If You’re Worried About Facelift Side Effects

Hello, I’m Lee Seong-joon, the chief director of the Seoul branch of Liting Plastic Surgery.

As time passes, aging is natural, but these days, even maintaining a youthful appearance has become part of self-care.

For that reason, a variety of methods are being used to avoid aging, from self-care and light laser procedures to full-fledged plastic surgery.

Today, I’d like to talk about facelifts, which many people seek out as an anti-aging surgery.

The biggest characteristic of facial aging is sagging.

If skin elasticity and volume are still maintained to some degree, a lifting procedure alone can often provide enough improvement.

Lifting tightens loose skin, making the face firmer and more defined overall.

However, if sagging around the eye area, neck, or under the chin is severe, it is better to combine it with additional surgery suited to those areas.

On the other hand, if skin elasticity has decreased significantly and wrinkles have become deeply etched, the effects of lifting surgery may not last long.

In fact, pulling up sagging skin can sometimes make wrinkles look even more pronounced.

That is why a comprehensive approach that takes each person’s skin elasticity into account is necessary.

In fact, the consultation process for younger patients and older patients is quite different.

Younger patients usually focus on one or two concerns, while older patients often have multiple, combined concerns in several areas.

However, to the untrained eye, it is difficult to comprehensively understand the root causes of aging and the solutions.

That is why people sometimes end up focusing on only one area and getting unsatisfactory results.

It is similar to how an older person who wants to look younger would look awkward if they only changed their hairstyle.

Just as a harmonious change can only be created when skin, clothing, and makeup are styled together.

That is why our clinic proposes customized combination treatments for lifting and restoring elasticity by comprehensively analyzing each person’s skin condition and degree of aging.

What is a facelift?

The collapse of the SMAS layer and retaining ligaments, which can no longer withstand gravity, ultimately becomes a cause of aging.

It refers to surgery that lifts sagging, loss-of-elasticity skin caused by aging and tightens it.

Skin is not a simple tissue but a complex structure, so treating only the epidermal layer is not enough.

In fact, to restore elasticity across the entire skin surface, the dermis and subcutaneous fat, which are most affected by gravity, must also be lifted.

** Surgical results may vary depending on the individual, and swelling, bruising, and bleeding may occur after surgery, so please proceed after thorough consultation with the medical staff.**

What are the side effects of a facelift?

After facelift surgery, temporary swelling can make the face look like it has gained weight.

However, this is a natural part of the recovery process after surgery, so there is no need to worry too much.

In fact, the rate at which swelling subsides varies from person to person, so for an accurate assessment, the face can be examined in person.

Because a facelift involves the entire face, swelling may occur more than with eye or nose surgery, and swelling is divided into acute and chronic types.

Acute swelling usually resolves within 2 to 3 weeks, but feeling tightness and discomfort in the skin after a major surgery is natural.

The stabilization period is usually between one and three months, after which it gradually becomes fully settled over the next 3 to 6 months.

It is natural for the skin to feel tight and stiff right after surgery, and to reduce swelling, it is a good idea to pay attention to sleeping posture.

In particular, the first 3 days after surgery are essential, and if you want the swelling to go down faster, it is best to maintain the correct posture for about 1 to 2 weeks and avoid sleeping on one side.

Ice packs can be used to reduce swelling, but those who have had surgery may have reduced skin sensation, so caution is needed.

Using them too aggressively is not recommended, and actions that raise blood pressure should be avoided.

In particular, within 3 days after surgery, avoid activities that require straining the face, and do not touch the surgical area or put stress on it.

Also, if you are taking antibiotics, avoid caffeine, and spicy foods and spices should also be avoided.

For one month, it is best to avoid alcohol and smoking, and to refrain from exercise and saunas.

Today, I explained facelifts and side effects after facelift surgery.

Because facelift surgery is a major operation, it comes with a lot of stress and discomfort, but it also offers a high level of satisfaction.

There is no need to worry about a puffy face, and I hope you can feel reassured while looking forward to a more youthful appearance after surgery.

Thank you.