery because they think that it will fix larger problems in their lives. While a facelift can refresh your physical appearance, it cannot necessarily take care of problems in your personal life. Also, be sure that you understand the risks associated with a facelift before going through with the procedure. While most facelift patients have successful results, complications and problems can arise. It is best to fully understand these before receiving a facelift.

Your skin condition and your age have a lot to do with determining whether or not you are a good candidate for a facelift. Women and men in their forties, fifties, and sixties who wish to improve the tautness of their facial skin are perfect candidates for facelifts. At this age, the skin on the face often begins to sag and pouch about the jaw, mouth, and eyes. A facelift can afford people at these ages a younger, more refreshed version of their own face. It has been known, however, for people in their eighties to undergo successful facelifts.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

Learn more...
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Doctor taking notes
      Doctor taking notes