Shinsa Mini Lift, Lifting Plastic Surgery Clinic: Clear Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Smile Lifting!

Hello.

I am Director Lee Seong-jun of Reating Plastic Surgery Clinic, Seoul Branch.

One of the most frequently asked questions in the consultation room is:

“Doctor, which surgery is best suited for me?”

In fact, there is no single answer that applies equally to everyone.

When choosing a surgery, not only the condition of the skin but also factors such as cost, the timing of returning to daily life, and each person’s lifestyle pattern must be considered together.

Especially as summer approaches,

many people want to reduce the burden of hot weather, humidity, and recovery.

During this time, interest tends to increase in relatively fast-recovery options such as mini lifting (Shinsa Mini Lift) and Smile Lifting, as people want to reduce the recovery burden caused by heat and humidity.

So today, at the lifting plastic surgery clinic, we will look at the surgical methods and features of the representative procedures—mini lift, Smile Lifting, and facelift—along with summer post-surgery care, through the questions we are often asked.

Table of Contents
​📒 How are lifting plastic surgery procedures divided according to incision method?​📒 What kind of surgery is a mini lift?​📒 What kind of surgery is Smile Lifting?​📒 What are the differences between mini lift and Smile Lifting?​📒 What options are there when improvement is difficult even with Smile Lifting?​📒 What are the key points to follow in summer post-surgery care?​

Q. How are lifting plastic surgery procedures divided according to incision method?

(Inside-the-scalp incision vs. outside incision)

Facial lifting surgery can be divided into two types depending on the incision location.

A mini lift/Smile Lifting with a short incision inside the hairline A traditional facelift with a wider incision range from in front of the ear to the scalp

In this way, the recovery process and the areas of improvement differ depending on the incision range and location.

From now on, let’s go over the features of each method and the questions that are often raised during consultations.

Q. What kind of surgery is a mini lift?

Shinsa Mini Lift is a surgical method that makes an incision of about 2 cm in front of the ear and inside the hairline.

It lifts part of the SMAS layer (the fascial layer) and the skin layer upward to help improve sagging around the cheeks, jawline, and mouth area.

Because the incision site is relatively short, this method places less burden on scarring and tends to allow a faster return to daily life.

However,

because the incision and dissection range are narrow, there may be limitations in improving the central areas of the face, such as nasolabial folds and the eye area.

If you want improvement in nasolabial folds or sagging around the eyes as well,

Smile Lift may be more suitable.

It is best to receive an accurate assessment through a consultation.

Q. What kind of surgery is Smile Lifting?

Smile Lifting is a procedure in which the incision is made diagonally along the hairline,

rather than in a straight line.

By pulling in this diagonal direction,

it is characterized by the ability to expand the improvement range to the cheekbones, nasolabial folds, and midface area.

Improvement may be expected in areas such as wrinkles around the eyes, cheekbones, nasolabial area, and jawline, but the effect and level of satisfaction may vary from person to person.

Also,

because the incision site is located inside the hairline,

there is often relatively less concern about visible changes in appearance.

When you want improvement to the central area or are considering lifting over a wider range than a mini lift,

it is important to fully consult with the medical team and choose the appropriate method according to your condition.

Q. What are the differences between mini lift and Smile Lifting?

Both surgeries share the common features of

an approximately 2 cm incision, relatively quick recovery, and reduced concern about scarring, but there are clear differences as well.

Mini lift

→ Incision in front of the ear and along the hairline → Lifting focused on the lower cheeks and jawline Smile Lifting

→ Diagonal incision along the hairline → Expanded lifting improvement range to the cheekbones, nasolabial folds, eye area, and central face

In other words, if sagging is mainly concentrated in the lower cheeks and jawline, mini lift may be suitable; if you are concerned about the central areas (cheekbones, nasolabial folds, eye area), Smile Lifting may be appropriate.

Because the surgical method, recovery process, post-surgery scarring and swelling, and all other steps can differ from person to person, it is important to make a decision according to your personal condition through consultation with a specialist.

Q. What options are there when improvement is difficult even with Smile Lifting?

During consultation, when it is judged that improvement may be difficult even with Smile Lifting, the discussion may move on to facelift surgery, an upgraded surgical method.

A facelift uses a wide incision from in front of the ear to the scalp and aims to improve sagging over a broad area by approaching various layers such as the SMAS layer, platysma muscle, and fat layer.

Because the incision range is wide,

several factors such as recovery period, swelling, and scar management must be considered comprehensively.

Therefore, the decision for surgery should be made while fully reflecting the individual’s lifestyle pattern, job characteristics, and available recovery period.

Q. What are the key points to follow in summer post-surgery care?

In summer, the surgical area may become somewhat more sensitive to external irritation due to the hot and humid environment, strong UV rays, and sweat.

However, these days, air-conditioning facilities and systematic hygiene management systems are well established, so it is true that the burden related to the season has decreased significantly compared with the past.

In other words, there is no need to worry too much just because it is summer.

That is why, after surgery, if you follow the key care points such as personal hygiene and cleanliness,

and the guidance of the medical team,

you can recover stably regardless of the season.

📌 Sun protection

Make it a habit to use hats, parasols, and sunscreen so that the surgical area is not exposed to sunlight.

📌 Temperature and humidity control

Keeping the indoors comfortable, not too hot or humid,

helps recovery.

📌 Adequate hydration

Since you may sweat more in summer, please drink enough water than usual.

📌 Maintain cleanliness

When you sweat a lot, gently wipe it off with a clean towel,

and it is better not to touch the surgical area frequently with your hands.

📌 Avoid strenuous exercise and saunas

For a certain period, avoid intense exercise, saunas, jjimjilbangs, and similar places, and it is advisable to decide when to return to daily life according to the guidance of the attending medical staff.

If you follow the care methods above,

recovery can be relatively fast and stable even in summer.

So far, we have introduced the various procedures performed at lifting plastic surgery clinics, including Shinsa Mini Lift,

Smile Lift, and facelift,

as well as post-surgery care during the summer.

Because there are so many different questions, each person’s skin condition is also different,

and lifestyle patterns and concerns also vary.

Please remember that the effects, recovery, pain, and all other aspects of surgery or procedures may differ from person to person.

There is no single answer that applies equally to everyone.

Your skin condition, daily life, and concerns about recovery— for all surgeries and procedures,

it is important to choose according to each person’s condition and goals.

Based on sufficient consultation and understanding,

I hope you find the method that is right for you.

I hope you gradually discover changes and take one step at a time toward a more confident expression and a lively daily life.

Thank you.

May you become more naturally youthful tomorrow than today,

and today more than yesterday.

This was Lee Seong-jun, Director of Seoul Reating Plastic Surgery Clinic.

This article is content intended to provide general information about

Shinsa Mini Lift and Smile Lifting procedures.

Whether to undergo an actual procedure should be determined based on the individual’s health condition and purpose,

and should be decided through consultation with a medical professional.

If you would like more detailed information,

please check the YouTube link below for more details.

https://youtube.com/shorts/P26KUFnErpg?si=tfsG3R6nQvI27iE3