Is a mini facelift better, or is thread lifting better for me?

Patient Consultation:

Where did my once bouncy, youthful skin disappear to?

I honestly don’t know where my once firm and bouncy skin has gone. There’s not a trace of it left, and now I’m stuck choosing between a thread lift or a mini facelift.

I guess I’ve reached that age where I actually have to make this decision.

From a cost‑effectiveness standpoint, I can’t decide whether a mini facelift would be better or if I should go with thread lifting.

I can't choose

Thread lift consultations alone seem to start around 2 million won(1300$), and at that point I start thinking, “Should I just get a mini facelift instead?”

Sigh…

Please help this indecisive person make a choice.

We requested a consultation from Dr. Hyun‑Chul Kim of Kidari Plastic Surgery Clinic for our plastic‑surgery community’s primary‑doctor segment. He has over 30 years of experience in facial lifting and now specializes exclusively in facelift procedures. Despite his busy schedule, he kindly provided a detailed explanation. In my personal opinion, he is truly sincere toward his patients and an exceptionally kind surgeon. The recording was filmed on January 25, 2026.

Response from Dr. Hyun‑Chul Kim of Kidari Plastic Surgery Clinic:

You mentioned that thread lifting costs around 2 million won(1300$), but in reality, the price varies quite a bit depending on the type of threads used and how many are required. When a larger number of threads is needed, the total can easily exceed 3 million won(2000$). On the other hand, a mini facelift is also generally available at around 3 million won(2000$), so the actual cost difference between the two procedures is not as large as many people expect. For this reason, it’s difficult to make a decision based solely on price.

In terms of effectiveness, thread lifting certainly has its advantages. However, when dissolvable threads are used, the biggest drawback is the relatively short duration of the results. On the other hand, non‑dissolvable threads last longer, but because they are made of synthetic materials, the risk of complications can increase over time. Considering these factors, a mini facelift generally provides far more stable and predictable long‑term results.

Of course, since a mini facelift is a surgical procedure, the swelling can last a bit longer compared to thread lifting. However, the results are much more definitive, and in many cases, the effects can last over 10 years. This is one of the biggest differences when comparing it to thread lifting.

Of course, a mini facelift is not the right choice for everyone. For example, if someone has an important event coming up soon and cannot afford prolonged swelling, or if they feel burdened by the idea of surgery and prefer a simpler, less invasive option, thread lifting can be a suitable choice. We also perform many thread‑lifting procedures at our clinic for patients in these situations. However, when considering long‑term satisfaction and overall cost‑effectiveness, I personally prefer the mini facelift. Achieving a more definitive improvement that lasts longer ultimately benefits patients more in the long run.