Muly Plastic Surgery · Min Jang Hwan Analysis Report

Overview

Key Insights

Institution Overview

Muly Plastic Surgery (뮬리성형외과의원) is a specialized aesthetic clinic in Seocho-gu, Seoul, founded by Dr. Min Jang Hwan, focusing on anti-aging and upper facial rejuvenation.

Leadership

Representative Director Min Jang Hwan is a board-certified plastic surgeon and Yonsei University alumnus, with over 17 years of experience and approx. 8,000 surgical cases focused on forehead aesthetics.

Core Competency

The clinic uses the "Bone Tunneling" fixation method for forehead lifts/reductions, a technique researched by Dr. Min and published in the *Aesthetic Surgery Journal*, rejecting Endotine devices.

Clinical Philosophy

"MULY" stands for "May U Live Young," emphasizing natural anti-aging results, safety with Full HD endoscopy, and a patent-pending instrument for safe bone tunneling.

Director's Journey

Representative Director Min Jang Hwan

Academic Background & Training

**Medical Education:** Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine (2001–2007).
**Residency & Fellowship:** Completed internship (2007–2008) and residency in Plastic Surgery (2011–2015) at Severance Hospital (Sinchon). Specialized as a Clinical Research Professor (Fellow) in the Department of Plastic Surgery (2015–2016).
**Certification:** Board-certified by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. Member of Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.

Clinical Career

**Start Plastic Surgery:** Director (2016–2018).
**Batang Plastic Surgery:** Director (2018–2024).
**Muly Plastic Surgery:** Founded as Representative Director in April 2024.

"In a candid interview regarding his decision to open his own practice, Dr. Min expressed a desire for total autonomy over patient care, driven by a commitment to take full responsibility for the entire patient journey."

Academic Contributions & Research

**Key Publication:** Authored *"Hairline Lowering Surgery With Bone Tunneling Suture Fixation: Effectiveness and Safety in 91 Patients,"* published in the *Aesthetic Surgery Journal* (a globally recognized SCI journal). This study validated the bone tunneling method without Endotine implants.
**Additional Research:** Also published *"Upper facial surgery: simultaneous hairline lowering surgery during endoscopic forehead lifting"* in the *Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery* (AAPS), further solidifying his expertise in combined upper-face procedures.

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"Dr. Min distinguishes himself from many private practitioners by maintaining an academic footprint. His research focuses on optimizing surgical techniques for the upper face."

Institutional Insights

Muly Plastic Surgery: Philosophy & Facilities

Brand Philosophy and Identity

The name "MULY" is an acronym for **"May U Live Young,"** encapsulating the clinic's primary mission of anti-aging and rejuvenation. The clinic utilizes a "pink" color scheme in its branding to symbolize youthfulness and vitality ("Pink-colored Youth Solution").

Dr. Min’s stated philosophy rejects the "factory-style" surgery model often associated with the Gangnam district. He emphasizes:

**Objective Diagnosis:** Recommending only necessary surgeries and avoiding over-treatment.
**Safety First:** Adherence to strict safety protocols, including the use of CCTV in operating rooms (self-reported) and Full HD endoscopic systems.
**Patient-Centric Care:** A focus on minimizing the "shadow doctor" phenomenon by ensuring the representative director performs all consultations and surgeries personally.

Location and Facilities

**Address:** 2nd Floor, Dochung Building, 519 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
**Accessibility:** Strategically located near **Nonhyeon Station** (Line 7 and Shinbundang Line), ensuring high accessibility.
**Operating Hours:**
- Weekdays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sundays/Holidays: Closed
**Infrastructure:** The facility includes dedicated recovery rooms, consultation rooms, and operating theaters equipped with Full HD endoscopic systems. Reviews indicate the facility is modern, clean, and aesthetically pleasing.

Specialized Techniques

Core Clinical Competencies & Surgical Techniques

The "Bone Tunneling" Method (Signature Technique)

The most defining characteristic of Muly’s surgical approach is the **Bone Tunneling** method for fixation in forehead lifts and reductions. This stands in contrast to the industry-standard use of **Endotine** devices.

Technical Mechanism

Instead of inserting a bio-absorbable implant (Endotine), small tunnels are drilled into the outer cortex of the skull.
Sutures are passed through these tunnels to anchor the scalp and forehead flap directly to the bone.
Dr. Min mentions having a patent related to the safety of the bone tunneling instrument, designed to prevent penetration into the inner table of the skull.

Bone Tunneling vs. Endotine (Advantages)

**Reduced Foreign Body Sensation:** Less bulky sutures are used compared to palpable Endotine implants.
**Lower Risk of Alopecia:** Bone tunneling distributes tension more evenly, reducing the risk of localized hair loss.
**Fixation Strength:** Direct suture fixation to the bone provides a more secure and adjustable anchor point.

Forehead Reduction (Hairline Lowering)

This procedure is designed to reduce the vertical height of the forehead for patients with a high hairline.

**Incision Technique:** Muly employs a **zigzag or wavy incision** along the hairline to break up the linear scar and allow hair to grow through (trichophytic closure).
**Preservation of Follicles:** The incision is made at a 45-degree angle to preserve hair follicles at the hairline, ensuring hair regrowth through the scar.
**Fixation:** The scalp is advanced forward and fixed using the bone tunneling method to ensure it does not retract over time.

Endoscopic Forehead Lift

This procedure addresses forehead wrinkles, brow ptosis (drooping eyebrows), and heavy eyelids.

**Technology:** The clinic uses **Full HD endoscopes** to visualize nerves and vessels, minimizing damage and reducing recovery time.
**Dual Fixation:** The technique involves a "Dual Fixation" system where the tissue is anchored at multiple points (3 incisions, 6 points of fixation) to ensure longevity of the lift.
**Targeted Release:** The procedure involves the precise release of the arcus marginalis and corrugator supercilii muscles, which helps eliminate deep frown lines and allows the brow to be elevated naturally.

Combined Procedures (Forehead Reduction + Lift)

Muly promotes a combined approach for patients who have both a high hairline and brow ptosis. This "Forehead Reduction + Lift" is marketed as a comprehensive solution to correct facial proportions and aging signs simultaneously. The clinic claims to have over 5,000 cases of experience with this specific combination.

Other Anti-Aging Procedures

While the forehead is the primary focus, the clinic also offers:

**SMAS Facelift:** Targeting the lower face and neck, lifting the SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) layer for durable results.
**Middle-Aged Eye Surgery:** Lower blepharoplasty and sub-brow lifts to correct aging eyes.

Patient Perspectives

Market Reputation & Patient Feedback

Positive Feedback Themes

**Consultation Quality:** Patients consistently praise Dr. Min for his objective and detailed consultations, often described as professional, non-"salesy," and willing to dissuade unnecessary procedures.
**Surgical Outcomes:** Many users report satisfaction with the aesthetic results, particularly the natural correction of brow position and effective reduction of forehead height. The "zigzag" incision is frequently cited as effective for scar concealment.
**Facility and Hygiene:** The clinic is noted for being exceptionally clean, modern, and well-managed, with reviews often contrasting Muly's cleanliness favorably against other clinics.
**Staff Kindness:** The medical staff and consultants are generally described as kind and helpful throughout the patient journey.

Reported Side Effects & Recovery Challenges

**Scarring and Redness:** Patients note that the incision line can remain red for several months (typically 2-4 months) before fading to white, a standard trajectory for surgical scars requiring patience.
**Shock Loss:** Temporary hair loss near the incision site is a reported side effect, with hair typically beginning to regrow after 2-3 months.
**Swelling and Appearance:** Immediate postoperative swelling can be significant, sometimes resulting in an "alien-like" appearance during the acute recovery phase, which usually resolves as edema subsides.
**Sensory Changes:** Numbness or altered sensation in the scalp is common initially, with full sensation returning over several months.

Controversy & Clarifications

Dr. Min actively addresses the myth that forehead reduction causes permanent hair loss, clarifying that while "shock loss" (temporary shedding) can occur, permanent loss is rare with correct tension management via bone tunneling.

The clinic's strong stance against Endotine is a marketing differentiator. Dr. Min uses his YouTube channel and blog to explain why he believes bone tunneling is superior, directly addressing patient fears about "holes in the skull" by explaining the safety of outer cortex drilling.

Summary

Conclusion: Muly Plastic Surgery's Value Proposition

Muly Plastic Surgery, under the leadership of Dr. Min Jang Hwan, represents a technically sophisticated, patient-focused entry into the Seoul plastic surgery market. The clinic is defined by its refusal to adopt the convenient "Endotine" standard, opting instead for the more technically demanding "Bone Tunneling" method, which Dr. Min has validated through academic research.

For patients, Muly offers a compelling option for upper facial rejuvenation, particularly for those concerned about foreign body implants or seeking natural hairline results. The clinic's reputation is built on the director's surgical precision, objective consultation style, and a philosophy that prioritizes long-term safety over short-term convenience.

Core Values

Technical Sophistication

Patient-Focused Care

Long-term Safety

"Prospective patients should view Muly as a primary candidate for forehead reduction or lifting, especially if they prefer non-implant fixation methods. However, they should be prepared for the standard recovery timeline of 3-6 months for scar maturation and hair regrowth, as indicated by honest patient reviews and the clinic's own guidance."