Thread Lift
A thread lift pulls up sagging skin using dissolvable threads (PDO, PCL, or barbed mint threads) inserted through a cannula, with no incision at all. It's for people with early-stage sagging, nasolabial folds, or a blurred jawline who want a visible lift without committing to surgery.
A No-Incision Option for Early Sagging
Instead of cutting and lifting tissue, a thread lift places dissolvable threads just under the skin and uses them to reposition sagging tissue along a planned angle. The angle and placement matter more than how hard the thread is pulled — a thread set at the wrong angle won't hold a natural line even if it's pulled tight. As the thread dissolves over time, collagen forms around it, which is why skin texture and tone often look a little better alongside the lift itself. It's not a substitute for procedures that work on bone or deeper facial structure, and it doesn't replace a mini or full facelift once sagging has progressed past what a thread can hold.
Is This Right for You?
- Facial contour that's starting to look undefined from sagging skin
- Nasolabial folds or marionette lines that bother you
- Wanting a more youthful look without committing to surgery
- Wanting a sharper, cleaner jawline without surgery
- Previous lasers or treatments that haven't given a lasting improvement
Your Treatment Process
- 01
Design
Your surgeon analyzes your facial muscles, contour, and skin thickness to plan the pulling angle and depth that fit your face, not a fixed pattern.
- 02
Thread insertion
Dissolvable threads — PDO, PCL, or barbed mint threads depending on the area and goal — are placed through a cannula, which avoids any incision.
- 03
Length adjustment and lift
Each thread is trimmed to the right length for its placement and pulled to set the line, with attention to muscle direction to reduce dimpling.
- 04
Same-day recovery
Most patients return to normal activity immediately, without a dedicated recovery period.
Recovery
Most patients go back to daily activities right away. Swelling, bruising, or a pulling sensation, if they show up, typically ease within one to two weeks, though the exact timeline depends on the thread type and your own healing. For about two weeks, avoid pressing or massaging the treated area heavily; it's also worth skipping saunas, steam rooms, or hot baths for three to five days and holding off on strenuous exercise for about three days.
Safety & Risks
Temporary swelling, bruising, and a pulling or tight feeling are common after a thread lift and usually settle on their own. Less often, a thread can become faintly visible under thin skin or cause a foreign-body sensation, and dimpling can appear if a thread is placed without accounting for the direction of the facial muscles underneath — which is why the design step gets as much attention as the insertion itself. Infection, thread migration, or nerve irritation are described in the clinical literature as rare but more serious possibilities, so let the clinic know right away if anything feels unusual after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a thread lift last the same length of time no matter which thread I use?+
No — it depends on the material. PDO threads typically dissolve and lose their lifting effect over roughly six months to a year. PCL threads tend to hold longer, often in the range of a year and a half to two years. Mint threads, which use a barbed design for stronger fixation, are generally described as lasting around one to two years. Which one fits your area and goal is something to work out at your consultation.
Is a thread lift painful?+
Most of what you'd feel comes from the cannula going in, and local or sedation anesthesia is used to keep that manageable. Some tightness or pulling in the days after is normal.
What side effects should I watch for?+
Swelling, bruising, and a pulling sensation are the most common, and most patients see these ease within one to two weeks. Less commonly, a thread can show faintly through the skin or cause a foreign-body feeling. Dimpling can happen if thread placement doesn't account for muscle direction, which is one reason an experienced hand matters here. If anything feels off after the procedure, contact the clinic rather than waiting it out.
Can a thread lift also address my nose or forehead?+
Not at DOY JUN — our thread lift is designed for sagging cheeks, nasolabial folds, the jawline, and the double-chin area specifically. If your main concern is nose shape, that's handled through rhinoplasty, and a heavy, drooping forehead is addressed separately through an endoscopic brow lift.
Curious Whether a Thread Lift Fits Your Face?
Send a photo of the area that bothers you and we'll tell you honestly whether a thread lift is enough, or whether you'd see more from a different option.
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