Facelift in Seoul: 2026 Prices and Clinics for U.S. Patients
A surgical facelift in Seoul means about two weeks in the city: a night in the clinic, stitches out after 7 to 14 days, then a long flight home. Check that your quote is for surgery, not a thread lift.
Flights and extra hotel nights are not included in either price. Final quotes depend on your case.
Facelift clinics in Seoul: 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 xcuro partner Seoul | From $1,230 | ||
| SAERO Plastic Surgery xcuro partner Seoul | $2,100 - $3,982 | ||
| JK Plastic Surgery xcuro partner Seoul · ISO 9001, KAHF | $5,040 - $6,300 | ||
| VG Plastic Surgery xcuro partner Seoul | $5,100 - $25,400 | ||
| ID Plastic Surgery xcuro partner Seoul | From $9,000 |
How clinics get listed: our methodology. Clinics do not pay for position on this page.Compare the clinics side by side.
Your trip, day by day
Typical, from the “Your trip for a facelift” section of this guide; plan on 13 to 14 days in Seoul. Your clinic’s schedule may differ — ask for it in writing.
- Day 1Arrive. Consultation with the surgeon who will operate, blood tests, and the exact procedure name in writing.
- Day 2Surgery under general anesthesia; a night at the clinic or hospital. Bandages stay dry for the first 2 days (NHS).
- Day 3–7Rest with your head raised on pillows; drain and dressing checks at the clinic.
- Day 8–12Stitches removed at the clinic. Short walks are fine; no saunas or massages (NHS).
- Day 13–14Final check, operative notes in English, then fly home.
Facelift in Seoul: pros and cons for U.S. patients
- Five clinics on our list within a few subway stops in Gangnam and Seocho.
- Eyelid surgery can be done in the same trip, at the same clinic.
- You can ask for the surgery to be filmed under Korea's CCTV law.
- State Department Level 1, the lowest advisory level.
- About two weeks in Seoul, then a 12 to 16 hour flight.
- “Lifting” can mean a thread lift: compare quotes carefully.
- The final result takes 6 to 9 months, mostly after you are home.
- Follow-up happens at home, and complications may not be covered by U.S. insurance (CDC).
How xcuro works
- Free for you
You don't pay xcuro anything. If you go ahead with treatment at an xcuro partner clinic, that clinic pays us a referral fee.
- Rankings aren't for sale
Clinics can't pay to be listed, to appear higher or to change their reviews.
- Ratings you can check
Clinic ratings come from Google and Trustpilot, and each one links to its source.
- Prices with sources
Every U.S. price we compare against names its source. Your own quote comes from the clinic in writing.
Facelift in Seoul: what to expect
A facelift tightens the deeper tissue of the lower face and neck and removes extra skin; it usually takes 2 to 3 hours, and most people stay in the hospital overnight (NHS). In Seoul, the word “lifting” is also used for thread lifts and non-surgical treatments, so check that your quote is for a surgical facelift and which type: mini, SMAS or deep plane. Quotes may also add a neck lift, fat grafting or eyelid surgery; ask for each item in writing.
Getting to Seoul from the U.S.
Nonstop flights from Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, New York and other U.S. hubs land at Incheon (ICN), and the airport limousine bus is the most direct way to Gangnam. Flight times, the train and bus options and visa rules are in our Seoul city guide.
Where the clinics are
All five Seoul clinics on xcuro's list are in Gangnam-gu or next-door Seocho-gu, along the strip from Sinsa and Apgujeong down to Gangnam Station: ID Plastic Surgery is by Sinsa Station, JK on Nonhyeon-ro in the Apgujeong area, SAERO by Sinnonhyeon Station and Lienjang in Gangnam Tower on Gangnam-daero. VG is also in Gangnam-gu, on Nonhyeon-ro.
Your trip for a facelift
Plan one trip of about two weeks. Stitches come out after about 7 to 14 days and bruising is visible for at least 2 weeks (NHS). ASPS suggests 7 to 10 days before flying after a facelift (ASPS), and CDC advises 10 to 14 days after major surgery (CDC).
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive. Consultation with the surgeon who will operate, blood tests, and the exact procedure name in writing. |
| Day 2 | Surgery under general anesthesia; a night at the clinic or hospital. Bandages stay dry for the first 2 days (NHS). |
| Day 3–7 | Rest with your head raised on pillows; drain and dressing checks at the clinic. |
| Day 8–12 | Stitches removed at the clinic. Short walks are fine; no saunas or massages (NHS). |
| Day 13–14 | Final check, operative notes in English, then fly home. |
What can go wrong
The NHS lists nerve injury with loss of feeling or movement in the face, uneven features, hair loss around the scars, thick scars and poor healing, plus the bleeding, clot and infection risks of any operation (NHS). Full recovery takes 2 to 4 weeks and the final result 6 to 9 months, so most of your healing happens after you are home. Ask your surgeon what happens if you need a touch-up, and whether it means another trip.
Is Seoul safe for this surgery?
The U.S. State Department rates South Korea Level 1, the lowest level: “Exercise normal precautions in the Republic of Korea.” It adds that “large-scale demonstrations may occur with little notice” (State Department, May 27, 2025). Korea's legal protections are explained in Is It Safe to Get Plastic Surgery in South Korea?; arrival and visa rules in our Seoul city guide.
How to check a clinic and surgeon in Seoul
- The clinic: find it on Medical Korea's list of registered hospitals; a clinic that treats foreign patients must register, employ at least one specialist in each department serving them and carry malpractice insurance (law, art. 6).
- The surgeon: look the name up in the member search of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
- Who operates: Korean law requires the consent form to name the principal surgeon and any change to be explained in writing (Medical Service Act, art. 24-2).
- CCTV: since September 25, 2023, clinics operating under general anesthesia or sedation must have operating-room cameras and film the surgery if you ask; footage is kept at least 30 days (Ministry of Health and Welfare).
For a facelift, also ask who gives the anesthesia and whether a doctor stays overnight with you. See our questions to ask a plastic surgeon.
Recovery and the flight home
A long flight with a fresh facelift raises the risk of blood clots, so ask your surgeon about compression stockings and moving around on the plane. Bring a written prescription and arrange a U.S. plastic surgeon for follow-up before you leave. Read our facelift in Korea guide and the U.S. cost of a facelift.
Facelift doctors in Seoul
Facelift before & after: surgeons in Seoul
Results from surgeons listed on xcuro. Individual results vary; ask your surgeon for results in patients similar to you.
If something goes wrong after facelift in South Korea
Emergency? In the U.S., call 911; in South Korea, call 119 (ambulance); 112 (police). Then tell the clinic in writing.
Get help now if you notice these after cosmetic surgery
- Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain or a racing heart: call 911 (possible blood clot).
- Confusion, clammy skin, fever with shivering or extreme pain: call 911 (possible sepsis).
- Swelling, pain, warmth or redness in one leg: see a doctor the same day.
- Increasing redness, swelling, or yellow or green drainage at an incision, or a fever of 100°F or higher: call your surgeon today.
- Sudden swelling of one breast or a collection of fluid or blood under the skin: call your surgeon today.
Where to complain in South Korea
- Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency (K-MEDI): Mediation and arbitration of medical disputes, including for foreign patients living abroad.Download the application form and annexed paper from K-MEDI's English site, sign them, and email them as PDFs. Documents must be in Korean, or in English with a Korean translation. K-MEDI asks for Korean bank details for refunds and does not cover exchange losses for foreign accounts.
- Medical Korea call center (Korea Health Industry Development Institute, KHIDI): Registers foreign patients' complaints about Korean healthcare providers and medical disputes, and gives basic consulting after a medical accident.1577-7129 in Korea, +82-1577-7129 from abroad; 24 hours, in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Arabic (per KHIDI).
The U.S. embassy keeps a list of local doctors and hospitals.
What to do if something goes wrong: the full guide for U.S. patients →
Frequently asked questions
How long should I stay in Seoul after a facelift?
About two weeks. Stitches come out after about 7 to 14 days (<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/facelift/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">NHS</a>), and CDC advises 10 to 14 days before flying after major surgery (<a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/medical-tourism" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">CDC</a>).
What is the difference between a thread lift and a facelift in Korea?
A facelift is surgery that tightens the deeper tissue and removes skin, usually with a night in the hospital (<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/facelift/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">NHS</a>). Clinics in Seoul also call thread lifts and device treatments “lifting”, so ask for the exact procedure name.
When will I see the final result of a facelift?
After about 6 to 9 months; bruising is visible for at least 2 weeks (<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/facelift/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">NHS</a>).
Is a facelift in Seoul safe?
The State Department rates South Korea Level 1 (<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-korea-travel-advisory.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">State Department</a>). Check the clinic on Medical Korea's <a href="https://www.medicalkorea.or.kr/en/registeredhospitals" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">list of registered hospitals</a>, the surgeon in the KSPRS <a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.or.kr/eng/search/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">member search</a>, and ask for the surgery to be filmed under Korea's CCTV law.
What are the risks of a facelift?
Nerve injury with loss of feeling or movement, uneven features, hair loss around the scars and poor healing, plus bleeding, clots and infection (<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/facelift/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">NHS</a>).
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 traveling 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 — NHS
- Cosmetic surgery tourism briefing paper — American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Medical tourism — CDC Travelers' Health
- South Korea Travel Advisory (Level 1, May 27, 2025) — U.S. Department of State
- Registered hospitals — Medical Korea (KHIDI)
- Act on Overseas Expansion of Medical Services and Attraction of International Patients (art. 6) — Korea Legislation Research Institute
- Search member — Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Medical Service Act (arts. 24-2, 38-2) — Korea Legislation Research Institute
- Operating-room CCTV rules take effect September 25, 2023 (in Korean) — Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea
Read before you decide
Facelift in other cities, and more in Seoul
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