Facial plastic surgery is performed to alter the shape of features involving the head and neck, specifically, the eyes, nose, cheekbones, jawline, and neckline. Facial plastic surgery can be used to reconstruct the face after an injury or correct a feature present from birth. It is also employed to reverse the signs of aging, enhance the contour of the face or neck, and improve the aesthetic balance of facial features. Facial plastic surgery in Reno, NV, is best performed by a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with experience in handling the complex features of the head and neck.

There is no one age that is best for facial plastic surgery. Everyone ages differently and can begin showing signs of aging at diverse times. Therefore, the decision to undergo facial plastic surgery should consider various factors, including age, personal preferences, and treatment goals. Overall, any facial plastic surgery should be delayed until the body is fully grown, usually after age 18. In general, facial plastic surgery should be able to be performed at any age as long as the patient is physically and mentally healthy.

However, there are some common age ranges during which certain cosmetic procedures are commonly performed.

• In patients under 30, rhinoplasty (a nose job) is the most performed head and neck procedure. 

• Patients between the ages of 35-50 begin to experience the signs of aging. Thus, the rejuvenating potential of procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), facelifts, and neck lifts are commonly sought to reverse the signs of aging. Many patients between 35-50 years old also see amazing results with non-surgical procedures such as Botox, fillers and laser resurfacing treatments.

• Patients around age 50 commonly undergo facelifts, neck lifts, and various non-surgical procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers, and laser resurfacing treatments.

The above are averages regarding the age of patients undergoing a particular surgical procedure. Generally speaking, the best age to undergo a cosmetic procedure is when you feel a surgical procedure is needed and/or when non-surgical methods are no longer effective in producing the results you want.

Botox and surgery are two very different treatment approaches to improving aesthetic appearances. Whether Botox or surgery is the better option depends on the desired results and the treatment best suited to provide them.

Botox is a quick, injectable treatment option performed in the surgeon’s office and does not require appreciable recovery time. The results are temporary, as the effects of Botox will typically last three to four months, which can vary from patient to patient. Botox is best for treating facial wrinkles caused by consistent muscle action over time, such as fine lines and wrinkles between and above the eyebrows and horizontal lines traveling across the forehead’s skin. Additionally, Botox is a less expensive option to smooth wrinkles, and it provides a noticeably younger look in less time than traditional surgery.

On the other hand, Botox injections may not be the best option to correct significant skin laxity and sagging. In this instance, surgery such as a blepharoplasty, facelift, or neck lift would better address these issues and be better suited to provide the desired results. Surgery often comes with risks or complications, and it is associated with a lengthy recovery time that typically depends on the extent of the surgery. With traditional surgery, it may take longer to see progress, but once fully healed, the results of your procedure will generally last for a lengthier time (8-10 years or more).

Be sure to discuss your desired results with your plastic surgeon and choose the best procedure to provide the most natural-looking outcome.

Blepharoplasty addresses noticeable effects of aging around the eyes, such as:

• Sagging skin

• Drooping eyelids

• Excess fat accumulation

Due to the delicate nature of the eyelids, the effects of aging can develop much faster or at an earlier age than other areas of the face. Therefore, determining the best age for eyelid surgery must consider various factors, including age, personal preferences, and treatment goals.

On average, most patients are in their 40s when they decide to undergo a blepharoplasty procedure. At this point, the effects of aging have begun accumulating around the eyes, triggering patients to seek treatment. The outcomes of a blepharoplasty will be the best and most noticeable in your 40s.

However, age is not the only factor to consider when deciding on eyelid surgery. Genetics can play a significant role in developing droopy eyelids and excess skin and can present at an earlier age. Therefore, it is not uncommon for eyelid surgeries to be performed on patients in their 20s or 30s.

Whether you are in your 20s or your 60s, a blepharoplasty can help you look and feel your best, significantly boosting your self-confidence.

The eyelids are very delicate areas with a relatively complex anatomy. Therefore, when selecting a plastic surgeon for eyelid surgery in Reno, NV, it is important to select a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Board certification in facial plastic surgery ensures the surgeon has met the profession’s educational requirements and has completed an examination evaluating their competency.

To become a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, it is required to complete an otolaryngology residency specializing in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Following residency, it is also a requirement to complete additional fellowship training in facial plastic surgery to enhance cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery expertise. This extensive training provides surgeons with a thorough understanding of the eyelids’ complexity and a wide range of surgical and non-surgical tools to provide exceptional aesthetic results.