How to Decide on a Face Lifting Method

Many People Say the Plan Differs from Clinic to Clinic

Many people come to us after having consultations at several clinics.

You might expect that several consultations would bring the plan down to one, but in practice that is often not the case. If anything, it can make it even harder to decide.

Even when looking at the same face, the recommended method can differ. So it is natural to feel confused.

There Is No Fixed Rule for Lifting

When it comes to lifting, in fact, nothing is fixed.

The degree of sagging, skin elasticity, amount of remaining skin, and condition of the neck are all different. That is why different plans can come out of looking at the same face.

There are, however, criteria. The three below are the order in which I look at things.

The Standard Method Is the Full-Incision Facelift

The standard method is the full-incision facelift. This is because it covers the widest range.

Surgery with a smaller incision (such as a mini facelift) is a smaller operation with faster recovery. In return, it lasts correspondingly less long.

Point of comparison	Surgery with a reduced incision	Full-incision facelift
Surgical range	Small	Wide
Recovery time	Faster	More time is needed
Duration	Short	Long
Hospital stay	Not required	Usually about one day

It cannot be said that only one of the two methods is correct. If a facelift feels like too much, it is better to do something like a mini facelift, even a simple one.

The detailed range and recovery for each surgery are in [Facelift surgery information](/lifting/facelift) and [Mini facelift surgery information](/lifting/mini-facelift).

We Do Not Recommend Liposuction Alone

We do not recommend liposuction alone for a face that has sagging.

If liposuction alone is done when facial skin elasticity has declined, the face may end up looking even more saggy. This is because the skin cannot retract to cover the area where the volume has been reduced. Facial liposuction itself is a procedure we recommend when it is needed. However, for a face with sagging, it should be done together with lifting surgery, and liposuction alone is not advisable.

In plain terms Skin that has lost elasticity does not shrink back by as much as the volume that was removed. So taking out only fat can make the face look even more saggy. This does not mean liposuction is bad; it means that when there is sagging, it should be done together with a surgery that pulls.

Conversely, when the cheeks are hollow and the contour is uneven, fat grafting may also be considered. It is explained in [Fat grafting surgery information](/fat-graft).

How Should You Decide?

It is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure accurately and to decide after discussing them thoroughly.

The specific method can be decided after an examination and consultation. Rather than having many consultations, it helps to set your criteria even once.

So that long deliberation does not end in a bad move, we first align on what you gain and what you give up.

Summary

Item	Guideline
Fixed answer	None. It depends on the condition of the face
Principle	The full-incision facelift covers the widest range
When it feels like too much	Methods with a reduced scope are considered
Liposuction	If there is sagging, it is done together with lifting
Decision	Decided after knowing the pros and cons and discussing them

You can find more on the differences among the three methods in [How to Choose a Lifting Treatment](/lifting) and [Thread lift information](/lifting/thread).