Thread Lift: Does it really work? From thread types to side effects

What is Thread Lifting, and Why is Everyone Getting It?

Thread lifting is a non-surgical lifting treatment in which medical-grade absorbable threads are inserted under the skin to physically lift saggy tissues while simultaneously stimulating collagen production as the threads dissolve. In other words, you can think of it as two mechanisms working together: lifting tension and collagen stimulation.

Immediately after the procedure, you can see the lifting effect right away because the threads catch and pull the tissue. On the other hand, the sensation of restored elasticity takes a bit more time. It usually develops gradually over 4 to 12 weeks. The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and most people return to their daily lives within the same day to 3 days.

For reference, the market is also growing rapidly. The global aesthetic thread lifting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.49% from approximately $153.63 million in 2026 to reach approximately $253.14 million by 2031. In South Korea, demand among the younger generation is rising, with those in their 20s and 30s making up as much as 46% of the total.

📌 Key Summary: Thread lifting works through two mechanisms—'physical traction + collagen stimulation'—and its effects feature both immediate and gradual aspects.

Table of Contents

• What is Thread Lifting, and Why is Everyone Getting It?

• 🧵 Thread Materials and Shapes: What's the Difference?

• ⏳ How Long Does the Effect Last and When Should I Get It Again?

• 🆚 How Does It Differ from Ultherapy, Fillers, and Facelifts?

• ⚠️ Side Effects and Precautions Before and After the Procedure

• 🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

🧵 Thread Materials and Shapes: What's the Difference?

Threads are largely categorized into two aspects: what they are made of (material) and what they look like (shape). These two factors determine the duration of the effect and the lifting strength.

Material: PDO, PLLA, PCL

There are three representative materials for absorbable threads.

PDO is widely used for beginners. If you want a longer-lasting and stronger collagen effect, you may consider PLLA or PCL. However, since PLLA is relatively firm, some individuals may feel a foreign body sensation.

Shape: Mono, Cog, Cone Threads

• Mono thread: A simple thread without barbs. Its purpose is skin elasticity and fine wrinkle improvement rather than lifting.

• Cog thread: Has barbs that directly catch and pull up saggy tissue. This is the core of the immediate lifting effect.

• Cone thread: Uses cone-shaped structures to support tissues 360 degrees, aiming for powerful lifting.

The immediate lifting traction comes from the barbs of the cog threads catching onto the subcutaneous fat layer or fibrous tissue. The number of threads used typically ranges from 4 to 20, depending on the area and degree of sagging.

To be honest, the outcome depends much more on the insertion layer, direction, tension, and the anatomical skill of the practitioner than on the type of thread used. Good hands come before good threads.

📌 Key Summary: The material (PDO, PLLA, PCL) determines the duration, and the shape (Mono, Cog, Cone) determines the lifting strength, but the most important variable is the practitioner's skill.

⏳ How Long Does the Effect Last and When Should I Get It Again?

The duration of the effect is usually between 6 and 24 months, depending on the material and individual differences. You can expect around 1 year for PDO and nearly 2 years for PCL.

Here is a common misunderstanding: "Once the threads dissolve, won't everything sag back to how it was?" That is not entirely true. Since collagen is produced during the micro-inflammatory and fibrotic processes triggered as the threads degrade, the elasticity effect remains for a certain period even after the threads are fully absorbed.

You might also wonder about the timing for a touch-up. Clinical recommendations suggest that getting it again when about 50% of the effect remains (usually 1 to 1.5 years after the procedure) helps maintain a more natural look. In other words, cumulative management is better than waiting until the effect is completely gone.

Also, the saying "getting thread lifts frequently makes the skin sag more" is close to a misconception. If repeated at appropriate intervals, it actually helps to continuously stimulate collagen production. However, unreasonable repetition is a different story, which we will discuss later.

📌 Key Summary: The effect lasts 6 to 24 months, a touch-up is recommended when 50% of the effect remains, and some collagen effect persists even after the threads dissolve.

🆚 How Does It Differ from Ultherapy, Fillers, and Facelifts?

There are many types of lifting treatments, which can be confusing. The key is that each has its own area of strength.

A surgical facelift lasts for 5 to 10+ years, but it comes with a significant surgical burden. Thread lifting lasts for a shorter period of 1 to 2 years, but the recovery is quick. If you have severe sagging, it is difficult to completely replace a surgical facelift with a thread lift. Please keep this in mind.

For concerns like nasolabial folds, where volume loss and mid-face sagging overlap, combining a thread lift with fillers can be very effective. Using Botox together for the masseter or trapezius muscles creates contouring synergy. Ultherapy or Thermage are also frequently performed together.

As a side note, if there is a lot of facial fat, the lifting traction of the threads may not hold well. In such cases, it is more realistic to first consider alternatives like fat dissolving, contouring injections, or radiofrequency treatments.

📌 Key Summary: Thread lifting is strong for moderate sagging and contour refinement, while surgical facelifts are better for severe sagging, fillers for volume, and HIFU for elasticity.

⚠️ Side Effects and Precautions Before and After the Procedure

Let's start with common, temporary symptoms. Bruising, swelling, dimpling (indentation of the skin), and a pulling sensation are common and mostly resolve within 1 to 2 weeks, while dimpling typically recovers within 2 to 4 weeks. Local anesthesia is usually used to minimize pain.

On the other hand, you should not ignore signs like these:

• Severe persistent pain

• Fever, pus, or thread exposure

• Changes in skin color or sensory abnormalities

These could indicate an emergency, so you should visit the clinic immediately.

Before the procedure, you should stop medications or supplements that increase the risk of bleeding. Consultation with medical staff is necessary for substances like aspirin, anticoagulants, high-dose Vitamin E, and Omega-3.

For 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure, it is best to avoid strong massage, facial contouring therapy, saunas, intense exercise, drinking, and smoking. UV protection and drinking plenty of water also help maintain the effects.

However, this procedure is not recommended for everyone. Those with a keloid constitution, compromised immune systems, uncontrolled diabetes, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those taking anticoagulants should proceed with caution. Diabetes or smoking can also reduce collagen production itself.

Repeated procedures are not always better. Doing them too frequently increases the risk of fibrosis, adhesions, thread residue, and infection. The key is appropriate intervals. While absorbable threads do not pose a major issue for MRI scans, it is safe to inform the facility about the procedure beforehand.

Lastly, clearing up some common misconceptions: 'Since it's a dissolving thread, there are no side effects', 'It is permanent', and 'It can completely replace a facelift'—all three of these are false.

📌 Key Summary: Most bruising and dimpling recover naturally, but immediate medical attention is required for fever, pus, or thread exposure. Caution is advised for individuals with keloids or compromised immune systems.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does a thread lift work?

It works through an immediate effect where barbed threads physically catch and lift saggy tissue, combined with a gradual effect where the threads dissolve and stimulate collagen production. Therefore, the sensation right after the procedure is different from the sensation several weeks later.

Which thread is right for me among PDO, PLLA, and PCL?

PDO is widely used as an introductory thread because it is common and soft. If you want stronger collagen stimulation, PLLA is considered, and if you want the longest-lasting effect (18 to 24+ months), PCL is considered. The final choice should be determined with your doctor after evaluating your level of sagging and skin condition.

Can the effects be seen immediately after the procedure?

Lifting from the physical traction is visible right away. However, elasticity improvement from collagen regeneration typically appears gradually over 4 to 12 weeks.

How long do the effects last? Will my face sag again once the threads dissolve?

It lasts 6 to 24 months depending on the material and individual differences. Even after the threads dissolve, the elasticity effect remains for a certain period thanks to the newly formed collagen, so it does not completely go back to square one.

How long do bruising and swelling last after the procedure?

They generally improve within 1 to 2 weeks. Even if dimpling (skin indentation) occurs, most cases resolve naturally within 2 to 4 weeks, so there is no need to worry excessively.

When is the best time to have a repeat procedure?

Getting it again when about 50% of the effect remains—usually around 1 to 1.5 years after the procedure—helps maintain a more natural look. However, excessively frequent repetition can lead to risks of fibrosis and adhesions, so controlling the interval is important.

I have a lot of facial fat. Will it still be effective?

If there is too much fat, it is difficult to maintain the traction of the threads. In such cases, it is more realistic to first consider or combine treatments like fat dissolving, contouring injections, or radiofrequency.

If I have severe sagging, can a thread lift achieve the effect of a surgical facelift?

It is difficult. For severe sagging, a surgical facelift that addresses the SMAS layer is more suitable, and the effect lasts much longer, for 5 to 10+ years. Thread lifting is strong for moderate sagging and contour refinement.

Can I get fillers and Botox on the same day?

They can be performed together and can create synergistic effects. For example, you can add fillers to nasolabial folds, and Botox to the jaw or trapezius. However, the order of treatment and whether to perform them simultaneously require a medical professional's judgment.

Are there any medications I need to stop before the procedure?

Medications or supplements that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, anticoagulants, high-dose Vitamin E, and Omega-3, should be discussion with your doctor and adjusted beforehand.

Do the threads pose any issues for MRI scans?

Absorbable threads generally do not cause major problems. However, for safety, it is recommended to inform the facility about the procedure before undergoing a scan.