Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Procedures

Double Eyelid Surgery

Double eyelid surgery is one of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in South Korea, renowned for its minimally invasive approach. This surgery is sought after primarily for its aesthetic benefit of creating a defined eyelid crease, which is believed to make the eyes appear larger and more expressive.

The procedure is relatively simple and quick, typically lasting about 30 minutes to an hour. Under local anaesthesia with sedation to induce sleep, the surgeon makes precise incisions or uses non-incisional techniques to reshape the skin around the eyes. The incisional method involves removing or repositioning a small amount of tissue to create a permanent crease, while the non-incisional method uses small sutures to form a crease without removing skin. Both methods are tailored to enhance the natural symmetry of the patient’s face.

Recovery time is short, with most patients returning to daily activities within a few days. The surgical results are subtle yet impactful, providing a refreshed and youthful appearance. Because of its effectiveness and minimal downtime, double eyelid surgery continues to be a cornerstone of facial cosmetic surgery in Korea, embodying a blend of cultural beauty aesthetics and advanced medical techniques.

Philtrum Reduction

Philtrum reduction surgery, also known as lip lift, is gaining popularity as a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure designed to enhance facial aesthetics by shortening the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip. This procedure is particularly sought after for its ability to impart a more youthful and proportionate facial appearance.

Performed under local anaesthesia and sedation, philtrum reduction involves making a small incision along the base of the nose, hidden within the natural contours of the skin to minimise visible scarring. The surgeon then carefully removes a strip of skin and tissue to effectively lift the upper lip, thereby shortening the philtrum and enhancing the prominence of the upper lip. This subtle adjustment can significantly enhance the facial harmony by balancing the facial features and enhancing the smile.

The procedure typically takes less than an hour, and patients can expect minimal discomfort and a quick recovery time. Most individuals are able to resume normal activities within a week, with any minor swelling or bruising fading shortly thereafter. Philtrum reduction offers a permanent solution to achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing lip and nose relationship, making it a valuable option for those seeking facial rejuvenation with minimal downtime.

Alarplasty (Nostril Reduction)

Alarplasty is a targeted cosmetic procedure designed to refine the nostrils’ shape and size, enhancing facial symmetry and proportion. This procedure is minimally invasive and primarily focuses on the alar region of the nose, which is the part that extends from the tip of the nose to the area where the nose connects to the cheek.

Performed typically under local anaesthesia with sleep-inducing sedation, alarplasty involves making small incisions in the natural crease where the nostril wall meets the cheek, or sometimes inside the nostrils. This strategic placement of incisions ensures that any scarring is virtually invisible post-healing. The surgeon then carefully removes a predetermined amount of tissue to narrow the width of the nostrils, which can dramatically alter the nasal profile and the overall aesthetic balance of the face.

The entire procedure usually lasts about one to two hours, and the recovery period is relatively short. Patients often experience minimal pain and swelling, which subsides within a few days. Normal activities can generally be resumed shortly after the procedure, with the full aesthetic results becoming visible as the minor swelling and bruising dissipates. Alarplasty is popular for its quick recovery and the immediate improvement it offers, making it an appealing option for individuals looking to make subtle yet impactful changes to their nasal aesthetics.

Facial Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure gaining popularity for its natural approach to enhancing facial volume and contours. This technique involves using the patient’s own fat, harvested from other body parts like the abdomen or thighs, to add volume to any depressed or sunken areas of the face, such as the cheeks, lips, and under-eye regions.

The procedure begins with liposuction to extract the necessary fat, which is then purified and prepared for injection. Using fine needles, the purified fat is carefully injected into the target areas of the face. This method allows for precise control over the placement and volume of fat, enabling a tailored approach to facial filling and rejuvenation. Because the fat used is from the patient’s own body, there is a reduced risk of allergic reactions or rejection, making it a safe option for most individuals.

Recovery from facial fat grafting is relatively quick, with most patients experiencing only mild discomfort and swelling that subsides within a week. The procedure not only provides immediate results but also promotes a more youthful appearance that can last for several years. The use of the patient’s own tissues in this process enhances the natural look of the results, making facial fat grafting a preferred choice for those seeking long-lasting and subtle enhancements.

Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty

Upper and lower blepharoplasty are specialised forms of cosmetic surgery designed to rejuvenate the eye area, addressing ageing signs such as drooping eyelids, under-eye bags, and wrinkles. These procedures are minimally invasive and tailored to refine the overall appearance of the eyes, making them a popular choice for those seeking significant yet natural-looking eye enhancements.

Upper blepharoplasty focuses on removing excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids, which can restore a more open, alert appearance to the eyes. This is done through small incisions made in the natural crease of the eyelid, allowing for minimal scarring. Lower blepharoplasty, on the other hand, targets the bags under the eyes by removing or repositioning fat, and in some cases tightening the skin. The incisions for lower blepharoplasty are typically made just below the lash line or inside the eyelid, making them nearly invisible once healed.

Both procedures are generally performed under local anaesthesia with sedation, and they can take from one to three hours depending on the extent of the surgery. Recovery involves mild to moderate swelling and bruising for up to two weeks, with many patients able to resume normal activities within several days. The results are a more youthful, refreshed eye area with long-lasting outcomes, enhancing facial vitality without altering the fundamental expression of the face.

Minimal Incision Lifting

These days the humble facelift, once the epitome of what plastic surgery meant to a lot of people, has come a long way.

Incisions have become smaller and easier to conceal. It’s possible for surgeons to give a dramatic lifting effect though only a small incision of a few inches, which can be cleverly hidden within the hairline or even in the contours of the ear. This makes them practically invisible to everyone except perhaps to a doctor putting a scope in your ear canal.

Once, it was typical to think of ‘a facelift’ as one singular operation method applied to every patient. But now lifting surgeries are a whole category in and of themselves. Of course, allowing the surgeon to make a bigger incision is likely to lead to more dramatic results. However, the most intensive forms of lifting still require general anaesthesia. Therefore, ‘mini-lifting’ and minimal incision facelifts are becoming more popular among people who don’t want a surgery to be invasive or a long post-operative healing period.

Endotine Forehead Lift

For many people, the forehead is not the first part of the face that springs to mind when they think about sunken and ageing features. However, losing the tension and firmness in the forehead can result not just in fine lines and wrinkles but drooping of the eyebrows and upper eye area. In some cases, this can even change the patient’s resting expression making them appear “sad” or “tired”.

What makes an endotine forehead lift – such as the one ID Hospital performs – is the use of small, bio-absorbable pins (endotine) that will create a strong fixation so that the lift remains as effective as possible. These pins will then naturally absorb into the body. The effects of this surgery are semi-permanent and exactly how long they will last is something that should be brought up with your surgeon during consultation.

Botox & Fillers

Botox and dermal fillers are two of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, widely celebrated for their ability to enhance facial aesthetics with minimal downtime. Both treatments offer quick, effective solutions for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and adding volume to the face, but they work through different mechanisms.

Botox, or botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes facial muscles. It is commonly used to smooth dynamic wrinkles, such as crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines between the eyebrows. The procedure involves a series of small injections directly into the targeted muscles. The effects typically begin to appear within a few days, reaching full effect in about one to two weeks, and can last for three to six months. Because Botox injections are quick and involve minimal discomfort, they are sometimes referred to as a “lunchtime procedure”.

Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, and enhance facial contours. Common areas treated with fillers include the cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, and under-eye hollows. The most commonly used fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the skin. Results from dermal fillers are immediate and can last from six months to over a year, depending on the type of filler used.

Both Botox and dermal fillers require little to no recovery time, making them ideal for those seeking subtle, non-surgical facial rejuvenation with immediate results.

If you would like to enquire about any of the procedures on this list, please visit our price enquiry page or click on the link below.