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العربيةFacelift
Face Plus Facelift, Examining Facial Sagging and Skin Elasticity Together
Three-Line Summary
- Anesthesia
- Mainly general anesthesia (administered by an anesthesiology and pain medicine specialist)
- Surgery time
- A facelift alone takes 4 to 5 hours; roughly 5 to 6 hours when other surgeries are done together
- Hospital stay
- Usually about one day
- Fasting before surgery
- 8 hours (not even water)
- No smoking before surgery
- 3 to 4 weeks before surgery
Table of contents for this page
- What — A surgery that pulls up and secures sagging cheeks and jawline, lifting the skin together with the SMAS (facial fascia layer) beneath it.
- For whom — For cases where the cheeks have dropped considerably and the jawline has lost its definition, so that a thread lift or mini facelift would not provide enough change.
- How long — Mainly under general anesthesia, 4 to 5 hours, with a hospital stay of about one day. Within 1 to 2 weeks you can resume daily activities to some extent.
It is natural to be afraid of surgery. Below, we describe the process, scars, recovery, and side effects in order.
Which is right for you, a thread lift or surgery, depending on the degree of sagging, is summarized in How to Choose a Lifting Procedure.
What is a facelift?
A facelift does not pull only the skin. It pulls up or repositions the fascia layer beneath the skin and secures it, then trims away the excess skin.
Beneath the facial skin is a layer that supports the facial tissues. In medical terms, it is called the SMAS (facial fascia layer).
As we age, this layer sinks downward. Then the cheeks fall and the jawline blurs. This is the change you have noticed in the mirror.
What technique do we use?
Our clinic's facelift is usually done using the deep plane technique, with thorough SMAS dissection (separating the layers of tissue). In cases with a high risk of nerve injury, such as revision surgery, other methods may be used, and this is decided after an examination.
The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is a fascia layer beneath the skin that is connected to the muscles of facial expression. In a facelift, this layer is pulled or repositioned and secured, and the excess skin is then removed.
A deep plane facelift is dissected in the layer beneath the SMAS. There, the retaining ligaments are released, and the skin, subcutaneous fat (fat beneath the skin), and SMAS are moved as a single composite flap and secured[13][14]. Retaining ligaments anchor tissue to the deeper layer at fixed locations on the face, and they also serve as landmarks for the positions of facial nerve (the nerve that moves facial expressions) branches[15].
In plain terms — It does not pull only the outer skin. It moves and secures the layer that supports the face, and trims away the excess skin. Deep plane goes one layer deeper than that supporting layer and releases the cord-like structures that hold the tissue in place.
We do not say that deep plane is better than other techniques.
We adjust the incision range according to the degree of sagging
In a facelift, the incision range can be partly adjusted according to the patient's age, degree of skin sagging, and skin elasticity. In general, the longer the incision, the wider the area that can be lifted.
The illustration below places the incision range (yellow line) and the dissection range (pink dotted line, the area beneath the skin that is separated) of the three lifting surgeries side by side. All incision lines are placed inside the hairline.
The mini facelift and the hybrid facelift are explained separately in Mini Facelift Surgery Information and Hybrid Facelift Surgery Information.
※ The incision range, recovery time, and surgery time may differ depending on the patient's condition and the surgical method.
When is a facelift done?
It is done when the cheeks have dropped considerably and the jawline has lost its shape, so that a thread lift or mini facelift would not give enough change.
Read this while picturing your own face in the mirror.
- When the cheeks have dropped and the nasolabial folds and marionette lines (lines running from the corners of the mouth down to the chin) have become pronounced
- When the jawline has lost its shape and the boundary between the face and neck has blurred
- When an examination finds that a thread lift or mini facelift would not provide enough change
- When the skin has become very loose with age and skin elasticity has declined
- When facial lines other than the nasolabial folds, such as the so-called midcheek grooves (lines running diagonally down the cheek from the front of the cheekbone), have deepened
- When you are concerned about neck lines as well as facial sagging
A study that followed facelift results over a long period also evaluated cheek sagging, nasolabial folds, lines around the mouth, and the neck separately[1].
Having one of these does not mean we will recommend surgery right away. The first of our treatment principles is "We never recommend excessive surgery." If you are not at a stage that requires a facelift, we will tell you so.
A Word from the Doctor
"Another principle is that your overall impression must never change drastically."
Less advanced sagging is explained in Thread Lift Information and Mini Facelift Surgery Information.
If neck sagging is your main concern, we consider double chin muscle tightening (platysma plication, a surgery that gathers the muscles at the front of the neck toward the center and ties them together) together with the facelift.
At about what age is this surgery done?
A facelift is an anti-aging surgery in which changes are easier to feel in people in their 50s and 60s, when aging is further along, than in their 20s and 30s. However, we do not decide by age alone; we judge by the degree of sagging and skin elasticity.
Dr. Park also explained in a video who a facelift suits well and whether it can be done in your 20s.
Are other surgeries done together with a facelift?
Yes. Along with a facelift, we almost always do facial fat grafting, facial liposuction, and double chin muscle tightening together.
A facelift is a surgery that pulls up sagging tissue. Each of the three done together addresses something different.
| Surgeries done together | Target area |
|---|---|
| Facial fat grafting | Fills hollow areas with fat |
| Facial liposuction | Reduces fat in areas with excess fat |
| Double chin muscle tightening | An incision is made under the chin, and the platysma muscle that has separated is gathered toward the center and tied together |
A Word from the Doctor
"In rejuvenation surgery, what matters is not simply lifting, but lifting while restoring volume."
When done together, the total surgery time is roughly 5 to 6 hours. A facelift alone takes 4 to 5 hours.
Fat grafting is explained in Fat Grafting Surgery Information, and double chin muscle tightening in Double Chin Muscle Tightening Surgery Information. If a lot of neck skin remains or the sagging extends to the sides of the neck, we decide at the consultation whether to also perform a neck lift.
If the eye area and forehead have sagged as well
A facelift treats the area from the middle of the face down to the neck. Sagging of the eyelids, under the eyes, and the forehead is outside this range. So when needed, upper and lower blepharoplasty or a forehead lift is done together or planned separately.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Lower Blepharoplasty
Forehead LiftHow is facelift surgery performed?
After general anesthesia, an incision is made around the ear, the fascia layer is lifted and secured, and then the excess skin is trimmed away and sutured (stitched).
Since it may feel vague the first time, we have laid it out step by step.
1. Consultation and planning
We examine where and how much has sagged. This is also when we decide whether the neck should be treated together.
Please tell us about all the medicines you take and all the conditions you have. We always check blood pressure and the use of aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers, and anticoagulants (blood-thinning medicines), as they are related to hematoma[8][24].
2. General anesthesia is given
Before surgery, tests for general anesthesia are done. The anesthesia is handled by an anesthesiology and pain medicine specialist. When you wake up, the surgery is already over.
3. An incision is made around the ear
The incision line starts inside the hairline (the border where hair grows) on the scalp at the temple. It passes in front of the ear and below the earlobe, goes around behind the ear, and continues along the back hairline.
The incision line in front of the ear is placed behind the tragus (the small projection in front of the ear) in women, and in front of the tragus in men.
4. The fascia layer is lifted and secured
Mainly, we go beneath the SMAS layer, release the retaining ligaments, and move the skin and SMAS upward together as one piece and secure them. The method varies depending on the condition of the face.
5. The excess skin is trimmed away and sutured
Of the skin lifted together with the fascia layer, the excess portion is trimmed away and stitched.
Dressings and stitches after surgery
- A compression dressing (a bandage wrapped to press on the surgical area) is applied and removed on day 2 after surgery.
- A drain (a thin tube that removes pooled blood and fluid) is not inserted separately. Even when one is inserted, it is removed the day after surgery, before discharge.
- Stitches are removed 2 weeks after surgery.
Where do facelift scars remain?
Scars do remain, but they are usually placed inside the hair and along the curves of the ear, so they are not easy to notice.
It is natural to worry about marks on your face. We will first tell you plainly where they remain.
The places where scars remain are the same as the incision lines in "3. An incision is made around the ear" above. The incision line in front of the ear is placed behind the tragus (retrotragal; the small projection in front of the ear) in women and in front of the tragus (pretragal) in men.
At first the incision lines are red. Over several months they fade and come closer to the surrounding skin color. The speed at which they settle varies slightly from person to person.
Rarely, depending on constitution, the scar may become thick and raised (hypertrophic scar), or hair around the scalp incision line may fall out.
How do I care for the scars?
- We recommend applying a scar ointment.
- We recommend sun protection.
- Silicone gel sheets (thin silicone patches placed over scars) are used when needed.
Dr. Park also explained in a video whether surgical marks show even when the incision is made inside the hairline.
How long does facelift recovery take?
In general, you can resume daily activities to some extent 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, and you should allow about 4 weeks for most of the swelling to go down. Swelling and bruising are worst in the first few days after surgery.
- The first few days
Swelling and bruising are at their worst. For about 2 days after surgery, we closely watch for any bleeding
- Day 2 after surgery
The compression dressing is removed
- 1 to 2 weeks after surgery
You can resume daily activities to some extent
- 2 weeks after surgery
The stitches are removed
- About 4 weeks
This is when most of the swelling goes down.
- Several months
The remaining swelling goes down, and the redness of the incision lines fades
- After 6 months
This is when you can look at the result and judge whether revision surgery is needed
The speed of recovery differs from person to person. If you have an important event coming up, please tell us in advance at the consultation.
During recovery, Dr. Park and the nursing team monitor swelling, pain, and your condition together. The third of our treatment principles is "We see patients more often after surgery." What we pay particular attention to after surgery is summarized in What our clinic watches especially closely after surgery.
Precautions after surgery
Do not use cold or warm compresses. This is because the skin has reduced sensation after surgery, so there is a risk of burns.
Be careful about lifting heavy objects or straining for about a month after surgery. Bleeding may occur.
| Precautions | Period |
|---|---|
| Sleep with your head elevated | 1 to 2 weeks after surgery |
| Be careful about lifting heavy objects and straining | About a month after surgery |
| Postpone exercise, alcohol, and saunas | 2 to 4 weeks after surgery |
| Postpone hair dyeing | 4 to 6 weeks after surgery |
| Do not smoke | At least 2 to 4 weeks even after surgery |
Face Plus Talk
Among the various lifting options, which is better: incisional or non-incisional?
When people look sagging with age, the procedure most commonly thought of is a lifting procedure. Lifting was originally performed with the incisional method, and incisional lifting is called a facelift. Facelift surgery takes a long time and also has a long recovery period.
Originally, lifting surgery means the facelift performed through a full incision. It is the traditional surgical method, and although there are many variations, in principle it requires an incision and removes excess skin by cutting it away.
These days, a great many lifting procedures are being performed. Recently there are various non-incisional lifting methods, so people seem to undergo procedures with somewhat greater peace of mind.
However, non-incisional lifting is not always better. There is no non-incisional lifting method that is not a major surgery like a facelift, has a much shorter recovery period, and a much lighter cost burden, while being as effective as incisional surgery. Because the procedure is simple, the effect and duration inevitably differ from incisional surgery. This fact must be accurately recognized.
These days, when comparing incisional facelift surgery with non-incisional thread lifting, it seems that non-incisional is nearly the trend. As a doctor, I think a great deal about which method it is really good to recommend, and which procedure is truly meaningful and good.
Should a method with a big operation but a large degree of change be considered the right answer, or is a simpler method that does not disrupt daily life but has limited effect the right one? There is no right answer, but I myself seem to be leaning more and more toward methods that are simple, do not change the impression greatly, and allow a quick return to daily life. If I thought only medically, the story would be very different, but I cannot help acknowledging the satisfaction with procedures such as thread lifts, Botox, and fillers.
Dr. Park Jung Keun, Plastic Surgery Specialist · Face Plus Talk
There is no single correct answer for a surgical method. After a thorough consultation, we proceed with a surgical method tailored to each individual.
The videos link to the Face Plus Plastic Surgery YouTube channel. View All FacePlus TV
How do I get a facelift consultation?
You can call our main number, 02-541-8500, or apply through Consultation & Booking information.
The clinic is located on the 4th floor of Vorati Al Building, 480 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It is a 1-minute walk from Exit 3 of Sinnonhyeon Station.
At your consultation, please tell us about previous procedures and surgeries, the medicines you take, and whether you smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of anesthesia is used for a facelift? Do I need to stay in the hospital?
A facelift is mainly done under general anesthesia, and you usually stay in the hospital for about one day. When you wake up, the surgery is already over. If you are worried about anesthesia, please feel free to ask at your consultation.
What to prepare before surgery
- Tests for general anesthesia are done.
- The anesthesia is handled by an anesthesiology and pain medicine specialist.
- Fast for 8 hours before surgery. Do not drink even water.
- Please quit smoking 3 to 4 weeks before surgery.
What are the side effects of a facelift?
Besides swelling and bruising, hematoma, facial asymmetry due to facial nerve injury, skin necrosis, scars, reduced sensation around the ear, hair loss, infection, and salivary gland injury may occur. Rarely, a blood clot formed in a leg vein may block the blood vessels of the lungs.
A facelift is a surgery that separates the area beneath the skin over a wide range.
Unlike ordinary swelling and bruising, the four items below are problems that need treatment right away.
- Pooled blood
- Injury to the nerve that moves facial expressions
- Death of part of the skin
- A blood clot in a leg vein blocking the blood vessels of the lungs
Scars, reduced sensation, and hair loss are changes that occur at and around the incision site.
What our clinic watches especially closely after surgery
After surgery, we always check first whether blood has pooled. This is so that problems can be found early and dealt with right away.
- Bleeding or pooled blood (bleeding/hematoma): We always check for it. Bleeding usually occurs within 2 days after surgery, so we monitor this period closely. If the amount of pooled blood exceeds a certain level, we reopen the area to stop the bleeding (hemostasis) and drain the pooled blood. This is because, if left alone, skin necrosis or inflammation can occur.
- Skin color: We watch it closely. If the risk of skin necrosis is high or the affected area is wide, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (a treatment in which oxygen is breathed in at high pressure), injections, moist dressings (dressings that keep a wound moist), and measures to prevent inflammation and infection may be needed.
- Nerves: We check for possible injury to the facial nerve or to sensory nerves.
- Salivary glands: If injured, swelling, infection, or inflammation may occur, so we watch closely and take the necessary measures.
How long do facelift results last?
A facelift does not stop aging. So we do not promise that the effect will last a certain number of years.
A facelift is a surgery that pulls or repositions the SMAS layer, secures it, and trims away the excess skin. Its structure differs from a thread lift, in which tissue is hooked up with dissolving threads.
The skin and tissue continue to age after surgery. We will honestly tell you the range you can expect at your consultation, after looking at your face.
Which lasts longer, deep plane or other techniques, has not yet been settled.
Are there cases in which I should not have a facelift or should postpone it?
Yes. Typical examples are when blood pressure is not controlled and when you take blood-thinning medicine. Criteria based on your health status are checked at the consultation.
Lifting surgery requires quitting smoking for 3 to 4 weeks before surgery. This period follows the standard of a meta-analysis that examined the length of smoking cessation before surgery. You must also not smoke for at least 2 to 4 weeks after surgery.
- Cigarettes reduce blood supply to the skin and interfere with wound healing.
- If your blood pressure is high or you take blood-thinning medicine, the risk of blood pooling after surgery increases.
- Please do not stop your medicines on your own; tell us at your consultation.
Other things we check
- If you cannot set aside time for recovery: Allow 1 to 2 weeks to resume daily activities to some extent, and about 4 weeks for most of the swelling to go down.
- If you have had lifting surgery before: Revision surgery is considered only after at least 6 months have passed since the primary surgery.
- If you have had a thread lift before: In most cases surgery can be done without problems. Scar tissue left by the threads can make dissection a little more difficult, so please tell us the timing and number of procedures at your consultation.
Please tell us about all medications you take and any conditions you have at the consultation. Even things that seem minor are fine to mention.
When is revision facelift surgery considered?
Revision surgery is considered at least 6 months after the first surgery.
If you are bothered by the result, we fully understand wanting to fix it as soon as possible. Before then, swelling and tissue changes remain, so what you see at that point is hard to treat as the final result.
In cases with a high risk of nerve injury, such as revision surgery, a method other than deep plane may be used, and this is decided after an examination. What we check and the methods are explained in Revision Facelift Information.
Are other surgeries done together with a facelift?
Yes. We almost always do facial fat grafting, facial liposuction, and double chin muscle tightening together. Details are explained in Fat Grafting Surgery Information and Double Chin Muscle Tightening Surgery Information.
Doctor's Column
A facelift is not a single surgery; it is divided into several approaches.
Published 2025-08-06 · Updated 2026-10-01Read LiftingHow to Decide on a Face Lifting MethodThere is no single fixed answer for lifting.
Published 2025-06-28 · Updated 2026-10-01Read LiftingMini Facelift: What Do You Gain and Lose by Shortening the Incision?“Mini facelift” is not a medical term, and there is no fixed surgical method.
Published 2025-06-24 · Updated 2026-10-01ReadReferences
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He personally consults on and performs facial aging treatments such as facelift, droopy eyelid surgery, and thread lift. The doctor personally sees you from consultation through recovery.
About the DoctorThe content of this page is general medical information provided in accordance with the Medical Service Act, and the effects and recovery time of surgeries and procedures may vary by individual. All surgeries and procedures can cause side effects, so please make your decision only after a thorough consultation with a plastic surgery specialist.