The Difference Between Effective and Ineffective Thread Lifting Is ‘This’ (Effects, Duration, and Recommended Candidates)

The Difference Between Effective and Ineffective Thread Lifting Is ‘This’ (Effects, Duration, and Recommended Candidates)

Hello.

I am Lee Won-shin, a board-certified dermatologist with 23 years of experience.

When consulting with patients about thread lifting, I often hear certain concerns more frequently than expected.

"I heard from people around me that the effects disappear quickly. Is it really okay?"

"Could thread lifting make my face sag even more later on?"

Thread lifting is, in fact, a lifting procedure that has been performed for quite a long time.

A great many people underwent the procedure for some time,

but at some point, fewer people began seeking it out. Recently, however, interest has been growing again after actress Lee Ji-hye shared her experience.

One reason is that there are more misconceptions about thread lifting itself than many people realize.

So today, I will explain the principles of thread lifting,

the difference between cases where the effects last longer and those where they do not,

and the aspects I consider important when planning thread lifting in my actual practice.

How does thread lifting lift the face?

Most threads used for thread lifting are made from a material called PDO.

This material has actually been used in medical settings for a long time.

It is also used in absorbable sutures that naturally break down in the body after surgery.

The current form of thread lifting developed by creating small barbs on these threads to grip the skin tissue.

The principle is simpler than you might expect.

The thread grips the skin tissue,

and pulls it upward against the direction of gravity,

then anchors it to the firmer tissue above.

Therefore, rather than lifting the face by "contracting the tissue," as with Ultherapy or Thermage,

it is closer to the concept of physically gripping the tissue and lifting it upward.

This means that changes such as a more defined jawline or reduced prominence around the nasolabial folds can often be seen relatively quickly, even immediately after the procedure.

This is the greatest advantage of thread lifting.

Why do the effects of thread lifting disappear quickly?

Thread lifting was popular for some time, but there is also a reason interest declined at a certain point.

That reason is the duration of the effects.

The threads gradually weaken over time.

They usually soften over the course of several weeks to several months,

and eventually break down naturally in the body.

This leads many people to think, "The effects disappear because the threads dissolve."

However, there is another, more important reason.

It is the elasticity of the skin tissue.

The threads need to hold the tissue in place. If the skin itself is weak and has reduced elasticity,

the tissue may loosen before the threads have had enough time to provide support.

That is why, even when the same threads are used,

some people maintain the results for a long time,

while others see the effects diminish sooner than expected.

Ultimately, this means that the threads themselves are not the only important factor in thread lifting;

the condition of the skin holding those threads is also important.

So I prefer to build elasticity first.

It is important to create an environment in which the threads can hold well before inserting them.

Representative procedures include Ultherapy and Sculptra.

Ultherapy helps strengthen elasticity in the deeper layers of the skin,

while Sculptra helps make the tissue itself somewhat stronger by stimulating collagen production.

When these treatments are performed first,

followed by thread lifting,

the threads can grip the tissue more securely. As a result, the effects often last longer and the contours appear more natural.

In practice, rather than using thread lifting alone,

I more often use combinations such as:

Ultherapy + thread lifting

Sculptra + thread lifting

There are also specific face shapes that are well suited to thread lifting.

Thread lifting is not equally suitable for everyone.

Some face shapes are more suitable than others.

Typical candidates include those whose

skin is not too thick,

facial fat is not excessive,

and lower-face contours have just begun to sag.

For these individuals, the contours often look particularly attractive after thread lifting.

However, when there is a lot of facial fat and the skin is thick,

pulling the tissue with threads may make the volume on the outer part of the face appear greater.

This is why some people may feel, "I had thread lifting, but my face seems to look bigger."

In such cases, procedures such as

Ultherapy,

Onda,

or other lifting methods may be more suitable than thread lifting.

Therefore, rather than automatically choosing the same procedure simply because someone you know saw good results,

it is important to find the method that suits the current condition of your own face.

In closing,

thread lifting is certainly a good procedure.

However, inserting threads alone does not necessarily mean that the results will last a long time.

Ultimately, what matters is

whether your skin is in a condition that allows the threads to hold well,

whether your current face shape is suitable for thread lifting,

and which procedures should be combined with it.

If you would like to maintain the effects of thread lifting for longer,

rather than simply increasing the number of threads, I recommend considering an approach that also improves skin elasticity.

Thank you for reading this lengthy post.

I am Lee Won-shin, Medical Director of 웰스피부과.

[Recommended related articles]

Best 1. Introduction

Best 2. Thread Lifting: The Results Last Longer When You Understand the Procedure

Best 3. Thermage: A Dermatologist Explains How to Achieve Effective Results

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