Lifting Procedures: When Is It Best to Start?

Human Dermatology Clinic Seoul National University Branch

Are lifting procedures still too early for me?

I get asked this a lot in the consultation room. In the past, many people thought lifting procedures were something to consider only after reaching a certain age, but these days, more and more people are choosing to manage their skin in advance as soon as they notice changes.

What matters most, however, is not age but your current skin condition. The right time for lifting varies from person to person, so it is important to judge based on your own condition.

I don’t think it’s sagging that much yet.

It is better to think of the need for lifting as beginning when changes start, rather than after sagging becomes obvious. For example, if your jawline looks less defined than before or you start to feel that your cheeks are gradually dropping, those may be early signs.

Also, if makeup does not apply as well as before or your face generally looks tired, you may want to suspect a decline in skin elasticity. These small changes can become criteria for considering lifting.

Wouldn’t it be okay to get it once it gets worse?

Of course, lifting procedures can still help after sagging has progressed. However, when elasticity loss has advanced significantly, the treatment may require stronger intensity or more sessions, and the recovery process can take longer.

On the other hand, if care is started in the early stages, you can often expect sufficient improvement with a relatively natural and less burdensome approach. That is why it is important to think of lifting not so much as a “treatment” but as a concept of “prevention and maintenance.”

Then is it always better to do it as early as possible?

On the other hand, there is no need to force a lifting procedure when your skin still has enough elasticity. A procedure that does not match your skin condition may not deliver the results you expect.

When the skin is still firm, basic moisturizing care, skin boosters, or light elasticity care is often enough. What matters is not “doing it because others do,” but choosing what suits your current skin condition.

I’m not sure which lifting treatment is right for me.

There are many types of lifting procedures, and the skin layers they target and the methods they use are all different. Ultrasound lifting, radiofrequency lifting, thread lifting, and others each have different characteristics, so rather than simply choosing a popular procedure, it is important to select one based on your individual skin condition and goals.

In some cases, only a specific area rather than the entire face needs care, so a customized approach through a precise diagnosis can help improve satisfaction.

For lifting, “whether it suits me” is more important than “when I do it.”

Lifting procedures should not be decided based on age alone, but on your current skin condition and the degree of change. The key is finding the right timing—not too late, and not too early.

If it is difficult to judge on your own, I recommend checking your skin condition accurately through a dermatologist and consulting about the procedure and care methods that are right for you. Starting lifting at the right time can lead to the most natural and satisfying results.

Human Dermatology Clinic Seoul National University Branch

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