Face lifting guide: SMAS lift, thread lifting and fat grafting
Ageing is both sagging skin and lost volume. Lifting alone often looks tight but drawn, so combining a lift (SMAS or threads) with fat grafting usually gives a more natural result.
Last updated: 2026-08-29
Who needs surgery, who needs threads
Threads suit early laxity, typically late 30s to early 40s, and last about 1–2 years. A SMAS lift addresses the fascia layer directly, suits clear sagging, lasts years, but involves real incisions and downtime.
Making fat grafting last
Part of the grafted fat is resorbed in the first three months; what survives is considered permanent. Surgeons therefore slightly overfill and review later. Avoid major weight loss during this window, as it affects the retained volume.
Related procedures at Lienjang Plastic Surgery
SMAS facelift
A SMAS facelift lifts the sub-dermal fascia layer rather than skin alone, giving a longer-lasting and more natural result. It sits in Lienjang's anti-aging surgery group.
Thread lifting
Thread lifting at Lienjang uses absorbable threads to reposition sagging tissue while stimulating collagen, suited to patients not yet ready for a surgical facelift.
Facial fat grafting (5D / PicoCell)
Facial fat grafting at Lienjang transfers the patient's own fat to the forehead, temples, under-eyes and cheeks, with a PicoCell technique that refines the fat particles for smoother texture and better graft survival.
Frequently asked questions
- Can threads and a SMAS lift be combined?
- Usually not at the same time: existing threads interfere with dissecting the fascia. Surgeons normally space them out or pick one based on the degree of laxity.
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