How Long Does a Barbed Thread Lift Last: 6 Months or Over a Year?

Hello.

I'm Dr. Ahn Jae-seok of Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic in Dasan, Namyangju.

In thread lift consultations, the most common question after cost is how long the results will last.

"How long does it last after one treatment?"

"Some people say it wore off in six months, but others say it still looked good after a year."

"If I use longer-lasting threads, will the results last longer?"

It's natural to want to know this before deciding on a procedure.

Let me start with this: there is no clear standard that divides thread lift longevity into six months versus one year. Even with the same threads, the assessment can differ depending on the condition of the face, the technique used, and what you count as "the effect still being there."

In 2009, I took part in developing bidirectional barbed threads with CEO Si-dae Ryu, and I have continued research and clinical practice in Gangnam since 2005. Having spent years thinking about thread structure and technique, there are a few points I always want to make when explaining how long results last.

1. How long the thread takes to dissolve is not how long your face stays lifted

This is the first distinction I'd like you to make.

"This thread dissolves slowly, so my face will stay lifted that whole time, right?"

Not necessarily.

The time it takes for the thread to be absorbed by the body, the time it keeps supporting the tissue, and the period during which you actually notice a change in your face are not the same thing.

Just because the thread is still there doesn't mean the tightness you saw right after the procedure stays exactly the same. On the other hand, it's also hard to dismiss the surrounding tissue's response during absorption by simply saying "the thread is gone, so the effect ended right away."

That's why it's difficult to say "with this product, results will definitely last over a year" based on the thread material alone.

During your consultation, try asking:

"Is the period you're describing how long it takes the thread to be absorbed, or how long the visible lifting effect lasts?"

Hearing those two separately also helps you make sense of advertising claims.

2. Everyone starts with a different face

Even at the same age, facial sagging varies.

Some people have thin skin and little fat, while others have thick, heavy cheek tissue. Sagging that has just begun is different from skin that has loosened considerably.

Suitability for a thread lift has to be judged with these differences in mind. If you expect a dramatic change from threads alone on a face with significant sagging, you may end up disappointed with the result or how long it lasts.

Some people also mistake shadows caused by volume loss for sagging. For these faces, lifting alone may not fully address the concern.

In consultations, I think it's just as important to explain what a thread lift can't easily fix as it is to explain how much lift is possible.

The changes from a thread lift are generally modest and temporary, and it is not a procedure meant to deliver the same degree of results as a surgical facelift. Cleveland Clinic: Thread Lift

3. Check the treatment plan, not just the thread brand

Patients often ask about the product name or the number of threads first.

Those are certainly worth checking. But they alone aren't enough to compare how long results will last.

You also need to consider whether the thread's structure and length suit your face, which areas will be supported and in what direction, and which tissue layer the threads will be placed in.

Through my involvement in developing bidirectional barbed threads, I've long been interested in how the barbs engage the tissue and in which direction the force acts. Because of that experience, I still place as much importance on the plan for applying threads to a real face as on the product name.

That doesn't mean using a particular direction or technique will make results last over a year for everyone.

Nor does inserting more threads extend the duration proportionally. Treatment beyond what's needed can increase cost and discomfort.

Along with "How many threads will you use?", I'd encourage you to ask:

"Why does my face need this type of thread, and which areas are you trying to support?"

4. Which version of your face are you comparing to?

This is easy to overlook when talking about longevity.

Right after the procedure, there may be both swelling and tightness. If you expect that taut look to last, you might interpret your face settling naturally during recovery as the effect wearing off.

On the other hand, looking in the mirror every day, you get used to the change and may not notice the difference from before the procedure.

So when tracking thread lift progress, it's best to compare before photos and post-recovery photos taken under the same conditions.

Differences in lighting, head angle, or expression can make the jawline and smile-line area look quite different. Changes in body weight should be checked as well, if possible.

I'm not saying you should ignore the feeling that "it seems a bit saggy lately." What I'm suggesting is that we check that feeling against the actual change.

You can't conclude a procedure failed just because the effect seemed to fade at six months, and you can't promise someone else the same duration just because a difference is still visible after a year.

5. Aftercare and later changes in your face matter too

Following post-procedure instructions is important for recovery.

Early on, avoid pressing or rubbing the treated area hard, and ask the medical team who performed your procedure when you can resume massage or strenuous exercise.

That said, no one can promise that good aftercare will stretch results from six months to a year. Conversely, a shorter-than-expected effect shouldn't be blamed entirely on the patient's lifestyle.

Aging continues after the procedure, and your face can change with weight changes or other treatments.

If you get laser or injection treatments at another clinic, let them know when and where you had a thread lift. Whether and when you need additional treatment should be assessed separately.

If pain or redness gets worse, a thread becomes exposed, or new asymmetry develops, that may not be a question of longevity but a situation that needs medical attention.

"So how long will mine last?"

I need to see your face in person to answer this.

And even after an exam, I can't set a date like an expiration date. Publicly available information from medical institutions also describes thread lift effects as temporary, and the durations they cite can't be guaranteed for any individual. Cleveland Clinic: Thread Lift

When you consult about a thread lift at Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic, I'd like you to check the following rather than focusing only on a number:

• Which areas of your face can be expected to improve
• What a thread lift alone can't easily fix
• Why this thread and treatment scope were chosen
• When to check progress and what to do if unusual symptoms occur

With that kind of explanation, you'll be able to view the changes after your procedure realistically.

You don't need to repeat it every six months

"I heard thread lifts have to be redone every six months?"

There's no fixed cycle.

Rather than repeating it on a calendar schedule, the remaining effect, the condition of the tissue, any discomfort, and the need for additional treatment should be checked first.

Just because the lift feels weaker than at first doesn't mean more threads should go in right away. Repeat procedures that don't take into account the type and location of previous treatment should be avoided.

When deciding on additional treatment, I'd like you to consider not only "when did I have it done" but also "what is bothering me now, and how much?"

My standard for thread lifting

I fully understand wanting results that last a long time.

But some things matter as much as being told it will last: whether the procedure suits your face, whether the change looks natural, and whether you're recovering without problems.

Drawing on many years of research and clinical experience, I believe it's more important to set a scope that fits the condition of your face than to pull hard or use lots of threads no matter what.

If you're considering a thread lift in Dasan, Namyangju, along with "How many months will it last?", ask this too:

"What changes can I expect for my face, and what are the limits?"

It's not too late to decide after you've heard a full answer.

Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic

Dr. Ahn Jae-seok

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do slowly dissolving threads always last longer?

How long a thread takes to be absorbed is different from how long the visible lifting effect lasts. Besides the material, the condition of your face and the treatment plan must also be considered.

Q. If the lift weakens after six months, did it fail?

You can't judge that from this fact alone. You need to compare before-and-after conditions to see whether early swelling and tightness have subsided or whether the actual lifting effect has decreased.

Q. If collagen forms, will the effect last indefinitely?

The tissue around the threads may respond, but that doesn't mean the initial lifting effect is maintained permanently.

Q. Will combining other procedures make the results last longer?

Other procedures can address separate concerns, but combining them doesn't necessarily extend how long a thread lift lasts. The need and risks of each should be reviewed individually.

※ Thread lift results and how long they last vary from person to person. Side effects such as bruising, swelling, pain, infection, asymmetry, skin dimpling, and visible or exposed threads can occur, so please decide on treatment only after a thorough consultation.

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