Improving Nasolabial Folds That Make You Look Older with a Partial Facelift

<Actual partial facelift case at DM Plastic Surgery>

Aging is said to begin gradually after the growth period ends. Although many people consider a facelift to address signs of aging, the variety of procedures and concerns about scarring can make it difficult to make a decision. These days, interest in anti-aging treatments continues to grow, as everyone wants to maintain a youthful appearance and avoid looking older than their age. Among people in their middle age and older, interest in laser lifting procedures, thread lifting, and incision-based lifting is also increasing.

Sagging and wrinkles progress from the forehead down to the neck, and signs of aging appear across many areas, including the forehead, around the eyes, nasolabial folds, cheeks, around the mouth, jawline, and neck. Since the areas of concern caused by reduced skin elasticity and the degree of severity vary from person to person, it is very important to consider these factors when determining the appropriate lifting method.

In particular, wrinkles around the mouth, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines are among the most common concerns. They are representative signs of aging that appear together with sagging in the lower face and can create a harsh-looking impression. They can become prominent not only in people in their 50s and 60s but also in younger people, making them look older than they actually are and creating an aged appearance. As a result, more people are visiting clinics to seek improvement.

A facelift is a medical approach for addressing these concerns. Before surgery, the most important factors affecting the degree of improvement and satisfaction after surgery are accurately understanding how much sagging you want to improve and which areas you want to address. A full facelift may be considered to improve an overall loss of facial elasticity, while a partial facelift or mini facelift may be used to address specific areas.

Today, we would like to introduce the SMAS partial facelift, a procedure that may be of interest to people who are concerned about fine lines and those who found the incisions 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 incisions required for a full facelift burdensome and are concerned about fine lines.

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 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 also 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 facelift, it may be difficult to improve a large area. However, the procedure can address the underlying cause of skin sagging and help prevent wrinkles, making it effective for people with fine lines rather than deep wrinkles. Through the expertise of Dr. Won-min Yoo, director of DM Plastic Surgery, who has extensive clinical experience, this procedure offers a longer-lasting effect and high satisfaction.

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, making it vulnerable to gravity.

For patients in their 30s to early 40s, when sagging beneath the jaw is not severe and facial contour changes caused by reduced elasticity are not substantial, we recommend improving the mid-cheek area and nasolabial folds through a partial facelift.

Simply lifting the skin may not provide adequate improvement and may make it difficult to achieve a satisfactory result. Since tightening the SMAS layer addresses the underlying issue of facial sagging, DM Plastic Surgery identifies each person’s facial structure through consultation with an experienced specialist and performs a customized procedure.

Why Patients Report High Satisfaction with Facelifts at DM Plastic Surgery

Retaining ligaments are strong fibrous tissues that extend from the deep fascia or periosteum to the dermis. If a facelift is performed without addressing the retaining ligaments, tissue movement can be restricted, making it difficult to lift sagging tissue.

At DM Plastic Surgery, Dr. Won-min Yoo, a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of clinical experience, applies his expertise to dissect the zygomatic retaining ligament and part of the masseteric retaining ligament. This provides a stronger lifting effect and has resulted in high patient satisfaction.

Before & After: Partial Facelift at DM Plastic Surgery

2 months after partial facelift surgery

[Actual partial facelift case at DM Plastic Surgery]

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

The photos show that the wrinkles in the areas of concern became less pronounced and that the skin appeared more firm and elastic.

※The degree of swelling and recovery may vary from person to person. Please keep this in mind.※

What Is the Recovery Process for a SMAS Partial Facelift?

The procedure involves a 5–7 cm incision from inside the hairline to the front of the ear. Because the scar is barely visible during recovery and the recovery period is short, this lifting procedure has a high level of patient satisfaction.

How Is a SMAS Partial Facelift Performed?

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 tightened and secured along with the skin, after which the excess skin is removed and the incision is carefully sutured to complete the procedure.

A SMAS partial facelift is recommended for people who:

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

Director of the Anti-Aging Center at DM Plastic Surgery

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

Choosing a hospital with an experienced specialist allows for a customized plan that takes into account each patient’s degree of sagging and skin condition. This is one reason why reviews of lifting procedures at DM Plastic Surgery are positive.

Actual partial facelift case at DM Plastic Surgery

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