How does the face age? 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's

How does the face age over time? The best age for a facelift

As we age, our faces change. Lines and wrinkles appear, and the skin loses its elasticity. While some people embrace these changes, others may feel self-conscious about them and want to slow or reverse the natural process. A facelift can help achieve a more youthful appearance by tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lines.

There is no “ideal” age for a facelift, as the decision to undergo the procedure is personal and dependent on your own goals and preferences. While there is no single answer to the best age for a facelift, understanding the visible signs of aging can help guide your decision. Here’s your guide to the visible signs of ageing from your 30s to your 70s—and what treatments are best at each stage.

To learn more about facelfts and what can be achieved, get in touch with us.

Our expert facelift plastic surgeons will advise you on the best facelift options for you:

Mr David Gateley Consultant Plastic Surgeon GMC 2939470, MA FRCS, FRCS (Plast)

Mr Paul Tulley Consultant Plastic Surgeon GMC: 4035952 | BSc MB BS MD FRCS(Plas)

Mr Naveen Cavale Plastic Surgoen GMC: no 4190952 | BCS(Hons) MBBS MRCS MSC FRCS(Plast)

To find out about Kensington Medical, our 5 star hospitals in Harley street, London, UK and Wimbledon click about us here.

Introduction: Understanding Facial Ageing

Facial ageing is a natural and inevitable process that everyone experiences, leading to noticeable changes in facial appearance over time. As the years pass, the skin gradually loses its elasticity, and facial features such as nasolabial folds, age spots, and wrinkles become more visible. These changes are influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposure.

Understanding the causes and effects of facial ageing empowers individuals to take proactive steps to slow down these changes and achieve a more youthful appearance. Thanks to advancements in technology, tools like age detection and face recognition can now analyse facial features and help identify the early signs of ageing, making it easier to address concerns and maintain a fresh, vibrant look.

Causes of Facial Aging

The ageing of the face is driven by a combination of internal and external factors.

Sun exposure is one of the leading causes, as ultraviolet rays can damage the skin, resulting in age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Over time, repeated sun damage breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for keeping skin firm and smooth.
Smoking is another major contributor, accelerating the breakdown of skin structure and causing premature sagging and deep lines.
Genetics also play a significant role, determining how quickly or slowly your skin shows signs of aging.
Other lifestyle factors, such as chronic stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition, can further impact the skin’s health and appearance. As we age, the body’s natural production of collagen decreases, leading to a gradual loss of volume and elasticity, which makes wrinkles and sagging more pronounced.

Facial Structure Changes Over Time

As the years go by, the structure of the face undergoes noticeable transformations. The skin loses its youthful plumpness and elasticity, causing facial features like the nose, eyebrows, and mouth to shift and sag. Cheeks that were once full and rounded may appear hollow as volume diminishes, and the neck often develops loose skin and visible lines. These changes are a normal part of ageing, but their extent and timing can vary greatly from person to person, influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Modern procedures such as dermal fillers, facelifts, and other treatments can help restore lost volume and support, rejuvenating the appearance of the cheeks, neck, and other facial features.

Understanding these structural changes is key to choosing the right approach for maintaining a natural, more youthful look.

How the Face Ages by Decade

Facial ageing is a gradual process, with each decade bringing its own set of changes. In your 30s, you may notice the first fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth. By your 40s, the skin starts to lose its elasticity, and early signs of sagging may appear. In your 50s and 60s, age spots, nasolabial folds, and deeper wrinkles become more prominent, and the skin may look less firm overall. Recognising how the face ages at each stage of life allows you to take targeted steps to slow the process and maintain a more youthful appearance. Whether through skincare, lifestyle adjustments, or professional treatments, understanding these changes helps you make informed decisions to keep your skin looking its best.

In your 30s: Fine lines and wrinkles

In your early 30s, your skin still looks relatively young, but subtle changes may start to appear. Fine lines and wrinkles may appear around your eyes, between your eyebrows and mouth in your 30s. A combination of factors cause them, including sun damage, smoking, and repeated facial expressions.

The best treatment for this stage is a combination of preventative measures—such as wearing sunscreen and using retinol-based products—and minimally invasive treatments, such as Botox injections, which can help relax the muscles that cause wrinkles.

In your 40s: Sagging skin

Losing collagen and elastin—two proteins that keep skin firm and elastic—begins in your 40s. This results in sagging skin around the lower face, jawline, and neck. Changes in hair, such as thinning or graying, may also become more noticeable during this decade.

A facelift can address these concerns by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscles. You may not need a full facelift at this stage—a mini facelift may take care of early signs of ageing, such as sagging skin around the lower face. Another option is a mid-facelift, which focuses on the area around the cheeks.

Procedures such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can also be done to achieve a more refreshed appearance.

Nonsurgical treatments such as dermal fillers and laser treatments can help improve the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.

At Kensington Medical, our London-based team of plastic surgeon specialists can discuss options such as a mini facelift and eyelid lift.

In your 50s: Deep wrinkles and skin laxity

Deep wrinkles, known as “nasolabial folds,” form between the nose and mouth in your 50s. This is because of a loss of volume in the mid-face, which can make the skin appear loose and saggy. Areas of the face that were once plump may now appear more hollow or saggy due to fat loss.

A facelift can help address these concerns by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscles. The most common type is a SMAS facelift, which involves making an incision in the hairline and around the ears before lifting the skin and fat tissue and redraping it over the face. A deep plane facelift is another option worth discussing with our plastic surgeons.

Complementary procedures, such as a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or laser skin resurfacing are also popular. At your consultation with a Kensington Medical surgeon, we will discuss your options and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific goals. This can often involve a combination type plan such as a face lift with a blepharoplasty.

In your 60s: Skin thinning and age spots

The skin continues to thin in your 60s, making age spots more visible. These can be treated with laser therapy, which breaks up the pigmented areas of the skin and helps even out its tone.

A facelift can help address any concerns with deep wrinkles and sagging skin, top facelift procedures include a deep plane facelift or SMAS facelift. A Mid facelift or jowl lift is also very popular at this age and can help to address sagging along the jawline and neck. If the neck is particularly sagging then a neck lift might be required.

Procedures that work well together, like eyelid surgery, can also be done to achieve excellent results. At your consultation with a Kensington Medical cosmetic surgeon, we will discuss your options and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific goals.

In your 70s: Advanced Changes and Considerations

By the time you reach your 70s, facial aging is often more advanced, with significant changes in skin texture, volume, and elasticity. Age spots, deep wrinkles, and pronounced sagging are common, and the face may appear more hollow or gaunt due to further loss of volume. At this stage, it’s important to consider a combination of procedures—such as facelifts, neck lifts, and eyelid surgery—to address these advanced signs of aging and restore a refreshed appearance. Alongside these treatments, adopting healthy lifestyle habits like using sunscreen daily, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a balanced diet can help slow the progression of facial aging. These combined approaches can make a noticeable difference in the skin’s appearance and overall facial harmony.

If you're healthy and have no major medical concerns, you may be an excellent candidate for a facelift. No age is too old for a little pick-me-up. At this age, the skin becomes very thin and fragile. A facelift and neck lift can help improve the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin and give the face a more refreshed look.

Complementary procedures, such as eyelid surgery or laser skin resurfacing, can be another possibility to improve the facelift results. Before making any recommendations, your surgeon will consider all factors—including your overall health, skin condition, and desired outcomes.

At Kensington Medical, we believe everyone deserves to look and feel their best at any age. Our London-based team of specialists can offer you a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and goals. For more information about us including our expertise click here.

If you're interested in learning more about facelifts or any other procedures mentioned above, we invite you to contact us today to schedule a consultation or call us.

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Get in touch to find out if you are suitable for a facelift

To learn more about facelfts at any age, get in touch with us.

Our expert facelift plastic surgeons will advise you on the best options for you: