Thread Facelift in Korea 101

You have sags and folds in your skin, and desperately want to get rid of it. Up until recently, the only solution to resolve complexities due to facial skin laxity, such as jowls and dropping cheeks, was facelift surgery. However, facelift surgery is an invasive treatment with significant downtime. If you're looking for a less invasive form of treatment to visibly lift your skin, thread facelift in Korea can be a suitable solution.

A thread lift is a treatment in which temporary sutures are used to create a natural but visible lift in the skin. This is achieved by suspending sagging parts of the skin, and stitching it up. In this case, the loose skin is not removed surgically, but is lifted and stitched to create a lifted effect.

This process also ignites the body's natural healing capabilities. The lifting and stitching process causes the body to direct collagen to the treated areas, combating the aging process and rejuvenating the skin. The rejuvenation process, while gradual, is ongoing. Following this, collagen continues to be directed to the sutured areas, as the body naturally responds to it by attempting to heal and expel the sutures. This is a biological response to foreign bodies present within the dermis/skin.

While this may sound like a painful process, you will be reassured to know that it is anything but! Threads used are often so fine that most patients do not feel any sensation. Also, most people cannot feel the sutures at all after the skin has healed completely.

How is thread facelift in Korea different? Korean thread facelift involves threads made of soluble PDO (Polydioxanone). This material has been an important surgery material for many years. PDO threads are unique as they are able to achieve lifting using a special thread weave. The threads penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, inciting collagen regeneration. Once introduced, the threads produce the following effects: instant skin lifting, cellular renewal (through collagen stimulation), and skin tightening.

PDO threads usually dissolve naturally six months after the procedure through a natural hydrolysis process. Following this, the lifting effect will remain for about 3-6 months more, due to collagen stimulation that promotes ongoing skin rejuvenation.

Common areas usually treated with thread facelift include the brows, corner of mouth, cheeks, naso-labial folds (laugh lines) and neck.

When completed, you can look forward to a more defined jawline and a more youthful looking complexion. As PDO threads are absorbable, there will be no foreign body left in the skin after six months.

Your face will first be thoroughly cleansed and sterilized. Following this, anaesthetic will be administered to the treatment areas. This may be in the form of creams, or through injections. This pre-procedure step will ensure that possible discomfort during the treatment will be minimized. The doctor will then choose the appropriate type(s) of thread and proceed to work on the treatment areas. The entire procedure usually lasts for an average of 30 minutes.

PDO threads can be largely classified into non-barbed and barbed threads. Under these categories, there are generally five different types of threads that patients and doctors can choose from:

These threads also come in different thickness and length. These factors affect their quality, tensile strength, effectiveness, overall cost of your treatment. You should consult your doctor to gain an understanding of the different types of threads before undergoing the procedure.

This depends on the type(s) of threads used, as well as the area of treatment. Depending on these factors, bruising may or may not occur. In general, you can expect mild swelling and soreness for about 3-5 days after the procedure. There may also be slight sensations of tightness for up to 2 weeks. In some cases, there may be mild dimpling of the skin. This should resolve naturally within a few days.