How a Mini Facelift Lasts Longer: Why Tissue Doesn't Slide Down After Triple Subperiosteal Release (Dr. Kim Hyun-chul, Kidari Plastic Surgery, Korea)

If you research a mini facelift or facelift in Korea, you will often come across the term "subperiosteal release". Many people worry: "If the periosteum is lifted off the bone, won't the skin and tissue become slippery and sag even more?" Recently, Dr. Kim Hyun-chul of Kidari Plastic Surgery was asked exactly this question by a doctor from overseas and asked for an interview right away to explain it clearly.

Question: Doesn't subperiosteal release weaken the lifting effect?

Dr. Kim Hyun-chul: The question was: "With a subperiosteal lift, won't the tissue fail to reattach and slide down, so the lift becomes less effective?" To give the conclusion first: no, it doesn't. There are two main reasons.

Reason ① The lifted tissue is re-anchored to a firm structure

Facial tissue is held in place by cord-like structures called "retaining ligaments." Subperiosteal release can detach some of these ligaments, but the surgery does not leave them that way. The lifted tissue is sutured securely to very tough tissue, such as the temporal fascia, which holds it firmly in place.

Put simply, it is like untying a loose old cord and tying a new one firmly in a better position.

Reason ② The periosteum reattaches firmly to the bone as it heals

Once the periosteum has been lifted, it does not stay loose and slipping over the bone. The periosteum and bone are naturally bonded very tightly, and the periosteum is rich in bone-forming osteoblasts. So as it heals, it attaches firmly again. You can think of it as a "biological glue" the body makes on its own.

Facial contouring surgery and fracture surgery work on the same principle. When bone is cut and fixed, the healed area often becomes firmer than the surrounding bone. That is also why a well-healed fracture does not easily break again.

Dental implants make it easier to understand

Dental implant procedures also involve incising and lifting the periosteum of the gums. Yet the gums do not become loose and wobbly just because the periosteum was opened and closed. Over time it reattaches firmly and heals in a stable way.

In other words, body tissue does not become permanently loose just because it was lifted off and laid back down. On top of that, the lifted tissue is securely fixed to firm tissue higher up, so the worry that "subperiosteal release makes tissue sag and weakens a mini facelift" does not match how the surgery actually works.

Kidari Plastic Surgery's "Triple Periosteal Release" Mini Facelift in Korea

Kidari Plastic Surgery calls its mini facelift combined with subperiosteal release the "Triple Periosteal Release" method. Dr. Kim Hyun-chul performs it based on experience in facial contouring surgery. Because important nerves run near the periosteum, it should be performed carefully by a medical team that knows facial bone and nerve anatomy well.

In summary, the periosteum reattaches firmly as it heals, and the lifted tissue is newly fixed to a firm structure. These two points are the key principles behind the longevity of the triple periosteal release mini facelift.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Will my face sag again later after subperiosteal release?

Thanks to osteoblasts, the periosteum reattaches firmly to the bone as it heals. The lifted tissue is also fixed to tough tissue such as the temporal fascia, so it does not easily slide down.

Q. Who should perform a triple periosteal release mini facelift?

Important nerves run near the periosteum. It is important to have a thorough consultation with a medical team that knows facial bone and nerve anatomy well.

Related Reading

• Ponytail Lift (Mini Facelift): Why the Results Last

• Facelift Surgery: The Fundamental Lifting Solution That Sets the Anti-Aging Standard for Middle-Aged and Older Patients

※ This article is general medical information; surgical methods and recovery vary from person to person. Every surgery can cause side effects such as swelling, bruising, infection and nerve damage, so always decide after consulting a specialist.