Facelift timing matters: celebrity surgeon warns waiting too long can backfire

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• Why many surgeons advise patience
• Practical guidance for people considering a facelift

Celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow warned on a recent episode of the “Good Guys” podcast that a growing number of younger women — some in their late 30s — are asking for facelifts sooner than their faces require. His message: the decision is increasingly driven by celebrity trends and marketing, but timing and technique matter for long-term results.

Dubrow said the recent publicized procedures of high-profile figures appear to be changing expectations, prompting people to pursue surgical fixes before less invasive options have been fully explored. That social influence, he argues, can push patients toward unnecessary operations.

Why many surgeons advise patience

According to Dubrow, going under the knife too early can create avoidable scars, numbness and complications — and repeated surgeries over time can leave skin and underlying tissues that look unnatural. Conversely, postponing correction until tissues have descended significantly may demand a more extensive operation.

He also cautioned against relying on repeated fillers or aggressive energy treatments as a permanent alternative. While such procedures can delay visible signs of aging, they don’t truly reposition the deeper facial structures — and in some cases can cause scarring that complicates later surgery.

That said, Dubrow emphasized that nonsurgical methods still have a role: when used appropriately they can “buy time” and produce pleasing, subtle results for many patients.

Practical guidance for people considering a facelift

• Do not rush into surgery based solely on celebrity examples or trends.
• Use less invasive treatments strategically to address early skin laxity, but recognize their limits.
• Ask whether a recommended treatment truly postpones the need for surgery or simply delays a decision.
• Seek evaluations from both dermatologists and board-certified plastic surgeons to weigh non-surgical and surgical options.
• Make timing decisions based on your facial anatomy, goals and tolerance for surgery — not a clinic’s service menu.

Scenario	Typical approach
Early laxity (30s–40s)	Non-surgical care: targeted fillers, lasers, skin-tightening procedures to maintain tone and appearance.
Progressive tissue descent (late 40s–60s)	Consider surgical repositioning to address deeper structural changes and achieve lasting results.
Multiple prior treatments	Careful surgical planning required — prior energy-based therapies can increase scarring and complexity.

There is no universal “best age” for a facelift, Dubrow said; results depend on genetics, skin quality and what is occurring around the jawline and neck. For some people the right time arrives in the late 40s, for others later. The key is individualized assessment rather than following a calendar.

In closing, Dubrow urged patients to prioritize subtlety and long-term outcomes: the ideal facelift looks natural and undetectable. He recommends gathering multiple professional opinions and choosing interventions that align with your anatomy and long-term aesthetic goals rather than a trending before-and-after image.