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Facelift in Your 40s

Refine, Restore, and Reclaim Your Confidence with a Natural-Looking Lift

Why the 40s Are the Perfect Time for a Facelift
Turning 40 often marks a shift in how we see ourselves—and how the world sees us. While you may still feel energetic, vibrant, and confident on the inside, subtle signs of aging on the outside may begin to tell a different story. For many patients in their 40s, this is the decade when facial volume loss, sagging skin, deepening folds, and jowls become more noticeable and harder to hide with makeup, skincare, or injectables alone.

A facelift in your 40s is not about looking different—it's about looking like yourself again. At the Zelken Institute in Newport Beach, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Zelken helps patients in their 40s achieve refreshed, natural-looking results that preserve their unique identity while correcting the early to moderate signs of aging.

This stage of life offers an ideal balance: your skin still has good elasticity, your health is generally strong, and surgical outcomes are often better and longer-lasting than if you wait until later decades.
What Makes a Facelift in Your 40s Different?
Facelifts performed in your 40s are often more preventative and restorative than dramatic. Dr. Zelken’s approach focuses on repositioning and supporting deep facial structures, not just tightening the skin. This prevents an overdone or “pulled” look and creates results that are subtle, elegant, and age-appropriate.

Many patients in their 40s experience a combination of changes—mild skin laxity, early jowling, deepening nasolabial folds, and a tired or drawn appearance due to fat and collagen loss. A facelift in this decade is designed to address all of these factors at once. Because aging at this stage is more gradual, the surgical techniques can also be less invasive than traditional facelifts performed later in life.

Some patients benefit from a full lower facelift, while others may be ideal candidates for a mini facelift or “short scar” facelift that targets the jawline and mid-face without extensive incisions or downtime. In many cases, Dr. Zelken may recommend combining a facelift with volume restoration using fat grafting, eyelid surgery, or neck contouring to create a complete, harmonious result.
Common Signs You're Ready for a Facelift in Your 40s
While every patient is unique, there are a few common concerns that lead individuals in their 40s to consider facelift surgery:

You may be noticing sagging skin along your lower face or neck, early jowls, a softened jawline, or cheeks that no longer have the same youthful contour. You may feel like your face looks more tired than you feel, or that you’re spending more time and money on temporary treatments that aren’t delivering the same results they once did.

Many patients in their 40s have also been using injectables, such as Botox or dermal fillers, for years. While these can be excellent tools, they eventually reach their limits. At a certain point, adding more filler can start to look unnatural or even accelerate the appearance of volume imbalance. A facelift offers a reset—returning tissues to a more youthful position and reducing the need for excessive injectables going forward.

If you're looking for a more sustainable solution with natural, long-term benefits, this may be the right time to consider a surgical lift.
Dr. Zelken’s Signature Facelift Technique
Dr. Jonathan Zelken brings a highly customized and artistic approach to every procedure he performs. With advanced training and years of experience performing facelifts for patients in their 40s and beyond, he understands how to achieve balanced, youthful results without sacrificing the integrity of your appearance.

Rather than simply pulling the skin tighter, Dr. Zelken focuses on repositioning the underlying SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer, which provides deeper support and longer-lasting results. The procedure lifts sagging cheeks, smooths deep folds, redefines the jawline, and addresses neck laxity—without overcorrecting.

When necessary, Dr. Zelken may recommend complementing your facelift with fat transfer to restore youthful volume, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to open up the eyes, or subtle chin or neck enhancements to achieve optimal proportions. His goal is always to deliver natural, undetectable improvements that last for years.
What to Expect from Recovery
Patients in their 40s tend to heal faster and experience fewer complications than older patients undergoing facelift surgery. Because skin is still relatively elastic and healthy, swelling resolves more quickly and incisions heal more smoothly.

Most patients return to light activities and remote work within 7 to 10 days. You can expect some mild swelling and bruising, which will gradually improve over the following two to three weeks. By four to six weeks, you’ll be enjoying visible improvements and will likely feel fully comfortable in social situations.

The incisions are well-hidden in the hairline and natural creases around the ears, and with proper care, they fade significantly over time.
Why Choose Dr. Jonathan Zelken?
Dr. Zelken is known for delivering facelift results that look effortless—not obvious. He combines surgical skill with an eye for balance, proportion, and harmony, taking into account your facial anatomy, age, and personal aesthetic goals.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon with elite training and a reputation for precision and artistry, Dr. Zelken has become a trusted name in facial plastic surgery in Newport Beach and throughout Southern California. Every facelift procedure is performed with the highest level of care, safety, and attention to detail.

Patients choose Dr. Zelken because they want to look like themselves—just more refreshed, more confident, and more in control of how they age.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation in Newport Beach
If you’re in your 40s and want to explore a facelift or mini facelift to restore your youthful contours, the Zelken Institute is here to guide you. Dr. Zelken will take the time to listen to your concerns, evaluate your facial anatomy, and recommend the most effective and natural-looking solution to help you meet your goals.

To get started, schedule a private consultation at our Newport Beach practice today.
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