Facelift, thread lift and anti-aging surgery in Korea — options, cost and recovery

Lifting is the fastest-growing category among international patients in their 40s to 60s visiting Korea. Korean surgeons offer a full ladder of options — from a lunchtime thread lift to a deep-plane facelift — and are known for natural results that avoid the "pulled" look. This guide explains the ladder, who suits what, and what to expect.

The main procedures

Surgical facelift (SMAS / deep plane)

Repositions the deeper SMAS layer and removes excess skin through incisions around the ear and hairline. The longest-lasting option (typically 8–10 years) for jowls, deep folds and neck laxity.

Mini facelift

A shorter incision and a limited SMAS lift for early jowling in patients in their 40s and 50s; shorter recovery than a full facelift.

Neck lift

Tightens the platysma muscle and removes fat and skin under the chin and jaw; often combined with a facelift.

Forehead and brow lift

Endoscopic or hairline incision techniques to raise heavy brows and smooth the forehead; sometimes combined with upper eyelid surgery.

Thread lift

Absorbable barbed threads lift the cheeks, jawline or brows with minimal downtime; results last around a year. Popular as a first step or as maintenance between surgeries.

Device lifting

Ultrasound (HIFU) and radiofrequency tightening for mild laxity with no downtime, often done in a course.

Which option suits which stage

• 30s–early 40s, mild laxity: devices, skin boosters, thread lift.
• 40s–50s, early jowls and folds: thread lift, mini facelift, fat grafting for volume.
• 50s–60s+, jowls, neck bands, deep folds: SMAS facelift with neck lift, brow lift as needed.

The surgeon's assessment in a video consultation or in person decides; photos and age alone do not.

Cost in Korea

Thread lifts and devices are the entry level and are priced per number of threads or shots. Surgical lifts are priced by extent (mini vs. full, with or without neck) and anaesthesia. Korean prices for a SMAS facelift are typically well below those in the US or Western Europe for a comparable specialist. The live table above shows the starting prices clinics on Mimi have entered. See the cost guide.

Recovery timeline

• Thread lift: swelling and tightness for 3–7 days; avoid wide mouth opening for two weeks.
• Mini facelift: stitches out around day 7; presentable with light makeup in 2 weeks.
• Full facelift / neck lift: stitches out over 1–2 weeks; swelling and numbness settle over 4–6 weeks; scars mature over months.

Plan 10–14 days in Korea for surgical lifts and 3–5 days for thread lifts. See the trip planning guide.

How to choose a lifting surgeon

• A plastic surgeon whose practice is centred on facial rejuvenation, with before & after photos of patients your age at 6–12 months.
• Ask which plane the surgeon works in (SMAS plication, SMASectomy, deep plane) and why for your case.
• Ask how incisions are hidden around the ear and hairline.
• For thread lifts, ask which threads and how many, and what happens if asymmetry appears.

Korean clinics for Lifting on Mimi

Verified clinics on Mimi that list Lifting. The descriptions below are written by each clinic on its own procedure pages; open the links for the full page, prices and before & after photos.

Afternoon Plastic Surgery

Eye · Lifting · Treatment4.3(6)94 video consultations

With 20 years of experience in eye surgery and over 10,000 clinical cases, we personally oversee every step—from the initial consultation and surgery to post-operative care.

Lifting at this clinic

• Mini FaceliftFrom 3,150,000 KRW

  With a minimal incision of less than 3 cm, there are no visible signs of surgery even on the day of the procedure. By lifting up to the SMAS layer, the effects are long-lasting. — from Afternoon Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Kim Karam

• Lower Face LiftFrom 9,450,000 KRW

  Accurately assess the anatomical structures of the face to minimize adverse effects such as nerve injury and bleeding. Properly dissect the SMAS layer to achieve reliable, long-lasting results. Meticulous hemostasis helps minimize bruising. — from Afternoon Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Kim Karam

Questions Afternoon Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. How do I make an appointment for a consultation?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The available time slots of the doctor will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.

• Q. How much does the surgery cost?

  The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can be informed of the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be checked on each procedure detail page.

See Afternoon Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

Yerom Plastic Surgery

Eye · Nose · Lifting · Treatment5.0(1)99 video consultations

Meticulous and delicate surgery by a female board-certified plastic surgeon with 25 years of experience, supported by a comprehensive safety system

Lifting at this clinic

• Facelift

  Procedure category to lift sagging skin on entire face for youthful effect — from Yerom Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Minhwa Na

• Forehead Lift

  Lifts the forehead and brows to reduce forehead wrinkles, improve brow position, and create a more youthful appearance. — from Yerom Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Minhwa Na

Questions Yerom Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. What materials are used during nose surgery?

  Our hospital uses only autologous tissue from your own body. As for foreign material, except for silicone for the nasal bridge, we use only ear cartilage, septal cartilage, and autologous rib cartilage.

• Q. Is functional rhinoplasty possible when having nose surgery?

  If you have breathing discomfort due to rhinitis or a deviated septum, it can be improved at the same time as the cosmetic procedure.

See Yerom Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

Luho Plastic Surgery

Eye · Nose · Fat · Lifting4.9(824)99 video consultations

Honest plastic surgery, expert care.

Lifting at this clinic

• Mini FaceliftFrom 6,000,000 KRW

  - One-line summary: RUHO Plastic Surgery’s mini lift is a procedure that improves facial sagging through a minimal incision. - Key advantages: Minimal concern about scarring and rapid recovery, allowing patients to return to daily activities on the same day. — from Luho Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Joonyoung Kim, Sung Jae Wee, Manage

• FaceliftFrom 8,000,000 KRW

  - One-line summary: Ruhu Plastic Surgery’s facelift is a procedure designed to improve skin sagging through a personalized treatment plan. - Key advantages: The procedure is performed directly by a board-certified plastic surgeon and uses a fine suturing technique to minimize… — from Luho Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Joonyoung Kim, Sung Jae Wee, Manage

Questions Luho Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. How can I make a consultation appointment?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your preferred date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The available time slots of the doctor will be shown, and you may choose the time you prefer.

• Q. How much is the surgery cost?

  The surgery cost varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can be informed of the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be found on each procedure’s detailed page.

See Luho Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

Rewind Plastic Surgery

Eye · Fat · Lifting · Treatment5.0(47)119 video consultations

The moment time turns back, eternal youth perfected through personalized care

Lifting at this clinic

• Surgical Midface LiftFrom 2,000,000 KRW

  - One-line summary: Apple Cheek Lift is Rewind Plastic Surgery’s signature midface lift procedure. - Key advantages: Because the incision is made inside the conjunctiva, there is no need for suture removal and no visible scarring. — from Rewind Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: JongHwan Choi, HWANG SEO YOUNG

Questions Rewind Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. How do I make an appointment for a consultation?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The available time slots of the doctor will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.

• Q. How much does the surgery cost?

  The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can be informed of the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be checked on each procedure detail page.

See Rewind Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

Dodream Plastic Surgery

Eye · Facial · Lifting · Treatment4.0(45)101 video consultations

This is Doodream Plastic Surgery, where we research fundamental solutions for wrinkles and facial sagging.

Lifting at this clinic

• Mini FaceliftFrom 3,300,000 KRW

  [Dodream Mini Lift] △ Surgical areas: in front of the ears, jawline, cheeks △ Procedure characteristics: This is a mini lifting procedure that improves relatively mild cheek sagging and jawline laxity through minimal incisions centered around the front of the ears. — from Dodream Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Chansu Lim

• Full faceliftFrom 4,125,000 KRW

  [Upper Facial Lifting] * Can be performed as a standalone procedure △ Surgical areas: temporalis muscle (forehead), above the eyebrows/glabella, temples △ Procedure features: This is an upper facial lifting procedure that simultaneously improves forehead wrinkles and drooping… — from Dodream Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Chansu Lim

Questions Dodream Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. How can I make an appointment for a consultation?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The doctor’s available time slots will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.

• Q. How much does the surgery cost?

  The surgical cost varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can receive guidance on the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be checked on each procedure’s detailed page.

See Dodream Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

See all Lifting clinics