Thread Lifting Is Enough for Midface Lift

“When I look in the mirror, it seems like the area around my mouth has sagged more than before. I haven’t particularly gained weight, but my facial line looks blurry, and the cheeks have drooped downward like jowls.”

When consulting with patients who visit us with an interest in facelift surgery, thread lifting, and similar procedures, we often hear comments like this.

You may also be considering a lifting procedure because you are concerned about sagging in the midface.

One piece of advice I would like to give is that rather than trying to solve everything with a lifting procedure, you should first consider thread lifting.

The midface is often better suited to thread lifting than to a lifting surgery (incisional facelift surgery).

This is because the midface is a key area that creates the three-dimensional structure of the face, and if it is pulled too strongly or manipulated artificially, the cheekbones may become more prominent or the cheeks may appear bunched up.

Surgical lifting is effective for broadly lifting tissues overall, but it is difficult to make fine contour adjustments.

On the other hand, thread lifting has the advantage of allowing threads to be inserted three-dimensionally along the anatomical structure of the face, so that the necessary areas can be precisely lifted and fixed.

Below, I will explain in detail how our clinic lifts the midface.

Midface sagging disrupts the balance of the entire face. What we commonly describe as a face looking “aged” or “tired” usually starts with changes in this midface area.

When the midface sinks downward, the nasolabial folds become deeper, the corners of the mouth droop, and the contours at the center of the face become less defined.

In addition, if the cheeks below the cheekbones sag, jowls can develop along the jawline.

This is not simply due to “wrinkles,” but rather a phenomenon caused by the facial structure itself shifting in the direction of gravity.

It is difficult to reverse these changes with cosmetics or massage alone.

At this point, one method we can consider is thread lifting.

Midface thread lifting restores sagging tissue to its original position by lifting it from a deep layer beneath the skin.

Because it is performed without an incision, it has the advantage of less recovery burden and a faster return to daily life.

How is midface thread lifting performed? At our clinic, taking into account these anatomical characteristics and patterns of change in the midface, we perform a three-step midface thread lifting procedure rather than simply inserting threads.

This method has the advantage of providing a much more structural and three-dimensional lift than general thread lifting.

In the first step, we design the force that lifts the sagging midface tissue from bottom to top.

The second step is a fixation-focused design so that the tissue pulled upward is well secured in place.

In the final step, the threads are placed in a way that shapes the overall facial contours three-dimensionally, considering the balance of facial volume.

Through this three-step process, we go beyond simply giving the feeling of “pulling upward” and make it possible to achieve a natural lift closer to the original facial structure.

We also reinforce three-dimensional support by using a tripod-shaped thread structure.

A “tripod,” as the name suggests, refers to a tripod-like structure with three extending branches.

With this method, instead of inserting threads in just one line,

threads are placed in three directions to securely fix the skin from multiple angles.

This reduces the risk of the threads shifting or asymmetry developing, and the lifting effect can last longer.

What is the key to improving satisfaction with midface thread lifting? The most important thing we consider when performing midface thread lifting is facial harmony.

Even with the same nasolabial folds, some people have significant hollowness below the cheekbones, while others have deep fat pads in the lower cheeks that have shifted downward.

If you simply pull on the nasolabial area, the cheekbones may become more prominent, making the face look wider and flatter.

On the other hand, if the entire cheek area is lifted upward while the force is distributed three-dimensionally, a more natural and stronger lift can be achieved.

That is why, before any procedure, we always establish a thread lifting plan tailored to each individual.

We carefully assess skin thickness, the fat layer, muscle movement, and the degree of skin sagging, and then plan how many threads to use, in which direction to place them, and at what depth.

Because even a difference of 1 to 2 mm can change the impression of the face, this kind of process is essential.

Thread lifting is not limited to the immediate effect of pulling things upward “right now”; it can also provide long-term support that helps make the skin healthier from within over time.

However, as with all procedures, it is not the right answer for everyone.

There are skin types and facial structures for which thread lifting is suitable, and in other cases, a different approach may be a better choice.

That is why it is important to choose the method that is right for you through sufficient consultation and diagnosis.

If you are currently concerned about midface sagging and are interested in thread lifting, rather than deciding on a procedure impulsively, we recommend first receiving an accurate diagnosis of your facial condition and consulting thoroughly with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Thank you.

| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1 to 15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry the risk of side effects and complications depending on the individual. Before treatment, be sure to make a thorough consultation with medical staff who have extensive experience before making your decision. |