Introduction

Facelift surgery is not one-size-fits-all. One of the biggest distinctions surgeons make—especially in Korea—is between male and female facelift techniques. While the goal for both is rejuvenation, the anatomy, aging patterns, incision strategy, and aesthetic priorities are fundamentally different.

Applying a “female facelift approach” to a male face is one of the most common reasons for unnatural or feminized results in men.

This guide explains the critical differences between male and female facelifts, so expectations, planning, and outcomes align correctly.

1. Facial Anatomy Differences

Male Facial Anatomy

• Thicker skin and dermis
• Stronger, heavier facial muscles
• More fibrous SMAS layer
• Wider, squarer jawline
• Lower eyebrow position
• Heavier neck and platysma muscles

Female Facial Anatomy

• Thinner, more elastic skin
• Softer facial contours
• Higher cheek prominence
• Narrower jawline
• Higher brow position

🔑 Why this matters:
Men require stronger structural support and deeper dissection, while women benefit from contour refinement and softer lifting vectors.

2. Aging Pattern: Men vs Women

How Men Age

• Heavier jowls
• Neck sagging appears earlier
• Jawline blunting is prominent
• Skin laxity progresses slowly but heavily

How Women Age

• Cheek descent
• Nasolabial folds deepen
• Skin thinning
• Loss of facial volume

🔑 Implication:
Men often need lower face + neck correction, while women frequently need midface lifting and volume restoration.

3. Aesthetic Goals Are Different

Male Facelift Goals

✔ Sharper jawline
✔ Clean neck angle
✔ Natural, understated rejuvenation
✔ Avoid “pulled” or tight look
✔ Maintain masculine facial structure

Female Facelift Goals

✔ Softer cheek contours
✔ Lifted midface
✔ Youthful fullness
✔ Smoother facial curves

⚠️ A common mistake:
Using aggressive cheek lifting or over-tightening in men → feminized appearance.

4. Incision Placement Differences

Male Facelift Incisions

• Must accommodate beard growth
• Careful placement around sideburns
• Avoid hairline distortion
• Often extend into natural beard lines

Female Facelift Incisions

• Hidden within hairline
• Easier concealment
• Less concern about hair-bearing skin

🔑 This is one reason male facelifts are technically harder.

5. Lifting Vector & Technique

Male Facelift Technique

• Stronger horizontal and vertical vectors
• Emphasis on jawline and neck
• Deeper SMAS or deep plane techniques preferred
• Less skin tension, more structural lift

Female Facelift Technique

• More upward and diagonal lift
• Emphasis on cheek elevation
• Skin + SMAS combination works well

Men benefit more from deep plane or extended SMAS facelifts, while women may do well with standard SMAS or mini facelifts depending on age.

6. Neck Lift Importance

Men

• Neck lift is almost always necessary
• Heavy platysmal bands
• Thicker fat layer
• Jaw–neck angle defines masculinity

Women

• Neck lift may be optional in early aging
• Often secondary to facial lifting

🔑 For men, facelift without neck lift often looks incomplete.

7. Recovery Differences

Male Recovery

• More swelling due to thicker tissue
• Bruising may last slightly longer
• Requires compression longer
• Return to work: ~10–14 days

Female Recovery

• Slightly faster swelling resolution
• Makeup hides bruising more easily
• Return to work: ~7–10 days

8. Cost Differences (Korea)

Male Facelift Cost

• Often 10–20% higher than female facelift
• More extensive dissection
• Neck lift commonly included

Typical range:
₩10,000,000 – ₩25,000,000+ KRW

Female Facelift Cost

• Wider range depending on extent
• Mini options more commonly suitable

Typical range:
₩8,000,000 – ₩20,000,000+ KRW

9. Common Mistakes in Male Facelifts

❌ Over-lifting cheeks
❌ Ignoring neck laxity
❌ High incision affecting sideburns
❌ Tight skin without structural support
❌ Feminized contour outcome

These issues are far less common when surgeons specialize in male facelifts.

10. Best Candidates Summary

Best Male Facelift Candidates

✔ Sagging jawline
✔ Neck laxity
✔ Heavy jowls
✔ Desire subtle, masculine rejuvenation

Best Female Facelift Candidates

✔ Cheek descent
✔ Facial volume loss
✔ Nasolabial folds
✔ Desire lifted, youthful contours



Final Thoughts

Male and female facelifts may share a name, but they are fundamentally different surgeries. The best results come from:

✔ Correct anatomical assessment
✔ Gender-specific lifting strategy
✔ Conservative, structural correction
✔ Surgeons experienced in gender-tailored facelifts

A great facelift doesn’t make someone look “tight” or “done”—it makes them look rested, confident, and natural.