Facelift in Busan: SMAS Face Lift | Haneul Plastic Surgery

Facial aging does not happen only at the surface of the skin.

As facial tissues change over time, sagging can involve deeper structures as well as the skin, affecting the cheeks, folds around the mouth, jowls, and jawline.

This is why facelift surgery should not simply focus on pulling the skin tighter.

At Haneul Plastic Surgery in Busan, the degree and location of facial sagging, skin elasticity, deeper tissue structure, and the patient’s goals are evaluated before determining whether a full SMAS facelift or mini facelift is more appropriate.

What Is a SMAS Facelift?

A SMAS facelift is a surgical lifting procedure designed to address facial sagging at a deeper level than the skin alone.

The SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) is a layer of fibrous and muscular tissue beneath the skin and subcutaneous fat.

As facial aging progresses, changes in these deeper supporting tissues can contribute to:

• Sagging cheeks
• Deeper nasolabial folds
• Marionette lines
• Jowls
• Loss of jawline definition
• General lower-face laxity

At Haneul, full facelift surgery involves lifting and securing the lax SMAS layer together with management of the overlying tissues.

The objective is not simply to stretch the skin. The surgical plan addresses the deeper structures contributing to facial sagging.

Full SMAS Facelift vs. Mini Facelift

Not every patient with facial sagging requires the same extent of surgery.

Haneul offers both full SMAS facelift and mini facelift approaches according to the degree and location of laxity.

The appropriate procedure, anesthesia, recovery period, and follow-up schedule may vary according to the patient’s condition and individual surgical plan.

The shorter incision and recovery associated with a mini facelift do not automatically make it the better choice.

The more important question is how much sagging needs to be corrected and which tissue layers need to be addressed.

Who May Consider a Full SMAS Facelift?

A full facelift may be considered when facial laxity is more extensive or when less invasive lifting treatments are unlikely to address the underlying degree of sagging.

It may be considered for patients who:

• Have more noticeable facial wrinkles and sagging
• Feel their face appears older because of significant laxity
• Have pronounced cheek or lower-face sagging
• Have jowls or loss of jawline definition
• Have not achieved the desired improvement from non-surgical lifting treatments
• Have developed facial sagging after orthognathic or facial contouring surgery
• Want a more comprehensive surgical lifting approach

Age alone does not determine whether someone needs a full facelift.

The degree and location of tissue laxity are more important when selecting the surgical approach.

Who May Consider a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift may be considered when facial sagging is more limited and a full-length facelift incision is not necessary.

It may be considered for patients who:

• Have started to notice reduced facial elasticity
• Want to improve a mildly sagging facial contour
• Have facial sagging at a relatively younger age
• Have developed laxity following facial contouring surgery
• Are concerned about sagging around the nasolabial folds or lower cheeks
• Have early jowling or reduced jawline definition
• Prefer a smaller-incision surgical lifting option when medically appropriate

A mini facelift is not simply a “smaller full facelift.”

The surgical range and tissue treatment are selected according to where the sagging occurs and how much correction is required.

How Is a Full SMAS Facelift Performed?

Haneul’s full facelift is designed to address the deeper structures contributing to facial sagging.

1. Incision Along the Hairline and Ear

The incision begins around the temporal hairline and follows the natural border of the ear toward the area behind the ear.

The incision is planned along natural anatomical boundaries to help preserve the natural shape of the ear.

2. Retaining Ligament Release and SMAS Lifting

Facial retaining ligaments help anchor the facial tissues.

During surgery, the required retaining ligaments are released according to the surgical plan so that the descended tissues can be repositioned.

The lax SMAS layer is then lifted and secured.

This allows the lifting force to address deeper structures rather than relying on skin tension alone.

3. Excess Skin Adjustment and Closure

After the deeper tissues have been repositioned, remaining excess skin is adjusted.

The incision is then carefully closed using a layered closure technique.

The goal is to reposition the underlying tissues first and then allow the skin to follow the new contour without relying solely on excessive skin tension.

How Is a Mini Facelift Performed?

Haneul’s mini facelift uses a more limited incision while still addressing deeper supporting structures.

1. 2–3 cm Minimal Hairline Incision

An incision of approximately 2–3 cm is made along the hairline according to the required lifting area.

The incision is designed with consideration for hair growth and scar visibility.

2. Retaining Ligament Release and Vertical Lifting

The retaining ligaments contributing to tissue restriction are released according to the surgical plan.

Haneul’s mini facelift then uses a vertical lifting approach involving the retaining ligament, SMAS layer, dermis, and epidermis.

The objective is to reposition the tissues upward rather than simply pulling the skin laterally.

3. Layered Closure

The incision is closed using a multilayer technique.

This supports the incision while allowing the lifted tissues to be secured beneath the surface.

How Does Haneul Choose Between a Full and Mini Facelift?

Choosing the procedure should not begin with:

“Which surgery has the shorter recovery?”

A more useful question is:

“Where is my facial sagging coming from, and how much correction is actually required?”

At Haneul Plastic Surgery, the surgical plan may consider:

• Degree of skin laxity
• Location of facial sagging
• SMAS laxity
• Cheek descent
• Nasolabial folds
• Marionette lines
• Jowls
• Jawline definition
• Previous facial contouring or orthognathic surgery
• Skin elasticity
• Facial proportions
• Desired degree of correction
• Recovery considerations

A patient with early lower-face laxity may require a different surgical range from someone with more extensive cheek, jowl, and jawline sagging.

This is why the incision length alone should not determine which facelift is selected.

Facelift Surgery at a Glance

These timelines describe the clinic’s general postoperative schedule. Swelling, bruising, scar maturation, and the time required for tissues to settle vary between individuals.

Facelift Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery differs significantly between a full facelift and a mini facelift.

Haneul lists an initial recovery period of approximately 7 days for full facelift surgery and approximately 2 days for mini facelift surgery.

However, “initial recovery” does not mean that all swelling, bruising, tightness, or incision changes have completely resolved.

Sutures are generally removed at approximately two weeks for both procedures.

During recovery, patients may experience:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tightness
• Temporary changes in facial sensation
• Tenderness around the incision
• Temporary asymmetry related to swelling

The face continues to change as swelling decreases and the repositioned tissues settle.

International patients should therefore plan their travel dates around the required postoperative visits and suture-removal schedule.

Haneul Facelift Recovery Program

Haneul provides a dedicated lifting recovery program after facelift and mini facelift surgery.

The recovery program may be adjusted according to the individual procedure and postoperative condition.

Why Choose Haneul for Facelift in Busan?

A facelift should not be planned according to skin laxity alone.

The relationship between the skin, SMAS, retaining ligaments, facial proportions, and location of sagging needs to be considered when determining the surgical range.

Deep-Tissue Lifting Approach

Haneul’s facelift planning addresses the SMAS layer and retaining ligaments rather than relying only on pulling the skin surface.

For full facelift surgery, lax deeper tissues are repositioned before excess skin is adjusted.

Full and Mini Facelift Options

Patients do not automatically receive the same incision or surgical range.

Haneul offers both full SMAS facelift and mini facelift approaches so the extent of surgery can be selected according to the degree and location of facial laxity.

Plastic Surgery Specialist-Led Care

Haneul states that its facelift and mini facelift procedures are performed by plastic surgery specialists with experience in anti-aging facial surgery.

Limited Number of Surgeries Per Day

Haneul limits the number of surgeries scheduled each day so the medical team can remain focused on each patient and procedure.

One-on-One Patient Management

From consultation through surgery and postoperative follow-up, Haneul operates a one-on-one patient management system with the responsible medical team.

Postoperative Recovery Program

Scar care, swelling management, postoperative supplies, and other recovery support are provided according to the procedure and individual postoperative condition.

Facelift FAQ

What is the difference between a SMAS facelift and a mini facelift?

A full SMAS facelift generally addresses more extensive facial sagging through a longer incision and broader repositioning of deeper facial tissues.

A mini facelift uses a smaller incision and more limited surgical range for selected patients with less extensive laxity.

The appropriate procedure depends on the degree and location of sagging rather than age alone.

Do I need a full facelift or a mini facelift?

This depends on your facial anatomy and degree of laxity.

A mini facelift may be considered for more limited facial sagging, while a full facelift may be more appropriate when the cheeks, jowls, jawline, and deeper supporting tissues require more extensive correction.

An in-person assessment is needed to determine the appropriate surgical range.

Does a facelift only pull the skin?

Not necessarily.

At Haneul, full facelift surgery includes treatment of the SMAS layer and retaining ligaments before excess skin is adjusted.

The aim is to reposition deeper tissues rather than relying solely on tension applied to the skin.

How long is recovery after a facelift?

Haneul lists an initial recovery period of approximately 7 days after full facelift surgery and approximately 2 days after mini facelift surgery.

However, swelling, bruising, tightness, and incision healing continue beyond the initial recovery period.

Sutures are generally removed approximately two weeks after either procedure.

Will a facelift make my face look too tight or unnatural?

The goal of surgical planning is to reposition sagging tissues while considering the patient’s natural facial proportions.

An overly tight appearance cannot be assessed based only on how much skin is removed. The direction of lifting, deeper tissue repositioning, skin tension, and individual anatomy all influence the result.

Early postoperative swelling and tightness also do not represent the final appearance.

Can I get a facelift after facial contouring or jaw surgery?

Facial sagging can occur in some patients after facial contouring or orthognathic surgery.

Both full and mini facelift options may be considered depending on the location and degree of laxity.

The surgeon should evaluate the previous surgery, current facial structure, and soft-tissue condition before recommending a lifting procedure.

How long do facelift results last?

Facelift surgery can provide longer-lasting structural lifting than non-surgical treatments, but it does not stop the natural aging process.

How long the result remains visible varies according to the surgical range, tissue condition, age-related changes, lifestyle, and individual healing.

For this reason, it is better to discuss expected longevity according to your specific surgical plan rather than assume that every facelift lasts for the same number of years.

Considering a Facelift in Busan?

If you are considering a facelift in Busan, the first decision should not simply be whether you want a full or mini facelift.

The more important step is identifying where the sagging is occurring, how deep the laxity extends, and how much surgical correction is appropriate for your face.

You can send Haneul Plastic Surgery:

• Clear front-facing photos
• 45-degree photos
• Side-profile photos
• The areas of sagging that concern you most
• Information about previous lifting treatments or facial surgery
• Information about previous facial contouring or orthognathic surgery
• Your expected travel dates in Korea

This information can help the medical team better understand your concerns before your in-person consultation.

For international patients researching a facelift in Korea, understanding the difference between skin-only tightening, deeper SMAS lifting, and a limited-incision mini facelift can help make the consultation more meaningful.

Not sure whether a full SMAS face lift or mini facelift is appropriate for you?

Request a consultation with Haneul Plastic Surgery.