Planet Facelift
A lifting procedure that improves overall facial sagging,
including drooping facial contours and partial neck lifting effects.
Director Shin Dong-woo continuously refines surgical techniques to enhance recovery
and achieve superior facelift results, combining the strengths of each method
while compensating for their limitations to deliver PLANET’s specialized lifting surgery.
Face lift 01.
Releasing the retaining ligaments is essential to reduce irregularities
and reposition both the SMAS and skin to the correct anatomical position.
If the retaining ligaments that hold the skin are not released, it can lead to depressions or hollowing.
Director Shin Dong-woo precisely releases key retaining ligaments, including the zygomatic and masseteric ligaments, then performs careful dissection to reposition and secure the skin and SMAS in the desired position.
Face lift 02.
Director Shin Dong-woo designs each procedure with different directions and angles based on
facial structure, areas of concern, skin thickness, and surgical history to achieve optimal results.
Concerns such as nasolabial folds, deep cheek fat, jawline, and neck sagging can be
comprehensively improved through the dual plane facelift technique, which lifts the SMAS layer above and below the muscle, providing stronger and longer-lasting results.
By combining the powerful and long-lasting effects of the deep plane technique with the precise control of the dual plane approach, Director Shin Dong-woo delivers PLANET’s customized facelift results tailored to each patient, achieving natural-looking outcomes.
Face lift 03.
Most facelifts involve dissection through the mid-subcutaneous layer to reduce surgery time.
In such cases, blood vessels in this layer may be damaged, and if the dissection is too close to the skin, it can cause unevenness or skin injury.
Director Shin Dong-woo at PLANET performs precise and even dissection just above the SMAS layer, with immediate hemostasis when bleeding occurs, enabling faster recovery.
Incisions are placed naturally along the front and back of the ear. Lifting the SMAS increases
the amount of excess skin that can be removed, typically around 1 cm and in some cases more than 2 cm. The muscle itself is not disturbed, and only the SMAS layer above it is lifted. If thread lifting was previously performed, deeply embedded threads beneath the SMAS are carefully removed one by one to ensure a smooth and even result.
Face lift 04.
Director Shin Dong-woo preserves the natural ear shape by carefully considering skin tension, as reducing tension is essential to minimizing visible scars.
An incision is made behind the tragal cartilage, leaving only the minimum amount of skin necessary without restricting movement, followed by skin excision to maintain the original ear shape.
Face lift 05.
Face lift 06.
Face lift 07.
Face lift 08.
Planet provides aftercare throughout this entire
schedule, with our dedicated team accompanying
you through all processes that occur during
recovery.
In addition to basic care, Planet helps rapid
recovery through the Golden Plan aftercare program.
The Golden Plan aftercare program is a
personalized program that provides various
aftercare for up to 3 months according to recovery
status.
Every facelift at Planet is performed by Dr. Dong-woo Shin, a board-certified plastic surgeon with 17 years of surgical experience who has focused his practice exclusively on facial lifting procedures.
Planet does not rotate patients between surgeons: the doctor you meet at consultation is the doctor who operates and the doctor who sees you at every follow-up.
Which lift is right for you?
Not every patient needs a full facelift. The table below is how we explain the options at consultation.
| Deep plane facelift | SMAS facelift | Mini facelift (Mini-Plus) | Thread lift | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What is lifted | Skin, SMAS and the retaining ligaments beneath it, released and repositioned as one unit | Skin and SMAS layer, tightened with sutures | Lower face and jawline through a shorter incision | Skin only, with absorbable threads |
| Best for | Moderate to significant sagging of cheeks, jowls and neck; patients in their 40s–70s | Moderate sagging; patients who want a shorter surgery | Early jowling with good skin elasticity; 30s–50s | Very mild laxity; patients not ready for surgery |
| Incision | Along the ear (behind the tragus) and into the hairline | Along the ear and hairline | Shorter incision in front of the ear | None |
| Surgery time | About 4 hours | 2–3 hours | 1.5–2 hours | 30–60 minutes |
| Anesthesia | IV sedation (no general anesthesia) | IV sedation | IV sedation | Local |
| Stitches removed | Day 7 and Day 10 | Day 7 and Day 10 | Day 7 | None |
| Back to daily life | From Day 7; no overnight stay | From Day 7 | From Day 5–7 | 2–3 days |
| How long results last | 10 years or more | 5–8 years | 3–5 years | 6–18 months |
| Performed at Planet | Yes — our primary procedure | Yes, when indicated | Yes | No — see below |
Durations are typical ranges and vary by individual.
Why Planet does not perform thread lifts
Threads do not reposition the tissue that has descended; they hold skin in place for a limited time and can make a later facelift more difficult because of scar tissue. Many of our revision patients come to us after two or three rounds of threads. We would rather tell you honestly that you do not need surgery yet than offer a procedure we do not believe in.
What determines the cost of a facelift at Planet?
We do not publish a single price, because no two facelifts are the same. Your quote is prepared by Dr. Shin after reviewing your photos, and it reflects what your face actually needs rather than a package rate.
Three things decide the final figure:
Every quote we send is all-inclusive. It covers:
Not included: flights, accommodation outside the clinic, and travel insurance.
There are no added fees after the quote. The figure you receive is the figure you pay.
Recovery varies by individual. Patients combining a neck lift or flying more than 10 hours may be advised to stay 12–14 days.
Traveling to Korea for your facelift
The surgery typically takes around 4 hours. Stitches are removed in two visits — once on Day 7 and again on Day 10 after surgery. Most patients are able to return to their daily routines from Day 7 onwards, and there is no overnight hospital stay required. Thanks to Planet’s precise surgical technique, recovery tends to be faster compared to conventional facelift procedures.
No, general anesthesia is not required. Planet’s facelift is performed under IV sedation, which is sometimes called “twilight anesthesia” or sleep anesthesia. You’ll be in a comfortable, pain-free sleep throughout the procedure, but without the heavier physical burden that comes with full general anesthesia — making the overall experience and recovery much smoother.
Thread lifting is a non-surgical option that’s quicker and simpler, but its results tend to be more subtle and shorter-lasting. A facelift, on the other hand, works by lifting and repositioning the deeper tissue layers beneath the skin, which means the results are more dramatic and longer-lasting. If you’ve had thread lifting before but weren’t happy with the results, a facelift can still be performed — and any previously inserted threads will be carefully removed during the procedure.
There are different facelift approaches — some focus on powerful, long-lasting results while others allow for more precise, delicate adjustments. At Planet, Dr. Shin Dong-woo combines the strengths of both methods to create a unique technique that delivers strong, lasting improvement while still looking natural. Every surgery is tailored to the individual, taking into account factors like facial structure, skin thickness, areas of concern, and any previous procedures.
Scarring is kept to a minimum by carefully placing the incisions along the natural contours of the ear — both in front and behind it. The technique is designed to reduce tension on the skin, which is one of the main factors that can lead to noticeable scarring. Only the minimal amount of skin needed is removed, and the natural shape of the ear is preserved throughout.
The ligaments beneath your skin act like anchors that hold everything in place. If these aren’t carefully released during surgery, simply pulling the skin can create uneven, sunken-looking areas — which is the opposite of a natural result. At Planet, Dr. Shin Dong-woo precisely releases these key ligaments so that both the skin and the underlying tissue can be moved and secured exactly where they need to be for a smooth, balanced outcome.
A facelift may be a great option if you’re experiencing any of the following — deepening smile lines or lines around the corners of your mouth, a loss of definition along the jawline due to sagging cheeks, a double chin or loose skin on the neck, hollowness in the mid-face area, drooping outer eye corners, or an overall appearance that feels older than your actual age. It’s also worth considering if previous treatments like lasers or thread lifting haven’t given you the results you were hoping for, or if sagging has become noticeably more pronounced on one side of your face than the other.
We recommend 10 days: one day before surgery for consultation and tests, surgery, and about nine days of recovery including stitch removal on day 7–10. Patients combining a neck lift or flying more than 10 hours may be advised to stay 12–14 days.
A SMAS facelift tightens the SMAS layer with sutures while leaving it attached. A deep plane facelift releases the retaining ligaments beneath the SMAS and moves the whole skin–SMAS unit as one, which allows the mid-face and jowls to be repositioned without tension on the skin. The deep plane approach is more technically demanding but produces a more natural, longer-lasting result.
Link : SMAS vs Deep Plane
A deep plane facelift takes about 4 hours when done carefully. Scheduling one surgery a day means Dr. Shin is never working against the clock, the operating team is fresh, and you have the clinic’s full attention on the day of surgery and at every follow-up visit.
Yes. Most patients in their 50s and 60s combine a neck lift with the facelift, and many add an upper or lower eyelid procedure. Combining procedures in one surgery means one anesthesia and one recovery period. Dr. Shin will advise what is appropriate after reviewing your photos
Medically reviewed by Dr. Dong-woo Shin, Plastic Surgeon · Last updated October 2026
Planet Facelift
A lifting procedure that improves overall facial sagging,
including drooping facial contours and partial neck lifting effects.
Director Shin Dong-woo continuously refines surgical techniques to enhance recovery
and achieve superior facelift results, combining the strengths of each method
while compensating for their limitations to deliver PLANET’s specialized lifting surgery.
Face Lift 01.
Releasing the retaining ligaments is essential to reduce irregularities
and reposition both the SMAS and skin to the correct anatomical position.
If the retaining ligaments that hold the skin are not released,
it can lead to depressions or hollowing.
Director Shin Dong-woo precisely releases key retaining ligaments, including the zygomatic
and masseteric ligaments, then performs careful dissection to reposition and secure the skin
and SMAS in the desired position.
Face Lift 02.
Director Shin Dong-woo designs each procedure with different directions and angles based on
facial structure, areas of concern, skin thickness, and surgical history to achieve optimal results.
Concerns such as nasolabial folds, deep cheek fat, jawline, and neck sagging can be
comprehensively improved through the dual plane facelift technique, which lifts the SMAS layer
above and below the muscle, providing stronger and longer-lasting results.
By combining the powerful and long-lasting effects of the deep plane technique
with the precise control of the dual plane approach, Director Shin Dong-woo delivers
PLANET’s customized facelift results tailored to each patient, achieving natural-looking outcomes.
Face Lift 03.
Most facelifts involve dissection through the mid-subcutaneous layer to reduce surgery time.
In such cases, blood vessels in this layer may be damaged,
and if the dissection is too close to the skin, it can cause unevenness or skin injury.
Director Shin Dong-woo at PLANET performs precise and even dissection just above the SMAS layer, with immediate hemostasis when bleeding occurs, enabling faster recovery.
Incisions are placed naturally along the front and back of the ear. Lifting the SMAS increases
the amount of excess skin that can be removed, typically around 1 cm and in some cases more than 2 cm. The muscle itself is not disturbed, and only the SMAS layer above it is lifted. If thread lifting was previously performed, deeply embedded threads beneath the SMAS are carefully removed one by one to ensure a smooth and even result.
Face Lift 04.
Director Shin Dong-woo preserves the natural ear shape by carefully considering skin tension, as reducing tension is essential to minimizing visible scars.
An incision is made behind the tragal cartilage, leaving only the minimum amount of skin necessary without restricting movement, followed by skin excision to maintain the original ear shape.
Face Lift 05.
Face Lift 06.
Face Lift 07.
Face Lift 08.
Planet provides aftercare throughout this entire schedule,
with our dedicated team accompanying you through all processes
that occur during recovery.
In addition to basic care, Planet helps rapid recovery through the
Golden Plan aftercare program. The Golden Plan aftercare program
is a personalized program that provides various aftercare for up to
3 months according to recovery status.
Every facelift at Planet is performed by Dr. Dong-woo Shin, a board-certified plastic surgeon with 17 years of surgical experience who has focused his practice exclusively on facial lifting procedures.
Planet does not rotate patients between surgeons: the doctor you meet at consultation is the doctor who operates and the doctor who sees you at every follow-up.
Which lift is right for you?
Not every patient needs a full facelift. The table below is how we explain the options at consultation.
| Deep plane facelift | SMAS facelift | Mini facelift (Mini-Plus) | Thread lift | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What is lifted | Skin, SMAS and the retaining ligaments beneath it, released and repositioned as one unit | Skin and SMAS layer, tightened with sutures | Lower face and jawline through a shorter incision | Skin only, with absorbable threads |
| Best for | Moderate to significant sagging of cheeks, jowls and neck; patients in their 40s–70s | Moderate sagging; patients who want a shorter surgery | Early jowling with good skin elasticity; 30s–50s | Very mild laxity; patients not ready for surgery |
| Incision | Along the ear (behind the tragus) and into the hairline | Along the ear and hairline | Shorter incision in front of the ear | None |
| Surgery time | About 4 hours | 2–3 hours | 1.5–2 hours | 30–60 minutes |
| Anesthesia | IV sedation (no general anesthesia) | IV sedation | IV sedation | Local |
| Stitches removed | Day 7 and Day 10 | Day 7 and Day 10 | Day 7 | None |
| Back to daily life | From Day 7; no overnight stay | From Day 7 | From Day 5–7 | 2–3 days |
| How long results last | 10 years or more | 5–8 years | 3–5 years | 6–18 months |
| Performed at Planet | Yes — our primary procedure | Yes, when indicated | Yes | No — see below
|
Durations are typical ranges and vary by individual.
Why Planet does not perform thread lifts
Threads do not reposition the tissue that has descended; they hold skin in place for a limited time and can make a later facelift more difficult because of scar tissue. Many of our revision patients come to us after two or three rounds of threads. We would rather tell you honestly that you do not need surgery yet than offer a procedure we do not believe in.
What determines the cost of a facelift at Planet?
We do not publish a single price, because no two facelifts are the same. Your quote is prepared by Dr. Shin after reviewing your photos, and it reflects what your face actually needs rather than a package rate.
Three things decide the final figure:
Every quote we send is all-inclusive. It covers:
Not included: flights, accommodation outside the clinic, and travel insurance.
There are no added fees after the quote. The figure you receive is the figure you pay.
Recovery varies by individual. Patients combining a neck lift or flying more than 10 hours may be advised to stay 12–14 days.
Traveling to Korea for your facelift
The surgery typically takes around 4 hours. Stitches are removed in two visits — once on Day 7 and again on Day 10 after surgery. Most patients are able to return to their daily routines from Day 7 onwards, and there is no overnight hospital stay required. Thanks to Planet’s precise surgical technique, recovery tends to be faster compared to conventional facelift procedures.
No, general anesthesia is not required. Planet’s facelift is performed under IV sedation, which is sometimes called “twilight anesthesia” or sleep anesthesia. You’ll be in a comfortable, pain-free sleep throughout the procedure, but without the heavier physical burden that comes with full general anesthesia — making the overall experience and recovery much smoother.
Thread lifting is a non-surgical option that’s quicker and simpler, but its results tend to be more subtle and shorter-lasting. A facelift, on the other hand, works by lifting and repositioning the deeper tissue layers beneath the skin, which means the results are more dramatic and longer-lasting. If you’ve had thread lifting before but weren’t happy with the results, a facelift can still be performed — and any previously inserted threads will be carefully removed during the procedure.
There are different facelift approaches — some focus on powerful, long-lasting results while others allow for more precise, delicate adjustments. At Planet, Dr. Shin Dong-woo combines the strengths of both methods to create a unique technique that delivers strong, lasting improvement while still looking natural. Every surgery is tailored to the individual, taking into account factors like facial structure, skin thickness, areas of concern, and any previous procedures.
Scarring is kept to a minimum by carefully placing the incisions along the natural contours of the ear — both in front and behind it. The technique is designed to reduce tension on the skin, which is one of the main factors that can lead to noticeable scarring. Only the minimal amount of skin needed is removed, and the natural shape of the ear is preserved throughout.
The ligaments beneath your skin act like anchors that hold everything in place. If these aren’t carefully released during surgery, simply pulling the skin can create uneven, sunken-looking areas — which is the opposite of a natural result. At Planet, Dr. Shin Dong-woo precisely releases these key ligaments so that both the skin and the underlying tissue can be moved and secured exactly where they need to be for a smooth, balanced outcome.
A facelift may be a great option if you’re experiencing any of the following — deepening smile lines or lines around the corners of your mouth, a loss of definition along the jawline due to sagging cheeks, a double chin or loose skin on the neck, hollowness in the mid-face area, drooping outer eye corners, or an overall appearance that feels older than your actual age. It’s also worth considering if previous treatments like lasers or thread lifting haven’t given you the results you were hoping for, or if sagging has become noticeably more pronounced on one side of your face than the other.
We recommend 10 days: one day before surgery for consultation and tests, surgery, and about nine days of recovery including stitch removal on day 7–10. Patients combining a neck lift or flying more than 10 hours may be advised to stay 12–14 days.
A SMAS facelift tightens the SMAS layer with sutures while leaving it attached. A deep plane facelift releases the retaining ligaments beneath the SMAS and moves the whole skin–SMAS unit as one, which allows the mid-face and jowls to be repositioned without tension on the skin. The deep plane approach is more technically demanding but produces a more natural, longer-lasting result.
Link : SMAS vs Deep Plane
A deep plane facelift takes about 4 hours when done carefully. Scheduling one surgery a day means Dr. Shin is never working against the clock, the operating team is fresh, and you have the clinic’s full attention on the day of surgery and at every follow-up visit.
Yes. Most patients in their 50s and 60s combine a neck lift with the facelift, and many add an upper or lower eyelid procedure. Combining procedures in one surgery means one anesthesia and one recovery period. Dr. Shin will advise what is appropriate after reviewing your photos
Medically reviewed by Dr. Dong-woo Shin, Plastic Surgeon · Last updated October 2026