Facelift in Korea: 2026 Cost in Seoul and What U.S. Patients Should Know
A facelift costs about $1,200 to $25,400 at the six Korean clinics we work with. In the U.S., the surgeon's fee alone averages $11,395, before anesthesia and the operating room. Below: each clinic's price and ratings, what the low and high quotes cover, recovery and your trip budget.
Flights and extra hotel nights are not included in either price. Final quotes depend on your case.
Facelift clinics in South Korea: prices and independent ratings
Prices are each clinic's own quoted range in USD, as of October 2026. Ratings come from independent review platforms and link to the source.
| Clinic | Price | Independent ratings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lienjang Seoul | From $1,230 | ||
| SAERO Plastic Surgery Seoul | $2,100 - $3,982 | ||
| JK Plastic Surgery Seoul · ISO 9001, KAHF | $5,040 - $6,300 | ||
| VG Plastic Surgery Seoul | $5,100 - $25,400 | ||
| VIP Plastic Surgery Jeju | $8,000 - $18,000 | ||
| ID Plastic Surgery Seoul | From $9,000 |
How clinics get listed: our methodology. Clinics do not pay for position on this page.
Total trip budget from the U.S.
Surgery at our partner clinics plus a round-trip economy flight. Hotel nights included in the clinic package are covered; extra nights, meals and travel insurance are not.
| Flying from | Surgery | Round-trip flight | Total | U.S. surgeon fee alone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York nonstop ≈ 15h 40m | $1,230 - $25,400 | $1,043 – $1,620 | $2,273 – $27,020 | From $11,395 |
| Los Angeles nonstop ≈ 13h 20m | $1,230 - $25,400 | $896 – $1,305 | $2,126 – $26,705 | From $11,395 |
Flights: Kayak, typical round-trip economy fares to Seoul Incheon over the past 12 months, checked October 1, 2026 · source. Home prices: American Society of Plastic Surgeons — surgeon fee only, excludes anesthesia and facility.
Facelift in South Korea: pros and cons for U.S. patients
- Many full facelift quotes are below the U.S. surgeon's fee alone.
- Six clinics to compare, with independent ratings.
- CCTV law: you can ask for your surgery to be recorded.
- State Department Level 1, the lowest advisory level.
- “Lifting” covers very different operations; compare quotes carefully.
- A 13–16 hour flight home.
- Some cosmetic clinics are run by doctors who are not plastic surgeons.
- Follow-up care happens at home, and complications may not be covered by U.S. insurance (CDC).
How much does a facelift in Korea cost?
The six clinics we work with, five in Seoul and one on Jeju, quote between $1,230 and $25,400. In the U.S., the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports an average surgeon's fee of $11,395, with anesthesia and the operating room billed on top. The range in Korea is very wide because clinics use the word “lifting” for very different operations.
What the low and high quotes usually cover
- Thread lifts and mini lifts are at the low end. They tighten the lower face through small incisions or none, and the effect is shorter-lived.
- Full SMAS or deep plane facelifts, which reposition the deeper layer under the skin, are at the high end and last much longer.
- Quotes may add a neck lift, fat grafting or eyelid surgery.
Ask each clinic for the exact procedure name, the anesthesia, and whether the price includes a hospital night.
Recovery and how long to stay
Plan on about two weeks in Korea for a full facelift. Stitches usually come out after about a week, and most bruising fades within two to three weeks. The CDC advises waiting 10 to 14 days after major surgery before flying.
Protect yourself in Korea
Since September 25, 2023, Korean clinics that operate on unconscious patients must have cameras in the operating room, and you can ask for your surgery to be recorded; a clinic may refuse only for narrow reasons, in writing, and footage is kept for at least 30 days. Check that your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; in Korea, cosmetic procedures are also offered by doctors from other specialties. Confirm in writing who will operate.
Getting there
U.S. passport holders need no visa for short visits and no K-ETA through December 31, 2026; an electronic arrival card is required. Nonstop flights take about 13 hours from Los Angeles and over 15 from New York. The State Department rates South Korea Level 1, “Exercise Normal Precautions”.
Insurance
Cosmetic surgery is not covered by U.S. health insurance, and the IRS does not treat it as a medical expense (IRS Publication 502). The CDC warns that treating complications after surgery abroad can be expensive and may not be covered by your U.S. plan.
Facelift doctors in South Korea
Facelift before & after: surgeons in South Korea
Results from surgeons we work with. Individual results vary; ask your surgeon for results in patients similar to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a facelift in Korea?
At the six Korean clinics we list, about $1,200 to $25,400. The low end is usually a thread or mini lift; a full SMAS or deep plane facelift costs more. In the U.S., the surgeon's fee alone averages $11,395 (ASPS).
Is a thread lift the same as a facelift?
No. A thread lift tightens tissue with dissolvable threads and lasts a shorter time; a surgical facelift repositions the deeper layers and lasts many years.
How long should I stay in Korea after a facelift?
About two weeks for a full facelift. The CDC advises waiting 10 to 14 days after major surgery before flying.
Is a facelift in Korea safe?
It can be, with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Ask for your surgery to be recorded under Korea's CCTV law and confirm who will operate. The State Department rates South Korea Level 1.
Do Americans need a visa for Korea?
No visa for short visits, and no K-ETA through December 31, 2026; an electronic arrival card is required.
Getting to South Korea from the U.S.
Visa. U.S. passport holders do not need a K-ETA through 31 December 2026; an electronic Arrival Card is required instead. From 1 January 2027 the K-ETA requirement returns, so check the official portal before you book.Official source.
Flights and time zone. Nonstop service to Seoul from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Washington. West-coast flights run about 13 hours, east-coast about 14 to 15.
U.S. State Department advisory. Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions. The advisory notes that large demonstrations can occur with little notice.Read the advisory.
Before you travel: what the CDC recommends
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes guidance for Americans travelling abroad for medical care. These are its recommendations, not ours.
- Check the qualifications of the clinician who will perform the procedure and the credentials of the facility.
- Bring copies of your medical records, including lab and other test results related to your condition.
- Make sure you can get follow-up care in the United States. Care for complications can be expensive and might not be covered by your health insurance.
- Obtain international travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation back to the United States.
- See your own healthcare provider 4–6 weeks before the trip to discuss risks specific to your health.
Sources
- Facelift cost — American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Installation of closed-circuit televisions in operating rooms — PMC
- Typical fares New York – Seoul — Kayak
- Typical fares Los Angeles – Seoul — Kayak
- South Korea Travel Advisory — U.S. Department of State
- Medical Tourism — CDC Travelers’ Health
- Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses — IRS
More cost guides for U.S. patients
What the Research Says About Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery
15 peer-reviewed sourcesFacelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, addresses age-related laxity of the face and neck through techniques that range from superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) manipulation to deep-plane dissection. The studies summarized below include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials comparing these techniques and examining strategies to reduce complications such as hematoma and facial nerve injury. Current evidence suggests that deep-plane and SMAS approaches can both deliver durable rejuvenation, with ongoing research into adjuncts like tranexamic acid and hemostatic nets aimed at improving safety. Hematoma remains the most common significant complication, which is why much of the literature focuses on bleeding prevention. This material is intended for general education and should be discussed with a board-certified plastic or facial plastic surgeon in the context of your individual anatomy and goals.
- The Deep Plane versus SMAS Facelift: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System and Deep Plane Facelift Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
- Comparison of Deep SMAS Lift and MACS in Facelift: A Meta-Analysis.
- Impact of Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding Outcomes and Complication Rates in Facelift: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
- Tranexamic Acid Application in Facial Aesthetic Surgery: An Umbrella Review.
Compiled from peer-reviewed medical literature indexed on PubMed. This overview is for general education and is not medical advice. · Last updated 2026-06-15