Lifting Surgery — Facelift & Neck Liftin Gangnam, Seoul
Lifting surgery repositions sagging facial tissue at the deeper SMAS layer — not just the skin — to restore the jawline and neck. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, options range from a mini facelift for the lower face and jowls to a full facelift and neck lift, through incisions hidden in the natural creases around the ear. Anesthesia ranges from local with sedation to general depending on the extent, decided at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- Sagging jowls and a softened jawline
- Loose skin and bands on the neck, or an undefined under-chin
- Laxity that non-surgical lifting no longer addresses to your goal
- A wish for a longer-lasting change than energy or thread lifting
Whether a mini or full lift — and whether a neck lift is added — suits you is decided after a facial assessment at consultation.
How it works
Facial aging is not only skin-deep: the SMAS layer and the tissue beneath the skin descend over time. In lifting surgery the surgeon makes incisions hidden in the creases around the ear (extending into the hairline or behind the ear for a fuller lift or neck lift), lifts and resuspends the SMAS layer, then redrapes the skin and removes the small amount of excess. A mini facelift uses shorter incisions to focus on the lower face and jowls, while a full facelift and neck lift address the jawline and neck more completely. Because the SMAS is repositioned rather than the skin alone being pulled, the aim is a result that looks balanced rather than tight.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01Deeper than skin — the SMAS
Aging descends the SMAS layer and the tissue beneath the skin, so the surgery lifts and resuspends the SMAS rather than pulling the skin alone — the aim is a balanced result rather than a tight one.
02Incisions hidden around the ear
Incisions are placed in the natural creases around the ear, extending behind the ear or into the hairline for a fuller lift or a neck lift.
03Mini or full, with or without a neck lift
A mini facelift uses shorter incisions focused on the lower face and jowls; a full facelift addresses the mid and lower face; a neck lift is added for loose neck skin, bands and the under-chin.
04Anesthesia scaled to the extent
A mini lift is often done under local anesthesia with sedation, while a full facelift with neck lift may use general anesthesia; excess skin is then redraped and a small amount removed.
Treatment areas
- Mini facelift
- Shorter incisions focused on the lower face and jowls, often under local anesthesia with sedation.
- Full facelift
- A more complete lift of the mid and lower face at the SMAS layer.
- Neck lift
- Tightens loose neck skin and bands and refines the under-chin, added as needed.
- Jawline (V-line)
- Redefines a softened jawline; the plan is set at consultation.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation, facial assessment and surgical planning
- 2Anesthesia — local with sedation, or general — depending on the extent
- 3Incisions hidden in the creases around the ear (and behind the ear or hairline for fuller lifts)
- 4Lifting and resuspension of the SMAS layer, then redraping and trimming of excess skin
- 5Suture closure, a supportive dressing, and recovery and aftercare guidance
Time: Surgery takes about 1–2 hours for a mini facelift and roughly 3–5 hours for a full facelift with a neck lift.
Recovery & aftercare
- Anesthesia ranges from local with sedation to general; a full lift may involve a short period of monitoring before you go home.
- Sutures around the ear are typically removed at about 7–14 days; a supportive dressing is worn early on.
- Expect swelling, bruising, tightness and areas of numbness that ease over several weeks; return to daily activities is often around 1–2 weeks, with strenuous activity resumed later as advised.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, numbness, asymmetry, or changes in scar or hairline may occur and are explained at consultation.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0 Surgery day
Anesthesia ranges from local with sedation to general; a supportive dressing is applied and a full lift may involve a short period of monitoring before you go home.
DAY 1-3 Swelling & bruising
Swelling, bruising and tightness are usually most noticeable now, with areas of numbness; the dressing and head elevation help.
DAY 7-14 Suture removal
Sutures around the ear are typically removed at about 7–14 days, and many people return to daily activities within about one to two weeks.
WEEK 2-6 Settling
Much of the swelling and tightness eases over several weeks; numbness can take longer to resolve, and strenuous activity resumes later as advised.
3-6 MONTHS Result refines
The result softens and settles over weeks to a few months; aging continues afterward, so the look changes gradually over the years. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
This is a single surgery. Swelling and tightness settle over several weeks to a few months as the result softens and settles; aging continues afterward, so the look changes gradually over the years. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
Surgery and non-surgical lifting work differently and suit different degrees of sagging, so the right option depends on your goals. This is not a ranking.
| Comparison | Lifting Surgery | Thread Lifting | Energy lifting (ultrasound / RF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Surgically repositions the SMAS layer | Absorbable barbed threads reposition mild sagging | Non-surgical heat stimulates collagen |
| Best for | Moderate to advanced sagging of the jawline and neck | Mild sagging and early laxity | Mild laxity and maintenance |
| Anesthesia | Local with sedation, up to general | Local | Topical or none |
| Recovery | Sutures 7–14 days; ~1–2 weeks | Little downtime | Little to none |
| Longevity | Longer-lasting; aging continues | Temporary — about 12–18 months | Temporary; repeated |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Swelling, bruising, tightness and areas of temporary numbness
- Asymmetry, or changes in the scar or hairline around the ear
- Uncommonly, a collection of blood (hematoma) needing attention, especially early
- Rarely, temporary weakness or altered sensation from nerve involvement
- Delayed skin healing, more likely in smokers
When to take extra care
- Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
- Smoking, which meaningfully affects skin healing — you may be asked to stop for a period
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes
- A tendency to keloid, or fitness for general anesthesia
- Unrealistic expectations, or a revision after previous lifting
Whether a mini or full lift, and whether a neck lift is added, suits you is confirmed at consultation. Effects and downtime vary by individual, and side effects may occur.
Your care at QD Clinic
Performed by a board-certified surgeon
Your surgery is performed and medically reviewed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Individualized surgical planning
The extent — mini or full lift, and whether to add a neck lift — and where the incisions sit is planned around your facial anatomy and goals.
Care in your language
Consultation in English, with 中文 and 日本語 support arranged on request — including questions before you travel.
A short walk from Gangnam Station
Central Seoul location with guidance from the airport and nearby hotels, and hours shown in KST.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the extent of the lift and whether a neck lift is added. Please consult us for a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions
A mini facelift focuses on the lower face and jowls with shorter incisions, while a full facelift and neck lift address the jawline and neck more completely. Which suits you is decided at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
Surgery repositions the SMAS layer for a longer-lasting change, while threads and energy devices are non-surgical with less downtime and a more limited, temporary effect. The right option is decided after an assessment.
A mini lift is often done under local anesthesia with sedation, while a full facelift with neck lift may use general anesthesia; this is decided at consultation.
Incisions are placed in the natural creases around the ear, extending behind the ear or into the hairline for fuller lifts, so they are positioned to be discreet; healing varies by individual.
Sutures come out around 7–14 days and many people return to daily activities within about 1–2 weeks, while swelling and numbness settle over several weeks. (Results vary by individual.)
Yes. Our doctors consult in English directly, and 中文 / 日本語 can be arranged in advance. Tell us your language on WhatsApp before your visit.
Often considered together
Treatments that are sometimes planned alongside this one, decided at consultation.
+Fat Grafting
Aging brings both sagging and volume loss, so restoring volume with your own fat can complement the lift; the plan is decided at consultation.
+Facial Liposuction
Under-chin fullness can be refined with liposuction alongside a neck lift for a cleaner jawline and neck.
+Skin-quality treatments
Surgery repositions tissue but does not change surface texture; energy or resurfacing treatments for skin quality may be considered separately.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST) · card payment.
For International PatientsMedically reviewed by Dr. Sahyeok Hong, board-certified plastic surgeon and Director of QD Clinic.