Am I Too Young for a Facelift but Too Old for Filler?

Regenerative Medicine
Written By Godley Clinic
Dr. Godley performing thread lift in Vancouver

Written by a Godley Clinic team member. Details have been changed to protect privacy.

In my 50s, I think I am finally realizing that I do not have to look the way I did in my 30s. For a long time, I wanted to hold on to that full, youthful look with fuller cheeks, fuller lips and more volume. But it does not feel like me anymore. These days, I want more definition and to look refreshed, just a fantastic version of myself! Think Sofia Vergara rather than a Real Housewives reunion.

Sofia has been open about feeling that filler no longer makes sense for her. In an interview with USA Today, she said:

“I don’t believe in filler. I feel filler does good when you're really young and you want a little bit more cheeks or to plump your lips a little bit. At my age  (51) I feel it's not going to make you look younger. It is going to make you look more done.”

And Sofia is not the only one. It feels like many of the women I grew up watching are reconsidering their relationship with filler.

Kristin Davis has spoken honestly about having some of hers dissolved. After spending so many years being compared with her younger self on Sex and the City, she told The Telegraph that it can be difficult to remember you do not have to keep looking like that. She also described the impossible position women are put in:

“The internet wants you to [look younger], but they also don’t want you to.”

I can’t imagine the pressure these women feel. But I feel like things are changing. Medical aesthetics in 2026 feels more focused on aging well, rather than hiding age. Women like Sofia and Kristin are not necessarily giving up aesthetic treatments. They are choosing a more subtle approach. So, if I want more definition but not more filler, what are my options? I turned to Dr. Mark Godley in Vancouver B.C. for answers.

 


Me: First off, do you agree with actresses like Sofia Vergara and Kristin Davis that filler is no longer suitable for their age?

Dr. Godley: I don’t think you automatically become too old for filler. There can be a place for it at any age, especially biostimulating fillers like Radiesse or Sculptra.

As the face ages, filler requires a more strategic approach. Just adding volume can make the face look heavier, so I use it to support rather than to fill.

 

Me: That is exactly where I am. I do not want more volume. What treatments could give me more definition instead?

Dr. Godley: One option is a face thread lift. I place dissolvable threads under the skin to lift the tissue. As the threads dissolve, your body builds collagen and elastin around them, which helps the skin feel firmer and more supported.

 

Me: So, am I too young for a facelift but at the right stage for a thread lift?

Dr. Godley: There is no set age for either treatment. A thread lift is generally better suited to someone with mild to moderate sagging who wants more definition without surgery. We reposition the tissue, but we do not remove any skin.

A facelift lifts the deeper tissue and removes excess skin, so it is better suited to someone with more advanced sagging who wants a larger and longer lasting change. The recovery is also much greater. It really comes down to how much correction you need and how much change you want.

 

Me: What would a thread lift actually change on my face?

Dr. Godley: A face thread lift can lift the cheeks, soften early jowls and give the jawline more shape. In no way am I trying to pull everything tight, but to move the tissue back toward where it used to sit.

 

Me: What is the recovery like?

Dr. Godley: You will have some swelling and bruising; and your face may feel tight while the threads settle. There are small entry points, but no surgical incisions or tissue removal. Most people return to their normal routine in a few days.

 

Me: How long does a thread lift last?

Dr. Godley: The threads themselves dissolve in 6 to 8 months, but the collagen stimulating and rejuvenation effects can last up to 2 years. How long the result lasts depends on your skin, overall health, sun exposure and weight changes, as well as how your face continues to age.

 

So, am I too young for a facelift but too old for filler? According to Dr. Godley, I am asking the wrong question.

I am not too old for filler. I just do not want the same things from aesthetic treatments that I wanted ten or fifteen years ago. I am also not looking for the degree of change and commitment that comes with surgery.

For now, the next step is a proper assessment with Dr. Godley. My goals have changed, and it is reassuring to know that my treatment plan can change with them.

If you are at a similar stage and considering a thread lift in Vancouver, BC, or Abbotsford, book a consultation with Dr. Mark Godley.

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References: 

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