Full Facelift Guide | Comprehensive Rejuvenation for the Mid, Lower Face & Neck

If you're seeking the most transformative solution for facial aging, a Full Facelift offers powerful, long-lasting results by tightening the entire lower two-thirds of the face and neck. This procedure lifts sagging skin, repositions deep tissues, and restores youthful contours—making it a gold standard for patients looking to take 10 to 15 years off their appearance.

What Is a Full Facelift?

A full facelift is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the:

  • Midface (cheeks and nasolabial folds)
  • Lower face (jawline, marionette lines, jowls)
  • Neck (sagging skin, neck bands, double chin)

It involves lifting not just the skin, but also the underlying SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer for deep, natural, and longer-lasting results.


Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a strong candidate for a full facelift if you:

  • Are in your 40s to 70s with moderate to severe facial sagging
  • Have jowls, deep folds, or neck laxity
  • Want dramatic yet natural-looking rejuvenation
  • Are in good health and non-smoker
  • Want a permanent alternative to fillers and non-surgical treatments


Benefits of a Full Facelift

  • Lifts deep tissues, not just the skin, for long-lasting results
  • Defines the jawline and chin
  • Smooths deep wrinkles and folds
  • Removes jowls and tightens the neck
  • Provides a natural appearance without a pulled look
  • Scars are well-hidden around the ears and hairline


How Is It Performed?

  1. Anesthesia: General or local with sedation
  2. Incisions: Around the ears, hairline, and possibly under the chin
  3. SMAS Tightening: The underlying muscle layer is lifted and repositioned
  4. Fat Repositioning/Removal: As needed for balance
  5. Skin Redraping: Excess skin is removed and sutured naturally
  6. Neck Lift (optional): Tightens platysma muscle and removes neck bands

Surgery Duration: 4–6 hours
 Outpatient Procedure: Most patients go home the same day


Full Facelift vs Mini Facelift vs Thread Lift

FeatureFull FaceliftMini FaceliftThread LiftLift DepthDeep (SMAS, neck, midface)Skin & partial SMASSuperficial (under skin)Downtime2–3 weeks1 week1–2 daysResults Duration10–15 years5–7 years6–18 monthsIdeal For50s–70s, severe sagging40s–50s, mild saggingEarly signs of aging


Recovery Timeline

  • Days 1–3: Bruising, swelling, and tightness
  • Day 5–7: Sutures removed
  • Day 10–14: Return to light work or social activity
  • 4–6 weeks: Major swelling resolves
  • 3–6 months: Final results visible as scars fade and tissue settles
Elevating your head, avoiding strenuous activity, and following post-op care are key for optimal healing.

How Long Do Results Last?

  • Results typically last 10 to 15 years
  • Skin quality, genetics, and lifestyle affect longevity
  • Maintenance with Botox, fillers, laser treatments, or skin boosters can extend the outcome


Full Facelift Cost (Estimated)

RegionEstimated Price (USD)South Korea₩10M – ₩20M ($7,500 – $15,000)USA / Canada$12,000 – $25,000UK / EU£9,000 – £18,000


Costs vary by surgeon expertise, clinic reputation, and whether procedures like a neck lift or eyelid surgery are included.

Commonly Combined Procedures

  • Neck Lift – Tightens neck skin and platysma muscles
  • Fat Grafting – Restores youthful volume to cheeks and temples
  • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) – Opens tired-looking eyes
  • Brow Lift – Elevates sagging brows
  • Laser Resurfacing or Exosome Therapy – Improves skin tone and texture



A Full Facelift is the most comprehensive surgical approach for reversing visible aging in the face and neck. By tightening deep tissues and removing excess skin, it creates a refreshed, natural, and younger-looking appearance that lasts for over a decade.



Considering a full facelift in Korea?
Clinics in Seoul’s Gangnam district offer world-class surgical techniques, personalized care, and multilingual staff for foreign patients seeking expert-level facial rejuvenation.

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