Should you get a facelift in your 40s—or can fillers, Botox, and lasers keep you looking younger for years to come? In this episode of More Than a Pretty Face, Dr. Azi sits down with renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Melanie Malone to unpack one of the biggest questions in aesthetics: When is the right time for a facelift?
Together, they discuss how the face changes through every decade of life, why your 40s are often a turning point, and the surprising role hormones play in facial aging. They also dive into the truth about mini facelifts, deep plane facelifts, brow lifts, eyelid surgery, fillers, Sculptra, Radiesse, and whether today's treatments help—or complicate—future surgery.
If you've ever wondered whether you should keep getting injectables, wait for surgery, or do both, this episode is full of honest answers from two experts who help patients make these decisions every day.
Timeline of what was discussed:
00:00 - Meet Dr. Melanie Malone
03:00 - Aging in your 30s: Where it begins
07:05 - Why your 40s change everything
11:40 - Is there a "perfect" age for a facelift?
16:00 - Why surgery isn't a replacement for maintenance
17:25 - Endoscopic facelifts: Worth it?
19:40 - Mini facelift vs. deep plane facelift
23:20 - Understanding SMAS vs. deep plane lifts
27:15 - Brow lifts, eyelids & natural-looking results
32:10 - Do fillers and Sculptra ruin future facelifts?
38:20 - Radiesse, scar tissue & surgical concerns
41:20 - Smash or Pass: The biggest aesthetic trends
43:35 - Final takeaways
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Follow Dr. Malone's practice on Instagram: @malonefacialplasticsurgery
Dr. Melanie Malone is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of Malone Facial Plastic Surgery in La Jolla, California. Renowned for her expertise in facial rejuvenation and deep plane facelift surgery, Dr. Malone blends cutting-edge surgical innovation with a holistic philosophy to deliver refined, natural-looking results. As an accomplished researcher, educator, and internationally recognized expert, she is dedicated to advancing the art and science of facial aesthetics while helping patients look and feel like the best version of themselves.
Learn more about Malone Facial Plastic Surgery: https://www.malonemd.com/
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Submit your questions for the podcast to Dr. Azi on Instagram @morethanaprettyfacepodcast, @skinbydrazi, @nurselacie, on YouTube, and TikTok @skinbydrazi. Email morethanaprettyfacepodcast@gmail.com.
Shop skincare at https://azimdskincare.com and learn more about the practice at https://www.lajollalaserderm.com/
The content of this podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes and does not constitute formal medical advice. © Azadeh Shirazi, MD FAAD.
