What causes deep wrinkles?
Wrinkles fall into two broad groups. Dynamic lines appear when a muscle contracts — frown lines, crow's feet, forehead lines — and slowly become etched over years. Static folds are present at rest and come mainly from tissue sliding down and losing volume: nasolabial folds, marionette lines and neck bands.
Injectables work well for the first group and for early folds. Once tissue has descended, though, surgery is the more effective way to remove the fold, because it puts the tissue back. That is why a single procedure rarely covers every line on the face, and why the plan is built line by line.
Which treatment works for which wrinkle?
- Deep horizontal forehead lines and low brows — an endoscopic brow lift, often with botox.
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines — a facelift or mini facelift to lift the cheek, sometimes with fat grafting.
- Under-eye creases and bags — lower blepharoplasty with fat repositioning.
- Neck bands and crepey neck skin — a neck lift with platysmaplasty.
- Fine lines and texture — Thermage FLX, skin boosters or skin botox.
Surgical vs non-surgical wrinkle treatment
| Surgical lifting | Fat grafting | Botox / fillers / devices | |
| Best for | Folds from sagging | Hollows and volume loss | Dynamic lines, early folds |
| Changes tissue position | Yes | No — adds volume | No |
| Downtime | 10–14 days or more | 5–10 days of swelling | 0–3 days |
| Longevity | Many years | Partly permanent once settled | 3 months to about 1 year |
| Typical combination | With fat grafting | With a lift | As maintenance |
How is a wrinkle removal plan carried out?
Before & after
Before
After
More cases are available in our before & after gallery.
What is recovery like after wrinkle surgery?
| Day 1–3 | Swelling and tightness in the treated areas; rest with the head raised. |
|---|---|
| Day 7–10 | Stitches removed; bruising fades. Grafted fat still looks a little full. |
| Week 2–3 | Presentable for most social situations; flying home is usually fine. |
| Month 3–6 | Swelling resolves, grafted fat stabilises and lines look softer and natural. |
“I do not try to erase every line. A face with expression still needs some — the goal is that they no longer look tired or harsh.”
Dr. Lee Yoo-jung · Chief DirectorWhat are the risks?
Risks depend on the procedures chosen. Lifting surgery carries risks of haematoma, scarring, temporary numbness and rarely nerve weakness. Fat grafting may give uneven take, small lumps or need a second session. Injectables can cause bruising and, rarely, vascular complications. No treatment stops ageing, and surgery will not remove fine surface lines — skin care and maintenance remain important.
Frequently asked questions
Can surgery remove all wrinkles?
No. Surgery treats folds caused by sagging very effectively, but fine surface lines need skin treatments as well.
Is botox enough for forehead lines?
For dynamic lines, often yes. If the brow has dropped, botox alone can make the brow heavier, and a brow lift may be better.
How long do the results last?
Surgical lifts usually last many years; botox lasts about three to four months and fillers six to eighteen months.
Can several areas be treated together?
Yes. Brow, eyelid, face and neck procedures are often combined in one session to reduce total recovery time.
How long should I stay in Seoul?
For surgical plans, around two weeks. For injectables or devices, a few days is usually enough.
What about neck lines?
Horizontal neck lines respond to neck wrinkle treatment, while vertical bands are best treated with a neck lift.