Anti-Aging Solutions for Both Volume and Elasticity - Lesarts Plastic Surgery’s Director, Sungjun Moon

For most people, nothing is more disheartening than the onset of aging. Aging signifies a decline in vitality, fewer days ahead, and a reduction in abilities. The most noticeable signs of aging often appear in the mirror or photos, where wrinkles and sagging skin become evident. But when does skin aging start?

While it varies from person to person, it typically begins in the 20s. As people lead busy lives, they may notice fine lines appearing around the eyes, on the forehead, and around the mouth. The skin on the cheeks starts to sag, and nasolabial folds deepen. Once skin aging starts, it progresses rapidly and is difficult to reverse. Factors such as prolonged sun exposure, excessive drinking, smoking, rapid weight loss, and habitual frowning can also accelerate skin aging.

Therefore, to prevent aging, it’s crucial to start managing it actively from the 20s to slow down its progression. Regular use of sunscreen and skincare products, drinking plenty of water, taking vitamins, exercising regularly, and getting sufficient sleep are essential. However, once skin aging has begun, seeking professional help is also a good option.

When a person’s face ages, two prominent changes occur. First, the amount of subcutaneous fat decreases, causing a loss of facial volume and a wrinkled appearance. Second, the skin loses elasticity and sags due to gravity. Consequently, anti-aging treatments can be broadly categorized into two types: volume restoration and elasticity improvement.

The first method involves enhancing facial volume to create a more youthful appearance. This can be achieved through fat grafting, various filler injections, and lifting surgeries. Autologous fat grafting, which uses the patient's fat, is popular for restoring facial volume. It offers the advantages of no side effects, a wide range of application, immediate results, and semi-permanent effects. Fillers also become more natural over time and are effective for deep nasolabial folds, neck wrinkles, and facial contouring.

The second method focuses on improving skin elasticity to address sagging skin. This includes procedures such as Ulthera, thread lifting, and facelift surgeries. The choice of procedure depends on the degree of elasticity loss and should be made in consultation with a specialist. Known for its popularity among Hollywood stars, Ulthera is a non-surgical treatment that improves skin elasticity around the eyes, jawline, cheeks, and neck, offering a natural lifting effect. Thread lifting, which involves inserting dissolvable threads under the skin, is also highly popular. It requires only a short procedure time of 20-30 minutes, has minimal swelling and bruising, allows for quick return to daily activities, and provides immediate results.

Recently, the "8MM Endoscopic Brow and Forehead Lifting" has also gained popularity. This minimally invasive procedure involves small incisions to lift and tighten the skin and tissues, offering a comprehensive facial lift. It is ideal for those with significant sagging due to aging or those seeking a semi-permanent and effective result.

Improving both volume and elasticity is crucial in addressing skin aging. However, since the causes and conditions of skin aging vary from person to person, treatments should not be undertaken hastily. Volume and elasticity improvement procedures should be spaced appropriately, and it is essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon before proceeding.

Excerpt from Weekly Sisa Magazine