Will A Lower Facelift Make Me Feel Comfortable Again Wearing My Hair Up?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am 57 yrs. old woman with sagging jowls and a double chin. My jowls started sagging when I was just 38 yrs. old. I’m very self conscience of this. I need your help so I can wear my hair up again and look my age.

A: Everyone ages differently and some, by genetics, environmental or weight changes, age much sooner than others…or at least looks older sooner. (in theory we all age similarly at the molecular level) The combination of jowls and a double chin is a revealing description because it speaks to the amount of tissue sagging that is present. This means that only a full lower facelift will be effective and no more limited or minimally-invasive neck and jowl procedure will be effective. A full lower facelift means a neck and jowl procedure that removes fat from the neck, tightens the platysma muscle, redrapes excess skin and removes it from the jowls and neck. This is done through incisions around the ears that ultimately lie behind the tragus in the front of the ear and in the crease of the back of the ear. The true success of a lower facelift in your case is when you feel comfortable wearing your hair back in a ponytail or up again. Based on my experience, you had better prepare yourself by getting new ponytail ties and other items to hold your hair in a bun…as you are going to need them!

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana