Today, we will learn in detail about the ‘facelift surgery’ that many people are curious about.

What is ‘facelift surgery’?

In medical terms, it is called a ‘facial lift surgery.’ This procedure lifts and tightens the sagging skin and muscles of the face due to aging, resulting in a youthful appearance.

Facial lift surgery is entirely different from simple procedural lifting.

Procedural lifting, such as Ulthera or Thermage, generates collagen by applying heat or stimuli to the surface of the skin, tightening the skin.

Unlike Silhouette lifting, which inserts specially designed medical threads into the skin to lift sagging skin,

facial lift surgery involves repositioning the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) located deep beneath the skin.

(The following content may be more technical, so you may find it challenging. If you are interested, feel free to read on, or you can skip to the bold text below if it gets too difficult.)

The facial soft tissues are composed of five layers.

Among them, the SMAS is the third layer, corresponding to the superficial fascia, and is fixed by retaining ligaments from the deep fascia or deep layers of the skeleton. It moves as a unit with the overlying fat and skin.

The primary reason for facial sagging is the weakening of the retaining ligaments due to gravity, causing the fat and skin layers to droop downward.

To correct sagging facial tissue, it is essential to pull the SMAS layer, which has more internal strength, rather than simply pulling the skin.

For the free movement of the SMAS layer, it is necessary to precisely release various retaining ligaments that restrict its movement.

Then, by pulling the SMAS and securely fixing it to firm structures such as the firm fascia or deep fascia, the effects of the lift are prolonged.

This means that by elevating and repositioning the SMAS layer, which is the fundamental cause of wrinkles, the results are much more lasting and effective than simply lifting the skin.

Looking at it this way, facial lift surgery is an attractive procedure, but…

Because the results are dramatic, the surgical scope is extensive, and there are risks of side effects.

It is considered one of the most challenging surgeries in cosmetic surgery.

Moreover, because it is a procedure that most people undergo only once in their lifetime, perhaps twice at most, it is crucial for patients to choose a skilled surgeon when they decide to undergo this surgery.

Therefore, if you are considering facelift surgery, it is essential to take ample time to understand the effects and side effects before making a careful decision.