How long does a thread lift last? When should you consider another treatment?

How to ChooseBy Gangnam Beauty Check Editorial TeamPublished 2026-10-24Updated 2026-10-24

How long do thread-lift effects last?

Duration depends on the thread product, insertion technique and degree of sagging. Reberry Clinic Gangnam describes about 12 months for its Dooth and MINT products. This is that clinic's product guidance, not the average lifespan of every thread lift.

A 2019 study reviewing 160 patients treated with barbed PDO threads found that early improvement had declined noticeably at six months and was absent at one year. This result should not be applied unchanged to other materials or insertion methods.

Does a longer-lasting thread mean a longer-lasting lift?

Thread absorption time and the duration of visible lifting are different. PDO, PCL and PLLA are materials used in threads that break down in the body. Product names such as MINT or Concertina do not, by themselves, specify every material and anchoring detail.

Reberry Clinic describes PDO absorption as about 6–8 months and PCL as over one year. It also discusses collagen formation around threads, but that explanation alone does not establish a longer visible effect from PCL for every patient.

Material and product: Ask whether the thread is PDO or PCL and whether barbs or cones hold the tissue.
Absorption and visible effect: Ask whether the stated duration refers to thread absorption or to how long the lifted contour is expected to remain.

Reviews naming the product and thread count

실은 녹는 기간 1년 정도 유지되는 콘셀티나 실로 결정했고, 한쪽당 7줄씩 총 14줄 들어갔습니다 Translation: I chose Concertina threads, which I was told would last around a year before dissolving, and had seven on each side, 14 in total.
Babitalk, excerpt about a full-face thread lift; treatment date unverified. This is the explanation reported by the reviewer.
유캔비에서 민트실리프팅 받았어요 8줄 8줄 총 16줄 들어갔고요 Translation: I had a MINT thread lift at UcanB, with eight threads on each side, 16 in total.
GangnamUnni, modified October 23, 2026; excerpt about a MINT thread lift.

How is the procedure performed, and why do prices vary?

The clinician assesses the face, selects the threads, count and insertion direction, then administers anesthesia and inserts them. Reberry Clinic Gangnam describes assessing sagging and skin thickness before local anesthesia or sedation.

The clinic describes inserting PDO threads such as Dooth or MINT, followed by aftercare guidance. Product-specific procedure times are about 20–50 minutes. Ask how much time to allow for consultation and anesthesia preparation as well.

Reberry Clinic Gangnam's listed options	Price
One Dooth thread	From KRW 99,000
Eight lifting threads	From KRW 560,000
Twelve lifting threads	From KRW 720,000

Non-covered treatment prices checked on October 24, 2026; VAT is extra. Compare the same product and thread count, and ask whether anesthesia and additional procedures are included.

How far after treatment should clinic photos extend?

Look beyond immediate photos to later dates and treatment details. Reberry Clinic's official photo examples include a Cheongju Ochang jawline-lifting example dated June 2025 before treatment and August 2025 afterward.

A different jawline example on the same page shows October 2024 and July 2025. These are different cases with approximately two- and nine-month photo intervals, not continuous follow-up of one patient.

What the published examples establish: The clinic provides dated jawline before-and-after images with the branch identified. Photos alone do not establish the product, thread count, combined procedures or duration beyond the pictured dates.
Questions for consultation: Ask whether the pictured treatment uses the product and technique planned for you and whether other procedures were combined. Request longer follow-up in someone with a similar age and degree of sagging.

Does reduced swelling mean the lift has already sagged?

A reduction in early tightness does not automatically mean the lift has failed. Distinguish changes in swelling from changes in the lifted tissue. Emit Clinic Dongtan also describes how reduced swelling can make the face feel less lifted.

Time point	Changes to assess
Immediately after treatment and the next few days	Tightness may occur alongside swelling, bruising and pain.
1–2 weeks	Check whether swelling is subsiding and whether one side is unusually swollen or painful.
Around one month	Reassess contour and asymmetry after early swelling has settled.
Subsequent months	Compare the jawline and cheek sagging with the first settled result.

Reviews describing recovery and contour changes

시술 직후 통증과 붓기가 생각보다 있었지만, 3일정도 되니 확실히 많이 줄어들어서 일상생활에 큰 문제가 없었습니다. Translation: Pain and swelling were greater than I expected right afterward, but they had clearly reduced by around day three, so daily life was not a major problem.
Babitalk, full-face thread-lift excerpt; treatment date unverified.
처음에는 붓기도 있고 자리 잡는 시간이 필요했는데, 시간이 지날수록 붓기가 많이 빠지고 얼굴선도 점점 자연스러워지는 게 느껴져요. Translation: There was swelling and it needed time to settle at first, but as the swelling went down, my face gradually looked more natural.
Babitalk, full-face thread-lift excerpt describing week four; treatment date unverified.
볼 쪽에 10줄 진행했고 벌써 2개월 차인데 턱선이 전보다 또렷해지고 얼굴도 훨씬 갸름해 보이더라고요 Translation: I had ten threads in my cheeks and am already two months in; my jawline looks more defined and my face slimmer than before.
GangnamUnni, modified October 23, 2026; excerpt describing two months of follow-up.

Do you need another thread lift every six months?

Reaching six months alone is not a reason to repeat treatment. A return-visit discount and a medically appropriate time for another procedure are separate issues.

Babitalk includes an account of being offered a half-price retouch after six months and another of returning after a year and a half. A person's return interval is not the date their effect disappeared.

Before repeat treatment: Emit Clinic Dongtan advises reviewing the previous treatment date and material, remaining threads, tissue condition and changes in sagging.
Questions to ask: Ask: 'Why add threads now?' and 'Should we proceed if threads or dimpling from the last procedure remain?'

Reviews describing different return intervals

6개월 리터치 다시 방문해 다시 오늘 시술 받았습니다. 역시 대표원장님의 노련한 기술로 안아프게 기분좋게 시는 잘하고 갑니다. Translation: I came back for a six-month retouch and had treatment again today. Thanks to the director's experienced technique, it was comfortable and I left feeling good.
Babitalk, full-face thread-lift excerpt; treatment date unverified.
예전부터 원장님께 꾸준히 실리프팅을 받아왔는데 이번에는 1년 반 정도 만에 다시 받았어요. Translation: I have had thread lifts from this doctor regularly, but this time I returned after about a year and a half.
Babitalk, full-face thread-lift excerpt; treatment date unverified.

What if the effect fades quickly or seems absent?

Have the expected change and actual result reassessed before booking more treatment. The next choice depends on whether the goal was lifting a sagging jawline or also addressing fat or volume concerns.

Babitalk includes reports of a previous thread-lift result feeling worse and of pain without a noticeable benefit. Bring before-treatment photos, compare them with the current appearance, and tell the clinician when the pain began.

Reviews reporting no benefit or a worse result

원래했던 실리프팅 효과까지 망가트리고 이중턱은 더 심해졋고 뭘땡긴건지 알수없음 Translation: It even ruined the effect of my previous thread lift; my double chin looks worse, and I cannot tell what was lifted.
Babitalk, jaw and full-face thread-lift excerpt; one-star rating, treatment date unverified.
효과 전혀모르겠고 아팠음 Translation: I noticed no effect at all, and it hurt.
Babitalk, nasolabial-area thread-lift excerpt; one-star rating, treatment date unverified.

How should you care for the area, and when should you contact the clinic?

Avoid firm pressure, and contact the clinic rather than waiting if pain or swelling worsens. Reberry Clinic advises avoiding facial massage and saunas for about two weeks after treatment.

Massage and heat: Do not rub or pull the treated area to reshape it. Follow your clinic's timing for avoiding saunas, strenuous exercise, exaggerated expressions and opening the mouth widely.
Symptoms requiring prompt review: Tell the clinic about marked one-sided swelling, persistent heat or pain, or visible or palpable threads. Swelling lasting beyond two weeks also warrants reassessment.
Before the next procedure: Tell the clinician the previous product and treatment date and about any ongoing pain or dimpling. Discuss the treated area before planning other lifting procedures or fillers.

What should you do in your current situation?

Consider recovery, contour changes and discomfort alongside the elapsed time.

Within two weeks of treatment: Monitor early swelling and tightness, but do not dismiss severe pain or one-sided swelling as routine recovery.
Satisfied at 1–3 months: Keep a reference photo for later contour comparisons. There is no need to add threads immediately just to obtain a stronger pull.
Offered a six-month retouch: Discuss the discount deadline separately from the need for more treatment. Have remaining threads and tissue condition examined first.
Sagging again or considering another procedure: Provide the previous thread type and insertion areas. Ask whether to repeat the approach or address a different cause.

How should you decide on duration and repeat treatment?

A thread lift is not permanent, and duration varies with the product and treatment conditions.

Some clinics describe about 12 months for PDO products, while research has found reduced lifting earlier. Ask about the specific product planned for you and its expected duration.

Do not base another procedure solely on a 'six-month discount.' Have sagging, existing threads and recovery assessed first; seek care sooner if pain or swelling worsens.

Frequently asked questions

Does a thread lift always last a year?

A year of benefit is not guaranteed. Skin condition and technique matter alongside the clinic's product guidance. Compare the first settled result with subsequent changes during follow-up.

Does the effect disappear as soon as the threads dissolve?

Thread absorption and the end of visible lifting do not necessarily occur on the same date. Do not turn a material's absorption time into a fixed retreatment date; assess contour and tissue condition as well.

Why does the price change with the number of threads?

The product, treatment area and count affect the package. Check that the product is the same when comparing equal counts, and ask for the total including anesthesia and VAT.

Is a six-month retouch mandatory?

Do not judge the need solely from a discount or recall message. Have the existing threads and actual sagging assessed, and ask why more treatment is needed.

Should you wait if it still hurts a month later?

Report pain persisting at one month and arrange an examination. Heat, one-sided swelling or exposed threads require assessment of the cause before simply judging the cosmetic result.

Will the same threads give the result shown in a clinic example?

Sagging, skin thickness, insertion sites and combined procedures can differ even with the same product. Ask about photo dates and the treatment package, and whether the case resembles your circumstances.

Can you choose a clinic from review counts and star ratings alone?

Stars alone do not establish duration or safety. Read accounts specifying the product, count, treatment area and follow-up, then determine your own plan in consultation.

Sources and review dates

Babitalk thread-lift review search: seven excerpts used in the articleChecked on 2026-10-24
GangnamUnni thread-lift review search: two excerpts used in the articleChecked on 2026-10-24
Bertossi et al., 2019 retrospective study of 160 patients treated with barbed PDO threads, PMID 29474522Checked on 2026-10-24
Reberry Clinic Gangnam: procedure and prices, with dated Cheongju Ochang branch examplesChecked on 2026-10-24
Reberry Clinic: PDO, PCL and PLLA absorption and duration guidanceChecked on 2026-10-24
Dr Lee Seong-yong, Emit Clinic Dongtan: swelling and symptoms requiring review, May 21, 2026Checked on 2026-10-24
Dr Lee Seong-yong, Emit Clinic Dongtan: checks before repeat thread lifting, May 20, 2026Checked on 2026-10-24

Editorial responsibility and relationships

Gangnam Beauty Check's editorial team is responsible for this article. Quotations are short excerpts from seven Babitalk reviews and two GangnamUnni reviews, not a platform-wide census. They describe individual experiences and are not clinic recommendations or rankings of effectiveness. Treatment dates for the Babitalk excerpts are unverified; GangnamUnni dates are modification dates. General procedure guidance is distinguished from individual before-and-after examples. The patients in clinic examples are not the review authors. No medical review, paid advertising or affiliate links. Korean original by the editorial team. The English translation and machine-assisted translations were compared with the original by the editorial team on October 24, 2026; no professional translator or medical review.

Medical review: None

This article is for information and does not replace an individual diagnosis or medical consultation.