Many patients wonder if they are the right age for a procedure that interests them, whether they fear they’re too old or not old enough yet. While this is a common concern, there’s not necessarily a “right” age to have any given plastic surgery procedure.

However, there are some procedures that each age group tend to more frequently request. In this blog, we’ll break down the average age that our patients tend to receive. However, these age groups for procedures should be taken with a grain of salt. Patients can choose to have plastic surgery at any stage of life, so long as they are healthy and determined to be a suitable candidate by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon.

Plastic Surgery in Your Teens and Twenties

Beginning in the teens and twenties, the goal of plastic surgery is typically to resolve balance or proportion issues of genetic features. Some common surgical procedures include rhinoplasty, or “nose jobs,” chin implants or chin augmentation, and otoplasty, or “ear surgery.”

In particular, rhinoplasty and chin augmentation are often combined to improve the overall balance of the face. Rhinoplasty can be chosen by younger patients who are unhappy with the genetic size, shape, or projection of their nose. Or, it may be chosen by patients who have suffered a trauma while playing contact sports or other activities, or for those who have a twisted nose or deviated septum. Otoplasty, or ear surgery, is also common at earlier ages, and can even be performed during childhood. Otoplasty is typically chosen to correct congenitally prominent ears.

In terms of minimally invasive procedures, the teens and twenties are a time when many patients are focused on skincare routines and preventative maintenance. Sun damage causes the most significant issues over time, so it’s important that patients adopt good SPF habits early. In addition, it’s good to begin retinol treatment in your twenties to prevent damage. Finally, lip fillers or nonsurgical lip augmentation using injectables are popular among patients in their twenties.

Plastic Surgery in Your Thirties and Forties

The thirties and forties are when patients begin to see changes in their faces and early signs of aging set in. Typically, the upper part of the face shows aging signs first. In particular, patients may notice changes around the eyes as the eyebrows become droopy or lines and “crow’s feet” develop at the corners of the eyes. The thirties are the most common age to start using Botox for this reason, and dermal fillers can also be used to fill in hollow areas near the eyes.

In their forties, patients may begin to see laxity along the jawline as well as jowls or loose skin bands in the neck. At FacesFirst, we commonly recommend less invasive options like the Renuvion plasma lift, dermal fillers to strengthen the jawline, and Kybella or liposuction to reduce fat below the chin and through the neck.

Later in the thirties and forties, patients may consider blepharoplasty, also known as “eyelid lift” or “eyelid surgery” to treat wrinkles and sagging near the eyelids. Volume loss in the cheeks and temples may also begin to show, which can be treated using dermal fillers or fat transfer.

Plastic Surgery in Your Fifties and Beyond

After age 50, there is a large range in the signs of aging that patients may see. This can be dependent on factors like genetics or sun exposure and environmental damage over time.

Patients in their fifties frequently choose the same anti-aging procedures of those in their thirties and forties, but may also consider more advanced surgery. These options include deep-plane facelift or endoscopic browlift to address sagging and drooping throughout the face. More extensive volume loss at age 50+ can also lead patients to consider facial fat grafting.

How Old is Too Old for Plastic Surgery?

There is no true “cut-off” age for plastic surgery, as everyone sees signs of aging at different stages and patients are in varying levels of health as they age. For example, one patient in their 70s may still be good candidates for facelift, while another may be better suited to a nonsurgical procedure to make subtle changes safely.

At any age, it’s important to manage expectations for the changes that are possible with a cosmetic procedure and to choose a plastic surgeon that you can trust. Rather than scheduling a consultation with a specific procedure in mind, it can be more helpful to arrive with a specific concern that you would like to address. Your plastic surgeon at FacesFirst can then make a custom treatment plan that’s best suited to your concerns, health, and age.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn which procedures may be best for you, schedule a consultation at FacesFirst Cosmetic Surgery in the Denver, Colorado area. Call (720) 414-3332 or request your appointment online.