Hospital
Thread Lift
Also known as: Barbed Thread Lift, Non-Surgical Facelift Threads, Jowl Lifting Treatment, PDO Thread Lift, PCL Thread Lift
Recovery
Mild bruising / dimpling for 7 days
About Thread Lift
Treated areas:Cheeks, Eyebrow, Forehead, Jawline, Jowls, Nasolabial folds, Neck
A thread lift is a minimally invasive treatment that uses dissolvable, medical-grade threads to lift sagging skin and sharpen your facial features. It is the perfect middle ground for those who want a visible lift, similar to a facelift, but without the surgery, scars, or long recovery time.
How It Works
The treatment works in two powerful ways:
- Instant Lift: Threads with tiny “anchors” (barbs or cones) are placed under the skin to physically pull and reposition sagging tissue upward.
- Collagen Factory: As the threads sit under your skin, they trigger a natural healing response. Your body builds a new framework of collagen around the threads, which keeps the skin firm even after the threads have dissolved.
What It Does For You
- Cheek & Jowl Lift: Immediately pulls up sagging cheeks and tightens the jawline for a “V-shape” look.
- Brow & Eye Lift: Can create the popular “fox-eye” or “cat-eye” look and lift drooping eyebrows.
- Softens Deep Folds: Effectively reduces the depth of smile lines (nasolabial folds) and marionette lines.
- Nose Contouring: A popular non-surgical way to lift the nose tip or define the bridge.
- Firmer Skin: Ongoing collagen growth improves skin density and elasticity over time.
Types of Threads
PDO, PLL, PCL
Ideal Candidate
- Adults with mild to moderate facial laxity: jowling, marionette lines, nasolabial fold deepening, brow descent, or loose neck skin
- Clients who want a visible non-surgical lift without the recovery of a facelift
- Those seeking to bridge the gap between injectable treatment and surgery
Thread lifts are often best combined with HIFU, RF Microneedling, or Fillers to achieve a “Full Face Rejuvenation” by addressing both the lift and skin texture at the same time.
Proven Results
- Immediate: You will see the visible improvement in jawline definition, cheek elevation, and nasolabial fold reduction as soon as the procedure is finished.
- Long-term: Results become even more natural and refined after 1–3 months as collagen builds up.
- PDO threads deliver approximately 12 months of sustained benefit.
- PCL threads extend this to 18–24 months.
Price by Region
| Location | Ranging from |
|---|---|
| Korea | 2,400,000 (KRW) |
| Thailand | 40,000 (THB) |
| China | 9,500 (RMB) |
| Japan | 380,000 (JPY) |
| Malaysia | 7,500(MYR) |
| Singapore | 2,800 (SGD) |
| Indonesia | 12,000,000 (IDR) |
How It Is Performed
- Thorough cleansing; topical anaesthetic applied for 30 minutes
- Seated facial analysis — vectors mapped with gravity in effect (critical for accurate placement)
- Entry and exit points infiltrated with local anaesthetic
- Blunt cannula or needle used to tunnel the thread through the planned vector pathway at sub-dermal or SMAS level
- Barbs (tiny directional cogs along the thread) anchored against tissue as the thread is pulled; bidirectional tension confirmed
- Excess thread trimmed; entry points dressed
- Cold compress applied; immediate mild lifting visible
Your Timeline
Preparation
- No aspirin, NSAIDs, vitamin E, or fish oil for 5 days before treatment
- Treat any active acne at planned vector sites before scheduling
- No facial massage or deep tissue treatment for the week before
- No dental procedures for 2 weeks before or after (risk of infection tracking)
Followup Care
- Avoid wide mouth-opening, exaggerated facial expressions, and chewing hard food for 7 days
- No facial massage for 14 days
- No dental work for 14 days
- Expect mild dimpling at entry points resolving within 1–2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a thread lift painful?
Local anaesthesia makes the procedure comfortable for most patients. A sensation of tightness and mild pressure during thread placement is normal. Post-procedure soreness at the insertion points resolves within a few days.
Is a thread lift permanent?
No. The threads are absorbed by the body over time (PDO within 6–9 months, PCL within 12–18 months), but the collagen stimulated along the thread tracts provides lasting tissue quality improvement. The mechanical lift typically lasts 12–24 months.
What happens when the threads dissolve?
The threads dissolve gradually and are absorbed by the body. The collagen deposited along the thread tracts during this period persists, maintaining tissue quality improvement even after the thread itself is gone. A maintenance session at 12–18 months re-energises the collagen scaffold.
Can thread lift replace a surgical facelift?
Thread lift is best suited for mild to moderate laxity. For significant skin excess or deep jowling, surgical facelift provides more comprehensive and durable results. Thread lift is an excellent option for patients who are not ready for surgery or want to "preview" a lift.
Will I feel the threads under my skin?
In rare cases, threads may be palpable initially. This typically resolves within a few weeks as swelling subsides and threads settle. Visible thread is a complication that should be reported to your provider.
Can thread lift be combined with fillers or Botox?
Yes, and the combination is often synergistic. Threads provide structural lift; fillers restore lost volume; botulinum toxin relaxes dynamic muscles. Many practitioners design a coordinated "three-pillar" non-surgical rejuvenation plan.
· Next Step
Interested in Thread Lift?
Connect with accredited specialists and get a personalised plan.