The decision to undergo a plastic surgery procedure is a personal one, and the best age to get surgery varies from person to person. There is no set age for any particular procedure, as each individual’s physical characteristics, aging process, lifestyle, and genetics are unique. That being said, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine when one of these popular plastic surgery procedures may be appropriate for you.
Facelift
The question of the appropriate age for plastic surgery comes up most often in relation to the classic facelift. Facelifts are typically performed on individuals who are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. This is because these age groups typically begin to experience more noticeable signs of aging in the face, such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and jowls. However, age is not the only factor that determines whether someone is a good candidate for a facelift. Other factors that may be considered include skin elasticity, bone structure, and overall health.
The procedure typically involves making incisions along the hairline, smoothing the skin, and removing excess skin to give a younger-looking appearance.
It is important to note that getting a facelift at a younger age does not necessarily guarantee better results. In fact, younger patients may not require as extensive of a procedure and may benefit more from non-surgical treatments like BOTOX or dermal fillers. On the other hand, waiting too long to undergo a facelift may make the procedure more difficult and may not produce the same dramatic results as it would have if performed earlier.
A facelift can also be combined with other cosmetic procedures like eyelid surgery for even more dramatic results.
Rhinoplasty
On the other end of the spectrum from facelift surgery is rhinoplasty, nose surgery, or “nose job,” which appeals to many people in their teens and twenties. Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting until the nose has fully matured before considering rhinoplasty. For women, this is typically around age 15 or 16, while for men, it may be a bit later, around age 17 or 18. This is because the nose continues to grow and change during puberty, and it is important to wait until the nose has reached its final size and shape before undergoing surgery.
Although rhinoplasty is among the most popular cosmetic surgeries for young plastic surgery patients, older patients can be good candidates for nose surgery. The nose continues to change as we age, and many people get rhinoplasty—either on its own or combined with other procedures—when they are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, or 60s.
Breast Augmentation
With breast augmentation, an incision is made along the breast, breast implants are inserted (either silicone or saline), and then the incision is closed, leaving you with more enhanced curves.
Breast augmentation is extremely popular among women of all ages. In general, most plastic surgeons recommend waiting until the breasts are fully developed before undergoing breast augmentation surgery. For most women, this occurs by the age of 18, but in some cases, it may take longer.
It is also important to consider the emotional and psychological maturity of the patient when considering breast augmentation. The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery should be made carefully and with realistic expectations, and it is important to ensure that the patient has a full understanding of the risks and benefits of the procedure. The decision to undergo breast augmentation should be based on the individual’s specific needs and goals and should not be influenced by external pressures or societal expectations.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a combination of surgical procedures—usually targeting the breasts and the tummy—designed to restore a woman’s body after childbirth. Women who have experienced significant changes in their bodies after pregnancy and childbirth, such as stretched or sagging abdominal skin, weakened abdominal muscles, or deflated or sagging breasts, may benefit from a mommy makeover.
In general, plastic surgeons recommend waiting until after the woman is done having children before undergoing a mommy makeover. This is because future pregnancies can potentially reverse the results of the procedure. Women who have completed their families and are not planning on having more children are typically good candidates for a mommy makeover.
Areas of Treatment
A mommy makeover can consist of a number of different procedures, including a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast augmentation. Some of the treatment areas you can address with this combination procedure include:
- Abdomen
- Breasts (with breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction)
- Excess fat all over the body
- Lines and wrinkles on the face
Preparing For Your Procedure
Preparing for plastic surgery is typically similar no matter what procedure you’re having done, although there can be some variation. You’ll want to stick to the pre-op instructions your surgeon gives you, stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, and stop taking blood thinners and certain other medications. You’ll also want to arrange for someone to take you to and from surgery and set up a comfortable place in your home for your recovery process. You will also need to avoid eating and drinking about 12 hours before your surgery.
Results
When you see results can depend on the cosmetic procedure(s) you have done. With most procedures, swelling and bruising will hide most of your results for the first few weeks, but as you heal, the results will become much more noticeable. It typically takes a few months before you see the full results.
FAQs
Can you be too young for plastic surgery?
Yes. We typically only recommend plastic surgery procedures for adults who have fully developed body and/or face. Having plastic surgery done before you’re done growing can greatly affect the results.
Is there an age limit for plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery has no age limit, but as we require patients to be in generally good health, it’s not always recommended for older patients with certain medical conditions.
How long should I wait after pregnancy to have a mommy makeover?
We recommend you wait at least six months after pregnancy to have a mommy makeover, but the timeline can differ from patient to patient.
What are some plastic surgery alternatives?
We offer a wide range of medspa treatments that are perfect alternatives for cosmetic surgery, including Botox and dermal fillers.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the decision to undergo plastic surgery should be made in consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your individual needs and goals and provide personalized recommendations. A good plastic surgeon will take the time to discuss the procedure in detail, answer any questions you may have, and help you determine whether a given procedure is the right choice for you, regardless of your age.
If you would like to discuss your needs with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, request a consultation or call our Charleston plastic surgery office at (843) 350-5356 to schedule an appointment.
To see the quality of results we create for our plastic surgery patients of all ages, visit our before-and-after photo gallery.
For more information, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons tracks plastic surgery procedure data by patient age.
