Mini Facelift that Even Improves Nasolabial Folds: The Upgraded Fox Lifting

These are questions I am frequently asked during consultations.

"Doctor, I just want my jawline to look a little tighter..."

”I’ve heard full-face lifting is too much for me, but thread lifting doesn’t last long.

”If I get a mini facelift, will it also improve my nasolabial folds? Or do I need another procedure?”

These are some of the most common questions I have received over the past 10 years, during which I have performed thousands of facial lifting surgeries. Patients in their late 30s to 50s often want results that are both natural yet clearly noticeable.

Today, I’d like to talk honestly about the two upgraded types of

Fox Lifting (Mini Facelift) that I have developed and refined through many years of surgical experience. I will explain how this technique started, why it has evolved, and which type of lifting is most suitable depending on each patient’s condition.

Mini Facelift Fox Lifting — How It All Began

“It started with a simple goal: to create a slimmer, sharper ‘fox-like’ jawline using only a small 2 cm incision in the sideburn area.”

Traditional mini facelifts often came with limitations: Either the results were not significant enough, the recovery time was longer than expected, or the scar ended up being too noticeable.

So I began searching for a method that could satisfy all three: clear effectiveness, minimal downtime, and discreet scarring.

That is how Fox Lifting was born.

By making a small 2 cm incision along the natural border of the sideburn hairline, I carefully lifted the SMAS layer and elevated the tissues in a natural yet powerful way, proportional to the length of the incision.

As patients began showing beautifully refined and slimmer jawlines, resembling the sharp and elegant contour of a fox, I named the procedure “Fox Lifting.”

However, as I continued performing the surgery, I noticed one recurring concern.

While the jawline and lateral cheek area improved significantly, the improvement in the nasolabial folds and mid-cheek sagging was not as dramatic as I wanted, especially in patients in their mid-40s and older with noticeable mid-face descent.

That is when I thought, “There must be a way to make this even better.”

So I went back to the very foundation of the technique and began redesigning the procedure from scratch.

Fox Lifting-V (Type 1) & Fox Lifting-Deep (Type 2)

The Key Evolution of the Mini Facelift

Again, the limitations of previous mini facelift techniques were clear: restricted lifting effect, longer-than-expected downtime, and visible scarring.

The biggest anatomical limitation was that traditional incisions did not allow enough deep SMAS dissection, meaning the mid-face retaining ligaments could not be fully released.

So I modified the incision slightly, extending it along the natural sideburn line and applying the same dissection principles used in deep plane facelift surgery.

Along the vector line extending from the outer corner of the eye to the mandibular angle, I performed thorough SMAS-under dissection, widely releasing both:

• Zygomatic Ligament

• Upper Masseteric Cutaneous Ligament

  
  

Once I started operating this way, the results changed dramatically.

Nasolabial folds improved far more noticeably, and I finally achieved a real solution for mid-cheek sagging.

From there, I began clearly separating the procedure into two distinct approaches:

✅ Type 1: Fox Lifting-V : The original method — focused primarily on vertical lifting of the jawline

✅ Type 2: Fox Lifting-Deep : The advanced method — a deeper, more comprehensive lift that also corrects the mid-face

Fox Lifting Type 1 vs Fox Lifting Type 2

Differences Between the Two Mini Facelift Techniques

Traditional mini facelift techniques often had limitations: either the results were not dramatic enough, the recovery period was longer than expected, or the scar was too noticeable.

I wanted to develop a method that could satisfy all three.

	Fox Lifting Type 1	Fox Lifting Type 2
Incision Location	About 2 cm along the sideburn area	Along the sideburn line (about 2–2.5 cm)
Surgical Method	Superficial SMAS dissection + scalp excision	Deep plane technique (deep SMAS dissection)
Ligament Release	Partial release	Complete release of key mid-face retaining ligaments
Recovery Period	Return to daily life in about 5–7 days	Return to daily life in about 7–10 days
Duration of Effect	About 3–5 years	About 5–7 years or longer
Ideal Age Range	Late 30s to early–mid 40s	Mid–late 40s to 50s

TYPE 1: Fox Lifting-V

The Standard of Vertical Lifting

This method is ideal for patients whose mid to lower face sagging is not very severe.

A small 2 cm incision is made along the sideburn area, and the SMAS layer is carefully dissected within an appropriate range. Then, the tissue is lifted upward in a natural direction, proportionate to the scalp excision, creating a refined lifting effect.

When mid-to-lower face sagging is not severe

• 1.5–2.5 cm incision inside the sideburn hairline

• Firm dual fixation from the SMAS layer; wider lifting range when combined with PDO threads

• Incision closed inside the hairline to hide scars; improves jawline and cheek sagging

(Surgical method, incision area, and the use and range of threads may vary depending on skin elasticity and the degree of sagging.)

Advantages

• Relatively quick recovery (most patients return to daily life within 7 days)

• Minimal incision, so scarring is less of a concern

• Excellent improvement in the lower face and jawline contour

• Very natural-looking results

Limitations

• Improvement of nasolabial folds can be limited

• May not be sufficient for patients with significant mid-face (cheek/malar) sagging

TYPE 2: Fox Lifting-Deep

Designed to Improve the Mid-Face as Well

This method is ideal for patients with moderate to severe sagging in the mid to lower face or those with deep nasolabial folds.

An incision is made along the natural border of the sideburn area, and through a small opening, the surgery is performed using the same principles as a full facelift deep-plane technique, allowing lifting effects to extend into the mid-face region.

For severe mid- to lower-face sagging or deep nasolabial folds

• Incision along the sideburn line

• Ligament release with skin dissection; strong 4-layer SMAS lift; natural expression with temporal fascia fixation

• Minimal visible scarring near the hairline; improves lower face, mid-face, and nasolabial folds with long-lasting results

(Surgical method, incision area, and the use and range of threads may vary depending on skin elasticity and the degree of sagging.)

The Key Is the Complete Release of Retaining Ligaments

• Zygomatic Ligament — connects the cheekbone to the skin

• Upper Masseteric Ligament — connects the masseter (cheek muscle) to the skin

  
  

Advantages

• Noticeable improvement in nasolabial folds

• Helps fundamentally correct mid-cheek sagging

• Provides a three-dimensional lifting effect across the mid-face

• Results tend to be relatively long-lasting (around 5 to 7 years or more)

• Includes both mid-face lifting and lower face V-line enhancement

Real Fox Lifting Mini Facelift Cases

Customized surgical plans, natural yet clearly visible lifting results

Case 1: Fox Lifting-V (Patient in mid-30s)

Pre-Surgery Condition

• Age 43

• Main concerns: jawline sagging and lateral cheek drooping

• Moderate nasolabial folds, mild mid-face sagging

Selected Procedures

Fox Lifting-V + Facial Liposuction + Buccal Fat Removal + Botox

Progress & Results

• 2 weeks after surgery: “Every time I look in the mirror, it feels amazing. My jawline is so much sharper!”

• 1 month after: Most of the swelling subsided and a very natural contour was achieved.

• 6 months after: Clear improvement in facial lines and overall definition.

• 2-year long-term follow-up: The slimmer jawline remained well-maintained, with a very high level of satisfaction.

Real Fox Lifting Mini Facelift Case

Customized surgical approach, natural yet noticeable lifting results

Case 2: Fox Lifting-Deep — Significant Nasolabial Fold Improvement (Patient in Her 50s)

Pre-Surgery Condition

• Main concerns: deep nasolabial folds and noticeable mid-cheek (malar) sagging

• Nasolabial fold depth measured at approximately 4 mm before surgery

• Selected procedures: Fox Lifting-Deep + Jowl (marionette) correction + Facial Liposuction + Fat Grafting

  
  

Progress & Results

• 3 months after surgery: Nasolabial folds became significantly shallower, and the entire mid-face appeared smoother and more natural.

• 1-year long-term result: High patient satisfaction, with sustained improvement of the mid-face area.

Which Fox Lifting Is Right for You?

A customized surgical plan is created for each patient,

and all procedures are performed directly by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Who Is Suitable for TYPE 1: Fox Lifting-V?

• Patients in their late 30s to early–mid 40s

• Sagging along the jawline and lateral cheeks

• Mild to moderate nasolabial folds

• Those who want faster recovery

• First-time patients considering a mini facelift

  
  
  
  

Ideal Candidates for TYPE 2: Fox Lifting-Deep

• Patients in their mid to late 40s to 50s

• Prominent nasolabial folds and noticeable mid-cheek (malar) sagging

• Overall sagging in the mid-face area

• Those who want both V-line lifting and nasolabial fold improvement at the same time

• Patients seeking long-lasting results

FAQ: Most Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the most common questions we receive during consultations at ATOP Plastic Surgery.

Q1. Will there be noticeable scars?

A: The incision is hidden along the natural border of the sideburn hairline, so it is barely visible.

• Immediately after surgery → appears as a red line

• Around 3 months → significantly fades and becomes barely noticeable

• After 6 months → generally well-camouflaged within the hairline

Q2. How does it compare to non-surgical lifting (Ultherapy/Shrink)?

A: The purpose and results are fundamentally different.

From a cost-effectiveness standpoint:

• Ultherapy every year for 5 years → 5,000,000–6,000,000 KRW

• One Fox Lifting-V → 3,000,000–4,000,000 KRW range, with a much more dramatic result

Q3. Why is the recovery period slightly longer for TYPE 2: Fox Lifting-Deep?

A: Because the retaining ligament release area is wider.

Since more ligaments are released, there may be a bit more initial swelling. However, the real difference is only around 2–3 days, and most patients return to daily life within about 10 days.

Q4. When is revision surgery usually needed?

This varies by individual, but on average:

• TYPE 1 Fox Lifting-V: after about 3–5 years

• TYPE 2 Fox Lifting-Deep: typically 5–7 years or longer

Final Thoughts

“Even a mini facelift should be customized based on each patient’s facial condition, age, and lifestyle.”

After more than 10 years of surgical experience and refinement, Fox Lifting-V and Fox Lifting-Deep each have clear advantages and indications.

• If you want a natural and refined improvement mainly focused on the jawline → TYPE 1 Fox Lifting-V

• If you want fundamental correction including nasolabial folds and the mid-face → TYPE 2 Fox Lifting-Deep

The most important thing is choosing the method that truly fits you.

We provide honest and precise consultations so you can make a decision you will still be happy with even 10 years later.

Thank you very much.