Recommended Plastic Surgery Clinic Near Sinsa Station: Effects and Precautions of Thread Lifting for Facial Sagging

The threads used for thread lifting are not ordinary threads. They are specialized medical-grade threads with numerous small projections closely spaced along their surface. These projections help hook and hold the tissue from inside the skin.

The procedure is performed as follows.

Local anesthesia → Thread insertion with a fine needle → The projections hook the sagging tissue and secure it upward

Once the threads are inserted, the projections lift the sagging tissue and secure it in place. This method pulls up the tissue from within without incisions or scars on the surface of the face. But that is not all. The threads provide one additional effect.

The threads slowly break down inside the body over time, and during this process, they stimulate collagen production in the surrounding tissue. Collagen is a protein that gives the skin elasticity and volume. As collagen fills in while the threads dissolve, a more natural and firmer result often appears 1–2 months after the procedure rather than immediately afterward.

In other words, thread lifting works in two ways.

• Immediate lifting: The projections physically lift the sagging tissue

• Improved elasticity: The dissolving threads stimulate collagen production

Effects of Thread Lifting — Where Do Changes Occur, and What Changes?

Because thread lifting moves tissue from inside the skin rather than acting on the skin’s surface, its changes tend to appear naturally.

Key treatment areas and effects

Area	Improvements
Cheeks · Midface	Sagging cheek tissue is lifted, making the facial contours more defined
Nasolabial folds	Depressed folds are softened as the cheek tissue moves upward
Jawline	Loose tissue is lifted, making the jawline more defined
Double chin	Downward-sagging tissue is lifted, refining the contour
Around the eyes	Sagging under the eyes improves, and wrinkles around the eyes are softened

Thread lifting is particularly effective for people whose sagging has just begun. The earlier it is performed—when changes are starting to become noticeable, before sagging progresses significantly—the better the effect and the more natural the result tend to be.

Conversely, when sagging has progressed considerably, it may be necessary to consider combining other methods rather than relying on thread lifting alone. This decision is best made after directly examining the current condition of the skin.

Differences Between Thread Lifting and Other Procedures

• Laser lifting: Applies heat stimulation inside the skin to induce collagen regeneration. It can be effective for reduced elasticity, but it is difficult to directly lift sagging tissue

• Fillers: Create volume by filling sunken areas. They do not resolve the sagging itself

• Facelift surgery: Involves making incisions and pulling the tissue. It can be powerful when sagging has progressed significantly, but requires a recovery period

Thread lifting falls somewhere between these options. It is a practical nonsurgical method for directly lifting sagging tissue.

How Long Does Thread Lifting Last — How Long Do the Effects Continue?

The duration varies depending on the type of thread used.

Characteristics by Thread Type

Thread material	Breakdown period	Characteristics
PDO	6–8 months	Breaks down the fastest and provides good collagen stimulation
PLLA	1–2 years	Breaks down at an intermediate rate and provides excellent elasticity improvement
PCL	More than 2 years	Lasts the longest and provides highly sustained lifting effects

The period during which the threads break down and the period during which the lifting effect lasts are different.

Using PDO threads as an example, the period during which the lifting effect is strongly noticeable is approximately 6 months to 1.5 years. Even after the threads have completely broken down, collagen fills the area and supports the tissue, so the period during which the condition remains better than before the procedure is generally considered to be about 2–3 years.

However, there are significant individual differences. The results vary depending on skin condition, lifestyle, degree of ultraviolet exposure, sleep patterns, and other factors.

Tips for Extending the Duration of Thread Lifting

• Approach thread lifting as periodic maintenance rather than a one-time procedure

• Combine maintenance procedures such as laser lifting and skin boosters

• Be thorough with sun protection (ultraviolet rays are a major cause of collagen breakdown)

If you have experienced a short-lasting effect, it may also be necessary to check the manufacturing date of the threads. As 6 months to 1 year passes after the threads are manufactured, their tensile strength may decrease, and in some cases the effect may be reduced by half or more. It is therefore also important to have the procedure performed at a trustworthy facility that uses threads kept in good condition.

Thread Lifting Precautions — What You Should Know Before and After the Procedure

Things to Check Before the Procedure

• It is advisable to stop taking medications or supplements that interfere with blood clotting, such as circulation medications, omega-3 supplements, and aspirin, starting 2 weeks before the procedure

• Avoid drinking alcohol on the day of the procedure. It may worsen swelling and bleeding

• If you have inflammation or pimples on your skin, it is advisable to postpone the procedure

Care Immediately After the Procedure

• You may wash your face and wear light makeup starting the following day

• You can carry on with daily activities on the day of the procedure, but avoid strenuous exercise and saunas

• Swelling and bruising may occur. Swelling generally subsides within a week, and bruising naturally disappears within 1–2 weeks

• Applying cold packs within 48 hours after the procedure and warm packs afterward may help the swelling subside more quickly

Activities to Avoid for One Week

• Avoid opening your mouth wide (laughing widely, yawning, or chewing large pieces of food)

• Avoid rubbing your face forcefully (strong massages or vigorous wiping)

• Avoid sleeping on your stomach

• Do not apply strong pressure to your face

These actions can interfere with the threads settling into place. If you take care for just one week, you can generally resume daily life afterward without major restrictions.

Contact a Plastic Surgery Clinic Immediately If You Experience These Symptoms

• Severe swelling on only one side or persistent warmth

• A sensation that a thread is protruding through the skin

• Extreme pain that does not subside after several days

Thread lifting can be a highly satisfactory procedure when you understand it well and undergo it appropriately, but the results vary depending on who performs the procedure and how it is performed. Even with the same concern, the approach should differ according to each person’s skin condition and facial structure. Confirming that the clinic carefully examines your condition during the consultation and creates a personalized treatment plan is the first step toward a satisfactory result.

| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1–15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry the risk of side effects and complications, which may vary from person to person. Before undergoing treatment, please have a sufficient consultation with a medical professional with extensive experience and then make your decision. |