Men’s Facelifts: Just a Bit Different

Let’s address something immediately: Facial plastic surgery is not a gendered issue. There’s no exclusive male or female right to feeling good about yourself and your appearance. Everyone wants and deserves to find self-confidence, age with grace, and showcase outwardly how we feel within.

Sure, you might not see too many newspaper headlines asking, “Did he or didn’t he?” about whether male celebrities had facial plastic surgery, but the fact remains: The number of men getting facelifts is increasing. Image-conscious men in an increasingly competitive work environment are more likely than ever to consider facelift surgery.

While cosmetic surgery is open to all sexes, the reality is that historically women have been the bigger audience for plastic surgery. That’s a result of modern culture. However, men are increasingly coming around to the idea of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and facelifts. More and more men are choosing facial plastic surgery after seeing their significant others’ results. That makes sense, given the number of women today who have had a cosmetic facial procedure.

Even though women are more likely than men to discuss their decision to get a facelift with friends and family members, statistics show that plenty of men are going to plastic surgeons to improve their appearances. In 2015, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, men make up 10% of all facelift patients.

Often men experience their girlfriends, wives or partners starting to look and feel younger after a facelift. Suddenly the women in their lives have a newfound zest for life — they’re more social and energetic. While men may still be a little hesitant to admit it, they want that as well! And at Korea Facelift Center, we think they ought to have it.

Our doctors in Korea are great assets in showing men what they can achieve through facial cosmetic surgery. They have carefully chosen natural-looking enhancements over the years and truly defined the ways men can have a more dignified, healthy-looking appearance without giving up masculinity.

The subject of the traditional notions of masculinity is a great place to start a deeper discussion about other issues men confront when considering plastic surgery. In light of this, let’s look at some of the top concerns, misconceptions and realities in men’s facelifts, plastic surgeries and nonsurgical procedures.


When Winning Isn't Winning

Without making new stereotypes, in general there tends to be a big difference in how men and women deal with any type of surgery from an emotional point of view. In our experience, we’ve noticed that in many cases our male patients tend to focus on outcomes and are naturally more competitive. With regards to a facelift, this means things like wanting to see results quicker than what is realistic. Men are also likely to define “winning” as healing quicker and returning to work faster. At Korea Facelift Center, we help patients establish realistic expectations regarding outcomes and recovery periods.


No Need to Tough It Out

Facial plastic surgery is accompanied by some discomfort and unfamiliar sensations, especially during the healing period. At Korea Facelift Center, we have plenty of professional tools and methods, such as anesthesia and high-tech recovery systems, for managing the discomfort. However, everybody has a different pain threshold. Knowing that there will always be different mental and physical aspects to how each person processes pain, we discuss these thoroughly with our patients and guide them in planning for the surgical and post-operation experiences.


Facelifts Styled for Men

While facelifts work in similar ways for both sexes, there are subtleties in the procedures that are unique to men. Both men and women share some general overall goals: they want to look like a more youthful version of themselves in a way that appears natural, however the desired result is a little different. Facelift surgery for men have to be specifically tailored, because the procedure calls for different techniques than when working with female facelift patients. For instance, men’s brow and eye areas, as well as the chin and jowls, are distinctly different than women’s and can therefore shift outcomes when included in the surgical process. Some specific areas our doctors concentrate on are:

• Incisions: Men’s side burns and beards require a different incision location to keep the side burns in a place that looks natural. This is one reason why it’s important that a man considering facelift surgery chooses a doctor experienced with male facial plastic surgery. Some men like to wear their hair short, or shave their heads, and that requires extra skill in making incisions with well-hidden scars in the natural contours of the ears.

• Goals: Both men and women get facelift surgery to address concerns about sagging skin and tissue. But most men want to keep a somewhat rugged, more masculine appearance with a chiseled jawline. Women, in most cases, want a smoother, more delicate feminine shape.

• Chin projection: Chin position in male facelift surgery is an important factor to consider, because a more prominent chin helps create more desirable results. In some situations, we can combine facelift surgery with implants to improve the chin.

What's the Right Choice for Me?

Once men decide that they’re ready to move forward on creating a younger look, they sometimes struggle with understanding which procedure will be right for them. Our doctors in Korea are great resources for streamlining this decision-making process. They have spent decades learning the distinct differences in men and women's facial structures. Some procedures our patients have chosen in addition to standard facelifts and mini-facelifts are:

• Brow lifts: Often a pronounced and deep-set area on men's faces, a naturally furrowed brow can create a stern look or be misinterpreted as a “mean” expression. A brow lift can help men express what they’re truly feeling.

• Eye lifts: Typically a key part of a mini lift, cosmetic surgery work around the eyes can relieve the look of hooding and bagging that are typical complaints among older men.

• Neck lifts: Just like women, older men struggle with the effects of a softening around the jowl and neck area. Correcting the look of “turkey neck” can help men reclaim their masculinity.

Your Partner in the Aging Process

As we’ve already mentioned, it’s now common for men to follow the women in their lives in making the choice to have plastic surgery. We see this as a positive trend and believe that couples that frame this in a healthy way may actually improve their relationships. Rather than watching a significant other flourishing after a facelift and feeling envious, whether outwardly or unconsciously, making the pro-plastic surgery decision together can help couples feel like they’re on the same path for the future.

However men come to facial plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures that can help turn back time, we welcome them. Korea Facelift Center wants people to know that looking good is not defined by gender.

If you are suffering from aging and sagging skin and it is becoming noticeable, we invite you to contact Korea Facelift Center today. You can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions here. Your doctors in Korea will provide a comprehensive medical history and facelift analysis that will allow them to provide each patient with an accurate diagnosis so that a patient-specific treatment plan can be put into action. Contact us now.

Can Your Weight Affect Your Facelift Results?

Many patients make the mistake of thinking about a potential facelift surgery without considering how their weight, or changes in their weight, may affect the outcomes. Could 10 or 15 pounds truly influence the way your face looks? What about that new exercise routine you’ve just started a few weeks before your facelift surgery date? While your overall health is critical to the success of your surgery and recovery process, facelift patients need to be aware of the manner their results might be influenced by last-minute changes in weight. Even the way your improved face looks after surgery could be affected by weight gain and weight reduction.

Facelift Surgery and its Ideal Candidate

The facelift procedure incorporates a multi-layer approach to improve the contour of the face and firmness of the skin. Your doctor may tighten the facial muscle, remove or redistribute fat from the jaw and chin, tighten the underlying soft tissue of the lower face, or remove any extra skin. When the procedure is complete, the end results typically sweep 10 years from the patient’s appearance. For the right candidates, facelift surgery can be a successful and life-changing operation. Read here for more details about the standard facelift procedure and mini facelift procedure.

So who is a good candidate for facelift surgery? Ideally, you should be in good health, not smoke, and have realistic expectations for your facelift results. You should also be experiencing some of the signs of aging around the lower portion of the face, including the formation of jowls, the presence of lines and wrinkles, and the drooping of the skin. It is also important that you are close to your ideal weight in order to encourage proper healing from surgery and long-lasting results. Weight gained or lost from the face too closely before or sometime after surgery can impact the outcomes.

When to Lose Weight Before Your Surgery

During your facelift consultation, the issue of weight change may come up, especially if you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight before your surgery. For patients with weight loss goals, our doctors may encourage them to lose the weight and come back for a re-evaluation. This probably won't be the answer you want to hear, but there’s a good reason. Dropping weight can affect the face’s appearance in unexpected ways and your doctor doesn’t want to be taken by surprise in the operating room. Instead, by scheduling a second consultation, your doctor is giving you the chance to lose the weight and be seen again for a new evaluation and an updated surgical plan.

With regards to pre-surgery weight loss, timing is everything. Don’t try to make dramatic changes between the dates of your consultation and surgery. You may wind up with results you didn’t expect, since you could change the very nature of what is being corrected by surgery. Rather, plan your weight loss and complete it before meeting with a our doctor. If you begin at or close to your ideal weight, your doctor can have a clear idea of what changes should be made to achieve your desired results.

To lose weight at a steady, healthy pace, it’s very important to eat a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals and to exercise regularly. Avoid carb-free, fat-free, crash, or fad diets of any kind, as these won’t provide the safe and sustainable weight loss you need. You might even gain more weight back and end up heavier than when you began. A proper diet and exercise regimen is a good habit to have for good weight loss; there are no shortcuts. Being at a healthy weight will help your body heal faster and without complications, something that can only benefit you after surgery.

How to Lose Weight After the Facelift

As previously mentioned, the ideal time to lose weight is before your consultation, but sometimes the timing just doesn’t work. If you’re close to your ideal weight, you may be eligible for a facelift. After the surgery, don’t be tempted to rush into a crash-diet or intense exercise routine. Even losing 5 to 10 pounds right away might affect your facelift results in an unexpected way. Of course, you want to achieve that ideal weight, but you’ll have to be careful with the timing.

Significant weight loss at a fast pace is inadvisable following any surgery, even a facelift. Your surgery will already have removed fat from the face, so losing more at a rapid pace could change your new look. If you’re trying to work off any amount of weight after surgery, you should always wait until your recovery is complete and you are cleared by your doctor to start exercising again. Keep your weight loss moving at a slow and steady pace. Discuss your plans for weight loss with your doctor before your facelift to get his or her opinion. The doctor might schedule a follow-up to see how your results are doing after that weight finally comes off.

If you decide to lose weight, remember that it doesn’t have to come off all at once. Many healthy weight loss successes took months and years, with their trimmed-down forms lasting a lifetime. Follow these tips to keep yourself motivated, on pace, and looking good after your facelift surgery:

• Target a slow rate of weight loss. The doctor-recommended 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week is a safe way to achieve lasting results.

• When you hit each 5-pound milestone, check the appearance of your face. Some people may see initial weight loss from the chin and neck area that can change the appearance of facelift results.

• Be prepared to try something new if you do experience unwelcome change. Your doctor can guide you through various techniques for adding volume back to the face if you find your look to be too skinny and severe, such as fat transfers and dermal fillers.

• Managing your weight loss after a facelift surgery is not only possible, but essential to your success. Remember that your doctor is there to help you throughout the facelift process, especially with personal issues like weight loss that could affect your surgery. Be honest about your plans for weight loss and take your doctor’s advice seriously for weight loss results that don’t sacrifice your facelift results.

Discuss Your Facelift Today

If you are suffering from aging and sagging skin and it is becoming noticeable, we invite you to contact Korea Facelift Center today. You can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions here. Your doctors in Korea will provide a comprehensive medical history and facelift analysis that will allow them to provide each patient with an accurate diagnosis so that a patient-specific treatment plan can be put into action. Contact us now.

What is the Best Time for a Facelift?

When it comes to large investments of time and money, including facial plastic surgeries, we all want the best we can get. However, when it comes to a facelift surgery, there has never really been a clear-cut rule about what age can deliver you the best results. In fact, patients as young as 30 and well over 60 are often encouraged by the possible results a facelift can give them. While the initial results might be just as desirable, is there a way to plan a facelift surgery that will last longer?

Most women these days know that having facial rejuvenation surgery can significantly help their appearance. Most often, surgery is delayed due to the natural reluctance to go through surgery for understandable reasons, at least until a significant loss of freshness of appearance makes it a pressing issue. Finding the correct answer to this key question about timing is important, otherwise it is likely to result in an all too common mistake.

Almost half the women who ask their facial plastic surgeon for help with their tired facial appearance have missed the ideal time to benefit the most from their facelift surgery. They are usually disappointed upon hearing this, as they had thought that they had been virtuous in waiting so long! They had assumed they were doing the right thing by waiting at least until they were in their mid 50s before consulting a plastic surgeon. Their typical response is ‘if only someone had told me’.

Am I Too Young for a Facelift?

These days there is a trend toward considering plastic surgery at a younger age, as well as nonsurgical procedures like botox to achieve a certain look. Plastic surgery in general is being discussed more openly than ever before.

We would never suggest that someone in their 20s, for example, is not a candidate for plastic surgery. However, we guide our younger patients through a series of inquiries about their motivations for choosing surgery. Making a smart decision comes down to this: If there’s something that’s always bothered you, then it’s the right time to make that adjustment.

These kinds of physical concerns tend to increase during puberty, when the body is going through many changes. Self-consciousness about inherited facial traits may also become heightened as young people enter the workplace where they are regularly on display or in face-to-face communications a majority of the day.

There are, however, some impulses that aren't aligned with plastic surgery being a good option. It could be trying to fit in with those who are perceived as “cool,” or trying to resolve unhealthy emotions through a physical change. In these cases, we work with them to develop patience while they work on deeper issues, or suggest nonsurgical options that could refresh their appearance and help prevent some early signs of facial aging. For instance, regular botox treatments can go a long way in preventing fine lines and wrinkles from appearing in prematurely. Then, at the right time later in life, a mini-facelift may do wonders.

Am I Too Old for a Facelift?

On the other hand, we encounter many prospective patients who wonder if they are too old to have a facelift. We believe that you’re never too old to stop aging in its tracks.

If someone is in good health, there is no reason that men and women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s can’t have the appearance they dream of. There’s no expiration date on wanting to look great.

After running some tests to evaluate an older patient’s ability to undergo the procedure, anesthesia and healing process, we set realistic expectations for mature clients. A mini-facelift on a 70-year-old will never look like one on a 30-year-old.

Like all parts of the body, the skin on the face becomes less elastic and the underlying muscles weaken over time (read about skin aging here). So while a younger patient may see results that lasts longer, older patients will notice a slight softening of results sooner.

That said, facelift patients will always look younger than they did before the surgery.

The Magic Age for Best Outcomes

While a standard facelift or mini-facelift surgery will deliver similar top-notch results initially to every patient, the lasting power of your results may vary based on your age. Of course, there is no such thing as a magic or perfect age to have any procedure done at all, but careful research can help you to be more effective in your planning. Studies show that men and women in their 30s, especially up to and including age 35, get the longest-lasting results from facelift surgery. First facelifts are now often sought by patients in their 30s and 40s, lowering the average age of those treated in this manner. Great results lasting over a decade can also be achieved by patients under 50 years old, so don’t feel upset if you missed the first boat.

After 50, the duration of facelift results may start to fade a little. Most patients in the 50s and 60s, as well as those over 60 years old, show the same initial satisfaction with their facelift results, but find themselves looking for a follow-up facelift sooner than their younger counterparts. For those age groups, 8-10 years after the first facelift seems to be the time for some maintenance.

If you’re part of this older group, don’t fret! A facelift can still take off to a decade of aging from your face and give you a burst of self-confidence once you’re healed. Through proper maintenance and care for your skin, such as wearing sunscreen and exfoliating regularly, you may be able to extend your happiness with your facelift for much longer. As nice as it is to group people by age brackets, there are exceptions to every rule. Break the rules and work hard to keep on looking great. If you do find yourself needing some touch-up, don’t worry. Facial plastic surgeons are trained in the techniques needed to help you results that are as close as possible to your first post-operation look.

The ideal time to consider a facelift is when you are becoming aware of early sagging of your face. This early sagging is first noticed only when the head is tilted down or when you press the skin along the jawline or inner cheek, and it moves more than it used to. At this stage the sagging is still not so obvious as to be noticed by others, especially in normal head position with the chin up.

Ideally this sagging should be corrected before it has progressed to become obvious, from which there is no escape. A typical comment heard from a patient in the plastic surgeon’s office is a woman of between 45-50 years (typically older in men) who expresses their concern: ‘I cannot believe how rapidly my face is aging. This jowl has only appeared in the last 6 months’.

Some others are even more distressed, saying: ‘I have always been lucky to be one of those people who look young for their age, but now over the last 6 months it has caught up with me, and I have aged by several years’. They are understandably frightened to see their identity slipping away.

This is a common experience of appearing to age suddenly after several years of mild sagging skin. Ideally, this unpleasant experience can be avoided by having a facelift at the right time, which is before the sagging becomes noticeable. The experience of aging almost overnight is like the appearance of your first gray hair: there is no going back.

The transition to obvious sagging skin tends to be accelerated by illness and long term stress, often related to a family member or relationship difficulty, and particularly due to weight loss. The worsening sagging is extremely disappointing for those people who are doing the right thing to regain control of their figure, only to find they are paying for it on their face. Losing 10 pounds can add a couple of years to a persons face when they are in the mild sagging phase.

With the quality of facelifts available, the anti-aging affects of these procedures should be taken advantage of, but in a well considered manner and using a correct strategy. The correction of mild sagging is undetectable when performed with a quality facelift.

What to Expect From a Facelift

Most facelift patients are thrilled by their initial results: a tightened jaw line, improved facial profile, and more youthful appearance. However, even a surgery like this cannot stop or pause the aging process. As the hands of time keep moving, the signs of aging will eventually show themselves again. But at least you’ll have about 10 years’ head start on everyone else, though!

Most facial plastic surgeons agree that patients can expect their facelift results to last a more than a decade. This estimate holds up against the average time it takes patients to request follow-up facelifts: 8 to 12 years after surgery. Maintaining your youthful look with a booster facelift can help you to keep on enjoying your appearance for several more years to come.

Discuss Your Facelift Today

If you are suffering from aging and sagging skin and it is becoming noticeable, we invite you to contact Korea Facelift Center today. You can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions here. Your doctors in Korea will provide a comprehensive medical history and facelift analysis that will allow them to provide each patient with an accurate diagnosis so that a patient-specific treatment plan can be put into action. Contact us now.

South Korea: The Best Destination for Medical Tourism in Asia

All Roads Lead to Seoul

The latest number one destination for medical tourism is Seoul, the capital city of South Korea.

In the past, fashion trends were set in New York and Paris. However recently, Korean popular culture such as K-Pop and K-drama have been setting another trend.  The huge international success of South Korean pop music and television shows has helped to make plastic surgery one of the most successful export areas for the country’s medical sector, as fans seek to achieve the stars’ glamorous looks. One of the most trendy places in Seoul is the Gangnam area, which appeared in one of the most watched video on YouTube, the singer Psy’s “Gangnam Style”. Around the Gangnam area in Seoul, there are as many hospitals as there are coffee shops, and many of these hospitals offer plastic surgery. Seoul provides a much safer and cleaner environment compared to other big cities in other countries. Many medical tourists from the US, Russia, Japan, China and other countries come to Korea to enjoy “Hospital Shopping” in Seoul.

Korea is the Best Place for Medical Tourism

Why do people visit Korea instead of going to Singapore, Thailand, India, or other well known places for Medical Tourism? The reason is because Korea offers the best doctors, state-of-the-art technology, and high-tech equipment. Korean global companies such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai have been leading the economic and industrial development of Korea. Now Korea’s medical industry have become the equal of other advanced nations, and is even leading in some fields due to the growth of the domestic IT, electronic and machinery industries. The Korean government has assigned its medical industry as the country’s new growth engine industry and supports foreigners enjoying Korean culture while receiving safe and convenient medical treatments.

With the government’s support, Korea’s Medical Tourism will grow as a global brand just like Samsung’s smart phones, LG’s air conditioners or Hyundai’s automobiles. Especially Korea’s plastic cosmetic surgery field has been ranked top already. South Korea’s government this year announced plans to further encourage medical tourism, including a help center providing legal support to foreign patients unhappy with their treatment, and relaxed visa requirements for medical tourists.

Shopping Paradise

Korea is a great place to travel because you can experience the coexistence of traditional and modern atmospheres. You can enjoy gifts of nature such as souring mountains, winding rivers and soothing oceans, whereas the cities offer modern buildings next to traditional architecture. You can go to your favorite Korean idol’s concerts or drama filming locations as well as their favorite clubs, restaurants and cafes. While you are steeped in the culture, don’t forget to do your fashion shopping as well. In Korea you can enjoy shopping 24-hours-a-day and find brands in all price ranges. The nights are splendid and vibrant yet safe. Are you or your family in need of a medical doctor? Then we recommend you to experience the convenience and excellent service that is Korean Medical Tourism.