What is a “full facelift”?

A full facelift (sometimes called a “complete facelift”) is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the entire face — typically addressing sagging skin, deep wrinkles, jowls, loss of jawline definition, and sometimes the neck and lower face. In Korea:

• It may involve lifting and repositioning skin and deeper layers (such as the SMAS/deep plane) rather than only the surface.
• It often includes multiple regions (cheeks, jawline, neck) rather than a small “mini lift” or thread-lift.
• Some clinics advertise it as: “improves deep facial wrinkles by removing stretched skin and saggy muscle through minimal incisions near the ears.” IDHOSPITAL

    Typical Techniques Used in Seoul

• SMAS Facelift: Lifting the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system layer to get more durable results.
• Deep Plane Facelift: More advanced, releasing certain ligaments and repositioning deep tissues, yielding more natural, longer-lasting results.
• Incision placement often hides in hairline and front of ears to minimize visible scar.
• Some clinics may combine the face lift with a neck lift or jawline contouring for full integration (especially if neck sagging is present)

    How Much Does it Cost in Seoul?

        As a rough reference:

• A full SMAS facelift in Korea might cost between ₩12,000,000 and ₩20,000,000 KRW (roughly USD 9,000–15,000) depending on surgeon, clinic reputation, technique and inclusions.
• Some websites list approximate average of USD 6,000–8,000 for facelift surgeries in Korea (though details vary). koreafaceliftcenter.com
• Note: Cost may exclude post-op care, anesthesia, overseas travel/ accommodation, and revisions.

    What to Expect: Procedure & Recovery

  Before surgery

• Detailed consultation: surgeon assesses face & neck, skin quality, bone/soft tissue, aging pattern.
• Pre-op tests, possibly stop certain medications, adhere to clinic advice (no smoking, etc).
• Plan for staying in Seoul (or nearby) for a set period to allow monitoring.

  During surgery

• Anesthesia: often IV sedation or general, depending on extent.
• Incisions around hair-line and in front of ears; skin and deeper tissues lifted, repositioned; excess skin trimmed; closure.
• Duration: varies by case/technique — may be 3-5 hours or longer for full + neck/fat grafting.

  After surgery and recovery

• Initial swelling, bruising common; possibly drains or dressings.
• Most surgeons recommend minimal strenuous activity for first 1-2 weeks; avoid heavy lifting, facial twisting.
• Sutures may be removed around day 5-7; final healing of incisions/scars may take months.
• Full result visible over weeks to months; skin needs time to settle, swelling to subside.

    Ideal Candidates

• Individuals showing moderate-to-advanced signs of facial aging: sagging cheeks, loss of jawline definition, jowls, deep nasolabial folds, neck laxity.
• Healthy adults (often 40s–60s) but age is less important than tissue condition, expectations, skin elasticity.
• Realistic expectations: this is major surgery; results are lasting but aging continues.

    What to Look Out For / Questions to Ask

• Surgeon’s certification and experience: specialization in facial rejuvenation.
• Before/after gallery of full facelift cases (not just mini-lifts or thread lifts).
• Clear explanation of the technique being used, extent (face only vs face + neck + fat grafting).
• Inclusion of aftercare: follow-up visits, scar management, potential revisions.
• Hospital/clinic safety standards, anesthesia team, emergency protocols.
• Total cost breakdown: surgeon fee, anesthesia, facility, medications, follow-up, overseas patient support (if travelling).
• Ask about scarring: where are incisions placed, how visible might they be after healing.
• Understand risks: nerve injury, hematoma, asymmetry, scarring, delayed healing.
• Accommodation/travel logistics if you’re international: required stay, support services, local language support.