In 2025, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are full of videos promoting the Korean neck lift, a liposuction technique touted as a miracle solution for eliminating a double chin.
However, behind these seductive promises lie illegal and dangerous practices, often carried out by influencers without medical qualifications.
Dr. Christophe Desouches, cosmetic surgeon in Marseille and member of the board of SNCPRE (National Union of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) appears in a France 3 Provence-Alpes report and an explanatory video to raise awareness of these abuses.
What is Korean facelift?
The term "Korean facelift" often refers to a neck liposuction technique designed to redefine facial contours and reduce a double chin. Popularized on social media, this technique is often touted as simple, quick, and safe.
However, as Dr. Christophe Desouches points out, it is a much more complex act than it appears.
"The Korean facelift is abusive liposuction," he explains in thearticle from France 3. "The neck is not an innocuous area, there are enormous vessels that supply the brain and when a breach is made, there can be a hematoma that can be cataclysmic with a risk to life." This warning reminds us that the liposuction, even localized, remains a surgical procedure requiring specific medical skills and a sterile environment.
Influencers: Illegal and Itinerant Practices
These procedures are often performed by self-proclaimed “fat-dissolving experts” who operate without a medical degree.
Under pseudonyms like "XXX Beauty" or "Lemon Bottle XXX," they attract thousands of subscribers with promises of fast, low-cost results. Some claim to have trained abroad or hold fictitious diplomas that have no official recognition in France.
Their methods are particularly disturbing. Appointments are made via private messages or WhatsApp, and interventions take place in inappropriate locations, such as commercial premises or even hotel rooms.
"They're traveling," says Dr. Desouches. "They post on their Instagram accounts: 'Tomorrow, I'm in Toulouse, the day after, I'm in Marseille,' and it's done in hotel rooms, just like they do for hyaluronic acid injections."
Major risks: infections, prohibited products and complications
The dangers of these practices are numerous and serious. Dr. Desouches warns of the risks associated with using banned products, such as Lemon Bottle, a "fat burner" banned in France since 2011 due to its complications. These substances, often purchased fraudulently abroad, are injected under unsterile conditions, increasing the risk of infection.
"The most worrying risk is the sterility issue," he explains. "There can be direct infections linked to the use of these products without any sterility, but also infections with hepatitis C or HIV viruses. When cannulas are not sterilized or poorly sterilized, infections can spread from patient to patient. There can be 15, 20, or 30 infections caused by a single person."
These comments, taken from the video interview, underline the scale of the problem.
In addition, improperly performed liposuction in the neck area can lead to serious complications, such as hematomas or damage to the blood vessels supplying the brain, with potentially fatal consequences.
An explanatory video to help you understand better
To explore this issue further, viewing the France 3 Provence-Alpes video is recommended. It details the risks and provides expert testimony, including that of Dr. Desouches.
A legal and political response
Faced with this alarming situation, the SNCPRE union has decided to file a complaint for the illegal practice of medicine. This initiative is supported by parliamentarians, such as Senator Anne Souyris, who plans to refer the matter to the Paris prosecutor, and MP Arthur Delaporte, who is calling for regulation of the promotion of these practices on social media. Reports of illegal acts for cosmetic purposes have exploded, rising from 62 in 2022 to 128 in 2024, according to the French Medical Association.
How to avoid the pitfalls of Korean facelift?
To avoid falling into these dangerous practices, here are some recommendations based on expert advice:
- Check qualifications: Ensure that the procedure is performed by a surgeon qualified in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery on the website of the Council of the Order.
- Ensure that a professional plaque mentioning the name of the surgeon is present at the address indicated
- Refrain from scheduling appointments through social media platforms, including WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram
- Beware of seemingly inappropriate locations: Liposuction and any other surgical procedure should take place in licensed clinics, never in improvised locations.
- Ask for clear explanations: A qualified professional should provide detailed information on risks, products used and post-operative follow-up.
- Reporting abuse: If you experience illegal practices, you are advised to file a complaint and contact the SNCPRE at 07 67 14 73 37 or by email at [email protected].
frequently asked Questions
Is Korean facelift a safe alternative to traditional surgery?
No, the Korean neck lift, when performed by unqualified individuals, is not a safe alternative. "It's liposuction, therefore a surgical procedure," reminds Dr. Desouches. Performed in inappropriate conditions, such as hotel rooms, it exposes patients to serious risks, such as infections or vascular complications. Safe neck liposuction must be performed by a qualified surgeon in a sterile medical environment, with appropriate follow-up care.
How much does professional neck liposuction cost?
The cost of neck liposuction varies depending on the surgeon, the technique used, and the region. With a professional like Dr. Desouches, the rates are transparent and include his fees as well as hospitalization, anesthesia, and follow-up costs. Although higher than illegal options (often offered at very attractive prices), they guarantee safety and quality.
Prioritize safety above all else
Korean facelifts and neck liposuction, when performed by unqualified influencers, pose a real health risk. The risks of infection, serious complications, and the use of prohibited products are too high to ignore. In 2025, it is essential to be informed and to seek the help of qualified professionals, like Dr. Christophe Desouches, to ensure safe and appropriate cosmetic procedures.