‘Facelift can lead to fresher, more natural look’
Social media and photo editing apps are contributing to the normalization of subtle, minor surgeries, leading more young women to seek cosmetic procedures.
Seeing social media influencers with symmetrical faces and even complexions leaves many feeling insecure about their own looks, according to a dermatologist.
“Nowadays, a rising number of patients undergo procedures to fit the ideal social media face and body type,” said Son Min-jeong, the dermatologist at Than Clinic.
“However, they have no idea what influencers look like in real life. Even the social media stars they admire get Botox, fillers and lifting done to enhance their photos. They are not perfect, either.”
Son encourages women not to be driven by greed or obsessiveness with getting non-invasive surgery.
“A systematic and accurate diagnosis is important for a satisfactory treatment,” she said. “It’s important for doctors to find the accurate fixation point based on a patient’s age and symptoms.”
She said that the clinic’s lifting center houses high-intensity focused ultrasound equipment and laser systems, including Corage, Shurink, Thermage FLX, Belody II and Tune Face lifting.
Non-invasive procedures, such as laser treatment, is the most popular facelift trend because it is safer and quicker, according to Son.
“Laser treatment uses strong frequency that stimulates reinvigoration of collagen, the main structural protein of the skin and its connective tissue,” Son said. “This treatment lifts problem areas and props up the face.”
When asked whether young women in their 20s can benefit from getting a facelift, Son said, “Only if they want a small, elastic V-line.”
According to her, patients in their 30s visit the clinic to prevent saggy skin and pigmentation while those in 40s and up want to tighten droopy skin from aging.
“There is some truth in the idea that early facelifts prevent people from developing wrinkles,” she said. “However, the effect is temporary.”
Son revealed she is reluctant about advising her patients to get repeated procedures to prevent wrinkles from developing.
“If the procedure is done properly, the patient will feel the effect. It’s not something that one needs to do continuously to feel the difference,” she said. Son specializes in customized skin laser surgery, intensive care of pigmentation, special lifting and filter treatment for “baby face.”
Than Clinic was selected as the best clinic by Asia Model Festival in 2017. She has been serving as the judge for Miss Korea South Gyeongsang Province every year since 2015.