Korean Thread Lift Before and After: How Long the Lift Really Holds

What does a korean thread lift before and after really look like over time?

Hello, I'm Dr. Won Sin Lee, a board-certified dermatologist trained at Asan Medical Center in Seoul and a Chief Director of WELLS Clinic in Apgujeong. This article is based on my YouTube video from April 2026 above, on how long a thread lift lasts, which is the real question behind most korean thread lift before and after searches; translated captions are available on YouTube.

The honest answer: right after the procedure the lift is clearly visible, but how long it holds depends far more on the strength of your tissue than on the thread. In weak, loose skin the result can fade within a couple of months; in tissue that has been strengthened first, it lasts longer and looks more natural.

We don't show photos here. Instead, I'll describe what happens to the threads and the tissue over time, so you can judge your own korean thread lift before and after with clear expectations.

How does a PDO thread lift work?

Most thread lifts use PDO, a dissolvable suture material. In surgery, when stitches are placed inside the body where they can't be removed later, surgeons use thread that breaks down on its own, and PDO is one of the main materials.

For lifting, that material is shaped for the skin with small barbs. The barbs grip the tissue, the thread pulls it against gravity, and it is hooked onto firmer tissue higher up. The tissue rises with the thread; that is the whole principle.

At WELLS we use only genuine, KFDA-approved threads, and thread length, direction and depth are set for your skin thickness and sagging. Details are on our thread lift page.

Why do some thread lift results fade so quickly?

Thread lifting has been around for more than ten years. It was popular, then demand dropped sharply, and now people are asking again. One main reason it fell out of favor: results often didn't last.

Once inside the tissue, the thread gradually softens. Usually within one to two months it can become weak enough to snap. So a face that looked lifted right after the procedure could lose most of the effect within a month or two, and many such cases were reported.

The second reason is the tissue. The lift only holds if the tissue grips the thread firmly. When skin elasticity is low, the grip is weak and the lift loosens early, sometimes even before the thread itself weakens. Putting threads into weak tissue and pulling does not make a long-lasting result.

How do you make a thread lift last longer?

Two conditions matter most: the tissue must hold the thread firmly, and the thread must stay fixed in place as long as possible. Both depend on tissue strength.

So when the skin has lost its strength, I don't start with threads. I first improve the tissue with treatments that build collagen deeper down, such as Thermage, Ultherapy and, where needed, Sculptra, and plan threads after that for your skin type. Done in that order, the thread result looks more natural and holds longer.

If you are coming from abroad, this often means two visits or one longer stay. Our post on Korea thread lift trip timing explains how to fit the steps around flights.

Thread lift or Ultherapy: which lifts what?

They do different things. Ultherapy tightens the fascia layer; the idea is less about hoisting tissue up and more about pulling it in and pressing it flat against the deeper structure. A thread actually grips tissue and pulls it upward, so it is closer to a true lift.

That is why they work well in sequence: Ultherapy first to strengthen the fascia, threads after. If you are wondering whether Ultherapy is uncomfortable, Dr. Choi explains how pain is controlled without sedation in Ultherapy pain.

Will a thread lift leave you worse than before? Realistically, no. Say the effect lasts about a year: when it wears off, you may look older than on the day of treatment, but that is a year of aging, not damage from the thread. Cases where threads make things worse are rare.

Who suits a korean thread lift, and who should choose something else?

Threads work better, and the shape looks nicer, when the skin is not too thick and the face doesn't carry much fat. With thick skin and fuller cheeks, the pulled tissue can bunch outward, and some people complain their face looks wider afterwards.

So please don't decide because a friend had a good result. A dermatologist should check whether threads suit your current skin, or whether a different approach would lift more naturally. Our lifting and anti-aging page lists every option.

Send a photo and your travel dates on WhatsApp; we reply in English, and a dermatologist confirms the plan and price at consultation. After threads, avoid saunas for two weeks. Results vary from person to person.

This article explains general medical information from the video. It is not a diagnosis; results vary by person and are decided in consultation.