Thread Lift in Korea: The Complete Guide — Types, Recovery & Schedule for International Patients

Last updated 2026-10-28

⏱Treatment time

Procedure 30 min–1 hour (about 2 hours including consultation and anesthesia)

✋Pain

Local anesthesia: only a feeling of pressure during the procedure, then a few days of tightness and pulling

🩹Downtime

Swelling and pulling peak between day 3 and week 1; most people look natural by 2 weeks

🏨Recommended stay

At least 3 days / 4–5 days recommended to include a follow-up check

✨Results begin

Contour changes immediately after the procedure; a natural look about 2 weeks later once swelling subsides; collagen effect over 1–3 months

📅How long it lasts

Usually around 6 months to 1 year (varies widely with thread material, number of threads and degree of sagging)

🔁Sessions

1 session; a touch-up around 1 month later if needed / repeat treatment later depending on your condition

Send us front and side photos and we will tell you for free whether a thread lift suits you and how many areas are appropriateGet a free consultation →

Contents

Who it suits / when to be careful
What is a thread lift? — Lift with dissolvable threads, firm up with collagen
What changes in each area
When do you see results, and how long do they last?
How is it different from Ulthera, Thermage and fillers?
The day of the procedure, step by step
Recovery — how the days go
Sample travel schedule (4 nights, 5 days)
Side effects and what to do — normal reactions and symptoms to report
Care before and after, and checking the threads used
Questions to ask at your consultation
What to look for in a clinic

Who it suits / when to be careful

People in their 30s–50s whose jawline is losing definition or whose cheeks are starting to sag
People whose nasolabial or marionette lines look deeper because of sagging
People who find surgery (facelift) too much and want to refine their contour without incisions
People with a short stay of about 3–5 days

Cases that call for caution: very thin skin or almost no cheek fullness (thread outlines can show easily), severe sagging with a lot of loose skin (surgery may suit you better), a keloid tendency, taking blood-thinning medication, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and inflammation in the treatment area. If you have dental treatment scheduled within a month, be sure to tell us.

What is a thread lift? — Lift with dissolvable threads, firm up with collagen

A thread lift places medical-grade threads under the skin using a cannula or needle slightly thicker than a standard needle, lifting sagging tissue upward. It is done through tiny needle entry points with no incision, usually under local anesthesia. Threads with barbs hook the tissue and pull it up so your contour is tidied right away (immediate effect), and as the threads slowly dissolve, collagen forms around them and firms the skin (collagen effect).

Thread materials — all of them dissolvable

Material	Characteristics	Dissolves in (approx.)
PDO (polydioxanone)	The most widely used material. Relatively firm, with good lifting strength	About 6 months
PCL (polycaprolactone)	Soft and flexible, so it tends to feel less noticeable under the skin	About 1–2 years
PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid)	A material known for stimulating collagen production	About 1–2 years

Thread shape — cog threads vs. smooth threads

	Cog threads (barbed)	Smooth threads (mono)
Shape	Small barbs on the thread surface	Smooth thread with no barbs
Best for	Sagging jawline, cheeks and nasolabial folds	Fine lines, loss of firmness, and the double-chin area

Thread names vary by manufacturer, but what matters more than the brand is which material and shape of thread is placed, in which direction, and how many. Be sure to have these three things explained at your consultation.

What changes in each area

Area	Changes you can expect	Things to keep in mind
Jawline (V-line)	Sagging flesh below the jawline is tidied for a more defined contour	If there is a lot of fat, combining with a fat-reduction treatment may suit you better
Cheeks / below the cheekbones	Lifts the cheek flesh so the midface looks younger	The area around the mouth moves a lot, so you may feel more pulling
Nasolabial folds	Pulls up the sagging above the folds to make the lines shallower	For hollowing within the line itself, filler is often a better fit
Forehead / brows	Slightly raises drooping brow tails for a brighter, more open eye area	The amount of lift is smaller than with surgery
Nose	Lifts the bridge and tip for a more defined look	Tends to last a short time, and does not fix a humped or crooked nose

The most common combination is the jawline and cheeks together, and the position and number of threads differ from person to person depending on the direction of sagging and the amount of fat.

When do you see results, and how long do they last?

You can see the lifted contour right after the procedure (the skin is deliberately pulled a little extra, so it may look slightly unnatural at first), and it becomes natural once swelling subsides after 1–2 weeks. The collagen effect builds up over 1–3 months, and as the threads dissolve the effect gradually fades.

How long results last varies greatly with thread material and number, degree of sagging, age and skin thickness. It is usually around 6 months to 1 year, and some people find results last longer with materials that take longer to dissolve. Be wary of any explanation that claims results are permanent or guaranteed for several years. To maintain the contour you want, many people repeat treatment at certain intervals depending on their condition.

How is it different from Ulthera, Thermage and fillers?

	Thread lift	Ulthera	Thermage	Filler
Method	Physically pulls tissue with threads	Tightens the fascia layer with ultrasound heat	Firms the skin with radiofrequency heat	Fills hollow areas with volume
Immediate change	Big	Small (gradual)	Small (gradual)	Big
Recovery	Swelling and pulling for several days to 2 weeks	Mostly same day	Mostly same day	Swelling for 2–3 days
Best for	Sagging jawline and cheeks	Early sagging, double chin	Skin firmness, fine lines	Hollow nasolabial folds, cheeks and temples

They do not replace one another; each has a different role. Threads lift what has sagged, devices tighten and add firmness, and filler fills what has hollowed. That is why a thread lift is often planned together with Ulthera, Thermage or filler.

Order of combined treatments: Some clinics do them on the same day, while others do the device lift first and then place threads, or do the device 2–4 weeks after the thread lift; each clinic has its own protocol. Be sure to confirm at your consultation whether a heat-based device could affect the threads, and what order and interval are used.

The day of the procedure, step by step

1
Consultation — The doctor checks your sagging while you sit upright and decides the type, number and direction of the threads. Your manager interprets and conveys how much lift you want (natural / noticeable).
2
Thread check and photos — The packaging and number of threads to be used are confirmed, and before photos are taken.
3
Anesthesia — After numbing cream, local anesthesia is given at the entry points. Depending on the clinic, sedation may also be used.
4
Thread insertion — Usually 30 minutes to 1 hour. You will feel the needle going in and a pulling pressure.
5
Finishing up and going back — Symmetry is checked, then a cold compress is applied. If you had sedation, your manager takes you back to your accommodation after you recover.

Recovery — how the days go

Day of procedure
Swelling and tightness, with small bruises or dot-like marks at the needle sites. Pulling is strongest when you smile or open your mouth.
Days 1–3
The peak of swelling and pulling. The face may feel a little stiff and your expressions may look awkward. With a mask on, going out is often manageable.
Days 4–7
The major swelling goes down and bruises fade enough to be covered with makeup. Small surface bumps mostly settle during this period too.
2 weeks
Most people look natural. The pulling when opening your mouth wide also eases considerably.
After 1 month
The threads settle and the collagen effect adds up. We look at the result at this point and discuss a touch-up if needed.

Limits on opening your mouth wide: While the threads settle, you will usually be told to avoid big yawns, big laughs, hard or chewy food, and foods that need a wide-open mouth like a hamburger for 2–4 weeks. It is best to postpone dental treatment (especially long treatments with your mouth open) by about 1 month.

Sample travel schedule (4 nights, 5 days)

Day 1
Arrive → in-person consultation, decide thread type and number
Day 2
Thread lift in the morning → rest at your accommodation and use cold compresses (staying close to the clinic is recommended)
Day 3
With a mask on, light outings, cafes and shopping are about the right level. Avoid long walks and saunas.
Day 4
Follow-up check at the clinic (symmetry, bruising, pulling) and a simple adjustment if needed
Day 5
Fly home

Flying or traveling between cities the day after the procedure is mostly possible, but it is the day with the most swelling and pulling, so it will not be comfortable. If you can, we recommend staying in Korea for 2–3 days after the procedure and flying home after one follow-up check.

While traveling: Avoid saunas, jjimjilbang, hot baths and alcohol for 1–2 weeks, and cover up with a hat and sunscreen on outdoor plans with strong UV. On the flight, drink water often and use a neck pillow that does not press on your face. Do not book a massage or skin-care appointment right after you get home.

Tell us your travel dates and we will plan your schedule from the procedure and follow-up check through to your return homeGet a free consultation →

Side effects and what to do — normal reactions and symptoms to report

Symptoms that can appear normally

Swelling, bruising and tightness (usually 1–2 weeks)
Pulling when you smile or open your mouth (usually 1–2 weeks, several weeks at the longest)
Small bumps or dimple-like dents around the needle sites (mostly settle within a few days to 2 weeks)
A sense of feeling the thread when you touch the area, and temporary numbness

When to let the clinic know

Symptom	Common cause	Usual response
Dimpling or dents that remain after 2 weeks	The thread is pulling the skin too much or sits too shallow	Massage or adjustment at the clinic, and removal of part of the thread if needed
Thread showing through or poking out of the skin (protrusion)	The thread end sits in a shallow layer	The thread is trimmed or removed — do not pull it out yourself
Clearly noticeable left-right asymmetry	Difference in thread number or position, swelling on one side	Evaluate after the swelling goes down and touch up
Pain, redness, warmth or pus that keeps getting worse	Infection	See a doctor right away; antibiotic treatment, and thread removal if needed

In pooled analyses of studies as well, swelling is the most common, and dimpling, visible threads, protrusion and infection are rarer. Most cases are resolved simply if reported early, so if something looks off, take a photo and send it to your manager right away. Even after you return home, the clinic can review your condition from photos.

Care before and after, and checking the threads used

Before the procedure

From 1 week before, adjust blood-thinning medicines and supplements such as aspirin, omega-3 and vitamin E only after talking to your doctor
Avoid alcohol the day before (it can worsen bruising)
Tell the doctor about any recent filler, Botox or device treatments

After the procedure

Use cold compresses for 2–3 days; for 1–2 weeks sleep on your back and avoid pressing your face by lying on your stomach or side
For 2–4 weeks, avoid opening your mouth wide, hard or chewy food and exaggerated expressions
For 1–2 weeks, avoid saunas, jjimjilbang, alcohol and strenuous exercise
For 1–2 months, no facial massage, meridian massage or hard rubbing
Washing your face and applying makeup are usually fine from the next day, but be gentle around the needle sites
Finish all the medication you were prescribed

Checking the threads used

Have the thread package opened in front of you before the procedure and check the product name, material (PDO, PCL, PLLA, etc.) and thickness
Check that the number of threads used matches what was decided at the consultation — you can ask to see the empty packages
Get a record of the procedure (thread type, number, areas) — it helps with future treatments and with visits after you return home

Questions to ask at your consultation

When you come from overseas, you do not get many chances to consult. Jot down the questions below and take them with you, and your manager will interpret.

Is a thread lift right for my face, or would a device, filler or surgery suit me better?
What material and shape of thread will you place, where, and how many?
Will the doctor I consult with perform the procedure themselves?
Is it local anesthesia only, or is sedation also available?
How long should I expect swelling and pulling to last in my case, and how long will the results last?
Can I travel or fly the day after? On which day is the follow-up check?
If I also have Ulthera, Thermage or filler, what are the order and interval?
How would you adjust it if dimpling, thread protrusion or asymmetry occurs?
If a problem comes up after I return home, how do I contact you and get it checked?

What to look for in a clinic

The doctor consults with you directly, and the doctor you consult is the one who performs the procedure
They explain the facial anatomy (nerves, blood vessels, fat layers) and plan the direction and position of the threads in specific terms
They do not push only thread lifts, and also explain other options such as devices, filler or surgery depending on your degree of sagging
They tell you the type and number of threads in advance and show you the packaging
They explain in advance how they would adjust things if dimpling or protrusion occurs
They offer foreign-language service and photo-based follow-up after you return home

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong. Send us front and side photos and we will first get a doctor's opinion on whether a thread lift is right for you or whether a device lift or filler would be better, and a dedicated manager accompanies and interprets for you from consultation through the procedure and follow-up. We can also help you book accommodation near the clinic and an airport pickup car.

Partner clinics offering this treatment

NANA Dermatology ClinicSeoul Apgujeong리프팅 · 타이트닝 · 입술 필러 · 울쎄라 JUAN CLINICGangnam, Seoul리프팅 · 흉터 · 줄기세포 · 잔주름 IS-ON CLINICSeoul Apgujeong레이저와 리프팅 · 보톡스 · 필러 · 스킨부스터 등 비수술적 시술과 상안검을 비롯한 성형수술 VOS Dermatology ClinicGangnam, Seoul울쎄라 · 쥬베룩 · 라풀렌 윤곽고정술 · 써마지 CARAMEL PLASTIC SURGERYGangnam, Seoul성형외과 · 눈성형 · 코성형 · 코 재수술 NEXT Plastic Surgery ClinicGangnam, Seoul가슴성형 · 가슴재수술 · 체형 & 힙업 · 눈성형

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need to stay in Korea after a thread lift?

The procedure itself takes a day, but the 2–3 days when swelling and pulling are at their peak and one follow-up check are safer to stay for, so we usually recommend a 4–5 day schedule. If your schedule is tight, 3 days may be possible in some cases, so confirm with the doctor at your consultation.

Can I fly the day after the procedure?

Mostly yes, but swelling and pulling are at their peak, so it may not be comfortable. Use a neck pillow or similar so nothing presses on your face, and if possible leave after one follow-up check.

How long do thread lift results last?

It depends on thread material and number, degree of sagging and age, and is usually around 6 months to 1 year. Some people find that longer-dissolving threads last longer, but individual differences are large.

Does it hurt?

With local anesthesia, during the procedure you feel only the needle going in and a pulling pressure. For the next few days there is tightness when you open your mouth or smile, and if you are worried about pain, ask whether sedation is available.

I have a dimple-like dent.

Dimpling caused by the thread pulling right after the procedure is common and mostly settles within a few days to 2 weeks. If it remains after 2 weeks or gets more noticeable, have it adjusted at the clinic.

I can feel the thread or it seems to be poking out.

Do not pull or cut it yourself — take a photo and tell the clinic. A thread that has come out through the skin can be simply trimmed or removed at the clinic.

When can I open my mouth wide again? What about dental treatment?

You will usually be told to avoid big yawns, chewy food and opening your mouth wide for 2–4 weeks. Dental treatment that keeps your mouth open for a long time is best postponed by about 1 month.

Can I have it together with Ulthera or Thermage?

It is often planned together. However, whether it is done on the same day, with the device first, or a few weeks after the thread lift differs by clinic, so confirm the order and interval at your consultation.

How is a thread lift different from filler?

A thread lift pulls sagging tissue upward, while filler fills hollow areas. When sagging and hollowing occur together, as with nasolabial folds, the two are sometimes used together.

If the threads dissolve, don't they stay in the body?

Dissolvable threads such as PDO, PCL and PLLA break down in the body over time. The speed differs by material, taking from several months to 1–2 years.