Is the Facelift Dead?

The UK is showing signs that the number of facelift procedures is on the decline. While the US is showing no particular downward trend, board certified plastic surgeons wouldn’t be surprised. And it isn’t because the facelift isn’t as popular. The facelift is the only solution to the problem it solves; there is no other procedure. That said, a host of non-invasive and minimally-invasive procedures are providing mid-life rejuvenation successful enough to kick the facelift can down the road.

Are Facelifts Declining?

“I think it’s true; the reasons for it are multifactorial,” shares board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Y. Maman. “There’s a delay in presentation of patients getting to us. The reason for that is there’s a lot of other specialists – dermatologists, primarily – doing non-invasive treatments and therefore delaying the necessity of a facelift. The same is true of our practice. Certainly almost every single patient that we see for facial rejuvenation we start conservatively with some type of filler or Botox. We slowly build the relationship with the patient, build their confidence and our practice and our treatment, and ultimately they’ll become surgical candidates. There’s a delay and things have progressed over the last 10 years.”

Non-Surgical Treatments

Fillers, Botox, and a whole host of purported skin tightening, fat removing, and skin resurfacing devices have found a place in the modern aesthetic surgery scene. Not only have they found a place financially, but many of them truly do work. What patients need to realize is just because they work doesn’t mean they’re meant and/or can replace what a facelift solves.

“Numbers are down a little bit, but we’re still doing a lot of facelifts,” shares Dr. Sean Doherty, a board certified plastic surgeon in Boston. “Non-surgical treatments are good, but if people think they’re going to deliver surgical results, they’re mistaken. I’m a big fan of [non-surgical treatments], but when someone needs a facelift, they’re always going to need a facelift.”

The non-surgical treatments also provide another benefit – getting otherwise surgery-averse patients into the door, who then end up having surgery performed.

“I love my non-surgical stuff, but all of it drives surgery to me,” explains board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Pozner. “I’ve ended up doing more and more facelifts than I ever have because people come in for non-surgical stuff and they’re not good candidates.”