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Thread Lift as a Medical Tourist in Korea: Timing Results Around a Singapore Trip

A thread lift in Korea raises a timing question when you are flying back to Singapore. Changes may begin to appear from as early as 2 to 4 weeks after treatment.

Contact Min Clinic

Have a question about a skin treatment? Message us anytime and the Min Clinic team in Cheongdam, Seoul will be glad to help. At Min Clinic, all medical aesthetic procedures are performed directly by a doctor.

Before you message us

  • Your preferred dates in Seoul
  • Previous treatments and when you had them
  • Any medications you currently take
  • A photo taken in daylight (optional)

Full guide to Thread lift →

Min Clinic November Promotion 2026-11-01 — 2026-11-30 VAT 10% not included →

Which of these applies may vary with the patient’s skin condition and the aim of treatment, and the doctor decides.

What the Treatment Is and How Planning Works

A thread lift is a treatment that inserts special medical threads into the skin layers to physically support and lift sagging tissue. However, the type and number of threads and where they are placed should be decided carefully after checking skin thickness, elasticity and volume. It is important to plan for a natural contour that fits your facial structure rather than too much pulling.

Treatment Day Details for Short-Stay Travelers

Anesthesia is given before treatment to reduce discomfort. Pressure or a pulling feeling may be felt during treatment, and temporary stiffness, tightness or a sense of something under the skin may appear afterward. You may prefer simple plans around Gangnam or Cheongdam after your appointment.

Aftercare During a Short Trip

It is best to avoid saunas, alcohol and strenuous exercise for about 1 week after treatment. Avoid rubbing the treated area too much or having a strong massage. If you have an important event or photo shoot coming up, keep your plans flexible.

Which of these applies may vary with the patient’s skin condition and the aim of treatment, and the doctor decides.

Common Reactions

  • Temporary swelling, bruising, mild tightness or a sense of something under the skin may be felt, but they usually ease gradually within 1 to 2 weeks.

Which of these applies may vary with the patient’s skin condition and the aim of treatment, and the doctor decides.

Serious Side Effects

  • Rarely, temporary pain or stiffness may occur, and it eases naturally over time.

Common Situations and Concerns

You may be visiting Seoul for a limited time and want to look presentable when you return to Singapore. Build your schedule so you are not rushing between the airport and your hotel on the same day as your treatment. If you want to fit in light sightseeing in Gangnam or Cheongdam, plan calm activities. Your doctor will guide you on what fits your timing and facial structure.

About Min Clinic

Min Clinic is registered as a dermatology clinic. Three doctors practice at the clinic, and two of them are board-certified specialists. Dr. Min Young-Soo is an adjunct professor at Hanyang University and was formerly deputy director of NB Clinic, Gangnam Station branch. At Min Clinic, all medical aesthetic procedures are performed directly by a doctor.

Anesthetic cream is used. Normal daily activities are generally possible right after treatment. The treatment takes about 1 hour. An interval of 6 months between treatments is recommended. Changes may begin to appear from as early as 2 to 4 weeks after treatment. At about 1 to 3 months, a more natural and defined lifting effect can be seen. Face washing and light makeup are possible from the day of treatment. Avoid rubbing the treated area too much or having a strong massage. Temporary swelling, bruising, mild tightness or a sense of something under the skin may be felt, but they usually ease gradually within 1 to 2 weeks. It is best to avoid saunas, alcohol and strenuous exercise for about 1 week after treatment. Rarely, temporary pain or stiffness may occur, and it eases naturally over time. A thread lift is a treatment that inserts special medical threads into the skin layers to physically support and lift sagging tissue. It can be considered even when the face has little fat. However, the type and number of threads and where they are placed should be decided carefully after checking skin thickness, elasticity and volume. It is important to plan for a natural contour that fits your facial structure rather than too much pulling. Anesthesia is given before treatment to reduce discomfort. Pressure or a pulling feeling may be felt during treatment, and temporary stiffness, tightness or a sense of something under the skin may appear afterward. How it feels and how recovery goes vary from person to person.

Prices are the same for Korean and international patients. VAT is charged separately at the applicable statutory rate. Same-day treatment may be possible depending on appointment availability and the doctor's schedule. Patients are asked to contact the clinic during the recovery period with any questions or discomfort. Min Clinic does not perform medical aesthetic procedures, including thread lift, during pregnancy. Skincare treatments may be available after consultation. Patients under 19 may be treated with the consent of a parent or guardian. Upon request, treatment records can be provided as a detailed medical statement.

WhatsApp messages are answered during clinic hours, and the clinic responds as promptly as possible. Inquiries can be made through WhatsApp, KakaoTalk, WeChat and email. English-, Chinese-, and Japanese-speaking staff are available on-site to assist foreign visitors. Min Clinic is open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 19:00, Friday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00, with a lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00 on weekdays, and the clinic is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay and JCB cards are accepted, as are Apple Pay, WeChat Pay and Alipay. PayPal is not accepted, cash is accepted in Korean won only, and payment may be split across two cards with no card surcharge. Parking is available in the Daedong Tower building, and valet parking is offered for a fee. If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please contact the clinic in advance. In accordance with Korean tax law, VAT refunds for cosmetic medical services provided to foreign visitors are no longer available for treatments received on or after January 1, 2026.

Getting Here

Exit 5 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Suin-Bundang Line) is the nearest exit to the clinic at 4F, Daedong Tower, 326 Dosan-daero. From Exit 5 it is about 5–10 minutes on foot. The building stands at Hakdong Intersection, with an Olive Young store on the ground floor. At Gangnam-gu Office Station (Line 7 and Suin-Bundang Line), leave by Exit 3 or 3-1. From Exit 3 or 3-1 it is about 7 minutes on foot. Parking fees can be confirmed with the clinic.

Frequently asked questions

When do results appear after a thread lift in Seoul?

At about 1 to 3 months, a more natural and defined lifting effect can be seen. How it feels and how recovery goes vary from person to person.

Can you fly home soon after treatment in Korea?

Normal daily activities are generally possible right after treatment.

How long does a thread lift take in Cheongdam?

The treatment takes about 1 hour.

Can you combine a thread lift with other treatments in Gangnam?

It can be possible depending on the treatment, and the doctor decides at the consultation.

Can you wash your face and wear makeup for your return to Singapore?

Face washing and light makeup are possible from the day of treatment.

Is a thread lift an option for a slim face?

It can be considered even when the face has little fat.

When should you plan your next thread lift if you return to Korea later?

An interval of 6 months between treatments is recommended.

If you have any questions, ask your doctor.

Sources

Visiting from Singapore

Flight

  • Direct flights from Singapore Changi to Seoul Incheon take about 6.5 hours; scheduled times vary by airline.

Time difference and clinic hours

  • Korea is 1 hour ahead of Singapore.
  • Monday to Thursday: 10:00–19:00 Korea time (09:00–18:00 Singapore time)
  • Friday: 10:00–20:00 Korea time (09:00–19:00 Singapore time)
  • Saturday: 10:00–15:00 Korea time (09:00–14:00 Singapore time)
  • Weekday lunch break: 13:00–14:00 Korea time (12:00–13:00 Singapore time)
  • Closed on Sundays and public holidays in Korea

Payment

  • Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay and JCB cards are accepted, as are Apple Pay, WeChat Pay and Alipay. PayPal is not accepted, cash is accepted in Korean won only, and payment may be split across two cards with no card surcharge.

From Incheon Airport

  • By subway from Incheon International Airport: AREX all-stop train Incheon International Airport → Gimpo Airport Station, transfer to Line 9 express Gimpo Airport Station → Seonjeongneung Station, transfer to Suin-Bundang Line Seonjeongneung Station → Gangnam-gu Office Station
  • By subway including the walk: about 80–110 minutes
  • Taxi from Incheon International Airport: about 60–100 minutes
  • At Gangnam-gu Office Station (Line 7 and Suin-Bundang Line), leave by Exit 3 or 3-1.
  • From Exit 3 or 3-1 it is about 7 minutes on foot
  • AREX express trains do not stop at Gimpo Airport, so take the all-stop train.
  • Incheon Airport warns against illegal call-vans posing as taxis and advises using the official taxi stands. Published airport taxi fares differ widely depending on tolls, so no fare is given here.
  • Times, distances and transportation costs are approximate and provided for reference only. Actual times may vary depending on the treatment plan, route and current conditions.

Sources: Singapore to Seoul Incheon direct flights · https://www.airport.kr/ap_ko/987/subview.do · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AREX · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul_Subway_Line_9 · https://news.seoul.go.kr/traffic/archives/1659 · https://min-clinic.co.kr/contact/

Doctors

Dr Min Young-Soo
Medical doctor

Min Young-Soo, M.D.

  • Adjunct professor, Hanyang University
  • Former deputy director, NB Clinic Gangnam Station
  • Academic director, Korean Society of Hair Restoration
  • IDP Specialist
  • Restylane Expert Injector
  • Training, Dr. Nacul’s Bioplasty World Center (Porto Alegre, Brazil)
Dr Kim Min Ji
Medical doctor

Kim Min Ji, M.D.

  • Board-certified specialist
  • Former director, Apgujeong Oracle Dermatology
  • Academic exchange: Shonan Beauty Clinic, Shibuya Scramble Dermatology (Japan)
Dr Jung Chan-Ho
Medical doctor

Jung Chan-Ho, M.D.

  • College of Medicine, Hanyang University; College of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University
  • Residency, Hanyang University Medical Center

Google rating

Google rating as of Sept 2026 4.9 · 405 Google reviews

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Visit

Min Clinic sign at the clinic entrance
Entrance
Lounge with curved sofas under an oval ceiling light
Lounge
Reception beside the illuminated MIN sign
Reception
Powder room with a lit vanity mirror
Powder room
Consultation room with a desk by the window
Consultation room
Treatment room with wood floors and lounge chairs
Treatment room
Treatment chair under a procedure light
Procedure room
Skincare room with two treatment beds
Skincare room
Device room with a treatment chair and equipment
Device room
Address
4F, Daedong Tower, 326 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Five minutes on foot from Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Suin-Bundang Line) Exit 5, or seven minutes from Gangnam-gu Office Station (Line 7) Exits 3 and 3-1.
Hours
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00–19:00, Tuesday and Friday 10:00–20:00, Saturday 10:00–15:00, with a weekday lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Phone
The clinic line is +82-2-515-2119. From overseas, WhatsApp on +82-10-3379-9350 reaches the same desk.
Parking
Parking is in the outdoor lot on the first floor of Daedong Tower, entered from the alley to the right of the Olive Young store at Hakdong Intersection. Valet parking is also available for a fee.
Payment
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay and JCB are accepted. Cash is accepted in Korean won only. WeChat Pay and Alipay are accepted. Apple Pay is accepted, while PayPal is not accepted. Payment may be split across two cards, and no card surcharge is charged.
Languages
English-, Chinese-, and Japanese-speaking staff are available on-site to assist foreign visitors. WhatsApp messages are answered during clinic hours, and the clinic responds as promptly as possible. The clinic is closed on public holidays but still replies to messages left then.
Map
Naver Map · Google Maps
Website
www.min-clinic.co.kr

Min Clinic — A clinic on Dosan-daero in Cheongdam, Seoul, open since March 2010, providing laser and injectable treatments.

The clinic is registered to attract foreign patients under registration number M-2020-01-08-5734.