Smiley Lift, How to Improve Midface Sagging While Reducing Incision 부담｜Sinsa Lifting Plastic Surgery Clinic

Hello.

I am Director Lee Seong-jun of Reting Plastic Surgery Seoul.

“Even after getting a procedure,

the impression still looks tired.”

“Nasolabial folds seem to be getting deeper,

and it worries me.”

For many people, the moment they start

considering a lifting surgery

begins with these small realizations.

This is not simply a desire to turn back

the clock on age, but rather a natural

feeling that the face looks more tired than before,

or that wrinkles have become noticeably deeper,

which leads to thinking about the need for change.

And in the end, these concerns lead to the question:

‘What kind of lifting should I get?’

How far have you thought about lifting?

Lifting methods can broadly be divided into

two main approaches.

One is the traditional facelift, which involves

a wider incision range and treats the face more broadly,

while the other is a partial lift that reduces

the incision range and eases the recovery burden.

A facelift has the advantage of being able to

correct a wide area at once,

but many people feel burdened by the large incision

and the long recovery period.

For this reason, procedures such as mini lifts

and smile lifts have recently gained attention

as alternatives because they precisely address only

the necessary areas.

In particular, when sagging is prominent in the

central part of the face—namely the nasolabial folds,

front cheeks, and eye area—a smile lift can be

an effective option.

The difference between a mini lift and a smile lift

A mini lift is performed by making a small incision

in the temple area.

It works by pulling up the SMAS layer

(the fascial layer).

It is mainly focused on addressing sagging around

the jawline and cheeks, and because the incision

range is relatively small,

it is known to be less burdensome in terms of

returning to daily life.

However, the discussion changes when the concern

extends to the center of the face.

Midface areas such as nasolabial folds, front cheeks,

and wrinkles around the eyes may feel like they

cannot be sufficiently addressed with a mini lift alone.

This is where the smile lift comes into consideration.

A smile lift is performed with an oblique incision

inside the hairline,

and the pulling direction is designed to face

the center of the face.

In other words, as the incision direction itself changes,

it also creates differences in the fixation structure

and the changes seen after surgery.

However, it is important to understand in advance

that all results may vary depending on an individual’s

skin condition, tissue elasticity, and recovery ability.

The surgical principle of the smile lift

At Sinsa Lifting Plastic Surgery Clinic,

the key principle emphasized in lifting is not simply

pulling the skin.

How the SMAS layer, which is a fascial structure,

is fixed

determines the durability and naturalness of the surgery.

If only the skin is pulled,

an immediate change may be possible,

but over time it can easily return to its original state,

and facial expressions may become unnatural.

The smile lift sets the incision direction obliquely

so that the pulling force is directed toward the center

of the face.

Through this, it is designed to effectively lift the

midface area,

including the nasolabial folds and the area around

the front cheeks.

So in what cases might a smile lift be needed?

These are cases where a smile lift may be considered

✔️ If sagging in the midface remains even after a previous mini lift or thread lift procedure	→ If there was partial improvement but the center of the face was not sufficiently corrected, additional correction may be needed.
✔️ If nasolabial folds become more pronounced and the area below the front cheeks appears sunken	→ It can improve not only skin sagging, but also sunken volume and wrinkle lines at the same time.
✔️ If wrinkles around the eyes and reduced volume around the cheekbones appear at the same time	→ A smile lift that considers the skin, fat, and fascia together can be a balanced solution.
✔️ If simply refining the jawline does not create enough change in the impression	→ Lifting not only the lower face but also the midface may lead to a younger and brighter impression.

However,

even if the above cases apply,

that does not mean surgery is necessary for everyone.

The decision on whether a smile lift is appropriate

should be made carefully only after a professional

evaluation at Sinsa Lifting Plastic Surgery Clinic,

based on an individual’s anatomical structure,

skin condition, and history of previous procedures

or surgeries.

Combining upper blepharoplasty and brow lift

When midface sagging is prominent,

changes around the eyes often appear together.

In particular, when the eyelids sag,

the eyes can look heavy,

which can cause tension in the forehead and deepen

wrinkles.

In such cases, upper blepharoplasty or a brow lift

may also be considered together.

Upper blepharoplasty is a method that makes the eyes

look more defined by making an incision along the wrinkle line,

removing excess skin and fat from the sagging eyelids.

A brow lift helps reduce wrinkles around the eyes

and forehead wrinkles at the same time by fixing

the eyebrows upward.

When combined with a smile lift, it can improve

the upper and midface together, allowing facial balance

and changes in impression to appear more harmoniously.

However, since all surgeries vary depending on

individual condition and needs,

whether to combine them should also be decided through

a personalized diagnosis.

It is important to find the lifting procedure that suits you

In the end, lifting surgery is not a matter of

whether you must do it,

but whether it is truly necessary for you.

Various lifting procedures, including the smile lift,

are simply one of several options for facial improvement,

and it is perfectly fine not to choose them.

However, if you are considering surgery,

it is important to carefully review factors such as skin condition,

tissue elasticity, recovery potential, facial expressions,

and lifestyle habits before making a decision.

Thank you.

I hope you become more naturally youthful

from yesterday to today,

and from today to tomorrow.

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

This article is

content intended to provide general information

about smile lift surgery.

Whether surgery is actually performed should be

decided according to an individual’s health condition

and purpose,

and you should make that determination through

consultation with a qualified medical professional.

If you would like more details,

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

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YCPpQSKBByM?feature=share