How long should I stay in Seoul after a facelift?

International patients are commonly advised to stay around two weeks to allow for follow-up visits and stitch removal. The operating surgeon should confirm your schedule.

What is the difference between a mini facelift and a full facelift?

A mini facelift uses shorter incisions to treat milder sagging of the lower face with a shorter recovery, while a full facelift addresses more advanced sagging of the face and often the neck.

Is a thread lift the same as a facelift?

No. A thread lift can give a mild, temporary lift with little downtime, but it does not reposition deeper tissues or remove excess skin the way a surgical facelift does.

Patient Guide

Facelift in Korea: A Guide for International Patients

✓ Independently reviewed for patients · Updated October 2026

A facelift is surgery that repositions the deeper tissues of the lower face and neck and removes excess skin, to treat sagging that injectables and energy devices cannot correct. Seoul has a large number of plastic surgery clinics that treat international patients, so it helps to understand the procedure, the recovery and the planning involved before you compare clinics.

What a facelift can and cannot do

A facelift mainly addresses jowls, deep folds around the mouth, loose skin along the jawline and laxity in the neck. It does not change skin texture, fine lines around the eyes or volume loss on its own, which is why it is often combined with other procedures such as eyelid surgery or fat grafting. It also does not stop ageing: the face continues to age from the improved starting point.

Common types of facelift

SMAS facelift – lifts and tightens the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), the layer beneath the skin, rather than pulling the skin alone. This is the basis of most modern facelifts.
Deep plane facelift – releases and moves the SMAS and skin together as one unit. Surgeons who use it aim for a more natural result in the mid-face, though it is technically more demanding.
Mini facelift – a shorter-incision procedure for earlier, milder sagging of the lower face. Recovery is usually shorter, and the effect is more limited than a full facelift.
Neck lift – tightens neck muscles and skin and is often performed together with a lower facelift.

Thread lifts, HIFU and radiofrequency treatments are sometimes marketed as alternatives. They can give a mild lift with little downtime, but they are not equivalent to surgery and their effect is shorter-lasting.

Who is a good candidate

Good candidates have visible sagging of the lower face or neck, are in good general health, do not smoke (or can stop well before and after surgery), and have realistic expectations. Uncontrolled blood pressure, bleeding disorders and some medications increase risk, so a full medical history is part of the consultation.

Before surgery

A consultation in person or online, with photos, to agree the plan and the type of facelift.
Pre-operative tests such as blood tests and an ECG, depending on age and health.
Stopping smoking and, only on your doctor's instructions, medicines or supplements that affect bleeding.

The procedure and recovery

A facelift is usually performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation and takes several hours. Incisions are typically placed in the hairline and around the ears. A drain and a compression dressing may be used for the first day or two.

First week: swelling, bruising and tightness are normal; head elevation and rest help. Stitches are generally removed within the first one to two weeks.
Weeks 2–3: most bruising fades and many patients feel comfortable being seen in public, often with light makeup.
Months 3–6: residual swelling and numbness around the incisions settle and the result matures.

Planning your trip to Seoul

Because of follow-up visits and stitch removal, international patients are commonly advised to stay in Seoul for around two weeks after a facelift. Confirm the exact follow-up schedule and when you can fly with the operating surgeon, and plan to avoid strenuous activity, saunas and alcohol in the early recovery period.

Risks to discuss

All surgery carries risk. Those specific to facelift include hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin), injury to facial nerve branches (usually temporary), visible scarring, asymmetry, hair loss near incisions and, more often in smokers, problems with skin healing. Ask how the clinic manages complications and what happens if you need care after returning home.

Questions to ask a clinic

Which type of facelift do you recommend for me, and why?
Who performs the surgery, and who is responsible for aftercare?
Where will the incisions be, and what scars should I expect?
What does the quoted price include: anaesthesia, tests, garments, medication and follow-up visits?
How do I contact the clinic after I return home?

Choosing a clinic

Check that the surgeon is a licensed plastic surgeon, that the clinic is registered with the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare to treat foreign patients, and that you receive a written, itemised quote and an aftercare plan in English. Compare clinics on the consultation and the plan, not only on price.

General information for international patients, not medical advice.