Facelift Cost in Korea: More Than Just the Price Tag

2025-04-22

Many people consider a facelift to improve deep nasolabial folds or sagging cheeks. Naturally, the first question is often about face lift cost.
But while cost is important, isn’t it even more critical to ensure a safe procedure and successful recovery?
In this article, we’ll explain what a facelift is, how to avoid common facelift complications, and what contributes to a truly satisfying result—based on real cases.


What Is a Facelift?

Rhytidectomy surgery, commonly referred to as a facelift, lifts sagging skin and underlying tissues in the face and neck to restore a more youthful contour.

facelift before after at Korean Plastic Surgeon
Facelift and neck lift: before and after 2 months

Who is a candidate?

• Visible sagging due to aging
• Deep facial wrinkles
• Poor skin elasticity

Key effects:

• Improves nasolabial folds
• Refines jawline
• Reduces jowls and neck sagging

Surgical principle:

• Tightens both the skin and SMAS (muscle layer) for natural, long-lasting results

 

Facelift Side Effects and How to Avoid Them

Hematoma – The Most Common Complication

A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin due to ruptured blood vessels.
Studies show an incidence of 1.8%–9%.

Facelift side effect hematoma
Facelift side effect: hematoma(from textbook ref. Neligen Plastic Surgery)


How to prevent it:
• Stop smoking and control blood pressure pre-op
• Gentle surgical technique and precise hemostasis
• Use of surgical drains to prevent fluid accumulation

 

If hematoma occurs, prompt drainage prevents it from affecting the final result—especially in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon.

 

Visible or Thick Scars

Over-tightening the skin can lead to hypertrophic scars.
We often see patients who had a mini facelift elsewhere and now seek scar revision.

scar after mini face lift
Scars after mini facelift (by unknown surgeon)

 

visible scarring and hairline distortion
Visible scarring and hairline distortion (from Textbook)


 

invisible facelift scar
Less visible facelift scar

How to prevent it:
• Place incisions discreetly behind the tragus and ear
• Balance skin tension during closure
• Post-op scar care: laser, steroid injections, topical treatments

 

Hairline Distortion and Sideburn Loss

Improper incision design can cause visible scars or loss of sideburns (facelift sideburns).

Korean Celebrity Facelift side effects
Facelift side effects of Korean Celebrity: Hairline distortion(did tatoo on the upper photo) and earlobe deformity after poor incision planning
hyperbaric oxygen after facelift Korea
This patient came to Noonopi for hyperbaric oxygen therapy after a poorly placed incision(by unknown surgeon): The sideburn has been chopped-off

This patient came to Noonopi for hyperbaric oxygen therapy after a poorly placed incision by unknown surgeon.
Although HBOT wasn’t necessary in this case, her sideburn had been cut unnaturally short.


How to prevent it:
• Tailor the incision to the amount of skin sagging
• Design incisions that preserve natural hairline and sideburns

Recommended facelift incision for natural hairline
Recommended facelift incision for natural hairline

 

Pixie Ear and Attached Earlobe Deformity

Pixie ear refers to downward-pulled earlobes due to excessive skin tension.

Pixie ear correction
Pixie ear correction after 4th facelift

She underwent three times of facelift. Noonopi re-do 4th facelift and corrected the earlobe shape.

 

 

Attached earlobe is a milder form where the earlobe appears fused to the cheek.

facelift ear deformity
Earlobe deformity after facelift : Pixie vs Attached (ref : Neligen textbook)

A natural earlobe has a defined angle between point S (bottom of the lobe) and point O (where the ear meets the cheek).
 

feature of aesthetic earlobe
Feature of aesthetic earlobe

S and O point should not overlap—otherwise, the ear appears abnormal.

 

In addition, according to Loeb’s dangle angle, the earlobe should tilt about 15 degrees backward, so its direction is slightly different from the main axis of the ear

Loeb’s dangle angle
Facelift earlobe orientation guidelines


If the patient is born with attached earlobe, Noonopi recommend to correct it during the facelift procedure.

aesthetic earlobe after facelift
Earlobe reconfiguration was done(Inborn attached earlobe)

Below case is where Dr. Park reshaped the earlobes in early post-op period into a more aesthetically pleasing form.

Earlobe reconfiguration
Earlobe reconfiguration case

 

How to prevent it:
• Lift both skin and SMAS layers in separate
• Consider earlobe angle during incision design
• Add earlobe reshaping surgery if needed

 

Tragus Deformity (Chopped-Off Tragus)

Two types of incision around the ear tragus
Two types of incision around the ear

The tragus is the cartilage flap in front of the ear canal.
Cutting in front of the tragus(pre-tragal incision) makes surgery easier but can leave visible linear scars (blue arrow) or keloid-like hypertrophy (red arrow).

visible tragus scar post-facelift
Visible tragus scar

 

Properly done, the incision should be hidden behind the tragus. But if done incorrectly, retro-tragal incision can cause chopped-off tragus.

facelift chopped-off tragus example
Chopped-off tragus (ref. Textbook)
Key features of Korean Noonopi Plastic Surgery facelift
Signature earlobe shape after facelift (by Noonopi Nk Park)

 

Skin Necrosis

Lack of blood supply after surgery can cause skin death (necrosis).
🎥 Watch: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Seoul


How to prevent it:
• Quit smoking (at least 4 weeks prior)
• Avoid recent thread lift, Ultherapy, or Thermage
• Use hyperbaric oxygen therapy to promote blood circulation

 

Facial Nerve Injury and Asymmetry

If nerves are injured, it can cause asymmetry in facial expression, especially while smiling.

 

How to prevent it:
• Use nerve monitoring tools during surgery
• Avoid excessive tissue dissection
• Choose a board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon

 

Why Cost Shouldn’t Be the Only Factor in Choosing a Facelift

The average facelift price in Korea ranges from $6,000 to $13,000, but the actual cost can vary significantly depending on the surgeon’s expertise.
When choosing a surgeon, price matters—but not as much as:

✅ Surgeon’s experience and credentials
✅ Safety of the operating facility
✅ Customized surgical planning
✅ Comprehensive post-op care and support

Choosing based on face lift cost alone may lead to disappointing results or complications.

 

Facelift Results at Noonopi Plastic Surgery

Facelift and necklift 2 months post-op
Facelift and necklift: 2 months post-op
surgical rejuvenation of the face
face and neck lift post 8 month
neck lift combination with face
8 months after natural recovery

A rhytidectomy is one of the most effective anti-aging surgeries.
But to avoid complications and achieve the best result, you must consult a skilled, experienced surgeon.


At Noonopi Plastic Surgery, we focus on:

• Meticulous incision design to prevent hairline distortion
• Gentle dual-layer dissection (High SMAS technique) for longer-lasting results
• Concealed scarring and preservation or reshaping of the natural earlobe contour
• Faster recovery supported by hyperbaric oxygen therapy

 

Have more questions?
📲 feel free to reach out via 🔗WhatsApp

Noonopi Plastic Surgery | Dr. NK Park


This blog post is for educational purposes only.
All treatments carry individual risks and individual results may vary.
Please consult with a certified professional.

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