The female facelift vs the male facelift

Facelifts are life-changing procedures that offer patients the opportunity to restore and rejuvenate the appearance of the face, giving them a more youthful, taut complexion. Many patients may have a general understanding of what a facelift is and what it entails but may not be familiar with how this procedure can differ for men and women.

An invasive but subtle procedure such as a facelift involves taking every nuance into consideration, from the goals of the patient to their age and gender. In fact, gender will play a critical role in any type of facial rejuvenation procedure, directly affecting the techniques used and the outcomes achieved.

To gain more insight into the differences between female and male facelifts, we reached out to ASPS Member Surgeons Darrick Antell, MD, and Bahman Guyuron, MD.

Key differences between female and male facelifts

One of the fundamental differences between the genders is the number of patients seeking out a facelift.

"Statistically, there are more women than men that generally undergo these procedures," said Dr. Antell. "In my practice, it's about 20 percent men and about 80 percent female, and it's been consistently that over the years."

Another key difference lies in the "why" behind the facelift itself. Women often seek out a facelift to achieve a younger, rejuvenated appearance and to provide an improved sense of self-confidence. Men may have some similar motives, but they can differ slightly.

"Male patients are the CEOs who want to retain their positions by looking young and energetic, salesmen who wish to maintain youthfulness while competing with the younger generation and, finally, those who have a younger wife and are tired of being referred to as the father of his wife in restaurants and resorts," said Dr. Guyuron.

If only the face is rejuvenated, the neck can look aged. Often, patients choose to combine a face and neck lift, but these procedures can also be done separately.

"Some patients are only concerned about their neck," said Dr. Antell. "This is primarily seen in men who care about the 'turkey waddle' caused by the excess skin under their chin. This can be resolved with an excision of the excess skin under local anesthesia in the office. Any concerns with the jaw or further up the face will involve a different incision and different techniques."

The genders also have notable physical differences.

"Men age differently," said Dr. Antell. "They have thicker skin and a squarer appearance to their face. On the other hand, women tend to have a more oval appearance. However, for both men and women, there is a loss of elasticity and drooping of the face, eyebrow and lip areas due to gravity over the years."

Additionally, how the skin recovers after surgery also differs for men and women.

"Male patients bleed more during the surgery," said Dr. Guyuron. "The skin of female patients has more robust circulation, on the other hand, so it offers more safety and less potential for skin necrosis (death)."

Plastic surgeons will use different techniques and target different areas to provide the most effective facelift results for each patient.

Understanding what a facelift entails

Plastic surgeons also educate patients about the procedure before surgery, especially when it comes to recovery. Male patients may opt against a full facelift after understanding the full recovery timeline.

"I do think that women are more conscious of the recovery time that a facelift may require and have that in mind when they come in for a consultation with me while men are typically less aware of the recovery timeline," said Dr. Antell. "Because of this, it further prompts male patients to undergo the direct excision of neck skin as it has a negligible recovery. Patients can be back in the office within a few days, only needing to come back in to remove sutures from the midline of the neck a week postop."

Women also have more options for hiding bruising, swelling and incisions during their recovery. Those signs of surgery may concern men, though there are some options that may help – we'll get to that in a minute.

"Male patients also have significantly more anxiety about the recovery period if they do not have the long hair or potential use of make-up to conceal the incisions while healing and minimal bruising while healing," said Dr. Guyuron.

Special considerations for beards

A final consideration for facelifts that is unique to men is the simple ability to grow facial hair.

"The beard can actually be a great way for patients to disguise any postoperative bruising and I will sometimes recommend growing one to male patients if they feel comfortable," said Dr. Antell.

Men can then "unveil" their new look once they fully heal.

"A month or six weeks later when the beard and mustache are shaved, all the youthful appearance will be attributed to shaving off the hair rather than surgical rejuvenation," said Dr. Guyuron.

With a nuanced procedure like a facelift, it's important for surgeons to take every detail about their patient into consideration, especially gender. Men and women have several key differences that will directly affect the surgeon's strategy in performing a successful facelift, ranging from the "why" behind the procedure to natural physical differences that allow patients to disguise their recovery.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.