As more people want to project a youthful facial appearance, the trend for ‘start young surgery’ among millennials (those under 35) has contributed to the youngest ever age at which people are going under the knife. This is because years of sun exposure, gravity, and the daily stresses of life have accelerated the aging process, causing the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. To successfully address and diminish the aging signs, people typically undergo facial plastic surgery.
Why Should I Consider Facial Plastic Surgery?
With a wide range of conditions involving the whole face, nose, lips, ears, and neck, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists or otolaryngologists can help diagnose and treat them. In fact, the most common procedure people go for is plastic surgery, which is part of otolaryngology. Otolaryngology is a medical specialty divided into two categories: reconstructive and cosmetic.
Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed for patients with conditions present from birth, such as birthmarks on the face, cleft lip and palate, protruding ears, and a crooked smile that also affect normal function. Also, it includes other conditions resulting from trauma, burns, accidents, or previous surgery.
On the other hand, cosmetic facial plastic surgery is meant to enhance the visual appearance of facial structures and features. The most common cosmetic facial plastic surgery procedures are rhinoplasty, facelifts, eye lifts, liposuction, chin and cheek implants, and procedures to correct facial wrinkles. Indeed, ENT specialists are well trained to address all these problems.
Which Procedure Is Recommended For Which Age?
For aesthetic plastic surgery and non-surgical facial rejuvenation, below are general guidelines regarding the type of procedures that will work for the approximate age and situation.
The Teens
Although rare, cosmetic surgery in the teenage population only accounts for 4% of all cosmetic surgical procedures performed each year. In most cases, it is highly suggested to have plastic surgery performed once the body has reached its full adult size.
However, the popular choice with older teen patients is rhinoplasty (also known as a nose job). Typically, girls reach their adult size at 14-15, while males take about a year or two longer. In fact, there are more than 30,000 rhinoplasty procedures were performed in 2013 on teens in the U.S. (about 50% of all cosmetic surgical procedures performed).
The 20s
In the age 20s, rhinoplasty continues to be popular amongst patients this age. In fact, there were almost 70,000 rhinoplasties performed on patients 20-29 in the U.S. in 2013. Breast augmentation is the most popular body cosmetic surgery procedure for this age group.
The 30s
The 30s are known to be the decade of Botox in which there are more than 1 million Botox performed per year for this age group. However, liposuction is a popular choice, and breast augmentation remains popular as far as surgical procedures are concerned.
The 40s and early 50s
The signs of aging might start to appear in the 30s, but aging is moving full speed ahead by the 40s and early 50s. In most cases, retaining youthful looks is the patients’ goal in this age group.
In fact, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is the most popular procedure for this age and is a great way to give themselves a rejuvenated appearance. Some might even opt for a MACS (minimal access cranial suspension) facelift, a 90-minute facelift with no incision behind the ear. Preventative maintenance during this age can help avoid more extensive surgeries later on.
55 and Beyond
Looking good is still possible after 50. The facelift is the most popular procedure for patients over 55. Botox and dermal fillers remain popular with more than 1.4 million yearly Botox treatments and more than 800,000 dermal filler treatments.
Who Are Good Candidates For Facial Plastic Surgery?
Most people considering a facelift have probably wondered whether they should undergo the procedure at a certain age. Although people in their mid-40s often see the best results, the optimal age to get a facelift depends on each person’s circumstances and unique preferences.
In most instances, people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s are the best candidates for facelift surgery. However, this doesn’t disqualify those healthy individuals who are beginning to notice the signs of aging on their faces. That said, rather than focusing on a specific age, anyone seeing aging signs can seek a facelift if experiencing:
- Nasolabial folds (deep lines around the nose and mouth)
- Excess fat deposits in the neck
- Loss of jawline definition caused by jowls
- Excess fat deposits in the neck
- Wrinkles underneath the eyes
What Preparation Do I Need For Facial Plastic Surgery?
It is best to know what to expect from facial plastic surgery to put a person at ease. Depending on the patient’s body type, there may be certain risks like numbness, nausea, blood clots, bleeding, infection, and adverse reactions to the anesthesia. In addition, avoid smoking for two weeks before the surgery to optimize healing following the procedure.
While most plastic surgery will not require a long hospital stay, some are dependent on the extent of the surgery, and some can be completed on an outpatient basis. Other procedures may require a hospital stay overnight or for a day or two. Whichever is performed, the surgeon will discuss any special care to take during recovery.
What Are The Risk of Facial Plastic Surgery In Older Adults?
A recent study sought to determine whether older adults had a higher incidence of postoperative complications from elective plastic surgery than younger patients. The study reviewed 183,914 cosmetic procedures, including 6,786 performed on patients age 65 and older.
The study found that the overall postoperative complication rate was not significantly different between older and younger patients. What’s even more interesting is that the complication rate for patients aged 80 and older was also not substantially different from the younger population.
Final Thoughts
Suppose you’re curious about cosmetic enhancement but thought you were too old; you may want to think again. Cache Valley Ear, Nose & Throat provides reconstructive and cosmetic facial plastic surgery. Their physicians have specialized training in a full range of facial plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures and techniques.
