Kris Jenner had hers at 56; Jane Fonda’s first was in her 40s, and then again in her 70s. Marc Jacobs was 58 and celebrity cosmetic surgeon Paul Nassif was 57: invasive cosmetic surgeries such as facelifts have long been seen as the domain of older, image-conscious men and women.
Recently, 37-year-old Queenslander Kim Haberley travelled to Turkey for a facelift, sharing her journey on TikTok. Haberley, who was contacted for comment, cited on her account that “excess skin”, “jowels” and a “double chin” as motivations for the procedure.
“My surgery was a personal decision driven by wanting to feel refreshed and confident in my own skin,” says Haberley.
“I believe that everyone should feel empowered to make informed decisions about their appearance without stigma or judgment. For me, it wasn’t about chasing unrealistic standards but rather making a choice that aligned with my own confidence and well-being.”
She joins a small group of people going viral on social media after going under the knife in their 20s and 30s. But how young is too young for a facelift?
Credit: Stephen Kiprillis
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a significant surgical procedure that tightens and removes skin on the face and neck. It might also involve tightening facial muscles or removing or repositioning excess fat.
A report from the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine in 2023 found that Australians spent in excess of $1 billion on more than 500,000 procedures, making it more popular per capita than in the United States.
More than a third of Australians are considering plastic surgery in the next 10 years, and Millennials are the group expressing the most interest.
Dr David Morgan, president of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, says he’s noticed more enquiries from younger patients about facelifts at his Melbourne practice in recent years, but has not performed one on any patient under 40.
Dr Tim Brown, a specialist plastic surgeon in Australia and the UK, warns against conflating online trends with real life.
“Social media fuels a perception that plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments are increasing,” he says.
He points to data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, where facelifts comprised 4.1 per cent of cosmetic procedures globally.
“It’s a tiny percentage of a tiny percentage.”
Still, the procedure is on the rise, with facelifts increasing by 44.1 per cent globally between 2019 and 2023.
Is there a right age for a facelift?
Most facelifts are performed on people aged 40 to 65. So, is there any benefit for younger patients?
Morgan says it’s difficult to put a number on the “appropriate” age for a facelift..
“A facelift is a very significant surgical procedure with some real risks,” he says.
“Younger people undergoing this surgery are getting less obvious improvements for the same risks, and it’s therefore better to hold off until there’s much more significant improvement likely.”
Given that young people are more likely to have tighter, more elastic skin, they are less likely to benefit from surgery.
Risks, although small, include damage to the facial nerve, visible scarring, numbness and loss of skin or hair due to infection or too much tension.
Many young people on social media who are undergoing procedures such as facelifts cite “preventative ageing” as a core motivator. Both Brown and Morgan say there is no such thing.
This narrative parallels those around “preventative Botox”, which Brown says “there is no good evidence for”. He says the only evidence-based ways to prevent ageing are lifestyle factors such as wearing sunscreen and staying out of the sun, not smoking, and using retinoids.
But could a facelift make you more comfortable in your skin, as those who have gone under the knife have argued?
Some studies, including one authored by Brown last year, found improved self-perception in those who underwent cosmetic surgery after undergoing short-form screening prior to operation. Still, Brown says more research is needed on outcomes for younger patients.
Morgan says the goalposts of beauty will only continue to shift as you age.
“If you’re worried about your face looking old in your 30s, I would imagine you’re more likely to be worried about your face looking older in your 50s and 60s. And therefore, you’re still likely to need – or feel as though you need – a facelift even then,” he says.
A second facelift also carries greater risk due to existing scarring.
Overseas procedures
Cosmetic tourism is on the rise, with an estimated 15,000 Australians travelling overseas each year for cosmetic or dental treatments. But Morgan says Australians should think twice before doing so.
“Although there are very skilled and talented plastic surgeons throughout the world, it’s hard to know which are the right ones to go to when you’re not part of that medical system.”
While a key driver of cosmetic tourism is reduced cost, Morgan says prospective patients should be prepared for additional costs should there be problems or an unsatisfactory outcome.
Other factors to consider include language barriers, insurance coverage and industry rules and regulations in the host country.
Looking good for your age
So, what does all this say about our relationship to beauty and ageing?
Professor Gemma Sharp from the University of Queensland was lead expert for developing the national guidelines for the psychological evaluation of patients undergoing cosmetic procedures.
She thinks there is a growing fatigue with non-surgical treatments such as fillers and Botox.
“People are wanting something more natural, and in order to achieve that desired outcome in their faces, facelifts have become more on-trend again.”
Sharp points to Lindsay Lohan, 38, and Christina Aguilera, 44, whose notably youthful appearances of late have prompted suggestions they may have had facelifts.
The youthful appearances of Lindsay Lohan, 38, and Christina Aguilera, 44, have prompted suggestions both may have undergone facelifts.Credit: Getty Images
Despite the fact prospective candidates are now required to undergo psychological screening, Sharp says some patients may be answering questions in a way they know won’t raise concerns.
“They’re meant to identify anyone who has an underlying mental health condition [but] there’s been no real oversight of how that’s being implemented in routine practice to my knowledge,” she says.
While 30-year-olds undergoing facelifts are an extreme manifestation of a culture fearful of ageing, Sharp connects them to the “extensive skincare routines” followed by many tweens and teens today.
Sharp says while the “goal used to be to ‘look good for your age’, now people want to just ‘look good’ and that means seeking treatments earlier to prevent, rather than reverse, ageing.”
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.