Treatment guide
Thread lift and APTOS in Seoul: price, downtime and how long to stay
How LIV Plastic Surgery in Sinsa, Seoul describes its thread lift and APTOS thread lift, with published prices by thread, anesthesia, the 3–7 day recovery period, the optional one-week check, aftercare rules and trip planning for international patients.
Updated 2026-11-10 · 8 min read · Written by LIV Plastic Surgery
A thread lift is the one lifting treatment at LIV that comes with a real recovery period, so it needs more planning than a device treatment you walk out of. This guide explains how the clinic describes its thread lift and its APTOS thread lift, what each thread costs, and how the 3–7 day recovery and the optional one-week check affect the length of your trip. LIV Plastic Surgery is a non-surgical anti-aging clinic in Gangnam, one minute from Sinsa Station and next to Garosu-gil. International patients pay from the same price list as Korean patients, and you can book directly in English without an agency.
Thread lift and APTOS: how the clinic describes each
Both treatments place threads under local anesthesia, take 30–60 minutes and treat the same areas: forehead, cheekbones, cheeks, jawline, nasolabial folds and neck. The difference the site draws is in how long the result is expected to last and who each one is aimed at.
| Thread lift | APTOS Bio Lifting | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment time | 30–60 minutes | 30–60 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia | Local anesthesia |
| Recovery | 3–7 days (bruising and swelling possible) | 3–7 days (bruising and swelling possible) |
| Results as stated | Immediate lifting, lasting 6–12 months | Immediate lifting, lasting up to 24 months |
| Combining with laser lifting | Possible after 1–2 weeks | Possible after 2–4 weeks |
Thread lift. The clinic describes it as suited to people who want immediate lifting, who are concerned about sagging cheeks or a flattened cheekbone area, who want to tidy the nasolabial folds and jawline, or who have not been satisfied with laser lifting alone. Results last 6–12 months depending on the type of thread.
APTOS. The clinic describes it as suited to people who want longer-lasting lifting, who want a biostimulation effect, who prefer a globally certified product, or who want natural-looking volume and elasticity. According to the APTOS page, APTOS NAMICA threads encapsulate 40 mg of hyaluronic acid and the effect lasts up to 24 months. The page lists the product's certifications as KFDA Class 4, CE, ISO 13485 and FDA MDSAP.
On duration in general, the clinic's medical Q&A adds that it depends on the thread material: PDO (dissolvable) threads last about 6–8 months and PLLA or PCL threads about 12–18 months, and because threads promote collagen regeneration as they dissolve, the effect continues for some time after they are absorbed. These are the clinic's stated ranges, not a promise for any individual; which thread suits your face is decided at the consultation.
Prices by thread (2026)
Thread lifts are priced by product and number of threads. These are the starting prices per session on the price list.
| Thread | Basis | Price (per session) |
|---|---|---|
| APTOS NAMICA | 10 threads | KRW 3,000,000~ |
| APTOS Light Lift 25 | 2 threads | KRW 1,500,000~ |
| APTOS Light Lift 50 | 2 threads | KRW 2,500,000~ |
| Silhouette Soft | 2 threads | KRW 1,000,000~ |
| MINT | 8 threads | KRW 800,000~ |
The tilde means "from". The number of threads you need depends on the area and the degree of sagging, so the final figure is set once the surgeon has examined your face. The 1:1 consultation fee is KRW 10,000 and is fully deducted from the treatment cost if you proceed on the same day. There is no foreigner surcharge and no charge for interpretation.
Downtime and aftercare
The clinic's stated recovery period for both treatments is 3–7 days, during which bruising and swelling are possible. Its aftercare points are:
- Bruising and swelling may appear for 3–7 days after the treatment.
- Avoid exaggerated facial expressions and facial massage for 2 weeks.
- A pulling or tight sensation in the treated area is possible.
- Light makeup is possible from 24 hours after the treatment.
- Rare risks the clinic lists are infection and thread exposure. If anything worries you after treatment, contact the clinic through the same chat you booked with.
Most cosmetic treatments, including lifting treatments, are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell the surgeon about your medical history and any medication at the consultation.
Follow-up: the one-week check is optional
For a thread lift, the clinic's international page lists an optional check about one week later, or a remote photo check instead. The medical Q&A puts it the same way: a check-up after one week is recommended if needed, but it is not required.
After you return home, you can send photos by messenger or chat and the clinic reviews your progress and guides your aftercare. A written aftercare guide is provided in English.
How long to stay in Seoul
The treatment itself takes 30–60 minutes, needs no hospitalization, and in most cases is done on the same day as your in-person consultation. What decides the length of your trip is how you want to handle recovery and follow-up.
| Plan | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Short stay with remote follow-up | Consultation and treatment on one visit, then the one-week check is done by photo after you are home. The 3–7 day bruising and swelling period will overlap with your return journey. |
| About one week | Treatment early in the trip, in-person check about one week later before you leave. Most of the 3–7 day recovery period passes while you are still in Seoul. |
If you also want a laser lifting treatment, the clinic says it can be combined 1–2 weeks after a thread lift, or 2–4 weeks after APTOS, so the two do not usually fit into one short trip. See the lifting overview for the device options, and the downtime and flight planning guide for how other treatments fit into one or two nights.
Booking from abroad
You do not need an agency, and there is no deposit to reserve a consultation. Enquiries are answered within one business day.
- Contact the clinic on WhatsApp (+82 10-6888-2773) or the live chat on this site, in English, or use the contact form.
- Remote consultation and quote. Share your concerns and a few photos; the clinic suggests suitable treatments and sends a clear price estimate.
- Schedule your visit around your travel dates.
- Visit and treatment. Meet the surgeon for a final in-person consultation, then receive your treatment the same day in most cases.
- Remote aftercare by messenger or chat after you return home.
- Clinic hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–16:00, closed on Sunday (Korea time).
- Getting there: Sinsa Station (Line 3), Exit 4 — a 1-minute walk. From Incheon Airport about 70–90 minutes by AREX train or limousine bus, or about 60 minutes by taxi; from Gimpo Airport about 40 minutes by taxi or subway. Address: 4F, Jaeun Building, 80 Naruteo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay and Korean won in cash. Card installment payment is available.
Every treatment is planned and performed under Dr. Sooyoung Kim, a board-certified plastic surgeon with four SCI-indexed research publications; see our medical team. The step-by-step booking process is covered in the booking guide for international patients.
Before you book
The type of thread, the number of threads and the final price are decided at your consultation with the surgeon; the figures above are the published starting points so you can plan your trip. Send your questions and travel dates through the international patients page or the contact form and the clinic will reply within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a thread lift and APTOS at LIV?
Both are done under local anesthesia in 30–60 minutes with a 3–7 day recovery period. The clinic states that a thread lift gives immediate lifting lasting 6–12 months, and that APTOS gives immediate lifting lasting up to 24 months; APTOS NAMICA threads encapsulate 40 mg of hyaluronic acid. Which one suits you is decided at the consultation.
How much does a thread lift cost in Seoul at LIV?
Published starting prices per session are KRW 800,000 for MINT (8 threads), KRW 1,000,000 for Silhouette Soft (2 threads), KRW 1,500,000 for APTOS Light Lift 25 (2 threads), KRW 2,500,000 for APTOS Light Lift 50 (2 threads) and KRW 3,000,000 for APTOS NAMICA (10 threads). VAT is not included, and international patients pay from the same price list.
How long is the downtime after a thread lift?
The clinic states 3–7 days, with bruising and swelling possible. Light makeup is possible from 24 hours after the treatment, and exaggerated facial expressions and massage should be avoided for 2 weeks.
Do I have to come back for a check-up?
No. A check about one week later is optional, and it can be replaced by a remote photo check through messenger or chat after you return home.
How many days should I stay in Seoul for a thread lift?
The treatment takes 30–60 minutes and needs no hospitalization. If you want the in-person check, plan for about one week; otherwise the check can be done by photo. The right timing for your return flight is confirmed with the clinic at your consultation.
This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Suitability and the final plan are decided at your in-person consultation. Prices are per session, exclude VAT, and are confirmed after consultation.