Gangnam Facelift Plastic Surgery Clinic: Here Are the Key Points

Hello, we are Ribbon Plastic Surgery, welcoming you at Exit 1 of Sinsa Station. :)

When you consider lifting to pull up sagging skin, which do you feel more drawn to: a procedure or surgery? This can vary by age group, but usually younger people consider procedures, while middle-aged and older adults consider surgery.

However, recently, even among younger people, there has been a growing number of patients choosing surgery due to the burden of repeated lifting procedures and the desire for more visible results.

Typical lifting procedures include ultrasound lifting, radiofrequency lifting, and thread lifting.

Ultrasound lifting and radiofrequency lifting work by targeting the SMAS layer and dermis, respectively, and delivering energy to induce tissue contraction and collagen regeneration.

Because of this, they do not produce results with a single treatment, and depending on the patient’s skin condition, repeated treatments are often necessary.

On the other hand, thread lifting involves placing threads inside the skin and pulling it upward, so visible results can be expected after just one session. However, compared with surgery, its intensity is lower and the duration of its effect is shorter.

That is why, at our clinic, many procedures are performed that combine thread lifting with 3-step temporal lifting to complement the strengths and weaknesses of both methods.

What Is 3-Step Temporal Lifting (Temporal Lift)?

The temple area is relatively broad, extending from beside the eyes to above the ears and the part covered by hair.

3-step temporal lifting refers to a procedure in which a small incision is made in the scalp area covered by hair, the side line is pulled upward, excess tissue is removed, and then the area is sutured.

This lifts the side contour of the face, helping improve sagging cheek tissue, nasolabial folds, and loose skin along the jaw.

So why lift the temples among so many areas?

To understand this, we first need to look at how the skin of the skull is attached closely to the bone.

First, let’s look at the facial area.

In the face, the area where the eyeballs are located and the lower cheek area beneath the cheekbones have a sunken shape, leaving space between the skin and the bone.

Because the skin is not firmly attached to the bone, sagging naturally becomes more pronounced over time.

When talking with people concerned about skin sagging due to aging, they usually say that the tissue below the cheekbones sags and the nasolabial folds become more noticeable.

By contrast, the inside of the scalp is fully covered by hard bone to protect the brain. Because there are no empty spaces anywhere and the area is smooth, the skin can also stay firmly attached.

Compared with the face, there is less space between the bone and the skin, so sagging is relatively less pronounced. The temple area is also part of the side of the scalp, so it is similar.

That is why, when this area is incised, pulled upward, excess tissue removed, and sutured, its retention is naturally better than in the facial area.

For this reason, 3-step temporal lifting is usually used when trying to improve jowls or sagging along the side contour. :)

Thinking only the skin is pulled up is a big misconception!

When people hear “lifting surgery,” most assume that only the skin is lifted.

Medically, however, the term skin refers only to the epidermis and dermis. Beneath that are the subcutaneous layer, the SMAS layer, and the muscle layer in sequence.

The part to pay special attention to here is the SMAS layer. The SMAS layer refers to the fibromuscular layer located between the subcutaneous fat layer and the muscle layer beneath the skin.

To help facial tissues resist gravity, retaining ligaments extend from the SMAS layer to the dermis, firmly supporting the tissues.

In other words, the SMAS layer plays the biggest role in helping facial skin maintain its condition without sagging.

In this situation, what would be the point of lifting only the skin or the subcutaneous fat layer? The scar would only become thicker, the effect would not last long, and sagging would inevitably return after surgery.

That is why, during 3-step temporal lifting, the SMAS layer is carefully dissected to release the retaining ligaments, and the tissue is pulled upward.

This reduces the pulling force on the skin, allowing a more natural and stable lift. :)

Today, we explained 3-step temporal lifting. How was that?

Side lifting is a good option for refining the shape of the face and improving jowls.

However, if performed incorrectly, hair follicles may be damaged and hair may no longer grow in the area, so it is most important to undergo the procedure with a board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience.

At Ribbon Plastic Surgery, we have been meeting patients at the same location near Sinsa Station for more than 20 years.

If you need help, please contact us separately. Thank you. :)