qd thread lifting
Thread lifting uses fine, absorbable barbed threads — here, mint (PDO-type) threads — inserted under the skin to lift and reposition mild sagging along the jawline and cheeks, with an immediate lift and gradual collagen stimulation as the threads absorb. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, it is performed under local anesthesia with little downtime, and is not a replacement for surgical lifting. (Results vary by individual.)
is this for me
Who it’s for
Even if none of these describes you, we will look again at the consultation.
- Mild sagging along the jawline, cheeks or jowls
- Early laxity you would like to address without surgery
- A preference for little downtime and a gradual effect
For more advanced sagging, surgical lifting may suit better; whether threads fit your goals is decided at consultation.
Before you pick a treatment name, start with the cause of your concern.
start with your concern
Even a treatment with the same name takes on a different role and scope depending on your current structure, the change you want, what you have had before and the recovery time you have.
01
Where you are now, and where we start
The direction of sagging, skin thickness, the tissue that can hold a thread, and what the threads actually do
02
The change you want, the impression you keep
We check the front and side views and expression, left-right differences, skin and deep tissue, and scars and function from earlier surgery.
03
How it differs from similar options
We compare incision and dissection, how much is removed, repositioned or fixed, the pros and cons of materials, and the option of no surgery at all.
04
Health information and recovery schedule
Anesthesia, preventing bleeding and infection, wound care, swelling and changes in sensation, and when to be seen again — all in one plan.
the
principle
Before counting threads we look at the anchor tissue, the direction of pull and the skin, and explain the limits against a surgical lift.
Mint threads are absorbable threads with small barbs (cogs) along their length. Through fine entry points, the doctor passes the threads into the deep skin along planned vectors; the barbs catch the tissue so that, as the thread is set, it repositions and lifts the sagging area for an immediate effect. Over the following months the threads are gradually absorbed while stimulating new collagen around them, which can support firmness as the lifting settles. The number and direction of threads are planned for your face and goals.
How it works
01
Absorbable barbed threads
Mint (PDO-type) threads carry small barbs (cogs) along their length; the barbs catch the tissue so that, as each thread is set, it repositions the sagging area for an immediate lift.
02
Placed along planned vectors
Through fine entry points rather than surgical incisions, the doctor passes the threads into the deep skin along vectors planned for your face; the number and direction are chosen for your degree of sagging.
03
Collagen as the threads absorb
Over the following months the threads are gradually absorbed while stimulating new collagen around them, which can support firmness as the lift settles.
04
Local anesthesia, not a facelift
It is performed under local anesthesia with little downtime, and is not a replacement for surgical lifting of more advanced sagging.
The same treatment, never the same plan.
the qd standard
Rather than a fashionable name or a fixed package, we weigh the structure found at examination, safety, recovery and the limits within one plan.
- 01DIAGNOSIS FIRSTCause before nameWe first separate out the tissue and the function behind your concern.
- 02LESS, PRECISEOnly as much as neededRather than an excessive change, we plan the smallest scope with a clear role.
- 03HONEST LIMITThe limits, explained tooWe explain the change you can expect, the alternatives, individual differences and the risks.
From consultation to follow-up, planned as one flow.
personal plan
Thread lifting uses fine, absorbable barbed threads — here, mint (PDO-type) threads — inserted under the skin to lift and reposition mild sagging along the jawline and cheeks, with an immediate lift and gradual collagen stimulation as the threads absorb. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, it is performed under local anesthesia with little downtime, and is not a replacement for surgical lifting. (Results vary by individual.)
Anatomy and function exam
We check the front and side views and expression, left-right differences, skin and deep tissue, and scars and function from earlier surgery.
Comparing scope and method
We compare incision and dissection, how much is removed, repositioned or fixed, the pros and cons of materials, and the option of no surgery at all.
Surgery and recovery plan
Anesthesia, preventing bleeding and infection, wound care, swelling and changes in sensation, and when to be seen again — all set out in one plan.
What the procedure is like
- Consultation, facial assessment and design of the thread vectors
- Local anesthesia at the entry points
- Insertion of mint threads along the planned vectors and setting the lift
- Trimming of thread ends and aftercare guidance
Time: The procedure takes about 30–60 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- Performed under local anesthesia; most people return to daily activities within about a day, so downtime is limited.
- There are entry points rather than surgical incisions, so no sutures need removal; small entry marks settle over days.
- Temporary swelling, bruising, tightness or mild dimpling at entry points may occur; avoid wide mouth movements, facial massage and pressure for a period we advise.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry, a palpable thread or dimpling may occur and are explained at consultation.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary swelling, bruising and tightness
- A thread that can be felt, or mild dimpling at entry points
- Asymmetry, or brief discomfort with wide mouth movement
- Rarely, infection or a thread working its way out (extrusion)
- A gradual return of the original contour as the threads absorb
When to take extra care
- Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
- Active skin infection or inflammation in the area
- Recent fillers, threads or energy treatments — tell your doctor so timing can be planned
- A tendency to keloid or difficulty with wound healing
- Advanced sagging, where surgical lifting may suit better
what to expect
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0
Procedure day
Performed under local anesthesia; there is an immediate lift, the entry points are taped, and mild tightness is common. Most people return to daily activities within about a day.
DAY 1-3
Swelling & bruising
Temporary swelling and possible bruising may occur; avoid wide mouth movements, facial massage and pressure as advised.
ABOUT 1 WEEK
Entry points settle
The small entry marks settle over days and early tightness eases; there are no sutures to remove.
WEEK 2-6
Settling
Swelling settles and the lift looks more natural as the threads integrate.
3-6 MONTHS
Collagen & duration
Collagen stimulation continues over about 3–6 months; because the threads absorb, the effect is gradual and temporary — commonly maintained for around 12–18 months. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
Threads give an immediate lift, with collagen stimulation continuing over about 3–6 months. As mint threads are absorbable, the effect is gradual and temporary — commonly maintained for around 12–18 months — and a maintenance session may be considered later. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
Thread lifting sits between non-surgical devices and surgery, so the right option depends on how much sagging there is. This is not a ranking.
| Thread Lifting | Lifting Surgery | Energy lifting (ultrasound / RF) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Absorbable barbed threads reposition mild sagging | Surgically repositions the SMAS layer | Non-surgical heat stimulates collagen |
| Best for | Mild sagging along the jawline and cheeks | Moderate to advanced sagging | Mild laxity and maintenance |
| Anesthesia | Local | Local with sedation, up to general | Topical or none |
| Recovery | Little downtime — about a day | Sutures 7–14 days; ~1–2 weeks | Little to none |
| Longevity | Temporary — about 12–18 months | Longer-lasting; aging continues | Temporary; repeated |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Before you decide, the questions people always ask
before consultation
The threads themselves are absorbed by the body over time, and the tissue response created along the way lingers for a while after that. How long it lasts differs a great deal depending on how far the sagging has gone, how thick your skin is, and the type and number of threads used. We want to say up front that this is not a permanent method.
No. What decides the outcome is which layer the threads are anchored in and the direction they are drawn, rather than how many are used. Placing a large number does create a stronger pull, but it also raises the risk of an uneven surface or dimpling. Our principle is to use only as many as are actually needed.
In areas where the skin is thin, you may be able to feel them in the early stage, or the surface may feel slightly uneven. This usually settles as time passes, but anything visible to the eye or accompanied by pain needs to be checked. If that happens, please do not rub the area and contact us instead.
In the early stage you should avoid opening your mouth wide or chewing hard, so that the threads can settle into place. How long that lasts depends on where they were anchored and which type of thread was used, so we give you individual guidance after the procedure. Until then, please also stay away from hard foods and facial massage.
If the sagging is mild and there is still tissue left to anchor to, it is possible, but once it has already progressed a long way, threads alone are not enough. Pulling harder than the tissue allows neither lasts long nor leaves anything behind but surface problems. At the consultation we will tell you honestly whether threads suit the stage you are at.
The medical information on this page was reviewed by Hong Sahyeok, plastic surgeon and Medical Director of QD Clinic.
personal consultation
Tell us what bothers you now, the change you want, what you have had done before and any dates that matter. We will compare the possible approaches and their limits, calmly.
Consult now