<Lifting Procedure vs. Surgery> What’s the Difference? Which Lifting Option Is Right for My Face?

Hello.

If you are someone who wants to regain a youthful face, lifting is something you have probably thought about at least once.

Among the many options, you may wonder, “Is a lifting procedure better, or is surgery better?”

For those who are curious, today I’ll clearly explain the differences between the two methods.^^

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1. What Is a Lifting Procedure?

A procedure usually refers to a non-surgical lifting treatment.

Representative examples include

• Thread lifting

• HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)

• RF (radiofrequency)

• Laser lifting

and these are performed without incisions.

Advantages

• Simple procedure with quick recovery

• Little to no anesthesia or incision, so it is less burdensome

• You can return to daily life right after the procedure

Disadvantages

• Works only on the skin surface or subcutaneous tissue

• It can improve elasticity, but it is difficult to change facial contours

• Results last about 6 months to 1 year, so repeated maintenance is needed

This type of lifting is suitable for people in their 20s to 40s whose early signs of aging have begun.

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2. What Is a Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery (Facelift) is not simply pulling the skin taut;

it is a fundamental lifting surgery that pulls and secures the SMAS layer (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) inside the face.

The SMAS layer is a thin tissue that surrounds the facial expression muscles, and as this layer loosens, facial contours collapse and sagging occurs.

Advantages

• Overall improvement in the cheeks, jawline, nasolabial folds, and neck wrinkles

• Strong results that last naturally for a long time (5 to 10 years or more)

• The facial structure itself can be restored to a younger appearance

Disadvantages

• Incisions are needed in front of and behind the ears

• Recovery takes about 2 to 4 weeks

• It requires more cost and time than a procedure

If you are in your 40s to 60s or older and have moderate to severe sagging, surgical lifting may be worth considering.

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3. What Is the Difference Between a Procedure and Surgery?

Category	Procedure	Surgery
Incision	None	Incision around the ears
Area of effect	From the skin surface to the subcutaneous tissue	Deep tissue including the SMAS layer
Recovery period	Almost none	About 2 weeks
Duration of results	6 months to 1 year	5 to 10 years or more
Suitable age	20s to 40s	Late 40s to 60s and older
Degree of improvement	Focused on restoring elasticity	Clear change even in facial contours

Lifting is not simply a “procedure that pulls the skin.”

You need to accurately identify the cause of why your face looks aged,

and approach it with the method that matches it in order to achieve more natural and longer-lasting results.

• If sagging is not severe, a procedure may be enough

• If the facial contours have already collapsed, surgical lifting may be more appropriate

The most important thing is to get a professional diagnosis of which method is better suited for your face right now.

Through thorough consultation, start planning a natural and harmonious youthful lifting treatment now~

*This post is not an announcement from a hospital, but a post intended to provide medical knowledge and related information

*All procedures and surgeries may be applied differently depending on the individual, and effects, side effects, complications, etc. may also appear differently