Ilsan Plastic Surgery Face Lift Review: The face has become firmer, but why are neck wrinkles more noticeable?

Hello.

I am Director Lee Seong-joon of Reeting Plastic Surgery Seoul Branch.

After a face lift,

there is one thing patients from Ilsan Plastic Surgery ask most often.

“Your face definitely looks firmer. But…”

After looking in the mirror and hesitating slightly,

they add this:

“I think the neck wrinkles are more noticeable.”

There are quite a few people who say things like this.

In many cases, people are fully satisfied

with face lift surgery alone,

but once they are standing in front of the mirror after surgery,

they sometimes wonder,

‘What if I had done the neck at the same time?’

and feel a lingering regret.

So today, among face lift reviews,

we will take a detailed look at why

the neck line becomes especially noticeable

even after the face has changed.

The imbalance that can occur when only a face lift is performed

Anatomically, the face can be broadly divided into

✔️ Upper face (forehead and above the eyes)

✔️ Midface (cheekbones and cheeks)

✔️ Lower face (jaw and jawline)

These three areas.

A face lift is a procedure that improves sagging,

mainly in the

midface and lower face.

However, because the neck area is

not addressed separately,

changes in neck wrinkles or the neck line

may not be felt very strongly

with a face lift alone.

Rather, if only the face is tightened and refined,

wrinkles or looseness in the neck

may appear relatively more noticeable.

Three causes of neck wrinkles

The neck, like the face,

has a complex structure in which not only the skin layer but also

the subcutaneous fat, the SMAS layer, the platysma muscle, and more are intertwined.

Although the face and neck seem to continue as one flow visually,

The causes and methods of aging begin to differ from one area to another.

Because the factors affecting each layer differ,

such as decreased skin elasticity, muscle relaxation,

and changes in fat position,

The resulting changes also appear in a variety of ways.

| 📍 Platysma relaxation → vertical wrinkles |

As we age, muscle elasticity decreases,

and the platysma muscle relaxes

and separates from the center.

This can cause vertical wrinkles

on the front of the neck.

This is an area where a surgical approach

is needed to bring the separated muscle back together and refine it.

| 📍 Subcutaneous fat enlargement and sagging |

As fat accumulates or

is affected by gravity,

if the soft tissue in the neck

sags downward,

the neck line may appear unclear,

like so-called “turkey neck” wrinkles.

| 📍 Decreased skin elasticity / effects of UV exposure and lifestyle habits |

✔️ Using a high pillow

✔️ Looking down at your phone

✔️ Skipping sunscreen and moisturizer

These factors can cause

a decrease in the elasticity of neck skin.

When these factors repeat,

horizontal wrinkles can form on the neck,

or existing wrinkles can deepen,

and in some cases it may be difficult to expect improvement from lifestyle changes alone.

When planning surgery to remove neck wrinkles caused by

these various factors,

it is better to look at the overall balance with the connected facial structure as well.

What matters more is the “inside” than the outside

A face lift and a neck lift

are not simply procedures that

pull the skin.

They also include the process of addressing the structures beneath the skin,

such as the fascia (SMAS) and retaining ligaments.

The SMAS layer is

a very thin membrane located between the subcutaneous fat and facial muscles,

and it is a key structure that determines the lifting effect.

Because the direction of its fibers is already defined,

pulling without considering that direction

can instead cause tissue damage.

In addition, retaining ligaments

hold the skin firmly to the facial bones.

If these ligaments are not properly released,

the lifting range becomes limited,

and sagging may remain

after surgery as well.

Therefore, a face lift and neck lift

are not simply about “pulling.”

They are procedures that understand

and approach the skin structures inside the face.

It is important for an experienced medical team to understand the anatomical structures beneath the skin

and safely dissect and fix the key areas.

Are you worried about recovery and scars too?

Another question that is asked most often before surgery is:

“Will there be a lot of scars?”

“How long will recovery take?”

Especially if the surgery involves an incision,

it is natural to be even more concerned.

In face lift surgery, the incision line is

usually planned in less noticeable areas,

such as behind the ear or inside the hairline.

Scars visible from the outside in daily life

can be considered relatively limited.

Of course, since this is still a procedure involving incisions,

the possibility remains that small marks may be left depending on skin condition and the recovery process.

However, the degree of scarring and the speed of recovery

can vary depending on a person’s skin characteristics, genetic factors,

and lifestyle habits.

That is why, before and after surgery,

it is important to consult thoroughly with the medical team

and establish a recovery plan tailored to your individual condition.

How does recovery proceed after surgery?

Immediately after surgery,

you may temporarily feel swelling, tightness, or changes in sensation.

These are mostly part of the natural recovery process,

and in many cases they gradually ease over time.

Usually, daily life becomes possible after about 2 to 3 weeks following surgery,

but recovery speed also varies greatly from person to person.

Rather than rushing, it is better to calmly respect your body’s pace of recovery.

If discomfort lasts for a long time or feels like it is getting worse,

do not overdo it and

we recommend consulting the medical team at Ilsan Plastic Surgery.

Recovery requires patience more than haste

As with all surgeries, face lift recovery and the degree of scarring

can vary from person to person after surgery,

so the most important thing is not to overdo it.

Through sufficient consultation with the medical team at Ilsan Plastic Surgery,

plan a lifestyle pattern that suits your own recovery speed,

reduce activity a little in the early period,

and give your body time to focus on recovery.

This is the best approach.

A face lift is not simply about pulling the skin.

It is about designing a person’s impression, expression, and balance.

Some people are satisfied with a face lift alone,

but if the wrinkles and lines in the neck area have reached a point where they are bothering you,

that too may be a natural progression.

If you came here through the keyword “Ilsan Plastic Surgery face lift review,”

and you have any concerns or regrets about how you feel now,

it may not be a bad idea to look at the situation more broadly through a consultation with a specialist.

I hope you become more naturally youthful tomorrow than today,

and today more than yesterday.

This was Director Lee Seong-joon of Seoul Reeting Plastic Surgery.

This article is content intended to provide general information about face lift surgery and neck lift surgery.

Whether to actually undergo surgery should be decided according to an individual’s health condition and purpose,

and should be determined through consultation with a medical professional.

If you would like more details,

please check the more detailed information at the YouTube link below.

https://youtu.be/uVT-Mwubbik?si=21e2uQfKJgLJehgo