When Is It Time for a Facelift? Surgeon Explains w/ Dr. Carl Truesdale

Dr. Carl Truesdale is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills. In this Expert Deep Dive, he joins Amy Chang to discuss the rising popularity of facelifts, driven by advancements in surgical technique and technology. They explore how facial anatomy influences which facelift approach is most appropriate, whether treatments like Sculptra, threads, or fillers can impact future surgical outcomes, and how to determine if—and when—a facelift is the right choice. ⏰ Timecodes 00:00 Is there a “right age” for a facelift? (Cold open) 00:43 Mirror Mirror intro + what this deep dive covers 02:49 Why facelifts surged (Zoom era) + how Dr. Truesdale built his practice 04:36 Facelift 101: surgical vs non-surgical + “skin-only” history 06:05 The SMAS layer explained (what’s actually being lifted) 07:24 Deep plane facelift: releasing ligaments for stronger, longer results 09:45 “Mini facelift” vs reality + why thread lifts don’t last 12:07 Candidacy: jowls/neck, facial assessment, and “micro tweaks” 15:07 Cost + guiding patients on priorities and add-ons 19:56 What makes results look natural: technique, nuance, and anatomy 23:10 Nerve damage: sensory vs motor nerves + recovery options 28:40 Choosing a surgeon: questions to ask + board cert + revision skill 31:44 Scarring: incision placement, tension control, sutures, aftercare 35:46 Recovery timeline + swelling/settling + how long results last 44:09 Prior treatments (fillers/threads/RF), endoscopic lifts, face shape, skincare, and closing → Have a beauty question you want me to tackle on the next Inbox? DM @mirrormirrorwithamy on Instagram → Subscribe so you don't miss next week's full Mirror Mirror episode. ABOUT MIRROR MIRROR Mirror Mirror is a podcast that cuts through the noise and uncovers the science shaping beauty and the psychology driving our desire for it. Hosted by Amy Chang — LA Times contributing writer, Marie Claire 2024 Power Player, and a trusted authority in beauty, with over 2.4 million followers who turn to her for insights on cutting-edge treatments and science-backed skincare. Expect unfiltered conversations, expert insight, and the freedom to love your lipstick — while still questioning what perfection means. LISTEN ANYWHERE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/bh/podcast/mirror-mirror-with-amy-chang/id1876357199 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NcpTY7ObN43ugrGsZtxgl?si=dbeb2c865aec4b21 Instagram: @mirrormirrorwithamy #beautymyths #skincare #aesthetics #haircare