Key summary
Facelifts are often grouped into SMAS lifts, deep plane lifts, and mini facelifts, depending on how the surgeon handles the fascial layer under the skin (the SMAS). A SMAS lift raises the skin and then pulls up and fixes the SMAS beneath it. A deep plane lift opens a deeper layer under the SMAS, releases the ligaments that hold tissue to the facial bones (retaining ligaments), and raises the skin and SMAS together. A mini facelift refers to surgery with a shorter incision, but some clinics shorten only the incision, while others also reduce how much is opened inside. The same name can mean different things at different clinics, so I compared the explanations published by the 10 Gangnam clinics side by side with their actual cases. At a consultation, instead of asking about the technique's name, ask three things: which layer is opened, what is done with the retaining ligaments, and how far the incision extends. That lets you compare clinics with one another.
What this article covers
- What SMAS lifts, deep plane lifts, and mini facelifts each involve
- What names the 10 Gangnam clinics use for the three techniques
- Actual cases the clinics have posted on their official channels (surgery details, combined procedures, recovery course)
- What studies say about comparing techniques, complications, and questions to ask at a consultation
01 What do SMAS lifts, deep plane lifts, and mini facelifts each involve?
Knowing two terms makes this article easier to follow. The SMAS is a thin fascial layer just under the skin that wraps the facial muscles and fat. Dissection is the step of separating this layer so that it can be lifted.
| Name | What the surgery involves | Where clinics differ |
|---|---|---|
| SMAS lift | The skin is raised, and the SMAS beneath it is pulled up and fixed. Methods include folding and suturing the SMAS, cutting out part of it, or making it into a flap (a piece of detached tissue) and pulling it | How far it is opened and what is done with the retaining ligaments |
| Deep plane lift | A deeper layer under the SMAS is opened, and the skin and SMAS are raised together. Clinics explain that this releases the retaining ligaments | What range "deep plane" refers to and how much the retaining ligaments are released |
| Mini facelift | The name for surgery with a shorter incision | Whether only the incision length is reduced, or the range opened inside is reduced as well |
The paper (27 articles, 6,086 patients) that reviews SMAS techniques in facelifts divides SMAS surgery into six types: folding and suturing the SMAS (plication), cutting out part of it (SMASectomy), the SMAS flap, the lateral high SMAS, the deep plane, and the composite flap. "Mini" is not part of this classification. It is a name that clinics attach to describe the size of the incision.
Retaining ligaments are cord-like tissues that hold skin, fat, and fascia to the facial bones. The Well Plastic Surgery Clinic in-blog explains that the position and strength of these ligaments change with age, which leads to jowls and nasolabial folds, and it says that clinics using the deep plane technique release these ligaments to lift the sagging tissue upward.
Has it been shown which technique is better?
There is not enough evidence to pick one technique as better for everyone. The paper that reviewed SMAS techniques divided the surgeries into six categories, but because the patients and the methods used to assess results differ from study to study, it did not establish that any one technique is safer than the others. At a consultation, rather than focusing on the name of the technique, ask how deep a layer will be opened, how the retaining ligaments will be handled, and how far the incision will extend.
How often do complications occur?
There is a 15-year record from one U.S. clinic. Among 241 patients who underwent surgery from 2004 to 2019, 32 complications were recorded, and the study reported this as 13%. Hematoma occurred in 5.81%, infection in 2.49%, and seroma (clear fluid collecting at the surgical site) in 1.66%, and 38 patients (15.77%) underwent reoperation. 189 patients (78%) had a procedure that removed part of the SMAS, so this figure cannot be compared across techniques. The average age also appears differently within the paper itself, shown as 60.72 in the text and 61.3 in the table, so it is reasonable to think of it as around 60.
02 How do the 10 clinics refer to and describe facelift surgery?
The clinic order is alphabetical and does not represent a ranking or a recommendation. Specialists and pricing can be found in Comparison of 10 Gangnam Facelift Clinics.
| Clinic | Name used | Description of surgical method |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic | Facelift (V-line total facelift, mini midface SMAS facelift) | Opens the skin and SMAS together, releasing and fixing the supporting ligaments as much as possible. The clinic says it uses its own fixation method, but the details have not been disclosed |
| Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic | Dual plane SMAS facelift (SMAS facelift, dual-plane high SMAS) | Opens the skin and SMAS separately. The explanation of the retaining ligaments differs depending on the area — the FAQ says they are fundamentally released, while the blog says the ligaments around the nasolabial folds and mouth are preserved |
| The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic | SVF deep plane facelift | Releases the retaining ligaments in the deep layer beneath the SMAS and pulls the skin and tissue together |
| LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic | Face and neck lift (choice of Extended Deep Plane, Deep Plane, or Dual Plane) | The retaining ligaments are released and cut, the SMAS is opened widely, and the fat in the sagging cheeks is moved to hollowed areas |
| Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul | Liting facelift, 5-stage full face | The skin is lifted and the SMAS is incised, then the retaining ligaments are released, and the SMAS flap is pulled and fixed in place |
| Be&Young Clinic | Minimal-incision deep facelift | The deep layer beneath the SMAS is opened, the retaining ligaments are removed, and the tissue is pulled upward. The deep fat in the cheeks is also reduced |
| Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic | SMAS facelift | The connective tissue between the skin and the SMAS is cut, and each layer is pulled up. The website uses the term "connective tissue" instead of retaining ligaments |
| Well Plastic Surgery Clinic | Facial lifting (Deep Plane Facelift in the English price list) | The SMAS, the platysma (the muscle at the front of the neck), and the fat layer are opened and moved, and after the retaining ligaments are cut and lifted, a structure that serves the same function is created in the new position, as explained on the clinic's in-blog page |
| Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic | Triple Deep Plane facelift | Three layers are each fixed in place: the skin flap, the SMAS, and the deep fascia. The retaining ligaments are cut, and the SMAS is opened up to near the corner of the mouth |
| Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic | Dual Plane facelift | The skin, the fascia, and the layer beneath the fascia are opened, the zygomatic ligament and the masseteric ligament are cut, and only the SMAS above the muscle is pulled |
The table shows the following differences.
- Although all ten clinics say they deal with the SMAS, they describe the retaining ligaments in different ways: releasing, cutting, removing, leaving in place, or treating them as connective tissue. Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic uses the phrase "connective tissue" on its website, and in its 2026 10 blog post on male facelifts it explains that it treats the retaining ligaments when needed.
- Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic does not use "deep plane" as the name of its own technique. In its official blog, it explains that deep plane is an academic term for a technique first published in the 1990 that lifts the skin and fascia as a single layer, and that the term is now also used in marketing.
- The Well Plastic Surgery Clinic website does not say that its Korean term for "facial lifting" and the English term "Deep Plane Facelift" refer to the same surgery.
03 How Does a Mini Facelift Differ from Clinic to Clinic?
| Clinic | The clinic's description of its mini facelift |
|---|---|
| 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic | Two procedures have "mini" in their names. The facelift is called a "mini midface SMAS lift," and the neck lift is called a "mini jawline SMAS lift." The separate "mini SMAS lift" involves an incision of about 2.1cm in the scalp, and the clinic explained in a 2024 consultation answer that the SMAS is anchored with thread |
| Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic | It says a mini facelift gives a narrow field of view, so the retaining ligaments cannot be released sufficiently, and it recommends a standard SMAS facelift instead. Its own materials list a "mini neck lift" |
| The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic | 2030 The mini facelift involves an incision of about 5cm in the temple area, which is hidden by hair. The clinic says it takes about 2–3 hours under sleep anesthesia, with same-day discharge and recovery in about 1 week |
| LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic | The price list lists the mini facelift (note: facial lift incision) and the mini SMAS lifting separately. The blog explains that a short incision cannot allow sufficient dissection, and forcing it could injure the facial nerve |
| Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul | The Smile Mini Lifting involves an incision of about 2 cm inside the hairline to pull the SMAS, and the clinic says it is a different procedure from the Smile Lift |
| Be&Young Clinic | The clinic says the Minimi Lift halves the incision while keeping dissection as wide and deep as in a facelift, and uses no threads. The surgery takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The column says it generally does not recommend the usual mini facelift that also reduces dissection |
| Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic | The term mini facelift does not appear on the facelift page |
| Well Plastic Surgery Clinic | The facial lifting page says there are traditional, mini, and endoscopic methods, and that the method is chosen to suit the patient's condition |
| Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic | The blog explains that even a mini facelift must open the SMAS widely and release the retaining ligaments for the tissue to move. The clinic says it is a surgery that lifts only one area, either the midface or the lower face |
| Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic | The mini facelift is described as a short incision in front of the ear, so its pull has difficulty reaching beside the nose and around the mouth. The clinic calls Plus-Up, Mini Plus, and Ultra Mini separately, and says Plus-Up uses a dual-plane method |
Depending on the clinic, a mini lift may reduce only the incision, or it may also reduce the extent of dissection. Be&Young Clinic says it cuts only the incision in half while the dissection stays the same as in a facelift. Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic and LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic explain that a short incision limits the dissection. If a clinic recommends a mini lift, first ask whether it also reduces the extent of dissection.
04 How do the real cases published by clinics differ by technique?
I grouped the facelift cases that clinics posted on their official websites, blogs, and videos by technique. Patient names and photos are not included, and the wording is the clinic's own. The dates are the dates the clinic posted. I left out clinics whose before-and-after photo boards open only after login, because their text could not be read.
SMAS lift cases
| Clinic | Case | What the clinic described |
|---|---|---|
| Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic | Woman in her early 60s, SMAS facelift and neck lift (2025-06-27) | The clinic separated the SMAS and lifted and fixed it, rather than pulling only the skin. Incisions were placed in inconspicuous areas such as in front of the ear and along the hairline, and the neck lift was planned to address the cause of the double chin as well. |
| Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic | Early 50s, facelift and neck lift (2026-09-03) | One month after surgery, the marionette lines had improved considerably, but some lines remained. The clinic stated that this surgery does not remove all wrinkles at once. |
| Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic | Series of 60s, 4 posts: Consultation, Surgery day 1, Week 2, Month 3 (2023-08~2024-02) | This is a facelift and neck lift for a patient who had a forehead lift 5 years ago. The patient recovered in an inpatient room, and the area behind the ear was opened long and wide for the neck lift. |
| 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic | Consultation answer, not a case (2026-08-26) | The clinic explained that a facelift is an operation that opens the SMAS, releases the retaining ligaments, and fixes the tissue back in place, and that a neck lift is added when sagging extends to the jowls and jawline. It is done under sleep anesthesia with same-day discharge |
| Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic | Facelift and pixie ear correction, 7 months after surgery | The clinic described a patient who had undergone three facelifts at another clinic and still had sagging around the mouth and nasolabial folds, with only a pixie ear deformity (earlobe pulled downward) as a result |
| Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic | Facelift, neck lift, lower eyelid surgery, 8 months after surgery | The clinic explained that it preserved the sideburns and hairline by keeping the hair at the temples, so that tattooing or hair transplantation was not needed |
| Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic | Public gallery, 13 cases | These are progress photos from 15 to 11 months. Of the 13 cases, 11 included a combined neck lift, and no title mentions SMAS or deep plane. Age, anesthesia, and price are unconfirmed for each case |
Deep plane and full-lift cases
| clinic | Case | What the clinic explained |
|---|---|---|
| The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic | Middle-aged woman, wrinkles around the mouth, SVF deep plane facelift (2025-02-04) | The clinic released the retaining ligaments and lifted all layers of the skin, with an incision along the wrinkle line around the ear. The post does not mention any accompanying procedures |
| LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic | Japanese woman in her 20, history of contouring surgery, clinic-labeled Extended high SMAS (2026-03-19) | The clinic chose this method because the cheekbone area was heavily adhered from the earlier contouring surgery. It identified and removed the retaining ligaments, then raised and fixed the SMAS so that no tension fell on the suture site. Sleep anesthesia, local anesthesia, and a drain were used, and liposuction of the cheeks and chin and removal of a mole were done at the same time |
| LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic | 49 Thai woman, revision surgery, Extended Deep plane (2026-03-19) | The clinic widened the surgical range to look for foreign material left from a surgery 3 years earlier. It explained that because the skin and SMAS are likely to be thin in a revision surgery, it did not consider a Dual plane first. |
| Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic | Double chin case, triple deep plane and neck lift (2026-09-21) | The clinic did not make an incision under the chin and instead extended the incision behind the ear to lift the neck. It said the SMAS was opened up to near the corner of the mouth, and on the neck side up to near the front of the neck. It distinguished that an incision under the chin is needed when the neck muscles stand out like bands, when tissue is stuck together, or when fat has built up in a double chin. |
| Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic | Early 50 and 60 cases (2026-04-06) | The clinic added SMAS folding (folding the SMAS left over after the lift and fixing it in place without cutting it) and deep cheek repositioning (moving the fat inside the cheek and fixing it in place) to the triple deep plane. The clinic explains that, unlike fat grafting, this method is not absorbed by the body. |
| Be&Young Clinic | Mid-50 video case (2024-06-21) | The facelift was combined with a forehead lift, forehead reduction, repositioning of the fat under the eyes or a lower eyelid surgery, nasal tip elevation, and fat grafting to the midface. The video does not name a technique such as SMAS or deep plane. |
| Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul | Male video case (2023-06-12) | This is a full lift in which an incision is made all the way along the hairline, the skin is lifted, and the fascia is pulled and fixed in place. A lower brow lift, upper eyelid surgery, eye shape correction surgery, and a forehead incision lift were done together. |
Dual plane cases and a revision case after a mini lift
| Clinic | Case | What the clinic explained |
|---|---|---|
| Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic | Woman in the 50 age group, revision face-and-neck lift with submental (double chin) muscle tightening, 1 year 1 month after surgery (2026-07-02) | The clinic explains that it pulls the outer layer and tightens the deeper tissue at the same time. It diagnosed the cause of the double chin as sagging surface tissue and loosened muscle rather than fat |
| Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic | Patient in the late 60 age group, return visit after a mini facelift (2026-07-17) | The patient came back less than 2 years after a mini facelift. The clinic explains that the deep grooves at the mouth corners and cheeks had barely changed, and that a short incision in front of the ear can hardly reach the area beside the nose and around the mouth. The clinic marked the images used for this explanation as examples |
| LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic | 49-year-old Chinese woman, protruding earlobe-tip deformity ("blade ear") after a mini facelift 5 years ago (2026-04-02) | The clinic explained that blade ear can occur even when the incision scar is clean, and that the real cause is that the SMAS was not opened widely enough, which concentrated tension on the skin |
| LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic | Revision facelift after facial contouring surgery (2025-06-27) | Sagging continued even after three facial contouring procedures and a facelift 8 years ago. The clinic explained that in the previous surgery the SMAS had been opened only in part, below the jawline. This time it was opened widely, and submental muscle tightening was performed together |
| Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic | Cases in the 70 age group and the 40 age group, revision surgery case (2026-09-16, 2026-01-21) | The clinic explained that when a middle-aged person with significant sagging wants a mini facelift, the incision may need to be as long as in a full facelift to achieve a satisfactory result. It divides revision surgery into cases where aging has progressed again and cases where the SMAS was not dissected enough in the first surgery |
| 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic | Consultation answer, not a case (2025-05-28) | The clinic told a questioner in their 20 late years that they could first try a mini facelift type with a smaller incision, and that a full facelift is also possible if the effect is insufficient |
Well Plastic Surgery Clinic has no public cases. The clinic website's real model board is a model recruitment board, and the Naver blog post on Well Lifting (2020-01-31) states that, in accordance with medical law, before-and-after photos are not posted and can be viewed in person at a visit.
There are four things to keep in mind when reading the cases.
- Only some clinics carry the name of the technique through to their case posts. The cases show SVF deep plane at The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic, triple deep plane at Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic, and Extended Deep plane and Extended high SMAS at LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic. At Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic, the gallery titles do not include a technique name, and dual plane high SMAS was found in only one place, a blog photo caption. The cases at Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic and Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic do not use the terms deep plane or dual plane.
- The descriptions of revision surgery cases are similar. LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic, Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic, Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic, and Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic all posted cases in which the previous surgery did not open the SMAS sufficiently or left a "knife ear" (a pulled, deformed earlobe). These are the clinics' own assessments of surgery done at another clinic, so they have not been independently verified.
- The clinics chose the cases. Be&Young Clinic stated in a video that it chose three patients whose results it considered good. The cases show the characteristics of a technique, but they should not be read as an average of results.
- Clinic guidance can change. 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic said in its 2024 answer that it did not perform facelifts on their own, but from its 2025 4 answer onward it has said a standalone facelift is also possible.
05 How did recovery after surgery appear in the cases?
| Clinic | Published course | Category |
|---|---|---|
| LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic | Swelling and tightness the next day, mild bruising at the corners of the mouth at 1 week, daily life became more comfortable after stitch removal at 2 weeks, lumpiness not noticeable at 1 month | Case (2025-06-27) |
| Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic | Recovery in an inpatient room on day 1, a patient's description that swelling was not severe and daily life was manageable, stitch removal and reduced swelling at week 2, skin remained taut after 3 months | Case series (2023-08~2024-02) |
| Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic | Double chin line refined on day 7, residual swelling and faint redness at 1 month, most residual swelling gone at 3 months, effect maintained at 6 months. For the male patient in his 50, the clinic summarized a return to daily life after 2 weeks and a comment after 1 year that the scars around the ears were hard to see | Case 1, Case 2 (2026-09-21, 2026-06-01) |
| The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic | Improvement in the lines at the corners of the mouth after 3 days, marked improvement in marionette lines and much fainter scars around the ears after 1 month | Case (2025-02-04) |
| Be&Young Clinic | Scars slightly visible at 2 months and almost invisible after 1 year | Video case (2024-06-21) |
| Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul | At 3 months there was a pulling sensation. The clinic explains that it feels more natural after about 3 months and that scars fade over up to 1 year | Video case (2023-06-12) |
| Well Plastic Surgery Clinic | Pain at the fixation points around the ears on days 1 to 3, with strong painkillers prescribed for a day or two. Some stitches removed after 1 week. Return to daily life and work is the standard at 2 weeks. The contour settles at 1 month. Most swelling is gone at 3 months. Final assessment is at 6 months to 1 year | General guidance (in-blog 2026-08-02) |
| Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic | The surgery information table says daily life after 5 days and social interactions in week 3. The FAQ says returning to work within 3 weeks. The blog says social life after 10 to 14 days | General guidance (facelift page, blog). The values differ from one another |
| 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic | Major swelling mostly subsides around day 7, daily life resumes from week 2, and full recovery takes place within 4 weeks | Consultation answer General guidance |
Even when two clinics both say 2 weeks, each may mean something different: stitch removal, return to daily life, or return to work. A case's recovery course is one patient's record, so it is hard to use as a benchmark for your own schedule. Ask at your consultation about the timing of stitch removal and the timing of return to daily life separately.
06 How do the clinics explain things by sagging area or situation?
This groups the explanations the clinics have published by situation. It is not a diagnosis or a recommendation. Which method your face needs is something to hear about at a consultation, together with the extent of the dissection.
| Situation | Explanations published by the clinics |
|---|---|
| Sagging front cheeks and nasolabial folds | 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic says that if the goal is to improve hollowing around the nasolabial folds and the front cheeks, it can perform a facelift (mini midface SMAS lift) on its own, without a neck lift. |
| Jowls, jawline, and sagging that extends to the neck | 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic offers a neck lift (mini jawline SMAS lift) separately, and Well Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that if sagging extends to the neck, a neck lift should be done together with the facelift. |
| Having had thread lifts several times | Well Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that when the effect of thread lifts gets shorter with each repeat, it may be time to consider a facelift, and Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that repeated procedures cause tissue to stick together, which makes dissection difficult and lengthens recovery. |
| Having had contouring surgery | LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic posted a case in which it chose an Extended high SMAS lift because the cheekbone area was heavily adhered after contouring surgery, and Be&Young Clinic says that for younger patients who sag after contouring surgery, a mini-mini lift is often enough. |
| In your 40 | Well Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that even in your 40, a facelift may be more suitable if sagging and jowls are severe, and that not everyone in their 50 needs one. Be&Young Clinic offers a facelift to people in their 40 to 70 whose skin laxity is pronounced. |
| Already had a facelift | LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that for revision surgery the skin and SMAS are likely to be thin, so it does not consider a dual plane approach first and goes in the deep plane direction |
07 What questions should I ask at a facelift method consultation?
| Question | Why ask it | What the clinic has published |
|---|---|---|
| Is the cause of my sagging the skin, the SMAS, or the cheek fat? | The suitable method differs depending on the cause | The Well Plastic Surgery Clinic in-blog explains that the standard is how much the facial structure has changed, not age |
| Which layer will be opened? | Even with the same name, the extent of the opening differs | Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic states that it opens the skin and SMAS separately, Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic opens three layers, and Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic opens down to below the fascia |
| Which retaining ligaments are released, and how far? | Clinics' wording splits into release, cut, remove, or preserve | Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic cuts the zygomatic and masseteric ligaments, and in a LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic case, the ligaments at three sites (zygomatic, maxillary, mandibular) were checked and removed. Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic says it preserves the ligaments around the nasolabial folds and the mouth |
| Where and how is the lifted tissue fixed? | It affects how long the result lasts | 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic says it uses its own fixation method but has not disclosed the details. The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic states that it sutures so that no tension is placed on the tissue |
| Where does the incision start and end, and what happens to the sideburns? | The scar location and hairline change | Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic explains separately the method of incising inside the hairline and the method of incising along the hairline |
| Is the director who consults me the same one who will operate? | Explanations can differ even within the same clinic | In an official video from Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul, Director Lee Sung-jun said to dissect less, while Chief Director Park Hyun-jun said to extend the fascial layer as widely as possible, giving different accounts |
| Is the neck lift included, or separate? | The surgical scope and the estimate change | 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic offers both facelift alone and neck lift alone, but in 2024 it presented them as a set |
| What changes if I have had a previous surgery or thread lift? | Tissue may stick together or become thin, which can make surgery more difficult | LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic posted a case in which, in a revision surgery, the SMAS had become as thin as plastic wrap and was hard to pull firmly, and Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic explained that dissection becomes difficult after repeated procedures |
| Can I see the course after 6 months in cases similar to mine? | The clinic selects the cases, so you need to check whether the conditions match | Be&Young Clinic stated that it chose patients with good results for its videos, and the before-and-after photos at several clinics open only after you log in |
| How will complications be handled if they occur? What are the revision surgery policies? | Studies show that complications and revision surgery are not uncommon | In records of 241 patients at one U.S. clinic, complications were 13% and revision surgery was 15.77% |
If you hear this at a clinic, ask this in return.
| What you hear at the clinic | Question to ask in return |
|---|---|
| "Deep plane lasts a long time." | Which layer do you open, and how far do you release the retaining ligaments? Studies have not settled which technique is better than the others |
| "A mini facelift means faster recovery." | Is it only the incision length that was reduced, or was the extent of the opened area reduced too? |
| "We only do this technique." | Why is this technique right for the location of my sagging? |
| "Once you have it done, it lasts a long time." | What is the evidence for how long it lasts? Clinic information varies: Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic says it usually lasts 10 years or more, and The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic says about 5 to 10 years |
Common misconceptions
The idea that "any clinic that uses the name deep plane opens the same area in surgery" is not correct. The layers opened and the extent of retaining ligament release differed in each clinic's information. Rather than deciding based on the name alone, ask the responsible medical staff about the actual surgical scope.
It is also not accurate to think that "a mini facelift has a short incision, so all surgeries done underneath are similar." The word "mini" is not in the surgical technique classification in the studies, and each clinic describes the incision location and dissection range differently.
How do I use the post-consultation clinic comparison checklist?
Once you've had consultations at two or three clinics, write down the items below on one line per clinic. That lets you compare them on the same criteria even when the names differ.
| Item to check | What to write down for each clinic |
|---|---|
| Technique name and layer opened | The name the clinic used, and whether it opens only the skin, down to the SMAS, or below the SMAS |
| Retaining ligaments | Whether they are released, cut, or preserved, and which ligaments are involved |
| Incision | Where it starts and ends, and how the sideburn and hairline are handled |
| Surgeon | Whether the surgeon who consulted with you is the same one who will operate |
| Combined procedures | Whether a neck lift, double-chin muscle tightening, fat grafting, forehead surgery, or eye surgery is included |
| Recovery schedule | When stitches come out, and when you can return to daily life and to work |
| Cases | The progress after 6 months in patients with conditions similar to yours |
| Quote | A price that includes anesthesia, hospital stay, VAT, and the revision surgery policy |
In summary
SMAS lift, deep plane, and mini lift differ less by name than by how deep the surgeon opens the tissue, what is done with the retaining ligaments, and how far the incision extends. 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic calls its facelift itself a mini mid-face SMAS lift, and LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic explains a pixie-ear deformity after a mini lift as the result of not opening the SMAS enough. The same name can therefore mean a different operation, so ask about these three things first at a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a SMAS facelift different from a deep plane or mini facelift?
A SMAS lift is a surgery that folds, partially removes, or turns the fascial layer under the skin (the SMAS) into a flap, then pulls it up and fixes it in place (based on the classification in the paper). A deep plane lift opens even deeper layers beneath the SMAS and moves the tissue there, and mini lift is a name for surgery with a shorter incision. All 10 clinics say they work on the SMAS, but what "deep plane" and "mini" mean differs from clinic to clinic, so it is more accurate to compare the layer opened, the handling of the retaining ligaments, and the extent of the incision than to compare names.
How far does a deep plane facelift release the retaining ligaments?
Each clinic explains it differently. Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic says it cuts the zygomatic ligament and the masseteric ligament. LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that, in its case, it identified and removed retaining ligaments at three sites. The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic only says it releases the retaining ligaments in the deep layer beneath the SMAS. Some clinics name the ligaments and others do not, so ask during your consultation which ligaments will be released and how far.
40, how do I decide whether a mini facelift is enough or whether I need an SMAS lift?
Clinics base their explanations on how much the face has sagged rather than on age. Well Plastic Surgery Clinic In-Blog explains that even in your 40, a facelift may be a better fit if the jawline has lost definition and the jowls are pronounced. Be&Young Clinic recommends a facelift for people in their 40 to 70 with clearly visible skin sagging, but says that for younger people who sag after contouring surgery, a mini facelift is often enough. Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that a mini lift uses a short incision in front of the ear, so it is hard for its pull to reach the area around the mouth. If a clinic recommends a mini lift, ask whether the area of dissection is the same as in a full facelift.
How did recovery go in real facelift cases?
Clinic-published cases often follow a pattern where the stitches come out around week 2 and most of the swelling is gone by about month 1. The LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic case went from swelling and tightness the next day, to mild bruising at week 1, to normal daily life after the stitches were removed at week 2, to no visible unevenness at month 1. The Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic double-chin case followed up at 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, and says most of the residual swelling was gone by month 3. Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic gives different return-to-daily-life timelines on different information pages: 5 days, 10 to 14 days, and 3 weeks. When you are given a timeline, check what it is measuring.
Do some people have a facelift after a mini lift?
Yes, there are cases published by clinics. Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic posted a case of a patient in their late 60 who returned less than 2 years after a mini lift. LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic explains the cause of a case involving a 49-year-old, who developed a "devil's ear" (an ear-lobe deformity) after a mini lift 5 years earlier, as the SMAS not having been opened enough. These are one clinic's own assessment of another clinic's surgery, and the cases were chosen by the clinic, so they cannot be read as evidence that mini lifts lead to more repeat surgery than facelifts.
Does a deep plane facelift last longer than a SMAS lift?
This article does not include evidence that compares how long the two techniques last under the same conditions. Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic generally says 10 years or more, and The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic says roughly 5 to 10 years, but these are each a different clinic's explanation. These numbers cannot be read as a difference in how long deep plane and SMAS lifts last.
Sources and verification date
- Facelift information, PMID 38283861: 2026-10-17 Full text read. A systematic review of SMAS techniques in facelift surgery that examined 27 studies and 6,086 patients, and does not prove that any particular technique is superior.
- PMID 34617012: 2026-10-19 Original text reviewed. This is a retrospective record of 241 facelifts performed at one US outpatient surgery facility from 2004 to 2019; it is not a study comparing techniques, and it reflects the experience of a single clinic.
- Comparison of 10 Gangnam facelift clinics: clinic selection criteria, specialists, prices.
- 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic: Consultation answer 2026-08-26, 2025-05-28, 2024-04-17, 2024-12-21, 2026-10-14: 2026-10-19 reviewed.
- Noonopi Plastic Surgery Clinic: Facelift, Deep plane article, Facelift and neck lift, Public gallery: 2026-10-19 reviewed.
- The Line Plastic Surgery Clinic: Doctor's Note 17, Deep plane, Mini facelift: 2026-10-19 reviewed.
- LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic: Doctor's Note 15, 12, 26, Official Blog Reoperation Case, Face and Neck Lift: checked 2026-10-19.
- Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul: Facelift, Video Case 396: checked 2026-10-19.
- Be&Young Clinic: Facelift, Mini Lift, Video Case: checked 2026-10-19.
- Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery Clinic: Facelift, Case 2025-06-27, Case 2026-09-03, Series Part 1: checked 2026-10-19.
- Well Plastic Surgery Clinic: Well's in-blog facelift indications, recovery period, limits of thread lifting, differences between facelift and thread lifting, Naver blog Well Lifting: verified 2026-10-19.
- Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic: triple deep plane, double chin case, SMAS folding case, mini facelift comparison: verified 2026-10-19.
- Planet Plastic Surgery Clinic: facelift, revisit after mini facelift, revision surgery case: verified 2026-10-19.
Editorial responsibility and interests
- Authorship and editorial responsibility: Korea Beauty Report Editorial Team. The editorial team read and summarized the clinics' official websites, official blogs, official videos, and published papers.
- Review scope: The editorial team prepared this content from published research and public data. It was not separately reviewed by a medical professional and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment.
- Business and advertising relationship: This article has no contract, advertising, or financial relationship with the listed clinic. The method descriptions, case details, and recovery course are information disclosed by the clinic, not independent verification, and do not represent a ranking or an assessment of skill. Patient names and before/after photos from the cases are not included.
- First published: 2026-10-20. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Change history
- 2026-10-19: Excluded abstract figures for PMID 40600822, which could not be accessed in the original source, from the publication evidence. Corrected the explanation so that the 32 complication cases in PMID 34617012 are not interpreted as 32 people.