Korea is known for offering some of the most advanced and natural-looking facelift results in the world. But what many patients don’t realize is that the best results rarely come from surgery alone. Korean plastic surgery trends strongly favor a hybrid approach—a surgical facelift combined with non-surgical treatments that enhance, refine, and maintain the lift for years.

This integrated method creates a smoother, more youthful look while avoiding the stiff, “overpulled” effect that older facelift techniques sometimes produced.

Here’s why Korea’s surgery + non-surgery combination has become the new gold standard.

Why Combine Surgical and Non-Surgical Methods?

A surgical facelift tightens and lifts deeper structures like the SMAS layer, but it doesn’t address:

• Skin texture
• Fine wrinkles
• Volume loss
• Pigmentation
• Skin elasticity
• Pore size
• Dermal hydration

Non-surgical treatments target these missing pieces — resulting in a completely rejuvenated, natural, and balanced face, not just a lifted one.

Korea leads globally in this combined approach because the goal is harmonious anti-aging, not just tightening.

How Korea Combines Surgical & Non-Surgical Facelift Techniques

## 1. Facelift + Fat Grafting (Structural Rejuvenation)

After lifting the SMAS layer, many Korean surgeons add micro-fat grafting to restore youthful volume in:

• Cheeks
• Temples
• Under eyes
• Nasolabial folds
• Marionette lines
• Jawline

Fat grafting softens the lifted look and creates a full, natural contour.

2. Facelift + Laser Resurfacing (Skin Texture Repair)

Even the best facelift can’t fix:

• Fine lines
• Pigmentation
• Roughness
• Sun damage

Korea often pairs surgical lifting with:

• CO₂ Laser
• Er:YAG resurfacing
• Pico laser
• Fractional lasers

This smooths and brightens the skin surface while the facelift tightens the deeper structure.

3. Facelift + RF Microneedling (Elasticity Boost)

RF microneedling (like Morpheus8-style devices) improves:

• Pores
• Laxity
• Crepey skin
• Acne scars

This is often done 2–3 months after facelift surgery for enhanced tightening without over-pulling.

4. Facelift + Skin Boosters (Hydration & Glow)

Korea is famous for injectable skin boosters such as:

• Hyaluronic acid boosters
• PN/PDRN injections
• Exosome boosters
• Rejuran
• Water glow injections

These restore skin quality and promote healing after facial surgery.

5. Facelift + Botox / Filler Touch-Up

Small adjustments help refine the lifted shape:

✔ Botox

Used for:

• Crow’s feet
• Forehead lines
• Neck bands
• Brow lift refinement

✔ Fillers

Used for:

• Chin projection
• Jawline smoothing
• Minor asymmetry correction
• Tear trough touch-ups

These small enhancements help polish the surgical result.

6. Facelift + Ultherapy / Shurink / Thermage (Maintenance)

Korea’s long-term approach includes energy-based maintenance to extend facelift longevity.

Performed 6–12 months post-surgery, these devices help maintain firmness:

• Ultherapy / Shurink – deep tissue tightening
• Thermage – collagen remodeling
• High-frequency lifting – gentle yearly tightening

This slows down the aging process and prevents early sagging.

7. Facelift + Thread Lifting (Precision Refinement)

Threads are sometimes used after surgery for fine tuning:

• Adjusting symmetry
• Subtle jawline refinement
• Fixing early mild sagging

This is common in Korea for touch-ups, not as a replacement for surgery.

Benefits of Korea’s Combination Approach

✔ More natural results

No over-tightened or “windswept” look.

✔ Corrects all layers of aging

Skin + fat + muscle + bone structure + elasticity.

✔ Faster recovery

Non-surgical therapies speed healing.

✔ Long-lasting results

Regular maintenance can extend facelift longevity by years.

✔ Personalized planning

Every patient receives a custom combination based on age, skin thickness, and facial structure.

Who Is This Combination Approach Best For?

You may benefit from a surgical + non-surgical hybrid facelift if you:

• Want natural, not dramatic results
• Have moderate to severe sagging
• Want smooth skin quality, not just tightening
• Have hollowing or volume loss
• Want your facelift to last longer
• Prefer a comprehensive anti-aging plan

Patients in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s often benefit the most.

⭐ Final Thoughts

Korea has perfected the art of combining surgical facelifts with non-surgical rejuvenation for natural, long-lasting results. The facelift creates a firm, youthful foundation—while lasers, skin boosters, ultrasound lifting, and fat grafting refine and maintain the outcome.

This hybrid method gives the most balanced, elegant, and age-defying results available today.