Planning for Year-End Gatherings? When Should You Get a Facelift?

Hello, this is Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic.

As the year-end season approaches, many people start paying closer attention to their appearance ahead of gatherings with family and friends. In particular, deep nasolabial folds, a sagging jawline, and drooping cheeks can make you look older.

These changes are related not only to loss of skin elasticity but also to sagging of the deeper tissues. That is why a facelift that addresses both the skin and the SMAS layer is worth considering. Today, we'll look at how facelift surgery is performed, the ideal timing for surgery when planning around year-end gatherings, and the recovery process.

Facial aging goes beyond the formation of wrinkles. Over time, the skin loses elasticity and the soft tissue beneath it begins to sag, which can change the overall contour of the face.

Because aging shows up in several areas at once, simply pulling the skin is often not enough to achieve meaningful improvement. That's why it's important to assess not only the condition of the skin, but also the degree of deep tissue sagging and the structure of the face, and then determine the most suitable surgical approach.

A facelift is a procedure that improves facial contours by releasing and repositioning sagging skin and deeper tissue.

At Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic, we analyze each patient's facial structure and degree of sagging to plan the appropriate incision range and lifting direction. Incisions are made in the necessary areas, from inside the hairline at the temples to behind the ears. We then lift the sagging tissue in the right direction, taking the SMAS layer and retaining ligaments into account.

The surgical approach and results of a facelift can vary depending on how far the skin and deeper tissues are released and in which direction they are lifted.

While the standard deep plane technique moves the skin and SMAS layer together, Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic adjusts the extent of release and the lifting direction based on each patient's facial structure and degree of sagging. We pay particular attention to the characteristics of each area, such as the nasolabial folds, cheeks, and jawline. We reposition tissue only where it is needed and aim for natural facial contours without excessive pulling.

With a facelift, it's important to consider not only how your face looks after surgery but also the recovery process.

In actual surgical cases, changes in facial contour can be seen 10 days after a facelift. At this stage, however, swelling and healing are still ongoing, and recovery progress can vary from person to person.

Planning for year-end gatherings? For a facelift, planning at least one month in advance is recommended. After surgery, swelling, bruising, and tightness can last for a period of time, and recovery speed varies from person to person.

So if you're planning a December gathering, we recommend scheduling your surgery in November to allow at least four weeks of recovery time.

Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic operates a range of safety management systems to carefully monitor patients before and after surgery.

First, we are built on safety systems comparable to those of university hospitals, with medical equipment and management protocols in place to prepare for emergencies. In addition, three board-certified anesthesiology and pain medicine specialists are on site, and after surgery we follow up with patients through the DOCTOR CALL system, checking on their recovery progress and any discomfort.

A facelift isn't simply about pulling sagging skin. What matters is a carefully tailored surgical plan that takes facial structure and tissue condition into account.

At Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic, under the direction of our chief director, Dr. Han Gyu-nam, we design individualized surgical plans based on an analysis of each patient's degree of sagging and tissue characteristics. Our goal is to create natural-looking facial contours.

If you're concerned about deep nasolabial folds, a sagging jawline, or drooping cheeks, we invite you to consult with Samsao Plastic Surgery Clinic about the facelift procedure and timing that best suit you 💚

Thank you 😃

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to get a facelift before year-end gatherings?

If your year-end gathering is in December, we recommend having surgery in November to allow at least four weeks of recovery time. After surgery, swelling, bruising, and tightness may occur, and recovery speed varies from person to person.

What concerns might a facelift address?

If you have deep nasolabial folds, a sagging jawline, or drooping cheeks, a facelift may be worth considering. The article explains that these changes are related to loss of skin elasticity and sagging of the deeper tissues.

How is a facelift performed?

The procedure involves making incisions in the necessary areas, from inside the hairline at the temples to behind the ears, and then lifting the sagging tissue. The article explains that the SMAS layer and retaining ligaments are taken into account, and that the incision range and lifting direction are planned based on each patient's facial structure and degree of sagging.

How long does recovery take after a facelift?

The article recommends securing a recovery period of at least four weeks. In an actual case, swelling and healing were still in progress 10 days after surgery, and recovery progress varies from person to person.

How is post-surgery aftercare handled?

The article explains that aftercare is provided through the DOCTOR CALL system, which checks on recovery progress and any discomfort after surgery. To monitor patients before and after surgery, three anesthesiology and pain medicine specialists are on site.