What Is the Best Age To Have a Deep Plane Facelift? How Surgeons Think About Timing

The best age to have a deep plane facelift isn’t a number—it’s when sagging in your midface, jawline, or neck becomes noticeable and bothersome, which for most of my patients happens in their 40s or later.

Rather than focusing on age alone, I evaluate how far your deeper facial tissues have descended, along with your overall health and goals. At Coastal Plastic Surgery, I’ve performed many facelifts on Boston-area patients from their late 40s into their 60s and beyond, and here’s how I approach candidacy at each stage of life.

Table showing common facial aging concerns by age range, from the 40s through the 70s, and the treatments Dr. Guenther often recommends at each stage.

When Is the Right Time for a Deep Plane Facelift?

Your facial anatomy, not your age, is the best indicator of whether you’re ready for a deep plane facelift, sometimes called a high SMAS facelift. It’s common for 2 people of the same age to show very different degrees of tissue descent due to factors such as:

Genetics: Inherited traits like bone structure and skin thickness affect how early and how much your facial tissues descend.
Sun exposure: UV rays break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that help keep skin firm and lifted.
Weight changes: Losing significant weight, whether naturally or from GLP-1s, can contribute to jowls and laxity.
Smoking history: Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and damages collagen, which can accelerate visible aging.

Because a deep plane facelift repositions the deeper layers of fat and connective tissue, my exam focuses on how much those layers have descended, not just how much loose skin you have.

Just remember that, at any age, a facelift doesn’t stop the clock. Many of my patients find their results last as long as 10 years. Consistent sun protection, skin care, and nonsurgical touch-ups may help extend your facelift results.

Can You Get a Deep Plane Facelift in Your 40s?

Yes, a deep plane facelift in your 40s can be a good choice if you have early jowling, midface descent, or neck laxity that nonsurgical treatments no longer improve. Having a facelift at this stage offers advantages such as:

Smoother healing contours, since skin with good elasticity re-drapes easily over the lifted tissues
Subtle enhancements before the onset of more advanced facial aging
Natural-looking results that continue to age gracefully with you

For patients in this age bracket, I also discuss whether a modified mini facelift, skin tightening, fillers, or BOTOX® Cosmetic might be enough for now.

Before and After a Facelift for a Patient in Her 40s in Boston, MA, by Dr. Dax Guenther

Is Your 50s the Ideal Age for a Facelift?

Yes, your 50s can be an ideal time for a facelift because visible jowls, cheek descent, and neck changes typically become harder to address with injectables alone. In my practice, patients in their 50s often tell me:

They’re seeing less improvement with filler as sagging becomes more pronounced; filler restores volume, but it can’t adequately address loose skin along the jawline
They look more tired than they feel
They want lasting results rather than ongoing temporary treatments

At this stage, I frequently combine a facelift with a neck lift or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to rejuvenate the face as a whole.

Before and After a Facelift for a Patient in Her 50s in Boston, MA, by Dr. Dax Guenther

Is It Too Late To Get a Facelift in Your 60s or 70s?

It isn’t too late to get a facelift in your 60s or 70s, as long as you’re in good health and have realistic expectations. Older patients can see meaningful improvement, often with a few extra considerations:

More correction may be needed, so I may add fat grafting, a brow lift, or eyelid surgery.
Health screening becomes especially important before any elective surgery.
Some patients are candidates for a secondary facelift to refresh an earlier procedure.

Careful planning and transparent discussions are key to achieving rejuvenation that aligns with your expectations.

Before and After a Facelift for a Patient in Her 60s in Boston, MA, by Dr. Dax Guenther

What Matters More Than Age When Planning a Facelift?

Your overall health, nicotine use, weight stability, and readiness for recovery matter more than your age when deciding on a facelift. I review these factors closely at every consultation.

Timing is also crucial when planning and budgeting for the cost of a deep plane facelift, although many patients take advantage of our convenient financing options. Setting aside adequate recovery time is also an important consideration.

Is it time for a deep plane facelift? Checklist of signs you may be ready: jowls, flattened or descended cheeks, loose neck skin or banding, and filler that no longer lifts, plus readiness factors including good health, being nicotine-free, a stable weight, and time for recovery.

How Do I Know If I’m the Right Age for a Facelift?

The most reliable way to know is an in-person consultation at Coastal Plastic Surgery, where I can examine your facial structure, review your health history, and discuss your goals. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, I can help you understand whether a facelift is appropriate for you now and what results you can realistically expect.

To discuss your readiness for a deep plane facelift at my Boston practice, request a consultation by completing the online form or calling us at (781) 740-7840 .