Sagging in the face shows up at three levels: the SMAS layer and the jowls along the jawline, the platysma muscle and skin of the neck, and the brow and temple above the eyes. A facelift in Korea at ENTER Plastic Surgery is chosen by that level, from a full SMAS facelift down to a temple lift, and each of these operations is performed by Dr. Jang Jin-woo, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon.
Treatments
Facelift types sorted by the area that sags
The cards below lead to the page for each operation. They are grouped by the tissue a surgeon has to reach, because every lift on this page works around branches of the facial nerve. An anatomy review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery describes how those branches vary in their surface course from one face to the next while keeping a fairly constant depth, so the layer of dissection is planned for each operation (Stuzin, 2020).
SMAS facelift
Multi-vector lift of the deeper layer
From ₩7,800,000 excl. VAT
SMAS mini facelift
Shorter-incision lift under IV sedation
From ₩6,000,000 excl. VAT
Endoscopic brow lift
Forehead lift through the hairline
From ₩4,000,000 excl. VAT
Temple lift
Temporal brow lift for the outer eye area
From ₩3,300,000 excl. VAT
Neck lift
Skin and platysma tightening
From ₩7,800,000 excl. VAT
Corset platysmaplasty
Chin liposuction with platysma tightening
From ₩3,300,000 excl. VAT
Facial fat grafting
Autologous fat transfer
From ₩1,300,000 excl. VATJowls and jawline: full SMAS facelift or mini facelift
The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is the fibrous sheet that lies between the skin and the deeper facial muscles. In a full facelift it is lifted in several directions, which the clinic calls a multi-vector SMAS facelift, and the skin is redraped over it. The operation takes three to five hours under general anesthesia given by an anesthesiologist, and the outer stitches are removed after about seven to ten days.
A SMAS mini facelift lifts the same layer over a shorter stretch of the lower face. It is planned for jowls that are starting to form while the neck still holds its line, and it is done under IV sedation. Stitches come out between day 7 and day 14, and the clinic's guidance puts the flight home seven to ten days after surgery.
How well SMAS lifting holds up has been pooled in a 2025 meta-analysis of 21 studies and 2,896 patients: satisfaction after SMAS facelifts was 87.8%, with an overall complication rate of 10.3%, and a technique that dissects at a deeper level showed higher satisfaction together with more complications (Khoury, 2025).
Neck: neck lift, face and neck lift, or corset platysmaplasty
A neck lift tightens loose skin below the jaw and the slack platysma, the thin muscle sheet at the front of the neck. It is done under IV sedation or general anesthesia. When the jowls and the neck have both dropped, the face and neck lift treats them in one operation and appears as one item on the price list.
Corset platysmaplasty is aimed at a fuller chin with vertical neck bands. Fat under the chin is removed with liposuction, and the separated inner edges of the platysma are stitched together like the lacing of a corset. It is performed under IV sedation, the stitches come out on day 7, and a compression garment is worn for two to three months afterwards.
Upper face: endoscopic brow lift or temple lift
An endoscopic brow lift raises a low brow and the forehead above it through about four short incisions behind the hairline. A slim camera guides the release of the forehead tissue, and Endotine devices hold the new position while it heals. It is performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia, and the clinic's guidance is that a two-week stay in Korea is enough.
A temple lift, also called a temporal lift, works on a narrower zone: the tail of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye, lifted from the temple. It is done under IV sedation, with stitches removed between day 7 and day 14. Upper-face lifts are the area Dr. Jang focuses on, together with eyelid surgery.
Lost volume: facial fat grafting with or without a lift
A lift repositions tissue that has descended; it does not restore volume that has thinned out of the temples, cheeks or upper eyelids. Facial fat grafting uses your own fat, taken from the abdomen or thigh, or from the groin when a small amount is needed, as for the area above the eyes. It is performed under IV sedation, and a second session can be planned three to six months later if more volume is needed. A review in Facial Plastic Surgery describes aging as sagging and volume loss happening together, and treats lifting and fat grafting as two steps that complement each other (Tzikas, 2017).
The lifts at a glance: area, approach and anesthesia
| Operation | Area treated | Approach | Anesthesia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full SMAS facelift | Cheeks, jowls and jawline | SMAS lifted in several directions | General, by an anesthesiologist |
| SMAS mini facelift | Lower face, early jowls | Shorter SMAS lift | IV sedation |
| Neck lift | Neck skin and platysma | Skin and muscle tightened | IV sedation or general |
| Corset platysmaplasty | Under the chin, neck bands | Chin liposuction, platysma edges stitched | IV sedation |
| Endoscopic brow lift | Brow and forehead | Camera through hairline incisions, Endotine | IV sedation or general |
| Temple lift | Brow tail and outer eye | Lift from the temple | IV sedation |
| Facial fat grafting | Hollow temples, cheeks, upper lids | Own fat injected | IV sedation |
When facelift surgery is put on hold
- Blood pressure or a bleeding tendency that is not yet under control, because both raise the chance of a hematoma.
- Expectations that match a non-surgical treatment more closely than an operation.
- A travel plan too short to stay until the stitches are out and the follow-up checks are done.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Weight that is still changing quickly, since the result settles on the face you have at the time of surgery.
Risks that every facial lift shares
Each of these operations carries the risks of surgery under the skin of the face: a hematoma (a collection of blood that can need draining), injury to a branch of the facial nerve, poor healing or loss of skin at the edge of a flap, visible or widened scars, numbness around the incisions, and hair thinning along an incision in the scalp. Nerve injury is uncommon but taken seriously. A 2025 meta-analysis of 15,404 facelift patients found motor nerve injury in 0.66% and sensory nerve injury in 0.39%, with permanent injury in about 0.05% (Gandra, 2025). Signs that need a call to the clinic straight away are swelling that grows on one side, pain that keeps increasing, or weakness when you smile or close your eyes.
Who performs facial lift surgery at the clinic
Dr. Jang Jin-woo trained in plastic surgery at Kyung Hee University Medical Center and is a member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, ISAPS, ESOPRS and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. ENTER Plastic Surgery is registered with Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare as a medical institution that treats international patients (registration M-2023-01-08-7461), and English-speaking staff are available at the clinic.
Side by side
Compare at a glance
| Treatment | Procedure time | Downtime | Recommended sessions | Earliest flight home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMAS facelift | 3–5 hours | Bruising and swelling 2–3 weeks; contour settles over about 3–6 months | – | 10–14 days, once stitches are out and swelling has eased |
| SMAS mini facelift | – | Bruising and swelling mostly fade in 1–2 weeks; stitches out day 7–14 | – | 7–10 days after surgery, once the stitches are out |
| Endoscopic brow lift | – | Bruising and swelling fade within 1–2 weeks; stitches out at 7–14 days | – | 7–10 days after surgery, once stitches are out |
| Temple lift | – | Bruising and swelling 1–2 weeks; stitches out at days 7–14 | – | 7–10 days after surgery, once stitches are out |
| Neck lift | – | Bruising and swelling 1–2 weeks; stitches out at day 7–14 | – | 7–10 days after surgery, once stitches are removed |
| Corset platysmaplasty | – | Drainage 1–3 days; stitches out day 7; softens over 3–6 months | 1 operation | 7 days, after stitch removal, wearing the garment |
| Facial fat grafting | – | Gentle face washing from day 3; no facial massage for 3 months | One; a second graft after 3–6 months if needed | After 7 days, once harvest-site stitches are out |
Values are taken from the fact table on each treatment page.
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
Prices
What a facelift costs in South Korea, operation by operation
Each card shows the published fee for one operation, and every figure excludes VAT (10% VAT is added at payment). IV sedation is charged as its own line on top of the surgery fee, and the clinic applies that charge the same way to every operation, including those done under general anesthesia.
Two items need a word of explanation. The face and neck lift is priced as a single operation, so it is quoted as one fee and not as a facelift plus a neck lift. Platysma muscle tightening is an add-on to chin liposuction and is listed under corset platysmaplasty. Facial fat grafting has its own prices on the fat grafting page. Ask for medication, the compression garment and any combination of operations to be shown line by line in your written quote.
SMAS facelift
- Full SMAS facelift · per surgery₩7,800,000excl. VAT
- Face and neck lift · face and neck in one operation₩13,000,000excl. VAT
Endoscopic brow lift
- Endoscopic brow lift · per surgery, Endotine fixation₩4,000,000excl. VAT
Corset platysmaplasty
- Corset platysmaplasty · per surgery₩3,300,000excl. VAT
- Platysma muscle tightening · add-on with chin liposuction₩2,000,000excl. VAT
The clinic
Inside ENTER
Evidence
Research behind this page
- The Deep Plane versus SMAS Facelift: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2025 · Khoury S et al. · doi:10.1007/s00266-025-05118-x
A 2025 meta-analysis of 21 studies (2,896 patients): satisfaction 87.8% after SMAS facelifts with an overall complication rate of 10.3%; the deeper-dissection technique compared showed higher satisfaction and more complications.
- Facelift Surgery and Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2025 · Gandra G et al. · doi:10.1007/s00266-025-04932-7
A 2025 meta-analysis of 15,404 facelift patients: motor nerve injury 0.66%, sensory nerve injury 0.39% and permanent injury about 0.05%; rare, but a serious complication to discuss before surgery.
- Facial Nerve Danger ZonesPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery · 2020 · Stuzin J · doi:10.1097/prs.0000000000006401
An anatomy review of the facial nerve: branches vary in surface course between people but keep a consistent depth, so knowing the dissection layer and danger zones helps prevent nerve injury during a lift.
- Autologous Fat Grafting Combined with FaceliftingFacial Plastic Surgery · 2017 · Tzikas T · doi:10.1055/s-0037-1598072
A review describing facial aging as sagging plus volume loss and outlining a combined approach of lifting and autologous fat grafting; the level of evidence is low.
FAQ
Questions before booking a facelift in Seoul
How long is recovery after a facelift in Korea?
It depends on the operation. After a full SMAS facelift, bruising and swelling take two to three weeks and the contour settles over three to six months. After a mini facelift, neck lift, temple lift or brow lift, bruising and swelling fade within one to two weeks. Corset platysmaplasty can drain for one to three days.
Which facelift needs the longest stay in Korea?
The full SMAS facelift. The clinic's guidance is to fly home 10 to 14 days after surgery, once the stitches are out and swelling has eased. The mini facelift, neck lift and temple lift allow a flight after seven to ten days, and corset platysmaplasty after about seven days, once its stitches are removed.
What are Dr. Jang Jin-woo's qualifications for facial surgery?
Dr. Jang Jin-woo is a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon who trained at Kyung Hee University Medical Center. Dr. Jang is a member of seven professional societies, including ISAPS, ESOPRS and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and performs every facelift operation at ENTER Plastic Surgery.
What is added to a facelift quote on top of the surgery fee?
Two things: 10% VAT, added at payment, and IV sedation, which is a separate line for every operation, including those under general anesthesia (anaesthesia, as it is spelled in the UK). Medication and a compression garment, where needed, should appear as their own lines in your written quote.
How do I begin a facelift inquiry from another country?
Send the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp with the area that concerns you and your possible travel dates, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic, which helps when you arrive for the consultation.
Is there a deposit for facelift surgery, and what if my plans change?
Deposit and cancellation terms are set for each booking. Ask for them in writing before you pay anything or buy flights, including what happens if you need to move the surgery date after arriving in Seoul.
What is the difference between a full facelift and a mini facelift?
Both lift the SMAS layer. The full facelift covers the cheeks, jowls and jawline under general anesthesia and takes three to five hours. The mini facelift lifts a shorter section of the lower face under IV sedation. The clinic's guidance on how long results last is seven to ten years for the full lift and three to five years for the mini.
Can fat grafting be combined with a facelift?
The two treat different changes. A lift moves sagging tissue back up, while fat grafting adds volume to hollow temples, cheeks or upper eyelids with your own fat. Published reviews describe them as complementary. Whether one operation or two stages fits your face is planned with Dr. Jang.
Should I choose a neck lift or corset platysmaplasty?
A neck lift tightens loose skin together with the platysma muscle. Corset platysmaplasty is aimed at a fuller chin with vertical bands: it removes fat under the chin with liposuction and stitches the muscle edges together. When the skin is loose as well, the neck lift is the operation discussed.
Does a brow lift belong with the facelift options?
Yes. Sagging in the upper face sits above the reach of a facelift, so the endoscopic brow lift and the temple lift handle it. The brow lift raises the whole forehead through about four incisions behind the hairline, and the temple lift raises the outer brow tail from the temple.
Will my insurer pay for a facelift in Korea?
We cannot say whether your insurer will cover cosmetic surgery abroad. Check with your provider before you travel, and keep the itemized receipt from the clinic for any claim you decide to make.
Google reviews
Reviews on Google Maps
Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google