Thread Lift Cost in Namyangju vs. Gangnam: Making a Smart Choice (2026)

Dr. Ahn Jae-seok, Director, Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic

When people start researching thread lifts, the first thing they compare is price. It's all called a "thread lift," yet some places seem affordable while others go well past the budget you had in mind.

Naturally, you start to wonder:

"Is it because they use different threads?"

"Does it last longer if more threads are used?"

"Is it fine to get it done in Namyangju, or should I go all the way to Gangnam?"

When I consult with patients, the first thing I look at is the area that bothers them most. The right approach differs depending on whether it's the jawline, sagging cheeks, or the area around the mouth.

To compare thread lift costs properly, you first need to know what your face actually needs.

Today I'll go over what's easy to miss when looking at a price list and what I'd like you to confirm during a consultation.

Why do two "8-thread lifts" cost different amounts?

The same number of threads doesn't mean the same procedure.

The thread product and its structure, thickness, and length can differ, and so can the treatment area and coverage. You should also check how much anesthesia and follow-up visits are included.

For example, a plan that refines part of the jawline and a plan that addresses everything from the cheeks to the jawline are not an apples-to-apples comparison.

That's why I tell patients to check the following when looking into prices:

• The product name and material of the threads used
• The total number of threads (both sides combined) and the treatment areas
• The changes you can realistically expect for your face
• What anesthesia and aftercare are included
• The final price, including VAT and any additional costs

Ask not only "How much per thread?" but also "What procedure does this price include?"—the comparison becomes much clearer.

For our clinic's specific pricing as well, it's most accurate to get a quote after we've confirmed the treatment area you need and the type and number of threads.

A blurred jawline doesn't always mean the same kind of sagging

Even if you look in the mirror and feel your face has "dropped," what's actually happening differs from person to person.

In some cases the cheek tissue has shifted downward; in others, volume loss makes the area around the mouth or the jawline stand out by comparison. For some people, fine lines and loss of skin elasticity are the main concern.

If you try to lift everything in the same direction without looking at these differences, the result may fall short of what you expected.

When I examine patients, I look at skin thickness, fat distribution, left-right differences, and where the sagging is. I also tell patients up front whether the change they want is within what a thread lift can achieve.

Before deciding to place threads, you need an assessment of whether your face is a good fit for a thread lift.

If sagging is severe or there's a lot of excess skin, a thread lift alone may not give enough improvement. In that case, simply adding more threads isn't the answer.

If you're wondering whether you need to go to Gangnam

I opened my clinic in Gangnam in May 2005 and practiced aesthetic dermatology and pain medicine there, then relocated to Dasan New Town in Namyangju in August 2022.

Having practiced in both areas, I've found that what patients want to know isn't very different.

How much can I change? Will it look unnatural? Will I be satisfied for what I'm paying? In the end, people want to make the choice that suits their own face.

Location is one factor in choosing a clinic. But location alone can't tell you how good the results will be or whether the cost is reasonable.

In a consultation, I'd like you to look at these points:

Does the doctor thoroughly examine the area you're concerned about? Do they explain why they're taking that approach? Do they also tell you what is hard to improve?

Whether it's easy to get follow-up care if you have discomfort after the procedure is also a practical consideration. Think not only about travel time for your first visit, but also about the follow-up visits afterward.

Why I care about thread direction

In 2009, while working with CEO Si-dae Ryu on developing barbed (cog) threads, I thought a great deal about thread structure and the direction in which threads support tissue.

During that process I proposed the idea of a structure with barbs on each side facing opposite directions. Mr. Ryu handled prototyping and manufacturing, while I was responsible for clinical application and data collection.

The question back then was, "How can we support tissue in the direction we want?"

I start from a similar question today when I look at a patient's face.

I consider where support is needed, which direction of repositioning will look natural, and which layer beneath the skin the threads should be placed in.

The type and number of threads are determined based on these judgments.

My experience in thread development is part of my background, but what I have to assess fresh every time is the face of the patient in front of me.

Do more expensive threads last longer?

The thread material and product name are certainly relevant to choosing a procedure. But they alone can't predict the results or how long they'll last.

Even with the same product, results can vary depending on skin condition, the degree of sagging, thread placement, and treatment area.

There's one more distinction to keep in mind:

How long a thread takes to dissolve in the body is not the same as how long you'll see a visible lifting effect.

Rather than deciding based on the name of the material alone, I suggest asking questions like these during your consultation:

"Why are you choosing this product for my face?"

"Which areas are likely to improve, and which will see less change?"

Understanding why a product is being used for you matters more than hearing that a particular product is good.

Look at recovery and side effects when comparing costs, too

When choosing a date for the procedure, it's wise to consider important appointments and your work schedule.

After a thread lift, you may have bruising, swelling, pain, or a tight, pulling sensation. Recovery speed varies, so just because someone else went back to work right away doesn't mean you'll recover the same way.

You may notice temporary skin dimpling or asymmetry, and in some cases the threads can be felt or seen through the skin. Infection, thread exposure, or persistent pain can also require additional care.

You should be informed about these possibilities and how they're handled.

If pain or swelling gets progressively worse after the procedure, or you notice redness, warmth, or discharge, please contact the clinic where you were treated to have it checked.

I'd like you to choose a treatment with everything in mind, from the explanation before the procedure to the follow-up afterward.

Be sure to ask these three questions at your consultation

If it's hard to remember everything at once, just confirm these three things.

First: "Is my face a good fit for a thread lift?"

This helps you see how closely the change you want matches what the procedure can deliver.

Second: "Why does this area need this number of threads?"

This helps you understand the treatment plan, not just the thread count.

Third: "What is the total cost, and what aftercare is included?"

Knowing about additional costs and how follow-up works ahead of time will help you decide.

Take your time to hear everything and think it over. Having a consultation doesn't mean you have to decide on the procedure that same day.

Frequently asked questions

Is a thread lift cheaper in Namyangju than in Gangnam?

You can't say for sure based on location alone. Compare the final cost only after confirming that the product, number of threads, treatment area, and anesthesia and aftercare items are the same.

Will more threads give a better lift?

More threads don't translate into proportionally better results. What matters is placing them where they're needed, in the right direction and at the right depth, and how much improvement is possible depends on your skin and tissue condition.

Can people in their 50s or 60s get it?

Age alone isn't the deciding factor. We decide after assessing skin thickness, the degree of sagging, and your overall health. If sagging is severe, other options, including surgery, may be more suitable.

Can I go to work right after the procedure?

Light daily activities may be possible, but bruising, swelling, and discomfort can occur. If your job involves meeting many people or you have an important event, it's best to discuss timing so you have some room to recover.

Can I just come in for a consultation first?

Yes. You can decide after learning about your current facial condition, the treatment you need, and the expected cost. If a thread lift isn't right for you, explaining why and what other options exist is also part of the consultation.

If it were my face, what would I check first?

If I were the one choosing a thread lift, I'd first make sure the doctor truly understood the change I wanted.

If your concern is your jawline but all you hear about is thread brands, the question that actually matters hasn't been answered.

If you're looking into a thread lift in Dasan, Namyangju, please check not only the price but also why your face needs it, what change you can expect, and the procedure's limitations.

I, too, will examine your face in person and start by explaining these points.

**Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic

Dr. Ahn Jae-seok, Director**

Opened in Gangnam in May 2005

Relocated to Dasan New Town, Namyangju, in August 2022

This article provides general medical information. The effects, duration, and recovery of a thread lift vary from person to person, and side effects such as bruising, swelling, pain, skin dimpling, asymmetry, infection, and thread exposure may occur. Whether and how to proceed is decided after an examination by a medical professional.