Aging is a natural part of life. However, in the 21st century, we have the choice of when and how we age. Facelift, known as rhytidectomy, is the most effective plastic surgery procedure to combat facial aging. It can help eliminate wrinkles, sagging skin, and excess fat. If you’re under 30 or have healthy skin, a mini facelift or thread lift combined with facial fat grafting may suffice. For those not ready for surgery, we recommend non-surgical cosmetic procedures like laser facelift, plasma lift, fillers, Botox, or stem cell therapy.
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SMAS facelift for face and neck
Surgical facelift for the face and neck is one of the most popular plastic surgeries. Surgeons often use the SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) technique, a deep method that tightens facial muscles, ligaments, fascia, skin, and redistributes fat deposits. There are no equivalents to the SMAS method in modern plastic surgery worldwide; it’s the most effective and ensures a highly natural result. We recommend staying in Korea for a minimum of two weeks for face and neck lift procedures; this period is sufficient for recovery and suture removal.
Mini facelift
The mini facelift differs from SMAS facelift in the size of the incision and the areas targeted. During the SMAS facelift, the incision starts around the temples, extends around the earlobe, and goes back into the hairline, lifting the skin and muscles of the face and neck. In contrast, during the mini facelift, the incision stops just behind the ear. Surgeons recommend mini facelifts for patients with less pronounced signs of aging (ages 30-40) or those looking to reduce their recovery time by 3-4 days to return to work sooner.
Mid-face and cheek lift
If your facial oval can be corrected with threads or laser but your cheeks and cheekbones are starting to sag, we recommend a mid-face and cheek lift. There are two techniques for this plastic surgery: traditional cheek lift (cheeklift) with an incision along the lower lash line and endoscopic cheek lift with intraoral access. We can help you determine the type of surgery, choose the right surgeon, and select suitable rehabilitation methods.
Forehead lift
A forehead lift is recommended not only for patients with signs of facial aging but also for those with naturally low eyebrows, drooping eyelids, or a high forehead. In modern plastic surgery, the most common method is an endoscopic forehead lift, which leaves minimal scarring, is minimally invasive, and, in some cases, eliminates visible postoperative swelling and bruising. If you have a high forehead and need to reduce its height by 1-2 cm in addition to a lift, surgeons use a modified coronal method (forehead lift with an incision along the hairline), which can also eliminate wrinkles and raise the brows and eyelids.
Eyebrow and eye area lift (fox eyes)
The hottest Hollywood trend of the past 5 years is not veneers or plump lips but the “fox eye” look, achieved through surgical brow lifting. To achieve youthful-looking eyes and brows with an upward or Asian-style slant, which can’t be achieved with threads or injections, celebrities like Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Ariana Grande, Margot Robbie, and even Kate Middleton have opted for a brow lift combined with other procedures like canthoplasty or rhinoplasty and are enjoying the results.
Removal of sagging skin around the eyes
The removal of sagging skin around the eyes, also known as age-related blepharoplasty, is a common plastic surgery procedure. Typically, patients are recommended for a comprehensive blepharoplasty with ptosis correction. During this surgery, the surgeon not only removes excess skin, which eliminates wrinkles and folds but also tightens the muscles, eliminating the tired eye effect and allowing the eyes to open wider. This procedure is often combined with a forehead lift or fat redistribution under the eyes.
Facial fat grafting (lipofilling)
Facial lipofilling is a simple and quick way to restore lost volume. Fat can be transferred to various areas such as the forehead, cheeks, cheekbones, chin, nasolabial folds, and even the tip of the nose. While clients used to seek cheek augmentation more often in the past, currently, transferring fat to the forehead to correct the brow ridge and fill nasolabial folds has gained popularity. Many of our clients, including models working in Europe and Asia, opt for facial lipofilling. Due to diets and constant physical exertion, these models tend to lose the youthful roundness of their faces, making them appear older, which leads to client dissatisfaction and contract terminations. Working in countries like China and Korea, where flat cheeks and the absence of bish wrinkles are in vogue, and where eternal youth and a childlike face are desired, can be particularly challenging. For such clients, we combine lipofilling with thread lifting and Botox injections. When performed by an experienced surgeon, this combination leads to a recovery period of just a few days, making the face appear 5-10 years younger.
Thread lifting
Thread lifting is a plastic surgery procedure that Koreans often undergo during their lunch breaks. Its small cost, the possibility of completing the procedure in 20-30 minutes, absence of visible hematomas and swelling, and instant results encourage both men and women to repeat it 2-3 times between the ages of 25-35 before opting for invasive surgery. Thread lifting comes in two forms: surgical, performed under sedative anesthesia, and cosmetic, which only requires local anesthesia or inhalation anesthesia. The threads used in each case vary in thickness, length, and potential application areas. The result is the smoothing of nasolabial folds, lifting of cheeks and cheekbones, the creation of a sharp facial contour, elimination of the double chin, and reduction of venus rings on the neck. Using threads for eyelid and eyebrow lifting is not recommended as they cannot maintain these areas in an elevated state for an extended period and can cause noticeable discomfort during the first 2-3 weeks after the procedure. Dissolvable threads are considered the most modern and do not require removal, prompting the body’s collagen production. Many plastic surgeons we work with develop their threads to maintain the lifting effect for 2 to 5 years.
Laser facelift and cosmetology
In CIS countries, people tend to consult a cosmetologist when their skin has already started aging and sagging. In Korea, however, skincare begins in childhood with sun protection, moisturizing creams, and maintaining skin elasticity and an even tone in cosmetic clinics. In Korea, we recommend starting laser facelifts at the age of 22-23. It’s at this age that collagen production begins to decrease, skin loses its elasticity, and sags. It’s easier to maintain skin and muscles’ elasticity from this age and stop aging by 10-15 years than to try to turn back time after 30. Excess skin can only be removed through surgery, so avoid the formation of wrinkles and folds and undergo laser lifting every 6-12 months.
Fillers and botox
South Korean injectables are considered the best in the world. Their cost is lower in Korea than in other countries, and cosmetologists are highly skilled in injection techniques. Botox injections can prevent the formation of wrinkles and folds on the forehead, around the lips, and at the outer corners of the eyes. You can reduce muscle size, such as jaw, calf, or trapezius muscles, to eliminate bruxism, reduce calf volume, or improve posture. With fillers, a cosmetologist can add volume (increase lips, fill nasolabial folds) or correct asymmetry (partially enlarge the chin or reduce the prominence on the nose). Some fillers are used to fill wrinkles, such as Belotero and Jeobel. They have smaller molecule sizes, and with a thin needle, a cosmetologist can accurately fill creases on the face, neck, and hands for up to 2 years. If you’re afraid of surgery or for personal reasons are not ready for anti-aging surgery, we will be happy to recommend effective cosmetic procedures and injections.
Plasma lift
Platelets found in our blood play a role in clotting and are responsible for regeneration, healing scratches, and cuts, and stopping bleeding. Scientists have learned to isolate them from blood cells and use them for facial, neck, and hand rejuvenation and hair restoration. Plasma lift is effective against pigmentation, mimic wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, and even acne. Treatment is effective and safe because the client’s own plasma is used during the procedure, eliminating the risk of allergic reactions and virtually no side effects. Plasma lift can be combined with other cosmetic procedures and plastic surgeries.
Stem cells
Cell rejuvenation of the skin and body with stem cells is performed by specialized South Korean clinics and is considered a premium-level treatment. It not only has a cosmetic effect but also allows the entire body to turn back time. A single therapy takes one day, while more extensive and profound treatment requires staying in Korea for 1 week to 3 months. You can fly out of the country and return depending on your planned procedure schedule.
