One of the most common questions about thread lifting is what happens to the thread inserted under the skin over time, and whether the lifting effect remains after it dissolves. Thread lifting inserts a medical thread beneath the skin to pull and fix sagging tissue and tidy the facial contour. Absorbable threads break down and are absorbed over a certain period, and the absorption period and the duration of the lifting effect are different things. Understanding the thread material and structure, the insertion method and the changes in skin tissue makes the postoperative course easier to follow.
Contents
Do thread lift threads dissolve?
Threads used in thread lifting are divided into absorbable and non-absorbable. For cosmetic thread lifting, absorbable threads that break down in the body are widely used, with PDO (polydioxanone), PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) and PCL (polycaprolactone) as representative materials.
An absorbable thread inserted beneath the skin gradually degrades through water and biological breakdown in the body. When it disappears depends on the material and product design. "The thread dissolves" means the material is broken down and absorbed; it does not mean the skin immediately returns to its original state the moment the thread is gone.
How is the thread absorbed?
Thread lifting acts by pulling tissue and tidying the contour from the moment of insertion. During recovery, a natural response occurs in the tissue around the thread, and tissue remodelling involving collagen and other structural components can proceed. An absorbable thread gradually changes in strength and form and is eventually broken down and absorbed, with differences according to material, thickness and structure. Early on the physical support and fixation of the thread dominate; later, changes in the surrounding tissue can affect the facial contour.
In an animal study comparing PDO and PCL threads, PDO was absorbed at about 24 weeks while PCL remained beyond a year; collagen formation increased in both during the first 12 weeks.[1]
What differs between thread types?
Thread materials differ in how fast they break down and in their physical properties. The main absorbable threads are as follows.
| Thread | Main characteristic | Typical absorption |
|---|---|---|
| PDO | Absorbable material used for early tissue fixation | About 6–8 months |
| PLLA | Used to induce tissue reaction and collagen formation | About 12 months |
| PCL | Degrades relatively slowly | About 12–18 months |
These are approximate ranges by material, and the actual absorption period varies with product design, thickness and structure. Copolymers blending PLLA and PCL and other materials are also used, so the exact type of thread should be confirmed.
Why does the effect remain after the thread dissolves?
The change from thread lifting divides into the physical fixation of the thread itself and the response of surrounding tissue. Immediately after treatment, barbed threads hook and pull tissue, tidying the contour of sagging cheeks or the jawline. During recovery, changes in connective tissue including collagen can occur around the thread.
This tissue response can proceed while the thread is degrading, so changes in facial contour can remain for a time after absorption. Once the physical support of the thread is gone, however, gravity, ageing and changes in skin elasticity act again, so the effect does not last indefinitely.
In a study following 30 patients for six months after midface lifting with bi-directional barbed PDO threads, wrinkle scores were better at six months than at one month.[2]
Read alsoHow long a thread lift lasts is covered in “Thread lift duration and maintenance” (Korean).
What affects duration?
The lasting effect depends not only on the material but on facial tissue and treatment design: the degree of skin laxity, fat distribution, the insertion direction and fixation point, and the type and number of threads used. To improve jawline sagging, for example, inserting threads with the direction of sagging and the supporting structure in mind matters more than simply using more threads. A longer absorption period does not guarantee a proportionally longer lift; duration should be judged from the material, the actual fixation method and the change in contour after treatment.
Aftercare
Swelling, bruising or tightness may appear right after treatment and ease gradually. During recovery, avoid rubbing or massaging the face firmly, and follow the guidance on opening the mouth wide or applying pressure to the treated area. Cleansing, makeup and resuming exercise follow the schedule advised according to the insertion range and method. The absorption period and the recovery period are different, so there is no need to restrict daily life until the thread is fully absorbed. If pain or swelling becomes severe, or the skin reddens and heat persists, be checked at the clinic where you were treated.
Thread lifting: common myths and facts
| You may think… | In practice |
|---|---|
| "When the thread dissolves the effect goes immediately." | Collagen response around the thread remains for a period. |
| "All absorbable threads last the same time." | PDO and PCL have different absorption periods. |
| "The longer the thread stays the better." | Thread type and design matched to the sagging matter more. |
When patients worry about absorption I explain that the period the thread remains and the period the effect remains are different. The effect depends on the tissue response the thread creates and on a design matched to the direction of sagging.
Absorbable threads such as PDO, PLLA and PCL break down and are absorbed over several months to more than a year depending on material. Even after the thread disappears, changes in the surrounding tissue can keep the lifting effect for a time, but the absorption period and the effective duration are not the same. When planning treatment, confirm the type and characteristics of the thread, the degree of facial sagging and the insertion position.
🔬 The research behind this article
These are the international journal papers that support the content above. Select a title to open the abstract on PubMed.
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022 — animal study of PDO and PCL threadsHa YI, Kim JH, Park ES. Histological and molecular biological analysis on the reaction of absorbable thread; Polydioxanone and polycaprolactone in rat model. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(7):2774-2782.Key: PDO absorbed at about 24 weeks, PCL beyond a year, collagen up to 12 weeksText [1] · PMID 34847267 · DOI
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2026 — 30-patient prospective study of 3D bi-directional PDO threadsPark BY. Prospective Study of Three-Dimensional Bi-directional Barbed Threads for Midface and Nasolabial Fold Rejuvenation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2026;50(4):1587-1595.Key: wrinkle improvement maintained to 6 monthsText [2] · PMID 41145860 · DOI
🎬 Watch: Dr. Park Seong-Soo on video
Korean-language videos from BongBong Plastic Surgery's official channel and Dr. Park's channel, “Seongsu-ro Doctor”. Titles are translated for reference; selecting one opens YouTube.
- The thread lift you can have and still go straight to workSeongsu-ro Doctor · 2022.10.11
- Every question about thread lifting, from Korea's first plastic surgery podcastSeongsu-ro Doctor · 2018.05.14
Frequently asked questions
Are all thread lift threads absorbable?
A. No. PDO, PLLA and PCL absorbable threads are widely used, but non-absorbable materials such as polypropylene also exist. The material used should be confirmed.
Does the face sag again when the thread dissolves?
A. Once the physical support is gone, the forces causing sagging can act again. Changes in the surrounding tissue can remain, however, so the face does not return to its pre-treatment state immediately.
How long does a thread lift last?
A. Duration depends on thread type, technique and skin condition. It is difficult to judge from the absorption period alone; the change in facial contour after treatment is the basis for assessment.
How can the effect be maintained longer?
A. During early recovery, avoid strong pressure on the face and follow aftercare guidance. Maintain skin condition, and plan any additional treatment after reviewing the thread type, timing and current tissue state.
📖 References
Select a [number] in the text to jump to the source, and ↩ to return. Only papers whose title, journal and year were verified on PubMed are included.
- Ha YI, Kim JH, Park ES. Histological and molecular biological analysis on the reaction of absorbable thread; Polydioxanone and polycaprolactone in rat model. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(7):2774-2782. — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022 — animal study of PDO and PCL threads. ↩
- Park BY. Prospective Study of Three-Dimensional Bi-directional Barbed Threads for Midface and Nasolabial Fold Rejuvenation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2026;50(4):1587-1595. — Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2026 — 30-patient prospective study of 3D bi-directional PDO threads. ↩
BongBong Plastic Surgery · Dr. Park Seong-Soo, Medical Director
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