Mini Facelift in Gangnam, Korea

Because it anchors down to the fascia (SMAS) layer, results tend to last longer than non-surgical treatments. However, since aging continues, how long results last varies by age, skin elasticity, and lifestyle.

Incisional facelift involves incisions from the front to the back of the ear to improve the midface + lower face + neck wrinkles, while minimal incisional facelift only involves incisions in front of the ear, primarily improving the midface (nasolabial folds, sagging cheeks). Recovery is also faster, taking about 1 week.

We proceed on the view that fully dissecting the retaining ligaments before lifting reduces tissue strain. Any interfering ligaments are identified and handled safely, and the degree of improvement and scarring burden vary by individual.

Through the incision in front of the ear, the fascial layer (SMAS) is dissected and the retaining ligaments are released as well. If the tissue is pulled hard without sufficiently releasing the retaining ligaments, the tissue keeps trying to drop back down, making it difficult to improve sagging and increasing the burden of scarring. Releasing the retaining ligaments safely means the tissue does not have to be pulled excessively, which helps reduce unnatural facial expressions and the burden of scarring.

An incision is made in front of the ear, and through it the fascial layer (SMAS) is dissected and lifted. In exchange for a smaller incision, the treatment area is focused mainly on the midface, and the incision line is designed by analyzing the direction of sagging and the facial contour.

Thread lifting is a procedure that inserts threads to pull up sagging tissue, while minimal incision lifting is a surgery that directly lifts and anchors tissue down to the fascial layer, so the recovery burden and duration of results differ. We do not recommend a single method to everyone; we first check whether the cause of sagging is the skin, a shift in fat position, or laxity of the retaining ligaments, and then decide on the approach.

Nasolabial folds can form when tissue moves downward, but they often look deeper because of lost volume rather than sagging. We evaluate both sagging and hollowing before deciding whether to do lifting alone or combine it with volume restoration, and the degree of improvement varies from person to person.

Lifting sagging midface tissue upward often also smooths lines that had been pushed down. However, if the sagging continues into the lower face and neck, we may discuss the scope of incisional lifting, so the first step is to check how far the sagging has progressed.

Minimal-incision lifting is surgery with a smaller incision and less recovery burden, so it is also performed on relatively younger patients in their 30s and 40s. However, the criterion is not age but the degree and cause of sagging, and if you are still at a stage that can be managed with non-surgical treatment, we will advise you so.

Sutures are removed around day 7 to 10, and recovery is generally expected to take about 1 week. How quickly swelling and bruising subside varies from person to person, so if you have an important event, let us know at the consultation and we will plan around your schedule.

We advise you on the timing after checking how the incision heals and the swelling subsides. Because recovery speed varies from person to person, rather than setting a uniform date, we decide based on your condition at follow-up visits.

Even if you have a history of filler, contouring injections, lifting lasers, or a previous thread lift, we decide whether to proceed after consultation. The first step is to accurately check the type and timing of previous treatments and the current condition of the tissue.

Even if you have had fat grafting before, we decide whether to proceed after thoroughly checking your facial condition and degree of recovery. We plan by looking at when the grafted fat settled and how volume is currently distributed.

Device treatments involve less recovery, but if sagging has progressed to the fascia (SMAS) layer, it may be difficult to achieve the desired change. We identify which layer the sagging comes from before discussing the scope of surgery.

The surgery takes about 1 hour, sutures are removed around day 7 to 10, and you visit 2 to 3 times after surgery for progress checks. Follow-up continues at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, and you can consult us about your progress via WhatsApp.

Sufficiently releasing the retaining ligaments means the tissue does not need to be pulled forcefully, so the surgery can be performed in a way that reduces the risk of unnatural facial expressions. However, there may be a pulling sensation at first, and things change as the tissue settles, so follow-up is necessary.

It depends on the extent of the lift, whether fat removal or fat grafting is combined, skin elasticity, and the anesthesia method. After your condition is checked during the medical consultation, our consultation manager will explain the cost.

Yes. If skin sagging has progressed significantly and extends down to the neck, incisional lifting may be more appropriate; if fat volume change rather than sagging is the main cause, we discuss a different approach. We do not recommend surgery that does not fit your condition.