The Benefits of Asian Facelift Surgery

A facelift is the gold standard for addressing signs of ageing in the mid and lower face. 

Because of differences in facial structure and skin qualities between Asians and caucasians, it’s important that Asian clients seek out a facelift surgeon familiar with their unique anatomical characteristics. A specialist plastic surgeon who serves this demographic regularly can make cosmetic adjustments while preserving your cultural heritage and individuality.

Learn more about the benefits of Asian facelift surgery below and enquire here to meet with our soft tissue-focused specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Ellis Choy.

What Types of Facelifts Are Performed for Asian Patients?

Dr Choy uses many different techniques for facelift surgery. He will recommend a technique based on your aesthetic goals, anatomy and preferences regarding downtime and recovery.

Standard Facelift

The standard facelift targets the lower face and neck. The incision begins at the front of the ear, continues around the earlobe and ends in the hairline at the back of the neck. Although this is a more extensive facelift technique, and thus involves more recovery time and potential for scarring, it can produce more significant and longer-lasting results.

Mid-Facelift 

The “mid-face” is the region between the mouth and the eyes. A mid-facelift specifically targets volume loss and lax tissues in this area. It is not intended to have a significant impact on the lower face or neck.

Mini or Short-Scar Facelift 

A mini facelift is the least invasive facelift technique. It focuses on addressing excess skin in the lower cheeks and jawline, with less scarring and recovery time. Mini facelifts are appropriate for patients who have relatively minor concerns and are not ready for a full facelift.

SMAS Facelift 

The SMAS facelift targets the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), a layer of tissue between the skin and muscles of the face. The SMAS technique is an improvement on older facelift techniques, which manipulated the skin only and often created an “overdone” look.

MACS Facelift 

The MACS (minimal access cranial suspension) facelift is a short-scar technique that utilises smaller incisions than standard facelifts. A MACS lift may be performed under intravenous sedation instead of general anaesthesia.

Deep Plane Facelift 

A deep plane facelift goes below the SMAS. This advanced technique allows for extensive release and repositioning of the muscle and fat layers, including more significant elevation of malar fat in the mid-face. 

RELATED: A Guide to the Deep Plane Facelift for Asian Patients

What Are the Cosmetic Benefits of Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery can offer numerous cosmetic benefits for Asian patients, including:

Reducing Jowls and Defining the Jawline

During a facelift, Dr Choy removes excess skin and redrapes the remaining skin over the underlying tissues. This pulls the skin upwards and back, reducing the sagging that forms jowls and creating a more defined jawline contour.

Smoothing Deep Creases

Deep creases, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines, are commonly found in the lower face as we age. Dr Choy can diminish the appearance of these folds by adjusting the tension in the facial tissues and removing excess skin.

Elevating and Enhancing the Cheeks

A facelift can elevate descending cheeks by repositioning the malar fat pads (the fat that creates the “apple” of the cheeks). This creates a lifted, fuller cheek appearance and helps to counteract the mid-face volume loss that occurs with ageing.

Adjusting Facial Volume

Facial volume changes over time due to the redistribution of fat pads in the face. During a facelift, Dr Choy can adjust fat pads that have shifted out of position to minimise the appearance of hollow or sunken areas and rebalance facial volume.

Reducing Skin Laxity in the Neck

Depending on the technique selected, a facelift may help address skin laxity in the neck and under the chin. This can reduce the appearance of a "turkey neck" or "double chin". To target these concerns more specifically, a neck lift may be appropriate.

What Does a Facelift Not Do?

A facelift can achieve many things, but it is not a “one-stop shop” for facial rejuvenation. Facelift surgery targets the lower third or lower two-thirds of your face. It does not:

• Address signs of ageing around your eyes (eyelid surgery)
• Address signs of ageing in your forehead (brow lift)
• Comprehensively address your neck (neck lift)
• Add volume to your face (fat grafting)
• Change the underlying structure of your face (facial bone contouring)
• Address certain aspects of skin ageing, such as pigmentation or dynamic lines (non-surgical treatments)

If any of these concerns are yours, Dr Choy can recommend alternative or complementary procedures to address them.

How Is This Relevant for Asian Patients?

Asian faces have distinct features from other ethnicities. Consequently, they also age differently than other ethnicities.

For example, compared to caucasians, people of Asian descent often have:

• A shorter, wider and flatter face
• More prominent cheekbones
• More fat in the midface (malar fat pads)
• A larger and more square-shaped jawbone
• Thicker and more oily skin

Considering these unique characteristics, a skilled specialist plastic surgeon like Dr Choy tailors his facelift techniques to address the specific concerns of Asian patients. This may involve:

• Focusing on midface rejuvenation to restore cheek volume and lift descended malar fat pads
• Smoothing the jawline to reduce bulkiness or boxiness and create the oval facial shape that many Asian patients desire
• Using minimally invasive techniques or modified incision placement to minimise the risk of visible scarring, given the higher propensity for keloid scarring in Asian skin
• Aiming for subtle results rather than dramatic changes, as many Asian patients prize discretion in their cosmetic work

Asian Facelift Surgery vs. Nonsurgical Face Lifting Treatments

Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation is very popular, particularly among Asian patients who are often drawn to minimally invasive and noninvasive methods. 

Treatments such as thread lifts, Accent Prime, Ultherapy and Thermage are sometimes options for lifting and tightening facial skin without surgery. These treatments offer benefits such as less downtime, reduced scarring and subtle results.

While these are advantages worth considering, it’s also important to weigh the drawbacks. The results of nonsurgical treatments are typically not as significant or enduring as those achieved through surgery. They may be insufficient for addressing more pronounced signs of ageing, such as deep facial folds or heavy jowls.

Ultimately, your choice between Asian facelift surgery and nonsurgical face lifting treatments depends on your specific concerns, expectations and comfort level. Dr Choy will help you understand the scope and limitations of each option.

Explore Your Facelift Options With a Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Ellis Choy is an experienced specialist plastic surgeon based in Sydney, known for his expertise in Asian facial aesthetics and anatomy. He brings this knowledge together with a tireless devotion to patient care to develop a bespoke treatment plan based around your individual needs.

Contact Asian Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation and discuss your Asian facelift options with Dr Choy.