u/ID_PSHospital

You've probably seen “cortisol face” all over social media lately, usually referring to a face that looks puffier or rounder during periods of stress. But facial fullness isn't always about overall puffiness. Sometimes, what's more important is understanding why one side of the face looks heavier than the other.

That distinction is what made this particular patient case interesting. When looking at this case at 3 months post-op, the patient's pre-surgery appearance did not simply appear to lack overall volume. Instead, there was a noticeable difference in how heavy the lower face appeared from one side to the other. In particular, the cheek and jawline on one side appeared noticeably fuller and heavier, while the opposite side had relatively more defined contours.

Facial asymmetry can be influenced by differences in soft-tissue volume, muscle, skeletal structure, dental factors, and the way facial tissues are positioned and settle.

In this patient's case, she tended to chew more on one side, which may have contributed to differences in muscle development between the two sides. She also tended to sleep on the same side, subjecting the soft tissue to repeated pressure. However, these habits alone would not fully explain such a noticeable difference.

This patient underwent a Facial SMAS Lift, focusing on the deeper supporting tissues of the face rather than simply tightening the skin.

The surgical plan focused primarily on the lower face:

- Reposition sagging lower-face tissues

- Improve the heavier cheek, jowl, and jawline contour

- Create better balance between both sides

- Restore a cleaner, more youthful lower-face shape

One subtle but interesting change was around the lips.

Before surgery, the lower-face asymmetry also affected how the lips appeared at rest, with the lips looking less balanced and not closing as naturally. This is because the position of the jawline and surrounding facial tissues can influence how the lips sit at rest.

At 3 months after the SMAS Lift, the lower-face balance had improved noticeably, and the lips appeared to rest and close in a more natural and symmetrical position.

This is why facial balance isn't only about the jawline. The position of the cheek, jowl, jawline, and surrounding soft tissues can also influence how the mouth sits. It's also why a facelift isn't simply about “pulling the skin tighter.” With a SMAS Lift, the deeper supporting layer of the face can be addressed and repositioned, allowing the surgeon to work on the underlying facial contour rather than relying only on skin tension.

The goal isn't to make both sides of the face perfectly identical. Rather, it's about reducing noticeable asymmetry as much as possible while preserving the patient's natural facial features, since some degree of asymmetry is normal in everyone.

In this case, the most noticeable change after surgery wasn't simply that the face looked tighter. Instead, the lower face appeared lighter and more balanced, with improved overall contour and a more natural balance between the cheeks, jawline, and lips.

Ultimately, a fuller-looking face isn't automatically “cortisol face,” just as an uneven-looking jawline isn't necessarily a larger jaw. The important part is understanding where the difference is actually coming from and what the goal of the treatment should be, as well as how best to address it.

Two patients can be the same age, have similar lifestyles, and both come in asking about a facelift, yet leave with completely different surgical recommendations.

Facelift planning isn't based on age alone. Instead, it's based on how the face has aged. It is determined by each patient's unique pattern of facial aging and the specific areas where age-related changes have occured.

At the time of consultation, this patient presented with the following primary signs of facial aging. Rather than being limited to a single area, aging-related changes were affecting the face as a whole.

1. Midface and cheeks: The cheek tissues had descended over time, reducing support in the midface.

2. Jawline and lower face: The jawline had become less defined, and sagging in the lower face created a heavier overall appearance.

3. Neck: The natural separation between the jawline and neck had become less distinct, making the neck contour appear less defined.

Because these changes involved several regions rather than one isolated concern, addressing only a single area would not have produced a balanced result. A full facelift allowed us to reposition the deeper facial tissues more comprehensively and restore harmony across the face instead of focusing on just one feature.

When comparing the before and after photos, the improvement doesn't come from one dramatic change. Instead, it's the combination of smaller changes working together. Lifting the descended cheek tissues restored support and firmness to the midface, while creating a smoother, more defined contour from the jawline to the neck. The overall result is a lighter, more youthful facial appearance that remains natural without an overcorrected look.

This is why we believe there isn't a single facelift that suits everyone. A full facelift isn't simply recommended because a patient reaches a certain age, and it isn't automatically the right choice for everyone seeking facial rejuvenation. The most appropriate procedure depends on each patient's anatomy, the pattern of facial aging, and the areas that need to be addressed to achieve a natural, balanced result.

Hi everyone!

We're ID Hospital, a plastic surgery hospital in Gangnam, Seoul. Since opening in 2004, we've spent more than 20 years caring for both local and international patients. Over the years, we've expanded into a one-stop beauty center offering plastic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, regenerative medicine, and more. We weanted to introduce ourselves and hopefully become a helpful resource for anyone researching plastic surgery in Korea.

We know there is a lot of information online, and it can be difficult to know what applies to your own situation. Whether you're just starting your research or already planning a trip to Seoul, we're happy to answer questions and share educational information whenever we can.

At ID Hospital, we believe the best treatment starts with understanding each patient's individual concerns and goals. Rather than recommending the same approach for everyone, we focus on finding the treatment plan that best fits each person's anatomy and needs.

Our team performs a wide range of procedures, including eye surgery, rhionplasty, facial contouring, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, and non-surgical treatments. Every consultation is personalized and based on careful evaluation, with the goal of helping patients make informed decisions about their treatment options.

We also welcome any international patients each year, with consultations available in 10 languages, including English, Mandarin, Japanese, Indonesian, Arabic, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Russian, and Mongolian. Many patients contact us before traveling so they can ask questions and better prepare for their consultations.

If you have questions about procedures, recovery, revision surgery, or what it's like traveling to Korea for treatment, feel free to ask. While we can't provide personalized medical advice through Reddit, we're always happy to share general information, explain procedures, and help clear up common misconceptions.

Thanks for having us here! We look forward to being part of the community, and if there's a topic you'd like us to cover or a question you've been wondering about, let us know. We'll do our best to help.