This is a guide for anyone looking to get a thread lift done in Seoul, Korea.
We will go through everything you should know before getting a thread lift in Korea, including:
- What is a thread lift
- Thread lift cost in Korea
- Should you get a thread lift in Korea
- Best thread lift clinics in Seoul
- Much, much more
Let’s start off by explaing with a thread lift actually is and how the procedure works.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat Is A Thread Lift
A thread lift is a procedure that uses temporary sutures to produce a subtle yet visible lift.
Instead of removing excess loose skiing, the surgeon will use special threads to lift the desired area.
A thread lift is great for removing wrinkles and improving the elasticity of the face. It’s a relatively low-risk and short procedure that guarantees results almost instantly.
A thread lift gives the face a tight, lifted, and youthful look. It’s popular among women and men as it has a significant anti-aging effect and is minimally invasive, with little to no scarring.
Results after a thread lift are almost instant. You may notice some swelling and bruising, but all will subside in a few days.
Surgeons use biodegradable threads from materials polydioxanone (PDO) or polylactic acid (PLA). They insert the threads under the skin using a skin needle or a cannula.
Thread lift usually lasts from 1 to 3 years. However, it all depends on your care and what kind of thread you have put in.
An alternative procedure to a thread lift is a facelift. It’s a way more complex and lengthy procedure but gives longer-lasting results. Check out our guide for information on facelift in Korea.
Thread Lift Vs. Facelift
Thread lift is becoming popular as it offers the same results as a facelift but with less risk and a shorter recovery time.
While a facelift does give longer-lasting results, it is an invasive surgery that’s more complex and longer than a thread lift.
For those reasons, people decide on a thread lift instead of a facelift. A thread lift is a procedure that:
- Gets you results faster
- Has almost no recovery time
- Is a minimally invasive procedure
It’s a simpler procedure than a facelift. You can also combine it with lots of other cosmetic procedures. We will cover that later,
What To Expect After A Thread Lift
You can go home immediately since thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure.
Sutures are biodegradable, and they dissolve on their own. No removal is needed.
It usually takes patients five days to recover fully. However, you can return to your daily activities the next day if you feel okay.
Avoid sleeping face down and touching your face excessively for a week or two.
Schedule at least one appointment with your doctor to check for possible problems.
Before And After
Thread Lift Cost In Korea
Thread lift cost in Seoul, Korea, starts at around 670,000 KRW (=500$). However, prices can go up to 5,400,000 KRW (=4,000$).
The final cost of your thread lift depends on different factors such as:
- Number of threads
- Thread type
- Area of treatment
- …
The biggest and most important factor is the number of threads. The more threads you get, the higher the final price.
Prices per thread are very different as it mostly depends on the clinic and the type of threads. You can find types that go as low as 59,000 KRW (= 40 $) per thread. This is the so-called MINT Lift.
You can receive thread lifts in multiple areas, but the cost increases accordingly. Factors such as skin sagging and desired outcomes also affect cost.
Don’t forget to take into account the clinic’s reputation, since more reputable clinics like to charge more for the same procedure.
You can also get a nice discount if you combine other cosmetic procedures with a thread lift.
Overall, the cost of a thread lift is quite affordable in Korea. Clinics competing with each other is driving prices lower every year.
Plus, there are plenty of ways to save even more money by having a thread lift in Korea. We will give you some tips later in this guide.
Cost Compared To Other Countries
Thread lift is more affordable in Korea than in other Western countries.
For example, you can expect to pay from 2,000,000 KRW (=1,500$) to 6,080,000 KRW (=4,500$) for a thread lift in the US.
You can expect to pay anywhere from 4,000,000 KRW (= 3,000$) to 5,350,000 KRW (= 4,000$) for a thread lift in Australia.
Even though at first prices in other countries seem similar, even lower, than in Korea, the final cost is usually lower in Korea. The reason for that is the all-inclusive prices.
Compared to in the US or Australia, prices in Korea include everything from surgical costs (anesthesia, operation room fees, …) to tax. Most clinics also include aftercare, concierge services, and translators.
For a Korean clinic, it’s standard to include as much as possible in the price. That brings the total cost lower than in Western countries.
Regarding tax, the great thing about Korea is that you can get a VAT refund when leaving! You do not have the same option in most other countries.
Plus, standards in Korean plastic surgery are much higher than the vast majority of Western clinics.
Save More Money In Korea
We already covered the cost of a thread lift in Korea, and overall, it is cheaper than in other countries.
However, there are a ton of ways that you can save even more money. We did the research and asked around to find the best tips for you.
Use these tips, and the final cost of your thread lift in Korea can become significantly lower:
Paying In Full
If you decide to pay in full for your thread lift, clinics will happily offer you a discount of up to 10%.
You can also simply inquire about a possible discount. Most of the time, you will get lucky.
Additional Procedures
Thread lift is a relatively simple procedure. You should consider getting an additional procedure. This way you can earn yourself a nice discount on the final cost.
Clinics do this because this way, they save a lot of money on surgical costs and anesthesia.
Different anti-aging and facial contouring procedures complement a thread lift well. We will go over this in detail later.
Tax Refund
If you are a foreigner, you are eligible for a VAT refund at the airport when leaving Korea.
Korea will give you a tax refund for any cosmetic procedure. The only requirement is that you are not a Korean citizen.
Be on the lookout for tax refund machines at the airport.
Procedures That Complement A Thread Lift
Many plastic procedures go well with others, and a thread lift has a lot of good options.
Since a thread lift is one of the simpler procedures, you can choose from almost all plastic procedures. It is a nice way to shave off the final cost.
Thread lifting goes great with procedures like:
Here is an example of a review where a customer had a thread lift and a fat graft done simultaneously at FacePlus Plastic Surgery, one of our recommended clinics. Fat grafting can also enhance results from a thread lift.
Before deciding, always consult with your surgeon. They will tell you about which procedure would complement your thread lift and give better results.
Sometimes, surgeons will also recommend a complementary procedure. However, it all depends on your wishes and, of course, your budget.
As we already said, getting a complementary procedure with a thread lift can pay off. Clinics save a ton of money this way and can give you a nice discount in the end.
What Makes Korea The Best For A Thread Lift
Korea is worldwide famous as the ‘’plastic surgery capital of the world’’. With its renowned techniques and advanced healthcare, Korea is popular as a medical tourism destination.
Korea has also become a leader in new cutting-edge innovations in plastic surgery. Thanks to advanced medical systems, Korean plastic surgery clinics have state-of-the-art facilities.
Korea is a top destination for plastic surgery. There are a lot of reasons to choose Korea over Western countries for plastic surgery.
Korean Thread Lift
A thread lift is famous all over the world. However, Korean surgeons developed a new ‘’type’’ of thread lift, the Korean thread lift.
Korean thread lift uses special PDO threads that surgeons insert deep into the skin. These threads boost collagen production and tighten the skin all in one.
The results of the Korean thread lift are immediate, and there is no need for stitches removal.
Korean PDO threads typically dissolve on their own after nine months. However, the results will last for many months after that, even up to 3 years.
The procedure lasts from 15 to 45 minutes. You can even get it done during your lunch break.
You will get the best results with the Korean thread lift. These results will last longer than those from typical thread lifts.
Experienced Surgeons
Korean surgeons are one of the most experienced in the world for thread lifts.
The sheer amount of thread lifts performed makes them very experienced in performing this procedure.
Not only do they perform a lot of thread lifts, but Korean surgeons have also developed the so-called Korean thread lift.
Korean surgeons use minimally invasive and advanced techniques to shorten recovery times for thread lifts and give optimal and natural results.
Most importantly, Korean surgeons are specialized. They will only perform thread lifts and similar anti-aging procedures. In Western clinics, it’s common for surgeons to perform different general surgeries.
Cost
Plastic surgery in Korea is more affordable than in Western countries.
Prices in Korea almost always include more than just the procedure. That is not common in Western countries. For example, in the US, the price typically includes only the surgery without tax and necessary fees.
With every tip we gave in the ‘’Save More Money in Korea’’ section of this guide, you can expect to save a good chunk of money on your thread lift in Korea.
Don’t forget about a tax refund at the airport when leaving Korea. If you are not a Korean citizen, you are eligible for a VAT refund.
How To Find The Best Thread Lift Clinic In Seoul
Seoul has over 500 plastic surgery clinics. It can make your decision about it very stressful.
What you should never do is pick at random or go for the cheapest clinic. This alone can mean the difference between satisfying or bad results.
Before settling on one clinic, do proper research. Have consultations at a few clinics, compare prices, ask around, etc.
There is a lot to focus on when researching clinics. We already did the research, and to help you, we will give you some pointers on what to focus on.
What we did to verify the clinics from the list is:
- Visit these clinics’ facilities,
- Research their specialization
- Research their surgeons
- Interview their former patients.
- Read customer reviews
In our opinion, customer reviews and clinic specialization are the most important and difficult to research.
To avoid having a botched surgery, and getting overpriced quotes and revisions, the clinics from our list are your best picks.
Write to us at info@seoul.clinic if you need any more help with anything. We have plenty of experience and can help guide you through the sea of plastic surgery clinics in Korea.
Real, Verified Non-Fake Reviews
When looking for a clinic, an important factor is customer reviews.
A thread lift can be considered an anti-aging or facial contouring procedure. Reviews about those types of procedures are going to be your focus point.
The best ones to look for are, of course, reviews about a thread lift. Here is a good example of one:
This is a very detailed review that gives you a good insight into how the experience with a thread lift was. These types of reviews are the best for research.
The above review is for a thread lift at ME Clinic Seoul, which is also one of the clinics we recommend for anti-aging procedures.
Also, keep an eye out for fake reviews. They are becoming more popular as clinics try to do everything to get patients.
You should primarily focus on reviews posted on verified websites such as Google or WhatClinic. These are the most difficult to fake.
As for our research, we also contact former patients to get their experience with the clinic.
Specialization Of The Clinic
Another important factor we look at is the specialization of the clinic.
There are over 500 plastic surgery clinics in Seoul. Some clinics are average at every procedure. However, plenty of them are great in one specific field of plastic surgery.
When deciding on a clinic for your thread lift, it is best to focus on those specializing in anti-aging or facial contouring procedures. A thread lift falls under these fields, so those clinics are a good choice.
Most clinics do not have a set specialization, so we do the heavy lifting and learn which procedures they perform best.
Our two recommendations for a thread lift would be ME Clinic Seoul and FacePlus Plastic Surgery. Both have surgeons specializing in anti-aging or facial contouring procedures.
As you will learn, surgeon specialization plays an important role in figuring out clinic specialization. Along with track record and customer reviews, it gives good insight into the clinic.
There is a big difference between going to a clinic, average at every procedure, and a clinic specializing in the type you are looking for.
To ensure good results from your thread lift, opt for clinics with:
- Specialized surgeons in anti-aging or facial contouring
- A great track record
- Positive reviews
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting a thread lift in Korea is a great choice.
They have experienced surgery that perfected the Korean thread lift and specialized clinics offering the best value for the price paid.
Not only that but there are a ton of ways you can save even more money by going to Korea for a thread lift.
Now that you have read this guide, you know everything about getting a thread lift in Korea.
Make sure to check out our list of recommended thread lift clinics in Seoul. These are our top picks for a thread lift.
And remember, picking the right clinic is the most important decision when getting a thread lift in Korea. Pick the right one so you don’t have to get your thread lift fixed at another clinic.
If you have any questions about how we find the best thread lift clinics or any general questions about the procedure, do not hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to assist you!
FAQ
What is the average cost of a Thread Lift in Korea?
Thread lift cost in Seoul, Korea, starts at around 670,000 KRW (=500$). However, prices can go up to 5,400,000 KRW (=4,000$).
Cost depends on different factors and varies from clinic to clinic. Be sure to demand a quote for your thread lift from clinics before your decision.
What is a Hiko nose thread lift?
Hiko nose thread lift is a non-surgical and minimally invasive procedure that helps you get a more defined and lifted nose.
A surgeon will place threads in the nose to create the desired lifted look of your nose.
It can be an alternative to Rhinoplasty however, the results of a Hiko nose thread lift are not permanent.
How long does a Korean thread lift last?
A Korean thread lift often lasts from a year and a half to three years.
The effects of a Korean thread lift last way longer than those achieved with injectable cosmetic treatments (botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, …).
However, it all depends on what kind of threads you choose. Some last three years more often than others.