From lifting procedures to incisional surgery, a comprehensive guide to the right lifting type for you and its side effects!

 

hello! Dr. Han Kyu-nam, Director of Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic It is. ✨

 

Skin sagging naturally comes with aging—it’s upsetting every time you look in the mirror, isn't it, to just brush it off by saying, "Everyone does it"? 🥲

 

To ensure safe plastic surgery procedures and surgeries, today we have prepared the first session on 'Creating a Proper Plastic Surgery Culture,' which is essential from the perspective of consumers and customers!

 

I am going to explain the lifting procedures that so many of you are curious about in great detail and with honesty. 👇

 

 

 

1️⃣ What is non-surgical lifting (EBD/thread lifting) and what are its characteristics?

✨ Everything about non-surgical lifting that simply tightens sagging tissue without a scalpel!

 

🔸 Energy-based device (EBD) lifting

If facial sagging is not severe, devices such as radio frequency (Thermage) or ultrasound (Ulthera) are primarily used. 🔥

 

Just like meat shrinks when grilled, this method induces tightening by applying heat around the SMAS layer deep within the skin using different principles!

 

Recently, a wide variety of equipment has been developed, including devices utilizing microwaves similar in principle to microwave ovens; these are collectively referred to as EBDs (Energy Based Devices).

 

Depending on the device, the cost can be as high as surgery, making it less cost-effective, so you should be cautious. However, there is a definite advantage in that the recovery period is short, allowing you to manage the procedure discreetly while going about your daily life.

 

🔸 Thread Lifting

It is a representative procedure with a low barrier to entry, in addition to EBD.

 

It is a method that involves inserting threads of various shapes and materials into the skin and physically pulling them up. They are broadly divided into dissolvable and non-dissolvable threads.

 

• Non-dissolving threads: They last a little longer, but the difference isn't huge. Above all, the psychological burden of knowing they remain in the body for a lifetime is significant.

• Dissolvable threads (PDO): Currently the most commonly used material, it takes about 6 to 8 months to break down in the body.

 

📌 It has excellent biocompatibility, so you can rest assured that it rarely causes problems or inflammation on its own inside the body.

 

 

"In that case, are there absolutely no side effects with non-surgical lifting?" ⚠️

 

Just because there is no incision does not mean the risk of side effects is 0%!

 

• Cases of EBD side effects: You may have occasionally seen unfortunate news articles about patients suffering facial burns after undergoing the procedure under general anesthesia. Additionally, cases frequently occur where patients complain that their face looks more saggy because they have lost weight after the procedure, as the fat layer surrounding the targeted SMAS is affected.

 

• Examples of thread lifting side effects: Since sagging tissue is only moved upward without being cut away, the lower skin may accumulate near the cheekbones, temporarily making the face appear wider. If the threads are too close to the skin, they may cause skin indentations (ding-up) or adhesions.

 

 

2️⃣ What is the principle behind incisional lifting (facelift/mini-facelift), and what are the precautions?

✨ The truth about incisional lifting and mini-lifting that effectively cut away sagging skin and pull it up!

 

🔸 Representative surgery, facelift

It is literally a surgery where the skin is directly incised, pulled up, the excess flesh is completely cut away, and then sutured.

 

Typically, a long incision is used that starts at the hairline near the temple, wraps around the front and back of the ear, and connects.

 

There are exactly two key keywords for a facelift!

 

① SMAS layer: A major structure located inside the skin that must be pulled

② Retaining ligament: An obstruction that must be severed because it hinders tissue movement

 

In other words, the principle is to completely loosen the retaining ligaments that hinder facial movement and then strongly pull the SMAS layer to move the sagging skin back to its original youthful position.

 

With the recent advancement of plastic surgery anatomy, various surgical methods have emerged. Currently, the mainstream trend in facelift surgery is the 'Deep Plane Facelift,' which has many advantages as it significantly reduces the scope of subcutaneous dissection.

 

🔸 The Truth Behind Confusing Mini-Lifts (Mini-Facelifts)

It is popular due to the perception that "an incision is made, but simply," but in reality, it is the area that patients find most confusing because there is no precise medical definition or consensus.

 

• General method: A small incision is usually made inside the temple hairline, and the skin beneath is narrowly dissected (subcutaneous dissection).

 

• ⚠️ Honest Comparison of Effects: While the effects may last slightly longer than thread lifting, they fall far short of the results of a traditional facelift. This is because mini-lifts generally cannot dissect below the SMAS layer and can only partially release the retaining ligaments.

 

• ✔️ Important Checkpoint: Even if different hospitals use the same name, 'Mini Lifting,' the location of the incision and the extent of dissection vary completely. Generally, the longer the incision and the wider the dissection area, the more certain the results can be expected, so you must confirm the dissection area during the consultation.

 

❓ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

 

Q1. Why do so many people say they lost facial fat after receiving an energy-based device (EBD) lift?

 

A1. A layer of fat is located around the SMAS layer, which is targeted by high-frequency or ultrasound energy. If this fatty area is affected by the energy during the procedure, its volume decreases, which may make it appear visually slimmer or more saggy.

 

Q2. Can my cheekbones look bigger after a thread lift?

 

A2. Yes, this is a phenomenon that can certainly occur. Thread lifting is a procedure that pulls and moves excess skin or soft tissue upward, rather than cutting it away. Therefore, if the volume that was sagging downwards is pushed toward the cheekbones, the face may momentarily appear wider.

 

Q3. Is there a significant difference in effectiveness between a mini-lift and a facelift?

 

A3. Yes, there is a significant difference. Mini-lifting involves a small incision and a narrow dissection range, so it cannot dissect below the SMAS layer and can only release a portion of the retaining ligaments. On the other hand, a full facelift utilizes extensive dissection to thoroughly release the retaining ligaments and fundamentally tighten the SMAS layer, resulting in a different depth of effect.

 

🎯 Conclusion

 

Lifting is broadly divided into EBD lifting using equipment, thread lifting using threads, and incision lifting (facelift and mini-facelift) which involves cutting and removing the skin.

 

Even non-incisional procedures can result in side effects such as burns, sunken cheeks, or enlarged cheekbones, and the scope of mini-lifting varies widely from hospital to hospital.

 

Every patient has a different facial structure, and soft tissue conditions, such as the skin and SMAS layer, vary completely. Therefore, it is absolutely forbidden to blindly insist on a specific surgery simply because you heard, "This surgical method is the trend these days."

 

Please be sure to find the best method for your face through an in-depth consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive clinical experience. 🩺

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic

Director Han Gyu-nam

 

Graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine

Master's degree from Seoul National University College of Medicine

Plastic Surgery Resident at Seoul National University Hospital

Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Regular member of the Korean Association of Craniofacial Plastic Surgeons

Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Anti-aging Research Group

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Breast Reconstruction Research Group

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Botox, Filler, and Thread Research Group

Subcommittee Member of the Future Committee of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

MINT global key doctor

Elasticum Advisory Board

MENTOR Young Leader

 

17 years of experience in lifting procedures

Possesses numerous cases in the field of incisional lifting

Current Chief Director of Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic