Why Thread Lift Costs Vary by Clinic: 6 Factors That Set the Price

Hello.

I'm Dr. Ahn Jae-seok, director of Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic.

During thread lift consultations, there's one question I hear more than almost any other.

"Another clinic was cheaper. Why do thread lift prices vary so much?"

Even when clinics use the same name, "thread lift," prices can differ quite a lot from one to the next. From a patient's point of view, it's bound to be confusing when one clinic is relatively affordable and another costs several times more.

But a thread lift isn't a procedure you can compare on price simply by "how many threads go in."

That's because the type and number of threads, the direction they're placed in the face, the degree of sagging, the practitioner's experience, and even anesthesia and aftercare all differ.

Today I'll explain, in patient-friendly terms, the six main factors that determine the cost of a thread lift.

1. The Type of Thread Used Differs

The threads used for thread lifting may all look the same, but in reality they differ significantly.

Thread materials include PDO, PLLA, and PCL, and the shape, thickness, length, and elasticity of the barbs (cogs) on the thread all vary.

Some threads have barbs arranged in one direction, while others are designed with barbs in both directions. How the barbs are arranged around the thread can also change how firmly it holds the tissue and how the procedure is performed.

So a simple explanation like "we use dissolvable threads" doesn't tell you exactly what kind of thread is being used.

The manufacturer and quality of the thread, whether it's approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), and its structure and material all affect its cost, which is reflected in the price of the thread lift.

I have been researching and clinically applying lifting with dissolvable threads since 2009, and I also took part in developing a bidirectional barbed thread. After observing thread structures and how skin tissue responds over many years, I've come to believe that thicker, stronger threads aren't automatically better.

What matters more is choosing a thread that suits the patient's skin thickness, amount of fat, and direction of sagging.

2. The Number and Length of Threads Differ

When comparing thread lift costs, the first thing to check is the number of threads.

You need to confirm whether the quoted price is the total cost of the threads needed for the whole face, the price of a single thread, or the cost of treating only a specific area.

For example, even with the same cheek sagging, some people can be helped with just a few threads, while someone with widespread sagging, or who needs the jawline and smile lines treated as well, may need more threads.

On the other hand, more threads don't necessarily mean better results.

Using more threads than needed not only raises the cost but can also increase discomfort such as swelling, bruising, a pulling sensation, and unevenness on the skin's surface.

What matters isn't the number of threads but using exactly as many as your face needs.

3. The Direction and Design of Thread Placement Differ

This is the part of thread lifting I consider most important.

The face doesn't simply sag downward. As skin and fat tissue shift in several directions (forward, downward, and outward), smile lines, deep cheek sagging, a drooping jawline, and a double chin appear.

That's why placing threads in the same position and direction for every patient makes natural results hard to achieve.

Before the procedure, the following should be checked together:

• Whether the skin is thin or thick
• Whether the face has a lot of fat or too little
• Which direction the cheeks have sagged
• What is causing the smile lines
• Whether a blurred jawline is caused by the skin or by fat
• How much left-right asymmetry the face has
• How the facial muscles move when smiling or talking

Based on these findings, the thread entry points, depth, direction, and anchoring positions should be decided.

In the end, the cost of a thread lift includes not only the material cost of the threads but also the experience and judgment of the doctor who analyzes and designs the treatment for your face.

4. It Depends on Whether One Procedure Is Done or Several Are Combined

Not every sagging face sags for the same reason.

For some people, the main problem is skin and fat tissue drooping downward, while for others, lost facial volume makes the face look saggier by comparison. Others have thin skin with many fine lines, so a thread lift alone can't achieve the change they want.

In these cases, the following procedures may be considered along with a thread lift:

• Fat grafting or volume treatment for hollow areas
• Radiofrequency treatment for skin elasticity and fine lines
• Iron Lifting Laser to improve skin texture and pores
• Fat management for the jawline or double chin
• Supportive treatments for skin regeneration

At Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic, rather than recommending a thread lift first, we look at facial sagging, volume loss, and skin aging together.

The total cost can vary depending on whether you need only a thread lift or need it combined with other procedures. However, combination treatment isn't always necessary, and it's important to choose only the procedures you need after an examination.

5. It Depends on the Doctor's Procedural Experience

Because a thread lift involves no incisions, it's sometimes thought of as a simple procedure.

But the face contains a complex network of blood vessels, nerves, salivary ducts, muscles, and multiple layers of fat tissue. If the threads are placed too shallow, they may show through or make the skin uneven; if placed too deep or in the wrong direction, it's hard to achieve enough lift.

I completed my anesthesiology and pain medicine residency at Seoul National University Hospital, then served as a pain medicine fellow and as head of a pain medicine department at a general hospital. After that, I spent more than 18 years in Gangnam researching and treating facial aging with nonsurgical methods.

In particular, through researching and performing lifts with dissolvable threads since 2009, I have continually observed facial structure, thread direction, and how tissue moves.

Even with the same thread, the results and recovery of a thread lift can differ depending on who performs it, in which layer, and in which direction.

When comparing prices, please look not only at the number of threads but also at the doctor's procedural experience and how they design the treatment for your face.

6. What's Included for Anesthesia and Aftercare Differs

What's included in a clinic's quoted thread lift price can vary.

Some clinics quote only the procedure fee and charge separately for anesthesia or additional care. Others quote a price that includes the consultation, design, anesthesia, post-procedure soothing care, and follow-up checks.

At your thread lift consultation, it's a good idea to confirm the following:

• Whether the quoted amount is per thread or for the entire procedure
• Whether VAT is included
• Whether anesthesia is included
• Whether post-procedure soothing care is included
• Whether follow-up checks and aftercare visits are included
• How the cost changes if additional threads are used

If you compare only the first number you see, it may differ from what you actually pay, so be sure to check what's included in the total cost.

So Are Cheaper Thread Lifts a Bad Idea?

Not necessarily.

Depending on how a clinic operates, the threads it uses, or whether there's a promotion, it may be able to offer the procedure at a reasonable price.

However, if the price is very low, it's worth checking the following.

Take a look at the type of thread and whether it's a genuine product, the actual number of threads used, the treatment area, whether anesthesia and aftercare fees are included, and the experience of the doctor performing the procedure.

Likewise, a higher price doesn't automatically mean a better procedure.

With a thread lift, what matters more than whether the price is high or low is whether your facial concerns are accurately analyzed and the right type and number of threads are placed in the right direction.

What I Look at First in a Thread Lift Consultation

When I consult with patients, I start by listening to the change they want.

"I'd like my smile lines to be less noticeable."

"I'd just like my jawline to look a bit more defined."

"I don't want a tight, pulled look. I want to look naturally younger."

As you can see, the result each person wants is different.

Next, I look at skin thickness, the amount of facial fat, the direction of sagging, left-right asymmetry, and areas where volume has been lost. If I judge that a thread lift isn't a good fit, I may explain other options instead.

My goal isn't to put a lot of threads in the face, but to keep the patient's current face while naturally refreshing their overall look.

Three Things to Check Before Thread Lift Cost

First, find out what kind of threads will be used and how many.

Second, ask for an explanation of the direction in which your facial sagging will be improved.

Third, make sure you're told not only about the changes you can expect but also about possible discomfort such as swelling, bruising, pain, skin dimpling, or unevenness.

A thread lift doesn't produce the same results for everyone. The method and results can vary depending on your skin condition, facial structure, and degree of aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many threads do I need for a thread lift?

There's no set number. It depends on the treatment area, skin sagging, amount of facial fat, and type of thread used. I don't recommend deciding on a number based only on photos or a price list without a consultation.

Q. Do more threads make the results last longer?

Not necessarily. How long results last is affected not only by the thread's material and structure but also by skin condition, lifestyle, facial movement, and how far aging has progressed. Putting in more threads than needed isn't always an advantage.

Q. Will a thread lift get rid of smile lines too?

Smile lines caused by sagging cheek tissue can be softened. But when volume loss, bone structure, and skin wrinkles all play a role, a thread lift alone may not be enough.

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

A sagging face and a face lacking volume call for different approaches. If both sagging and hollowness are present, the two methods may be combined appropriately. The decision should be made after examining your actual facial condition.

Q. When do thread lift results start to show?

Many people notice a change right after the procedure, but there may be swelling and a pulling sensation at first. It takes time for things to settle naturally, and recovery speed differs from person to person.

In Closing

Thread lift costs vary by clinic not simply because thread prices differ.

The type and number of threads, facial design, whether other procedures are combined, the doctor's experience, and what's included for anesthesia and aftercare all affect the cost.

If you're considering a thread lift, along with "How much is it?" be sure to ask, "Why does my face need this thread, and in what direction will it be placed?"

At Seoul Cheongdam Dr. Anapa Clinic, rather than recommending a fixed number of threads across the board, we first look at each patient's facial structure and stage of aging and then explain the treatment they need.

Natural, not overdone: creating a slightly younger, more relaxed look from the face you have now.

That is my standard for thread lifting.

※ The effects and recovery of any medical procedure vary from person to person, and side effects such as bruising, swelling, pain, infection, asymmetry, and skin dimpling may occur. Please be sure to consult thoroughly with your doctor before deciding on a procedure.

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