Hello. I am Dr. Do Kyung-Hyun, doctor from AB Plastic Surgery.

As we age, the skin and muscles of the face gradually sag and lose elasticity, beginning to give a different impression than before. Particularly, under-eye wrinkles, neck wrinkles and double chins significantly impact not only appearance but also confidence.

Today, I shall explain the specific effects of facelift, focusing on the scope of improvement achievable through a facelift alone, the necessity of combining it with lower eyelid surgery, methods for improving a double chin and common improvement cases frequently mentioned in actual reviews.

I hope this provides realistic and helpful information for those considering a facelift. Shall we begin with the first question?

Q. Can facelift surgery alone improve under-eye wrinkles?

Facelift surgery alone has its limitations when it comes to improving under-eye wrinkles.

In other words, for patients undergoing a facelift, it is often important to combine the procedure with lower eyelid surgery (also known as lower blepharoplasty) to achieve more natural and balanced results.

A facelift is a procedure that lifts the midface and lower face as a whole, with the eyes as the dividing point. In contrast, lower blepharoplasty removes excess skin under the eyes and repositions protruding fat to smooth and lift the under-eye area.

Therefore, if facelift surgery is performed on its own, the upwardly pulled skin may gather under the eyes, making wrinkles appear more pronounced. In reality, since aging-related sagging occurs across the entire face, many patients who undergo facelift surgery also choose to combine it with lower eyelid surgery. Patient reviews often mention that combining the two procedures provides results that look more natural and harmonious.

Q. Can facelift surgery also improve neck wrinkles and a double chin?

Since facelift surgery lifts not only the face but also the neck line, it can provide a certain degree of improvement for neck wrinkles and jawline definition.

However, if there is significant fat under the chin or severe vertical neck banding, facelift surgery alone may not achieve the desired results.

In such cases, it is more effective to combine the procedure with neck lifting or submentoplasty (double chin muscle tightening). Neck lifting corrects neck sagging by separating and tightening the aged platysma muscle and skin-fat layer beneath the chin, securing them in place, and trimming away excess loose skin. Submentoplasty (double chin muscle tightening) removes fat that causes a double chin and tightens the vertical neck muscles responsible for banding, creating a smoother jawline and neckline.

For patients with a severe double chin or pronounced neck wrinkles, combining a facelift with procedures such as a neck lift or submentoplasty is often the key to higher satisfaction. In fact, many facelift patient reviews report that when these surgeries are performed together, patients enjoy firmer and longer-lasting results.

Q. Is the effect of an incision facelift permanent?

Unfortunately, no facelift surgery provides permanent results. Aging continues even after surgery, and depending on your natural aging process, sagging will gradually reappear over time.

That said, among the various lifting procedures, the facelift offers the most powerful and long-lasting results.

With consistent skin care after surgery, you can slow down the aging process and maintain the benefits of your facelift for a longer period. In fact, many long-term facelift patients who share positive reviews are those who have also maintained a steady skincare routine.

Q. With an incision facelift, how much younger can I realistically look?

On average, patients can expect to look more than 10 years younger. It is known that our skin stretches by about 1 mm each year, and with an incision facelift, at least 10 mm or more of skin and SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) tissue are removed. Simply put, this translates to the effect of turning back the clock by more than 10 years.

Looking at actual surgical cases and facelift patient reviews, the before-and-after difference is often very clear and noticeable.

Q. Is hospitalization required after surgery? Do I have to use a drain (Hemovac)?

Hospitalization is not required. In general, hospital stays are only necessary for managing unexpected risks or severe pain after surgery, but such risks are very rare with incision facelift surgery, so patients can usually return home the same day.

However, because the surgical area is relatively wide, a drain (Hemovac) is absolutely necessary. If small amounts of blood or fluid accumulate, wound healing may be delayed. To prevent this, the drain is typically kept in place for about three days after surgery.

Q. Is recovery slower for middle-aged facelift patients?

It is true that people in their 40s and 50s have lower physical stamina and slower cell regeneration compared to those in their 20s and 30s. However, in reality, there is almost no difference in the actual recovery speed after surgery. For example, the timing of stitch removal is usually the same regardless of age.

What matters more than age is underlying health conditions. For instance, if diabetes is not well controlled, or if a patient is on long-term steroid treatment for immune-related diseases, recovery may take longer. This is why it’s important to share your current health condition during consultation—so that a safe and appropriate surgical plan can be made.

Facelift surgery is not simply about pulling the skin. It is a procedure that restores a more natural and youthful look by considering the overall harmony of the face. We encourage you to review various facelift testimonials from AB Plastic Surgery, and through thorough consultation and systematic planning, find the method that best suits you.

If you have any further questions about the peanut-shaped face, hollowed cheeks, or facial contouring surgery, please call +82-01-9674-1298 or contact AB Plastic Surgery on WhatsApp using the same number above, for more detailed consultation.

Writer Dr. Do Kyung-Hyun, AB Plastic Surgery

#Face_Lifting #Neck_Lifting #Lower_Blepharoplasty #Submentoplasty