How Long Does Thread Lifting Last? 3 Months, 6 Months, or More｜PangPang Clinic

Why So Many Travelers Choose Korea for Thread Lifting

Over 90% of the world’s lifting threads are produced by Korean medical device companies. While thread shape, length, and manufacturing details may vary by brand, the core materials and performance are very similar across clinics. That means skilled technique, safe protocols, and thoughtful aftercare are what truly determine your results—areas where Korean clinics excel.

For international clients seeking efficient, evidence-based facial rejuvenation with minimal downtime, PDO thread lifting in Korea offers a compelling balance of safety, efficacy, and value.

What Thread Lifting Can—and Cannot—Do

A thread lift is a non-surgical procedure. It does not restructure your face the way a surgical facelift would. Similarly, energy-based treatments like Ultherapy or Thermage help with skin tightening and long-term collagen health, but they do not remove excess skin in a single, dramatic step.

Thread lifting:
– Provides a subtle, immediate lift that softens over 1–2 months as the threads dissolve.
– Triggers your skin to produce new collagen and elastin, improving elasticity and firmness over time.
– Works best for early to moderate laxity and as part of a long-term anti-aging plan.

If you’re seeking a one-time, dramatic change (especially for significant skin redundancy), surgery remains the definitive option. Many celebrities and influencers choose annual thread lifting because it is one of the most reliable in-clinic methods to stimulate collagen where it’s needed, helping to maintain youthful skin quality year after year.

The Science Behind PDO Threads: Collagen Remodeling You Can Measure

Multiple clinical and preclinical studies have shown that PDO (polydioxanone) threads:
– Dissolve naturally over about 24–48 weeks.
– Activate fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which generate new collagen and support tissue contraction.
– Increase microcirculation, improving nutrient and oxygen delivery to skin.
– Can increase dermal thickness and may reduce the thickness of superficial subcutaneous fat in treated areas.

Key evidence:
– Animal model tracking at 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks showed persistent collagen formation and increased vascularity well after the thread itself had dissolved.
– Imaging studies (including ultrasound) have documented increased dermal thickness and improved elasticity during follow-up.
– Reference: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Volume 22, Issue 9, September 2023.

In short: the “magic” isn’t just the initial pull—it’s the months of collagen remodeling that follow.So whul and reliable method for stimulating collagen production—the key to youthful, elastic skin.

▼ Comparison photo of capillaries (blood flow) between skin with inserted PDO thread (A) and without (B)

Source: Tissue changes over time after polydioxanone thread

Tissue changes over time after polydioxanone thread insertion: An animal study with pigs tracked cellular changes in the skin at 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after inserting thin, barbless PDO threads into subcutaneous fat. Study link

What Results to Expect and How Long They Last

Typical timeline:

1. Immediately after: A visible but conservative lift from the barbs/cogs.
2. 1–2 months: The mechanical lift softens as barbs dissolve.
3. 3 months: Cellular activity peaks; this is when skin quality and elasticity gains become noticeable.
4. 6–12 months: Collagen remodeling maintains firmer, more elastic skin; results can compound with annual maintenance.

With yearly upkeep, benefits can accumulate, helping you age more slowly rather than trying to turn back the clock all at once.

PDO threads increase dermal thickness (improving elasticity), promote the formation of new blood vessels, stimulate collagen production, and reduce the subcutaneous fat layer. All of these effects have been verified in clinical studies using ultrasound imaging.

Reference: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Volume 22, Issue 9, September 2023.

Graph showing the decrease in collagen content with age (left: male, right: female).

Safety First: Why Dissolvable Threads Are Preferred

PDO threads are dissolvable and biocompatible. Non‑dissolvable threads may create long-term foreign-body issues and age unnaturally relative to the rest of the face. For most clients, dissolvable threads offer a safer, more natural-looking path with fewer long-term risks.

Common, temporary side effects:
– Swelling, tenderness, or bruising (typically 3–7 days)
– Mild asymmetry or tightness that settles as tissues adapt
– Occasional dimpling or puckering that usually resolves

As with any procedure, individual risks vary. A personalized consultation is essential before treatment.

Pangpang Clinic’s Thread Care Program (Sil-kkut Care)

Research indicates cellular activity around the threads peaks around the 3‑month mark—prime time to amplify your results.

Our Thread Care program is designed to:
– Synergize with your thread lift during this high-activity period
– Extend the longevity of elasticity gains
– Personalize complementary treatments (e.g., gentle biostimulators, skin boosters, or – energy-based therapies when appropriate)

For our international patients, we tailor follow-up plans to your travel schedule, including tele-consultations and at-home care guidance.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a good fit if you:
– Have mild to moderate skin laxity or early jowling
– Want natural-looking refinement with minimal downtime
– Prefer collagen remodeling over surgical recovery

You may be asked to postpone or consider alternatives if you:
– Have uncontrolled medical conditions, active skin infections, or significant bleeding risk
– Are pregnant or breastfeeding
– Have unrealistic expectations for a non-surgical procedure

Final candidacy is determined during medical consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This article was translated and published from the original with consent from the author.