Facial Retaining Ligaments Explained · Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

What retaining ligaments do

If the SMAS is the supportive lining of the face, retaining ligaments are the stitches and pegs that hold the lining in place. They arise from the bone or the deep fascia and pass up through the fat and SMAS to insert into the skin. In a young face they are firm, so tissue between them stays high and smooth. They also form the boundaries of the fat compartments, which is why the face tends to age in distinct zones rather than evenly.

Because they are anchor points, ligaments also explain why some lines appear in very predictable places. The tear trough and the groove between the lower eyelid and cheek, for example, sit along a ligament that tethers the skin to the eye-socket rim.

The main ligaments, in plain English

How ligament laxity creates the signs of ageing

When ligaments loosen, the tissue between anchor points can descend, but the anchor points themselves stay relatively fixed. The result is a pattern of bulges and grooves. Cheek tissue settles below the zygomatic ligament and gathers above the nasolabial fold. Lower-face tissue slides forward and down, but the mandibular ligament still holds the skin near the chin, so a jowl forms just behind it and the jawline looks scalloped. Under the eye, volume loss and descent make the ligament line more visible as a tear trough.

Treating support, not just the groove

A common mistake is to fill the visible groove directly while ignoring the support problem above it. That can add weight to tissue that is already descending and create a heavy look. A structure-first approach restores support instead:

• Retaining-ligament filler: small, precisely placed amounts near the ligament origin re-support the tissue so it sits higher.
• Thread lifting (실리프팅): repositions the descended tissue between anchor points.
• Energy devices: tighten the surrounding tissue at the appropriate depth.
• Fold filler: used afterwards, and only if a residual line remains.

Doje Clinic's Mid-Face program combines a signature mid-face thread lift with retaining-ligament filler and nasolabial filler for exactly this reason.

Why anatomical expertise matters

Ligament-support injections are placed deep, close to bone, in areas with important blood vessels. Precise anatomy and technique are essential. Dr. Byun Jeik serves on the Merz Advisory Board and the Belotero Expert Committee and was named one of Korea's 22 filler experts by Medical Times. Every plan begins with a 1:1 consultation.

Cost

Plans are quoted after a 1:1 consultation, with a written quote on request. Korean non-covered (비급여) aesthetic fees are set per plan.

Frequently asked questions

What is retaining-ligament filler?

It is filler placed deep near the origin of a retaining ligament to restore support, so the tissue above sits higher, rather than filling a groove from the surface.

Can loose ligaments be tightened?

Not directly restored, but their effect can be compensated by re-supporting tissue with filler, repositioning it with threads and tightening surrounding layers.

Why can filling a fold look heavy?

If the fold is caused by tissue descending from above, adding volume at the fold adds weight without fixing the cause.

Are ligaments the same in everyone?

Their strength and position vary between people, which is one reason faces age in different patterns.

Does weight loss affect ligaments?

Significant weight changes can stretch supporting tissues and reveal laxity that was previously hidden by volume.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Retaining-ligament filler — restoring support points
• Ligament filler vs mid-face thread lift — support or reposition
• Mid-Face program — thread lift with ligament filler
• Tear trough — the under-eye groove
• Jowls — behind the mandibular ligament
• What is the SMAS? — the layer ligaments anchor
• Structural filler — deep support

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.