Thread lift is a cosmetic procedure aimed at tightening and rejuvenating facial skin. This technique involves the use of thin lifting threads with barbs that accumulate in the tissues and stimulate the natural production of collagen, which improves skin tone and elasticity.
The procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes and does not require recovery. Patients may experience some skin tightness in the first few days after the procedure, and occasionally, minor bruising, but these symptoms quickly subside. The effect of thread lift can last from 1 to 5 years, depending on individual factors and the type of threads used.
Thread lift is especially suitable for those who want to achieve a visible rejuvenating effect without undergoing major surgery. This procedure can be used to improve the appearance of sagging cheeks, eyebrows, jawline, and to correct neck wrinkles.
After the procedure, patients can immediately return to their normal activities, although they should avoid intense physical exertion and sauna visits for the first few days. Thread lift is an excellent choice for those looking for a safe, effective, and cost-effective solution to maintain youthfulness and skin freshness.
South Korean surgeons rarely use threads in the forehead and temples because the results in these areas are considered less long-lasting compared to other facial zones.
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Brief information about the procedure
Duration of the Operation: 20-30 minutes
Type of Anesthesia: Sedation
Hospitalization: 1-2 hours
Return to Normal Life: The next day
Clinic Visits: Not required
Stitches Removal: Not required
Why patients consider thread lift?
Patients may consider thread lift for various reasons:
Minimally invasive procedure: Thread lift is a less invasive procedure compared to traditional facelifts, attracting patients who want to improve their appearance without extended recovery and associated risks of more serious surgeries.
Quick recovery: Unlike full surgical procedures, thread lift is typically associated with a shorter recovery period, allowing patients to return to their daily lives immediately.
Natural-looking results: Thread lift can provide a natural effect that gradually enhances the appearance without altering the fundamental features of the face.
Correction of specific areas: Patients can choose thread lift if they wish to enhance specific areas, such as cheeks or the chin, without the need for a full surgical operation.
Long-lasting effects: Although thread lift does not provide as long-lasting results as traditional surgery, it can still offer improvements that last for several years, which is appealing to many patients.
Who is a suitable candidate for the procedure?
The thread lift procedure is best suited for candidates who meet the following criteria:
Age: Ideal candidates are typically between the ages of 20 and 35. In this age range, the skin often begins to lose its elasticity but has not experienced significant deterioration.
Skin condition: Good candidates have moderate skin sagging or wrinkles that are not severe enough to warrant a full facelift. Thread lift is especially effective for lifting the cheeks, lower face, and neck area.
General health: Candidates should be in good overall health without chronic conditions that could affect the healing process.
Realistic expectations: It’s important for candidates to have realistic expectations about the procedure. Thread lift can improve appearance, but the results may be less dramatic compared to traditional facelifts.
No allergies to materials: Candidates should not have allergies to the materials used in the threads, such as polydioxanone.
Healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight is essential, as significant weight fluctuations can impact the results of the procedure.
Patients who meet these criteria typically achieve the best results from thread lift and can expect longer-lasting and satisfactory outcomes.
Why South Korea?
South Korea annually conducts the highest number of cosmetic procedures and surgeries in the world. Local doctors are considered the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons here. Korea’s medical equipment and facilities are of the same quality as those in the USA and Germany, placing it in the top 3 countries with the best technical equipment for clinics.
All anti-aging procedures are performed in accredited clinics that have permission to work with foreign patients and have in-house anesthesiologists. All surgeons operating on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specialize in soft tissue surgeries, and do not perform more than 2 surgeries a day. Fill out the questionnaire so that we can calculate the cost of treatment for you, conduct a preliminary consultation, and prepare a plan for your trip to South Korea for the procedure.
How to prepare for thread lift in South Korea
Refrain from food and water for 6 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.
Avoid taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (including medicines such as Advil or Motrin), and other medications that may increase the risk of excessive bleeding for 2 weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only within 3 days before the operation.
Do not smoke, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down the tissue healing process. If you smoke, the doctor may recommend quitting smoking before the surgery. Some doctors refuse to perform surgery on patients who smoke due to the high risk of complications. It is unsafe to be around smokers, relatives, and friends, or in public places designated for smoking.
Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses, as well as any surgeries you have undergone. Tell about any medications you are taking or have taken recently. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
Visit the surgeon for an examination and show them photos of the desired result.
If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. If not, we will perform all the necessary tests in Korea.
Ask someone to take you to the clinic or help you after the surgery if you plan to arrive by car.
Place items next to your bed that may be needed during rest, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or a mobile phone.
How the thread installation procedure is performed
Before the operation, you have at least 2 consultations with the surgeon and undergo tests to gain access to the procedure. In the morning of the operation day, the surgeon marks your face, answers questions, and hands you over for preparation to a medical coordinator. You are taken to the restroom, asked about your well-being, and your last food and water intake time is checked. Then you are led to the operating room, where they help you lie on the operating table, secure your arms and legs to ensure your safety and prevent involuntary movements during the surgeon’s work. A catheter is inserted into your hand, through which medications and anesthesia will be administered into your bloodstream.
After the anesthesiologist puts you to sleep, the surgeon begins the operation: tiny punctures are made on the skin, and through them, the surgeon introduces the threads under the skin and, after insertion, gently pulls them upwards or sideways to create a lifting effect.
After the procedure is completed, small tapes are attached to the puncture sites, which will peel off and fall off within 2-3 days. The patient wakes up, and they take you to the room for further recovery.
What to expect after the operation
After the operation is completed, a translator or nurses wake you up and assist you to transfer to your room. Most patients do not remember this moment and feel like they woke up already in a warm bed—this is the effect of anesthesia.
In the first 10-20 minutes after waking up, you may feel a chill; this quickly passes, and there is a warming mattress on your bed to make this period more comfortable. There is no pain, but you may feel discomfort due to the compression bandage applied to the face to secure the result—many clients complain that it presses on the neck under the chin, and you can slightly adjust the bandage or ask to put a cotton pad under it, but by no means remove it. If you do not experience symptoms such as dizziness and nausea, you can prepare for discharge within 1-2 hours: change clothes, pick up medicines and postoperative recommendations.
After discharge, place several pillows under your head to reduce swelling and take the medications prescribed by the surgeon, which contain pain relievers. You may experience mild headaches and a feeling of tightness in the skin; these are normal symptoms, do not be alarmed, and continue to follow the rules of rehabilitation. Do not forget that for the first few days after the operation, solid food is prohibited. Prepare porridge, soups, juices, smoothies, and chocolate in advance to get through this period.
Starting from the next day, try to walk as much as possible, continue to sleep in an elevated position, avoid active facial expressions and laughter. 95% of clients do not have noticeable swelling and bruises, so it is likely that you can return to work and normal life the day after the operation. Visiting the clinic for a check-up after thread installation is not mandatory; however, if you are in Korea and have free time, you can come in 2 weeks to monitor the recovery process with the surgeon.
Recovery process and post-operative procedures description
Immediately after the procedure: You will have a compression bandage on your face, and you may feel some tightness.
Days 1-13: It may be uncomfortable to open your mouth wide, and there might be some mild crackling sensations in the areas where the threads were inserted. This is normal, and it will subside in a few days. Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided during this time.
Days 14-28: Your face will fully recover, and you won’t experience any discomfort. Smiling and laughing will not cause any tightness, and everything will feel natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before & After
Step 1: Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE
First and foremost, you need to fill out a form. This will help us and the surgeons better understand your expectations and review your medical history. In the form, be sure to provide your personal information, details about any previous surgeries, and your current health condition. Unfortunately, patients with HIV infection are not eligible for plastic surgeries in Korea.
Step 2: Attach photos
Attaching photos of the areas of your body or face that you would like to have corrected is a crucial step. This allows us to make a preliminary cost estimate and direct you to a specialist who can address your concerns.
Step 3: Submit and wait for confirmation
After submitting the form and photos, your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you to confirm details and schedule a consultation.
Step 4: Prepare for the consultation
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the coordinator and surgeon during the consultation. We recommend bringing a phone with notes or a notepad to help you stay organized and obtain all the information you need. Additionally, you can always ask any questions you have in a personal chat created for discussing the details of your trip.