5 Gangnam Facelift Clinics to Consider (2026): Procedures, Aftercare, Specialists and Patient Experiences

Key summary

The 5 Gangnam facelift clinics differ in their surgeons, procedures and aftercare. All 5 describe work on the SMAS and retaining ligaments with sedation; drainage bags and recovery guidance are among the differences.

• Consider LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic for longer follow-up. Directors Lee Ho-jun and Kwon Young-hoon are plastic surgery specialists. The clinic describes releasing retaining ligaments and choosing between extended deep-plane, deep-plane and dual-plane approaches, recovery with a drainage bag, and surgeon follow-up for at least 1 year.
• Consider Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul for after-work consultations. Its 7 doctors, including Director Lee Seong-jun, senior surgeons Park Hyeon-jun and Jang Seok-yoon, and surgeons Kim Shin-hyeon, Kim Hyeon-seok, Shin Dong-seok and Ju Kang-san, are all listed as plastic surgery specialists. It describes 5-stage surgery, double-layer closure and 4 aftercare options including scar injections and scar laser treatment. Friday hours extend to 21:00.
• Consider Well Plastic Surgery Clinic for detailed pain and recovery guidance. Director Ha Seong-yoon, a plastic surgery specialist, describes surgery within 2cm beside the ear and grafting removed SMAS to address nasolabial folds. Guidance covers immediate postoperative pain through 6 months. Anesthesiology specialist Kang Mi-sook is also listed.
• Consider Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic if a drainage bag is a concern. Plastic surgery specialist Director Kang Min-jo's triple deep-plane approach uses a thin drain removed on day 3. The clinic describes 5 recovery programs including hyperbaric oxygen and a cryotherapy system, and lists anesthesiology specialist Han Cheol-sik.
• Consider 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic to read follow-up cases. Director Lee Won describes an endoscopic minimal-incision approach that releases retaining ligaments. The clinic publishes follow-ups at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 7 months.

How do the 5 clinics differ in procedures, aftercare and specialists?

Surgeons, techniques, aftercare and opening hours differ by clinic.

What should you compare when choosing a facelift clinic?

Compare the surgeon, procedure, anesthesia and safety arrangements, scars and ear shape, and aftercare. Even procedures called a facelift differ in dissection plane, fixation, admission and drainage-bag use.

• Surgeon: The listed doctors and specialties, and the name of the surgeon who will operate.
• Procedure: What the clinic means by deep-plane, dual-plane or SMAS dissection, and how it treats retaining ligaments.
• Anesthesia and safety: Sedation, the affiliation of an anesthesiology specialist, and admission or same-day discharge.
• Scars and ear shape: Incision placement, closure, pixie-ear prevention and sideburn management.
• Aftercare: Drainage bag or drain, suture-removal timing, scar care and duration of follow-up.

See the SMAS, deep-plane and mini-lift comparison for procedural differences and the facelift evidence guide for general information.

What else should you read in clinic explanations?

Look for guidance on postoperative daily life and incision placement. The following are explanations by the clinics and their surgeons, not patient outcomes; recovery depends on surgical scope and individual condition. Each link leads to that clinic's detailed section. Guidance from 5 clinics: Recovery stages, drainage, compression bands, sutures and compresses are compared in How long does facelift recovery take?.

LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic

• Before and after surgery: Director Kwon Young-hoon describes a compression garment, keeping the drainage bag in place and adjusting supplements before surgery. Tell the team about medicines and supplements you take.
• Recovery stages: Director Lee Ho-jun explains that at 1 week only people close to you may recognize you, at 2 weeks strangers can recognize you, and major swelling subsides around 1 month, although scar tissue can feel firm or protrude.
• Technique: Director Kwon Young-hoon describes releasing fascial retaining ligaments, triple-layer suturing of fascia, dermis and skin, and incisions behind the ear as measures to reduce scarring. He says closure takes about half the operation time.

Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul

• Care: Director Lee Seong-jun advises an appropriate sleeping position for the first 3 days and advises against ice packs for swelling.
• Recovery stages: The guidance describes acute swelling settling in 2–3 weeks, stabilization through 3 months, and adaptation to the new position during months 3–6.

Well Plastic Surgery Clinic

• Preparation: The clinic describes fasting and medication adjustments. Discuss whether and when to stop prescribed medicines with both the prescribing doctor and surgeon.
• Technique: It bases a facelift decision on structural changes such as loss of jawline, jowls and shorter benefits after repeated thread lifts, rather than age alone.

Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic

• Incision placement: Director Kang Min-jo measures the distance between the eye and temporal hairline to individualize the incision. The clinic also says it shows patients photographs of removed SMAS.

21 Plastic Surgery Clinic

• Technique: The clinic links pixie ear to skin-only traction and explains that focusing on ligament release reduces tension around the ear.

What do patients say about each clinic?

LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic reviews describe both quick recovery and dissatisfaction with bruising, ear scars or longevity. For other clinics too, distinguish full facelifts, mini lifts and consultations. The table and original quotes reflect individual experiences.

How long does LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic offer follow-up?

It describes surgeon follow-up for at least 1 year and recovery with a drainage bag. Directors Lee Ho-jun and Kwon Young-hoon are plastic surgery specialists. The clinic is near Sinnonhyeon Station exit 5.

Doctors and hours

Procedure, aftercare and published price

What specialists and surgical steps does Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul describe?

All 7 listed doctors, including Director Lee Seong-jun, are identified as plastic surgery specialists. Friday hours extend to 21:00, allowing an after-work consultation.

Doctors and hours

Procedure, aftercare and published price

How does Well Plastic Surgery Clinic explain recovery stages and pain?

It describes recovery stages and pain from immediately after surgery through 6 months, and grafts removed SMAS to address nasolabial folds. Director Ha Seong-yoon is a plastic surgery specialist.

Doctors and hours

Procedure, aftercare and published price

How does Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic manage drainage without a bag?

It uses a thin drain removed on day 3 and describes 5 recovery programs including hyperbaric oxygen and a cryotherapy system. Director Kang Min-jo is a plastic surgery specialist.

Doctors and hours

Procedure, aftercare and published price

How does 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic describe minimal-incision facelift surgery?

It describes endoscopic dissection down to the retaining ligaments and publishes follow-ups at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 7 months. Director Lee Won is identified as a plastic surgery specialist on his blog.

Doctors and hours

Procedure, aftercare and published price

Which clinic should you consult first for your situation?

Narrow the choices by concern area, previous surgery and time available for recovery. These consultation suggestions reflect clinic explanations and review experiences, not guaranteed results.

Considering your first facelift in your 40s

• Director Kwon Young-hoon at LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic describes jawline and double-chin sagging as common concerns in the 40s, and combines a facelift with double-chin surgery for patients with sagging after contour surgery or a double chin.
• Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul describes a mini facelift when sagging does not require a full facelift.
• Well Plastic Surgery Clinic bases the decision on structural changes such as jawline loss and jowls rather than age alone.

Ask each clinic whether the degree of sagging calls for a mini or full facelift and why.

In your 50s or older

• Director Kwon Young-hoon at LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that the 50s often combine clear sagging with remaining skin elasticity, and describes natural, lasting results when surgery goes well.
• Director Lee Won at 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic published a woman in her mid-50s at 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after face and neck lift.
• A Gangnam Unni review for LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic compares a grandmother in her 70s at 2 weeks and 1.5 months after face and neck surgery.

Compare schedules with clinics that explain immediate pain and recovery stages in detail, particularly as age increases.

Sagging cheeks and nasolabial folds

• Director Lee Seong-jun at Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul describes mini facelift use for sagging cheeks, nasolabial folds and overall facial contours.
• Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic describes lifting the deep cheek fat layer and using fat repositioning and SMAS rolling to prevent lateral cheek hollowness.
• Well Plastic Surgery Clinic grafts removed SMAS to address nasolabial folds and says a facelift is not its first choice when volume loss is the cause.

First establish whether the fold is caused by sagging or a lack of volume.

Jawline and double chin

• LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic separately describes combining a facelift with double-chin liposuction and muscle tightening.
• Director Lee Won at 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic published a case combining liposuction and muscle tightening because a face and neck lift alone improved the side profile more than the center of the neck.

Combined operations add cost and recovery time; ask for separate quotation items.

Sagging of both face and neck

• LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic and 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic describe face and neck lift procedures covering both areas.
• Well Plastic Surgery Clinic explains that adding a neck lift affects recovery.

Ask each clinic how scope and cost change when the neck is included.

Previous facelift or shorter benefits from thread lifts

• LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic has a separate revision facelift page.
• Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic advises at least 6 months after previous surgery on its revision page.
• Well Plastic Surgery Clinic describes shortening results after repeated thread lifts as a reason to consider facelift surgery.

Concern about a drainage bag

• Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic describes a thin drain without a drainage bag.
• 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic: its 2026/9 consultation reply says no drainage bag is used, while the 2024/9 reply says a bag is worn for 1 day.
• LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic describes wearing a drainage bag.

Compare this first if work or other commitments make going out during recovery a concern. More on recovery: How long does facelift recovery take?.

Difficulty visiting during weekday daytime hours

• Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul is open until 21:00 on Friday.
• Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic closes Wednesday and is open until 16:00 on Saturday.

Include follow-up appointments when planning: the clinics describe 2–3 visits, with different suture-removal schedules.

Considering a mini lift because larger surgery feels burdensome

• Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul describes a scalp incision of about 2cm for a mini facelift.
• LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic, Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic and 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic have separate mini-lift pages. Zell explains that reaching SMAS still requires an incision of about 2–3cm.

See the mini-facelift guide for the differences.

Budget comes first

Published prices appear in the conclusion box below and the price comparison. VAT, anesthesia and admission terms differ, so request an itemized quotation.

Consultation checklist

Conclusion

Start by comparing the care you need and the times you can attend.

• LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic: Plastic surgery specialists Directors Lee Ho-jun and Kwon Young-hoon describe follow-up for at least 1 year.
• Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul: 7 plastic surgery specialists including Director Lee Seong-jun; Friday appointments until 21:00 suit an after-work visit.
• Well Plastic Surgery Clinic: Read plastic surgery specialist Director Ha Seong-yoon's technique and staged recovery guidance together.
• Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic: Compare plastic surgery specialist Director Kang Min-jo's triple deep-plane technique and drain care.
• 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic: Read Director Lee Won's minimal-incision explanation alongside postoperative follow-up posts.

At the final consultation, ask for the surgeon's name, incision scope and planned visit dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aftercare does LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic describe?

It describes aftercare tailored to the procedure and individual recovery for at least 1 year, with the surgeon checking progress. Listed care includes a drainage bag, individual home-care kit, LED regeneration treatment, radiofrequency treatment and scar taping. It also describes injections and scar laser for slow-resolving scar tissue.

What are Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul's facelift steps?

The clinic describes an incision from inside the temporal hairline to behind the ear, lifting the skin flap and incising SMAS. It then releases ligaments beneath SMAS, lifts and fixes the flap, removes excess skin and uses double-layer closure. The stated operation time is about 2–3 hours, with sutures removed after about 1 week.

How does Well Plastic Surgery Clinic describe recovery?

It describes peak swelling on days 1–3 and strong painkillers for 1–2 days for pain around the ear. Partial suture removal is at 1 week, most bruising resolves by 2 weeks, and most swelling by 3 months. Final assessment is described at 6 months to 1 year.

Is Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic's approach without a drainage bag appropriate?

Zell describes dissecting a relatively low-vessel plane beneath SMAS, using a thin drain and removing it on day 3. The clinic also explains that drainage-bag use depends on dissection scope and the surgeon's judgment. Ask what management plan is intended for your operation.

How does 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic describe preventing pixie ear?

At 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic, Director Lee Won emphasizes retaining-ligament release rather than skin traction to reduce tension around the ear. The clinic describes incisions at the natural boundary in front of the ear and inside the hairline, with closure tension distributed. It also states that skin elasticity and age affect individual differences.

Related guides

• How long does facelift recovery take?
• Facelift effects and complications
• SMAS, deep-plane and mini-lift differences
• Public information comparison of 10 Gangnam facelift clinics
• Gangnam facelift prices at 5 clinics

Sources and reference date

Information reference date: 2026-10-26. Naver Place, Kakao Map and Google Maps figures for 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic and Well Plastic Surgery Clinic are dated 2026-10-13.

• LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic: face and neck lift, safety and aftercare, patient selfie reviews, Director Kwon Young-hoon's blog, Director Lee Ho-jun's blog.
• Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul: facelift, doctors, Director Lee Seong-jun's blog.
• Well Plastic Surgery Clinic: facelift, website posts, English website.
• Zell Plastic Surgery Clinic: triple deep-plane, recovery and regeneration, doctors, Naver blog, expired month 8 mini-lift offer.
• 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic: anti-aging, non-covered treatment fees, blog, Director Lee Won's Naver blog.
• Review platforms: LIMO on Gangnam Unni, Liting on Gangnam Unni, 21 on Gangnam Unni, and each clinic's Google Maps, Naver Place, Kakao Map and Babitalk pages.

• 21 Plastic Surgery Clinic drainage replies: 2026-09-09, no bag, 2024-09-11, 1 day. Checked 2026-10-27.

Editorial responsibility and interests

Written and edited by the Korea Beauty Report Editorial Team, without direct medical review. The editorial team selected these 5 clinics; their order does not rank surgical skill or results. There is no contractual, advertising or financial relationship with them.

Clinic websites and blogs present the clinics' explanations; review cards describe individual experiences. Platform review counts do not measure treatment effects or satisfaction. For Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul, 60 of 661 Gangnam Unni review texts were read. Counts and access to full text are distinguished for LIMO Plastic Surgery Clinic on Babitalk and Liting Plastic Surgery Clinic's website reviews.

First published: 2026-10-13. Sources last checked: 2026-10-26.