A technique presented at the ISAPS World Congress changes how the malar fat pad is released and repositioned to address folds that can persist after conventional facelifts.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Myung Ju Lee, MD, PhD, presented a modified deep plane facelift technique designed to improve nasolabial fold correction at the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery World Congress 2026 in Cancún, Mexico. Lee is founder and medical director of VIP Plastic Surgery Korea in South Korea.
The presentation was part of the congress’ Hot Topic session on deep plane facelift.
The deep plane facelift is widely used to lift the midface, but correction of pronounced nasolabial folds can remain challenging. Lee attributes this limitation to the malar fat pad. In conventional approaches, the portion nearest the fold may remain tethered to the underlying facial muscles, potentially contributing to recurrent folding.
“Releasing the ligaments alone is not enough. If the fat pad stays anchored near the fold, the fold comes back,” says Lee in a release.
Two Changes to the Standard Approach
Lee’s hybrid technique changes two things. The fat pad is released from its muscle attachments and then suspended closer to the nasolabial fold, rather than solely higher on the cheek.
Lee reported on 78 patients treated between July 2024 and June 2026, with a mean follow-up of 7.5 months. No hematomas occurred; two patients experienced temporary facial weakness, and five developed minor surface irregularities.
He said the approach may suit patients with pronounced nasolabial folds, thick skin, or high cheekbones. Longer follow-up will be needed to assess the durability of the results.
Building on Prior Work
The presentation builds on Lee’s work in facial rejuvenation. He introduced the High-SMAS facelift technique in Korea in 2001 and later developed the Extended Deep Plane Facelift approach, which preceded the current hybrid technique.
Lee is a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and The Aesthetic Society. He has presented at the society’s congresses in Athens (2023), Singapore (2025), and Cancún (2026).
Photo caption: Myung Ju Lee presents his hybrid deep plane facelift technique at the ISAPS World Congress 2026 in Cancún, Mexico.
Photo credit: VIP Plastic Surgery Korea
