Anti-Aging Treatments

Clinical Overview & Guide

Anti-Aging Treatments (Minimally Invasive & Non-Surgical Lifting) at IBON Plastic Surgery are designed to restore mid-to-lower facial contour, tighten lax SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and dermal layers, and stimulate long-term collagen remodeling without surgical incisions. Rather than applying standardized protocols, Dr. Ju-Chan Kim (Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon) evaluates each patient's soft-tissue descent vectors, skin thickness, and facial fat distribution to design a customized lifting plan.

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Comparison of Lifting Modalities

Depending on the primary cause of facial laxity, mechanical thread suspension and dual-energy lifting can be performed individually or combined:

Treatment Modality	Mechanism & Target Layer	Primary Aesthetic Outcome
Thread Lift	Inserts biocompatible absorbable barbed threads (such as PDO) into the subcutaneous plane to mechanically reposition and anchor sagging soft tissue	Immediate mechanical elevation of sagging cheeks, jowls, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jawline contour with secondary collagen synthesis
V-RO Lifting (HIFU + RF)	Combines High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Radiofrequency (RF) energy to create thermal coagulation zones across the dermis and SMAS fascia	Non-invasive deep fascial contraction and dermal tightening to improve skin elasticity, fine lines, and jawline definition without downtime

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Anatomical Customization & Clinical Principles

• Vector-Specific Suspension Design: During a Thread Lift, thread entry points and traction vectors are mapped relative to facial retaining ligaments so that jowls and midface tissues are lifted smoothly without widening the cheekbones or causing skin dimpling.
• Clear Guidance Between Non-Surgical and Surgical Indications: While mild-to-moderate midface and jawline laxity responds well to thread lifting and V-RO Lifting, true upper/lower eyelid skin redundancy or severe brow ptosis is best addressed with Age-Related Eyelid Surgery or an Endoscopic Forehead Lift.
• Clinical Guides & References: Learn how we distinguish surgical versus non-surgical indications in our articles on Non-Surgical or Surgical for Aging Eyes: Where the Line Is and Inside a 1:1 Personalized Consultation. All protocols adhere to clinical safety standards of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (KSPRS) and the Archives of Craniofacial Surgery (ACFS).

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Procedure & Recovery Overview

• Procedure Time: Approximately 30 to 60 minutes (depending on treatment areas, shot count, or number of threads)
• Anesthesia: Topical anesthetic cream or local anesthesia (short sedation available if desired)
• Suture Removal: None required
• Recovery Timeline: V-RO Lifting allows immediate return to face washing and makeup. After a Thread Lift, mild swelling, needle entry marks, or a feeling of tension typically resolves within 3 to 7 days. To plan a customized anti-aging regimen, book a 1:1 Online Consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Should I choose a Thread Lift or V-RO Lifting (energy-based lifting)?
A. The two modalities work through complementary mechanisms. If gently lifting your lower cheek skin upward with your fingers visibly improves your jawline and nasolabial fold, a Thread Lift provides direct mechanical repositioning of that mobile tissue. If your primary concern is overall skin laxity, loss of firmness, or submental fullness without downtime, V-RO Lifting tightens the deep SMAS and dermis using ultrasound and radiofrequency energy. Many patients combine both for structural lift plus dermal tightening.

Q. Will my face feel tight or show dimpling when I smile after a Thread Lift?
A. A mild pulling sensation when opening the mouth wide or smiling is normal for the first 1 to 2 weeks as the barbed threads integrate with subcutaneous tissue. Placing the threads at the precise anatomical depth prevents superficial skin dimpling and ensures natural facial expressions.