A “facelift” is not one operation. Forehead, midface, lower-face and neck laxity require different incisions, dissection areas and recovery plans. Start with the area that actually bothers you.
What do the four lift options address?
| Procedure | Main area | Typical focus | Common misunderstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full/SMAS facelift | Cheeks, jowls and jawline; sometimes neck | Reposition and secure tissue at the SMAS level | “Full face” may exclude forehead or neck |
| Mini facelift | Mild-to-moderate lower-face and jawline laxity | Shorter incision and more limited field | Not standardized and not necessarily skin-only |
| Forehead lift | Brow, brow tail, forehead and upper-face heaviness | Endoscopic or open elevation of upper-face tissue | Does not define the jawline or neck |
| Neck lift | Submental area, platysma bands and cervicomental angle | Address platysma, fat and skin as indicated | Liposuction alone is not a neck lift |
SMAS, deep-plane and mini facelift: compare the operation, not the label
SMAS means the superficial musculoaponeurotic system. “SMAS,” “deep-plane” and “composite” facelift labels are not used identically by every clinic. Ask the surgeon to mark the incision, dissection field, fixation method and whether the platysma is treated.
How to compare Korean facelift prices
A verified public price is KRW 4.6 million for either a forehead lift or forehead reduction, and KRW 6.9 million for the combined procedure; the listing includes surgery, anesthesia, VAT and aftercare. No like-for-like public price was available for full face/neck lifts, so bargain ads are not used as a market range.
| Procedure | KRW | Typical focus |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead lift | ₩4,600,000 | Public price information checked in September 2026. Final scope and fees require a written quotation. |
| Forehead lift + reduction | ₩6,900,000 | Public price information checked in September 2026. Final scope and fees require a written quotation. |
How to read before-and-after cases
Compare the same angle and postoperative interval, identify combined eyelid surgery, fat grafting or liposuction, and ask for long-term close-ups of preauricular, postauricular or hairline scars.
Planning recovery in Korea
Allow time for preoperative tests, anesthesia review, early wound and swelling checks, drains when used, and suture removal. Being discharged is not the same as being fit to fly. Hematoma, infection, wound problems and nerve injury belong in informed consent.
Four clinics to compare
The four clinics emphasize different lift categories. Shortlist by the area of laxity, then compare incision, plane, anesthesia, price and follow-up.
Cheongdam FIRST Plastic Surgery
Short-incision lift; confirm the true dissection field.
Cheongdam FIRST Plastic Surgery
10 questions for consultation
- Where is my main laxity: forehead, cheeks, jawline or neck?
- What are the exact incision, dissection field and tissue plane?
- How will the SMAS or platysma be handled and fixed?
- Why combine eyelid surgery, fat grafting or liposuction?
- May I see comparable long-term cases?
- Who manages anesthesia and overnight observation?
- Are neck work, admission, drains, sutures and VAT included?
- When is it medically reasonable to fly?
- How are hematoma, scars and nerve injury managed?
- Who do I contact after returning home?
FAQ
Is a mini facelift appropriate in my 30s?
Age alone is not an indication; location of laxity, skin elasticity, fat and ligament support matter.
Can I have surgery after Ultherapy or Thermage?
Often yes, but provide the dates, areas, energy treatments and any adverse reactions.
Does a mini facelift always recover faster?
A smaller operation may recover faster, but incision, dissection, combined surgery and individual healing determine downtime.
Public price information checked in September 2026. Final scope and fees require a written quotation.
