Thread Lifting in Dasan: A Nonsurgical Face Lift and How to Choose

Written by: Dr. Ahn Jae-seok

Board-certified anesthesiology and pain medicine specialist · Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic

※ This content is intended to provide medical information. Results and recovery may vary depending on individual skin condition and the procedure used.

"My face isn't what it used to be, but I don't want surgery."

This is something I often hear from patients in middle age and beyond.

In photos, the jawline looks less defined than before, the smile lines are deeper, or the cheeks start to look like they're sliding down.

Yet a surgical facelift feels like too much.

In these cases, one of the nonsurgical options to consider is thread lifting.

I have researched and practiced anti-aging and nonsurgical facial procedures in the Gangnam area for more than 18 years, and I now see patients at Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic in Dasan New Town, Namyangju.

When I consult on a thread lift, what matters most to me is not simply

"How many threads should we put in?"

That's not the question.

The first step is determining why the face looks older.

That's because facial aging isn't caused by sagging skin alone.

What is a thread lift?

A thread lift is a nonsurgical procedure in which medical threads are inserted into the appropriate layer under the skin to lift sagging tissue and improve facial contours.

Depending on the thread's structure and insertion technique, it can physically support sagging tissue, and it also makes use of the surrounding tissue response and collagen formation that occur as the thread breaks down in the body.

But there's an important point here.

Using the same thread doesn't produce the same result.

The face isn't flat; it's a three-dimensional structure.

Skin thickness, the amount and location of subcutaneous fat, the bone structure of the cheekbones and jaw, and the direction in which the skin sags all differ from person to person.

So what matters in a thread lift is not just the brand or number of threads, but which layer, in which direction, and with how much force the threads are placed.

I have researched lifting with absorbable threads since 2009

As a board-certified anesthesiology and pain medicine specialist, I have long researched anti-aging based on my knowledge of human anatomy and clinical experience in pain management.

In particular, since 2009 I have researched and helped develop nonsurgical lifting techniques and threads using absorbable threads.

Through more than 18 years of researching and performing anti-aging procedures in Gangnam, what I've come to value is not simply pulling the skin tight.

It's creating a face that looks naturally younger.

As people age, the face doesn't simply sag downward.

The temples hollow, the front of the cheeks loses volume, the smile-line area deepens, the jawline loses definition, and the skin itself thins and loses elasticity.

That's why I don't see a thread lift as a standalone procedure.

Sagging + volume loss + skin aging

I evaluate these three together.

Is a thread lift alone enough?

Not necessarily.

This is an important part of anti-aging consultations at Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic.

For example, if the face still has enough volume and only the tissue has sagged, a thread lift can be a good option.

On the other hand, if the face has lost a lot of fat and volume and only the skin is pulled hard, the face may actually look flat or unnatural.

In such cases, depending on the patient's condition, ways to restore volume such as fat grafting may be considered as well.

And if fine lines, pores, or poor skin texture are the main concern, a different approach from thread lifting is needed.

At Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic, depending on your skin condition, we can also consider skin regeneration treatments, including the Iron Laser that I have long used in clinical practice.

In other words,

Lift, fill, or regenerate the skin.

It's important to distinguish among these three.

In some cases, all three are considered in combination.

How thread lift consultations work at Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic

First, we evaluate the causes of facial aging.

Rather than looking only at the smile lines, we examine the whole face, including the temples, front of the cheeks, area below the cheekbones, around the mouth, and the jawline.

Second, we assess skin thickness and fat volume.

It's hard to apply the same method to people with thin skin and thick skin, or to those with more facial fat and less.

Third, we decide the lifting direction.

Because the direction of sagging and bone structure differ from person to person, we plan lifting vectors suited to the patient's face.

Fourth, we judge whether a thread lift alone is enough.

If volume loss is significant, methods such as fat grafting may be considered; if skin aging is also present, skin regeneration procedures may be considered as well.

And finally, we listen carefully to how much change you want.

I believe this process is as important as the procedure itself.

We bring clinical experience from about 20,000 fat grafting cases to thread lifting

In facial anti-aging, lifting and volume are closely linked.

Through clinical experience with about 20,000 fat grafting cases, I have long observed how facial volume changes with aging.

So even in thread lift consultations, I don't think only about pulling up sagging skin.

I also look at where volume has been lost, which areas have actually become heavier, and in which direction tissue should be moved to look natural.

Especially after middle age, an approach that restores balance across the whole face may matter more than simply "creating a V-line."

People who often come in for thread lift consultations

• People whose jawline looks less defined than before

• People bothered by sagging deep cheeks or sagging around the mouth

• People whose smile lines look deeper than before

• People who feel their whole face has dropped

• People who find a surgical facelift too much

• People who want a natural degree of facial change

• People who feel lasers alone haven't done enough for sagging

• People unsure whether they need fat grafting or lifting

However, if sagging is very severe or there's a lot of excess skin, a thread lift alone may not achieve the desired degree of change.

That's why it's important to have your current condition assessed first.

Can I return to daily life right after a thread lift?

It depends on the individual and the treatment area, but recovery to daily life tends to be relatively quick.

However, right after the procedure you may experience swelling, bruising, a pulling sensation, tenderness, or temporary unevenness of the skin.

During recovery, follow your medical team's instructions and avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area hard, strenuous exercise, saunas, and the like for a while.

If you have important events coming up—such as a photo shoot, wedding, or trip—we recommend mentioning them at your consultation.

How long does a thread lift last?

This is the question patients ask most.

But it's hard to tell everyone the same thing, like "A thread lift lasts exactly this many years."

That's because it varies depending not only on the thread material and form, but also on the number of threads and where they're placed, skin thickness, degree of sagging, age, and lifestyle.

Also, how long the thread itself takes to be absorbed is not necessarily the same as how long the patient feels the lifting effect.

So rather than guaranteeing a specific period, it's more realistic to discuss how much change can be aimed for given your current facial condition.

How is a thread lift different from laser lifting?

The two procedures have somewhat different purposes.

A thread lift uses medical threads to support and reposition sagging tissue.

Energy-based procedures such as laser and radiofrequency, on the other hand, deliver energy to the skin and subcutaneous tissue to stimulate skin elasticity and collagen regeneration.

So you first need to distinguish whether the problem is sagging, skin elasticity, or volume loss.

Rather than trying to solve every sign of aging with one procedure, it's important to break down the causes of facial aging.

A question to ask before "How many threads?"

Many people compare prices and the number of threads when researching thread lifts.

Cost is certainly an important factor.

But in consultations, I first ask people to think about this:

"Why does my face look older?"

Is the skin sagging,

has volume been lost,

are fine lines and skin texture the issue,

or are all three happening at once? The treatment direction can differ depending on the answer.

Ultimately, the goal of a thread lift isn't to insert lots of threads; what matters is designing it appropriately for what your face needs now.

If you're considering a nonsurgical face lift in Dasan New Town

Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic is located in Dasan New Town, Namyangju.

Dr. Ahn Jae-seok / Board-certified anesthesiology and pain medicine specialist

• More than 18 years of anti-aging research and clinical experience in Gangnam

• Since 2009, directly involved in developing lifting threads using absorbable barbed threads (with CEO Si-dae Yoo)

• Clinical experience with about 20,000 fat grafting cases

• Comprehensive nonsurgical anti-aging care including thread lifting, fat grafting, and skin regeneration

• Care from consultation through procedure that takes each patient's facial structure and degree of aging into account

In addition to Dasan-dong, people looking into thread lifts or nonsurgical face lifts from nearby areas such as Namyangju, Guri, Byeollae, and Wangsuk New Town are welcome to visit for a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. At what age should I get a thread lift?

It's hard to decide based on age alone. Even at the same age, skin thickness, fat volume, and degree of sagging differ, so the decision should be based on the actual condition of your face.

Q. My face is thin. Can I still get a thread lift?

Whether it's suitable should be determined after an exam. For faces with significant volume loss, it's important to evaluate whether volume restoration is needed rather than doing lifting alone.

Q. Which is better, fat grafting or a thread lift?

The two procedures have different purposes. Lacking volume and sagging tissue call for different approaches, so we consider one method or a combination depending on the condition of your face.

Q. Can men get thread lifts too?

Yes. However, men often differ from women in skin thickness, fat distribution, jawline, and bone structure, so the plan needs to take this into account.

Q. Is it possible to get a natural-looking result?

It's important to discuss the degree of change you want thoroughly during the consultation. The plan can aim for balance across the whole face and a natural look rather than an excessive change.

Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic

Dasan New Town · Near Dasan Station

If you're considering a thread lift, you don't need to decide on a procedure from the start.

Begin by taking a careful look at whether the changes in your face are due to sagging, volume loss, or skin aging.

Getting that assessment right helps you find the direction that suits you now among thread lifting, fat grafting, and skin regeneration treatments.

Dr. Ahn Jae-seok of Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic consults with you personally to explain the current condition of your face and possible treatment options.

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※ Any medical procedure carries a possibility of side effects or complications, which vary by individual. Before the procedure, please consult thoroughly with your medical team and decide only after hearing an explanation of your condition, expected results, the recovery process, and possible side effects.