As cheeks descend, nasolabial folds deepen and the jawline blurs, lifting comes to mind. A thread lift inserts medical threads beneath the skin to pull sagging tissue up, with relatively quick change in contour. The question that matters most before deciding, though, is durability: results are generally described as lasting about six months to a year and a half, longer or shorter with thread type and technique — and the period a thread is absorbed is not the same as the period you feel lifted.
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How does a thread lift work?
A thread lift is a non-surgical lifting treatment that inserts medical threads beneath the skin to support and pull sagging tissue upward. Threads with barbs or a special structure catch the tissue beneath the skin to create fixation, improving the contour of areas such as the cheeks and jawline.
The effect has two parts. The physical lift: the inserted thread supports and pulls sagging tissue, producing contour change from immediately after treatment. The tissue response around collagen: as the thread is absorbed, surrounding tissue reacts, which can contribute to firmness.
So unlike laser lifting that delivers energy to the surface, a thread lift directly supports and pulls the tissue beneath the skin.
How long does it last?
The usual range is about six months to a year and a half, with some threads and techniques aiming for one to two years. These are not fixed numbers that apply to everyone.
A longer absorption period does not mean the lift lasts exactly as long. The force with which a thread pulls tissue changes over time, and the elasticity change that follows also contributes. The pull felt immediately after treatment and the tissue change that develops over weeks to months should be understood separately. When discussing durability, ask not only how long the thread takes to break down but how long the change in the facial line actually persists.
In a six-month follow-up of 30 patients treated with three-dimensional bi-directional barbed PDO threads for midface lifting, wrinkle scores were better at six months than at one month — the improvement persisted.[1]
How can the result be maintained longer?
Durability is not decided by thread type alone: degree of sagging, skin thickness, facial fat, the number and direction of threads, and how the tissue is supported all contribute.
- Thread choice matched to laxity: mild sagging and a jawline that has clearly collapsed need different support and planning.
- Insertion direction matched to facial structure: how threads are placed and how tissue is supported changes the result at the facial line.
- Early aftercare: avoid strong massage or pressing hard on the face immediately afterwards, and follow your surgeon's guidance.
- Skin firmness care: consistent UV protection and moisturising help keep skin healthy.
Rather than increasing the number of threads, placing them in the right position and direction for the sagging and contour is what matters.
Which areas are treated?
- Cheek sagging: supporting descended cheek tissue upward to tidy the contour.
- Around the nasolabial folds: improving midface descent to change the contour around the fold.
- Jawline and deep cheek: tidying a blurred jawline and supporting tissue that has dropped lower.
- Around the mouth: easing an impression of heaviness from sagging near the mouth.
A thread lift differs from surgery that excises skin: it supports tissue beneath the skin with threads to improve contour, so it suits relatively mild sagging or tidying the facial line.
What aftercare is needed?
Bruising, swelling, a pulling sensation and tenderness can occur. Early on, do not rub or massage the face strongly, and avoid opening the mouth widely. Saunas and intense exercise can worsen swelling and discomfort, so they are usually limited early on as advised.
If the skin surface dimples markedly, asymmetry is obvious, or pain or swelling progressively worsens, contact the clinic for assessment.
In a meta-analysis of 26 studies on facial thread lifting, the commonest complication was swelling (35%) and skin dimpling 10%; most were temporary but recovery-period care is needed.[2]
Read alsoDimple management is covered in “Thread lift dimples: causes and how to ease them” (Korean).
Thread lift: common myths and facts
| You may think… | In practice |
|---|---|
| "When the thread dissolves, the effect vanishes." | The collagen response around it remains for a period. |
| "Durability is the same for everyone." | It varies with skin thickness, laxity, thread type and design. |
| "The pull right after is the final result." | Early pull settles with swelling and becomes more natural. |
When asked about durability I say design for the direction of sagging comes before thread type. If the direction is wrong, even a good thread looks like it releases early.
A thread lift inserts medical threads beneath the skin to support and pull sagging tissue, improving facial contour. Results generally last about six months to a year and a half, with some threads and techniques aiming for one to two years, and they vary with thread type and insertion method. Absorption time and lifting time are not the same, so the two should be understood separately; in 30 patients treated with 3D bi-directional barbed PDO threads, wrinkle improvement persisted to six months, and a meta-analysis of 26 studies reported swelling in 35% and dimpling in 10% — temporary, but requiring recovery-period care.
🔬 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.
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2026 — prospective study of 3D bi-directional barbed PDO threads, 30 patientsPark 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 sustained to six monthsText [1] · PMID 41145860 · DOI
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2021 — meta-analysis of 26 studies on facial thread liftingNiu Z, Zhang K, Yao W, et al. A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Incidences of Complications Following Facial Thread-Lifting. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2021;45(5):2148-2158.Key: swelling 35%, dimpling 10%Text [2] · PMID 33821308 · 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
Do results appear immediately?
A. Yes. Because threads physically support sagging tissue, contour change is visible immediately; as swelling settles the outline can change, and tissue change develops over weeks to months.
Can a thread lift last two years?
A. Some threads and techniques aim for one to two years, but not every thread lift maintains the same effect for two years. It depends on thread material and structure, skin condition and design.
Does the effect disappear when the thread dissolves?
A. Not immediately. The supporting action and the surrounding tissue response are different, and some firmness change can remain after absorption.
When can I exercise after a thread lift?
A. Light daily activity is usually fine, but intense exercise should resume as advised, considering early swelling and recovery. Avoid pressing hard on the area or exercise that puts pressure on the face early on.
Is there a minimum age for a thread lift?
A. There is no set starting age. Suitability is judged by cheek and jawline laxity, skin firmness and the extent of improvement wanted rather than by age.
📖 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.
- 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 — prospective study of 3D bi-directional barbed PDO threads, 30 patients. ↩
- Niu Z, Zhang K, Yao W, et al. A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Incidences of Complications Following Facial Thread-Lifting. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2021;45(5):2148-2158. — Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2021 — meta-analysis of 26 studies on facial thread lifting. ↩
BongBong Plastic Surgery · Dr. Park Seong-Soo, Medical Director
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