A Partial Facelift That Helps Ease Scar Concerns: How Does It Differ from a Full Facelift?

Aging is said to begin gradually after the growth period ends. Although many people look into lifting procedures to address signs of aging, it may be difficult to decide on a lifting procedure because of the wide range of options and concerns about scarring. These days, interest in anti-aging continues to grow, as everyone wants to maintain a youthful appearance and does not want to look older than they are. Among people in their middle age and older, interest is also increasing in laser lifting procedures, thread lifting, and incision-based lifting.

Sagging and wrinkles progress from the forehead down to the neck, and signs of aging can appear across many areas, including the forehead, eye area, nasolabial folds, cheeks, around the mouth, jawline, and neck. Since the areas of concern differ from person to person depending on the decrease in skin elasticity, and the degree of severity also varies, it is very important to consider these factors when choosing an appropriate lifting method.

In particular, wrinkles around the mouth, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines are the most common areas of concern. As representative signs of aging that appear together with sagging in the lower face, they can create a stern-looking impression. They can also become prominent not only in people in their 50s and 60s but also in younger people, making them look older than their actual age and resulting in more visits to improve an aged appearance.

A medical method for addressing these concerns is a lifting procedure. Before surgery, the most important factors affecting the extent of improvement and satisfaction after surgery are accurately identifying how much sagging the patient wants to improve and which areas they want to address. A full facelift may be considered to improve an overall loss of elasticity in the face, while a partial facelift or mini facelift may be used to address specific areas.

Today, we would especially like to introduce the SMAS partial facelift, which may be of interest to people concerned about fine wrinkles and those who found the incision required for a full facelift burdensome.

What Is a SMAS Partial Facelift?

As mentioned above, a SMAS partial facelift is a lifting procedure recommended for people who find the incision required for a full facelift burdensome and who are concerned about fine wrinkles.

The difference between a full facelift, partial facelift, and mini facelift lies in the treatment area. Unlike a full facelift, which involves an incision from inside the hairline along the ear and to behind the ear, a partial facelift involves a 5–7 mm incision from inside the hairline to the front of the ear. This reduces concerns about visible scarring, while allowing dissection of the SMAS layer and part of the zygomatic and masseteric retaining ligaments.

Because the incision area is smaller than that of a full treatment, improvement across a large area may be difficult. However, it addresses the underlying cause of skin sagging and may help prevent wrinkles, making it more suitable for people with fine wrinkles than for those with deep wrinkles. With the expertise of Won-min Yoo, director of DM Plastic Surgery Clinic, who has extensive clinical experience, this procedure has received favorable reviews and high satisfaction for its duration and results.

What Is the SMAS Layer?

The SMAS layer is a thin fibromuscular layer located between the subcutaneous fat and muscle layers. It transmits muscle movement to the skin and is highly attached to the skin, which makes it vulnerable to gravity.

For patients in their 30s to early 40s, when sagging beneath the chin is not severe and facial shape has not changed significantly due to reduced elasticity, a partial facelift may be recommended to improve the front cheek area and nasolabial folds.

Simply lifting the skin may not provide sufficient improvement or produce a highly satisfactory result. Since tightening the SMAS layer addresses the underlying issue of facial sagging, DM Plastic Surgery Clinic identifies each patient’s facial structure through consultation with an experienced specialist and performs a customized procedure.

Why Patients Report High Satisfaction with Lifting Procedures at DM Plastic Surgery Clinic

Retaining ligaments are firm fibrous tissues that extend from the deep fascia or periosteum to the dermis. If a lifting procedure is performed without addressing the retaining ligaments, movement of the tissues may be restricted, making it difficult to pull up sagging tissue.

At DM Plastic Surgery Clinic, Director Won-min Yoo, a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of clinical experience, applies his expertise to dissect part of the zygomatic and masseteric retaining ligaments, providing a stronger lifting effect and a high level of satisfaction.

Before & After: Partial Facelift at DM Plastic Surgery Clinic

[Actual partial facelift case at DM Plastic Surgery Clinic]

The patient, who had been concerned about nasolabial folds, chose a partial facelift at DM Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Through the preoperative photo and the photo taken immediately after suture removal, you can see how the wrinkles in the areas of concern became less prominent and the face was improved to appear more youthful.

※Please note that the degree of swelling and recovery may vary from person to person.※

What Is the Recovery Process for a SMAS Partial Facelift?

The 5–7 cm incision runs from inside the hairline to the front of the ear, so the scar is barely exposed during recovery. This lifting procedure has a high satisfaction level due to its relatively short recovery period.

What Is the Surgical Method for a SMAS Partial Facelift?

As mentioned above, the procedure begins with an incision from inside the hairline to the front of the ear. The skin tissue is separated, and part of the zygomatic and masseteric retaining ligaments is dissected.

The SMAS layer is firmly pulled and secured together with the skin, after which the excess skin is removed. The procedure is completed with careful suturing.

A SMAS partial facelift is recommended for people who:

• Are concerned about wrinkles around the eyes and a drooping eye area,
• Have not seen results from lifting procedures,
• Are concerned about nasolabial folds,
• Want a semi-permanent effect,
• Find the incision required for a full facelift burdensome, or
• Want to return to their daily activities quickly after surgery.

Head Director of the Anti-Aging Center at DM Plastic Surgery Clinic

If you are currently considering a partial facelift, we recommend visiting the clinic and receiving a thorough one-on-one consultation with an experienced medical professional.

Choosing a hospital with an experienced specialist can lead to greater satisfaction through a customized plan that considers each patient’s degree of sagging and skin condition. This is why lifting procedures at DM Plastic Surgery Clinic receive favorable reviews.

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