What is the difference between thread lifting and facelift surgery? Comparison of Durability, Price, and Real Reviews

Key Summary

There is weak evidence that thread lifting provides long-lasting results with a quick recovery, while lifting procedures have been shown to retain effects for over five years despite a longer recovery period.Silhouette lifting involves inserting dissolvable threads under the skin to lift sagging tissue, while facelifts use incisions on the face and neck to lift and reattach the skin to the SMAS muscles beneath the skin.

On the U.S. review platform RealSelf, 75% of people said 'worth it' for thread lifting and 92% for facelifts. Gangnam Unnie has over 9,999 thread lifting reviews and 7,815 facelift reviews, but the prices are listed in the thousands per thread for thread lifting and in the millions per session for facelifts.

After reading 228 reviews of Gangnam Unnie, I found that about 90% of the ratings for both procedures were 10. However, 23% of silhouette lifting reviews mentioned dimples, 35% mentioned scarring, and there were few reviews reporting that the results had passed 90 days.

Since analyses show that those over 50 have a higher rate of skin pitting or infection after thread lifting, use age and the degree of sagging as your starting point.

Thread lifting and lift surgery: What’s the difference at a glance?

Although they are all called 'lifting,' almost every aspect differs, from the method of pulling to the cost unit, as shown in the table below.

Anesthesia, recovery, satisfaction, and average cost are from the RealSelf information page; domestic prices are based on values I checked myself from the event listings in the Gangnam Unnie search results on September 28, 2026. Domestic prices are discounted prices including VAT and vary depending on the hospital, cut, and quantity.

How does thread lifting lift the face?

Gangnam Unnie describes thread lifting as a procedure that uses threads inserted under the skin to lift sagging skin and stimulate collagen production to increase elasticity. RealSelf also explains that, like PDO, the threads have tiny projections that catch in tissue and create a collagen response as they are absorbed over about six months.

Therefore, the effects of thread lifting should be considered from two perspectives. This is the instantaneous pull of the threads lifting the tissue and the collagen response that occurs as the threads dissolve. If the thread itself is absorbed within about six months, it means that its longevity depends on the collagen response it stimulates.

Many of the Gangnam Unnie events feature products that list the type of thread, such as PCL or Mint, as well as the price per strand for areas like the cheeks and jawline. Even though it is all called 'silk lifting,' different types of thread and the number of strands make it essentially a different procedure, so during the consultation, try to match these three factors first.

How is thread lifting different from thread lifting?

Geosang surgery does not refer to a single procedure. If you search for 'facelift' on Gangnam Unnie, you will find information on nine procedures such as facelift, mini facelift, ponytail facelift, forehead lift, and brow lift, but the incision sites and areas vary.

The biggest difference between thread lifting and non-thread lifting is whether the threads are reattached to the fascia. Thread lifting involves placing threads under the skin, while facelift surgery is a procedure where the skin and the underlying muscle layer are lifted after an incision, as explained by RealSelf.

The augmentation technique mentioned here refers to a facelift that lifts the lower face and neck, not a forehead lift. The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) explains that facelifts are only possible through surgery; minimally invasive procedures cannot achieve the same results, but they can delay the timing of a facelift or complement the surgical outcome.

RealSelf advises that a facelift does not address the eyelids, forehead, fine wrinkles, volume loss, or pigmentation issues. If you're concerned about drooping eyelids or the forehead, ask whether you need separate consultations for brow lift or forehead lift.

If you're worried about scars, start by looking at the incision line placement. RealSelf advises that when performed by an experienced doctor using reliable methods, the scars are generally not noticeable once the patient has healed. Since the exact location of the incision line varies by hospital, please check the diagram during your consultation.

How satisfied are people who have actually received it?

At RealSelf, 75% of people who underwent the procedure said it was 'worth trying' for thread lifting, and 92% for facelift. RealSelf explains that among the thousands who left facelift reviews, many said the results met their expectations.

The same trend is shown in the paper. A 2021 meta-analysis of 26 thread lifting studies found satisfaction immediately after the procedure at 98%, but it dropped to 88% after six months. The researchers recommended that patients be informed before the procedure about the possibility that the youthful-looking effect of thread lifting may not last in the long term.

Domestic platforms do not disclose satisfaction rates separately. So I read reviews of Gangnam Unnie and Babitalk myself, and I’ve summarized the results in the section below.

The number of reviews is the value shown in the search results for each platform as of September 28, 2026. Having many events means there are many hospitals advertising, not that the results are better.

How was it after reading reviews of Gangnam Unnie and Babitalk?

I read the review of Gangnam Unnie and Babitalk on September 29, 2026. Since both platforms show only 20–24 reviews per search term on the web, Gangnam Unnie gathered 272 results for 17 search terms, including negative ones such as 'regret over thread lifting,' 'side effects of thread lifting,' and 'facelift scars.' Among them, we analyzed 97 cases tagged with #silhouettelifting and 131 cases tagged with #facelift and #mini-lift.

Judging by the star ratings, both procedures are nearly perfect.However, since only 2 thread lifts and 6 facelifts have been reviewed after 90 days, it is difficult to judge how long the effects last based on the reviews. The points of concern were clearly divided. In thread lifting reviews, dimpling was common; in lift reviews, scarring and decreased sensation were frequently reported.

I read 26 thread lifting and 49 lift reviews on Babitok, and all had a 'proven procedure' label, with very few reviews containing clear complaints. Since most reviews for both platforms are positive, it's balanced to read the negative reviews below as well.

The number of mentions also includes sentences like 'the swelling went down quickly,' indicating that it was okay. These numbers show what is frequently discussed in the later reviews rather than the incidence rate of side effects, and since they only compile reviews from the web, they do not represent the entire sample.

How should you read reviews of thread lifting and lifters?

Use the review to verify experiences such as pain and swelling, consultation, and aftercare. In a 2019 literature review of 63 online review studies, the reviews were consistent with the patient experience survey, but their association with clinical outcomes was low

So when reading reviews, you should look at the conditions and timing before the star ratings. It's difficult to compare reviews that lack information on thread type, number, and lifting range using the same procedure, and you can't judge the duration of results from reviews written immediately after the treatment.

Why do people regret thread lifting?

People who answered “Not worth it” on RealSelf mainly cited wrinkled or sunken skin, as well as visible or palpable threadiness. RealSelf advises that older patients with thinner, less elastic skin are more prone to these side effects.

Looking at the meta-analysis figures for the 26 episodes, you can get a sense of how common the discomfort is. Swelling was the most common, followed by skin dimpling, like dimples.

There are also big differences depending on age. Among those 50 and older, the rate of skin dimpling was 16%, about three times higher than the 5.6% in those under 50, and the infection rate was 5.9%, higher than the 0.7%. For non-melting threads, there were more cases of sensory abnormalities (11.7% vs. 3.1%) and thread shedding (7.6% vs. 1.6%) than for melting threads.

If you read the six thread lifting reviews with a rating below 7 on Gangnam Unnie, the complaints are quite specific. There was a review (1-star rating) saying that the patient woke up due to severe pain even during sedation, and after the swelling went down, dimples appeared under the cheekbones and at the corners of the mouth, causing nearly two months of back-and-forth visits to the hospital. There were also reviews (1-star) saying that because the threads were inserted while the patient was lying down without a design and the face was not checked, the dimples and asymmetry worsened.

There were reviews saying that multiple needle pricks caused bruising and bleeding, and that after local anesthesia, they experienced hand and foot tremors and cold sweats; some said the second procedure was much more swollen and painful than the first; and others said the consultation did not properly reflect the desired area and recommended expensive threads. Remember, there were more complaints about the procedure process and post-treatment checkups than the results.

Similar concerns are seen in the Gangnam Unnie community as well. One user, whose indigo-droplet dimples were more pronounced due to sagging cheeks, posted asking for a clinic to go to for a mini facelift instead of thread lifting. If you're worried about indentations, ask during the thread lifting consultation how they will be treated if they occur.

What are people most worried about in a review of a lift surgery?

Posts about finding surgery options for parents are frequently posted in the Gangnam sister facelift community. Typical examples include questions about whether the recovery periods for facelifts and mini facelifts differ while considering surgery for a mother in her late 50s, and inquiries about which criteria to use when costs vary between hospitals.

Among the 131 reviews of Gangnam Unnie Geosang that I read myself, none were below 7 stars, but 46 (35%) mentioned scars, and 22 (17%) described sensory decline such as numbness or a feeling of blockage. In a review written about five months after the surgery, I wrote that while I was very satisfied with the results, it was still a long way before the sensation returned, and I still felt a pulling sensation inside my face. At first, I felt numbness around my earsThere were also reviews saying it was hard to open your mouth.

How often do complications actually occur? A 2016 study analyzing 11,300 patients in the United States found that 1.8% of major complications required emergency room visits, hospitalization, or revision surgery within 30 days after facelift. The most common complications were hematoma (blood pooling) at 1.1% and infection at 0.3%, and when combined with other surgeries, the complication rate rose to 3.7%, higher than the 1.5% seen with facelift alone.

Men had a 3.9 times higher risk of hematoma, and those with a BMI of 25 or higher had a 2.8 times higher risk of infection. If you plan to have eye or neck surgery, be sure to compare the risks and recovery differences between having them done at the same time and separately during your consultation.

You should not read that facelift is safer by placing thread lifting’s 35% swelling and facelift complications’ 1.8% side by side here. This is because the meta-analysis of thread lifting measured only mild discomfort like swelling, while the study of facelifts measured only cases requiring emergency room visits, hospitalization, or revision surgery within 30 days.

How long do the effects last?

The longevity is much stronger with the augmentation technique. A 2012 study in the UK re-measured 50 facelift patients 5.5 years after surgery; after the jawline lifted by 6 mm, only 21% of the sagging returned, and 76% were still considered younger than before the operation.

Only the throat was different. The angle between the jaw and neck improved by 13 degrees after surgery, but 69% of the improvement reverted 5.5 years later. If neck sagging is your biggest concern, check with a specialist during a consultation whether a cervical spine adjustment is needed.

SIL lifting is a different matter. A systematic review in 2018 reviewed 12 threads-lifting studies and concluded that, except for two, the sustainability of the lifting effect was very limited, and the two studies reporting good results were sponsored by the thread manufacturers.

The 2025 literature review (Part 12, 818 authors) also found improvement immediately after the procedure in all studies, but noted that the longest follow-up was two years and that long-term effect data were lacking. If you choose thread lifting, it’s more realistic to calculate the cost based on how often you need to get treatments—how many months apart—rather than how long it will last.

Is it true that thread lifting lasts 1–2 years?

On September 29, 2026, I searched for “What is the difference between thread lifting and lift surgery” on Google and read through all 18 articles that appeared on the first and second pages. The duration of thread lifting ranged from 6 months to 1–2 years, while facelift duration varied from 5–10 years to over 7 or 10 years, and not a single post cited a research source for any of these figures

What is being confirmed in the paper is the period during which the thread dissolves and disappears from the body. The 2024 thread material review summarizes PDO to 6–8 months, PLLA to about 12 months, and PCL to 1–1.5 years, while explaining that the lifespan of PLLA threads can be extended to approximately 18–24 months. The 2025 review also stated that by combining various types of yarn, the effect can last from 18 to 24 months.

The follow-up period with actual patients was even shorter, up to one year. A 2019 study of 160 people who underwent PDO thread lifting found that the improvement lasted from immediately after the procedure up to one month, then noticeably diminished by six months, and disappeared by one year.Initial complications were 34%, and the researchers recommended this procedure only for patients who could not undergo more extensive surgery.

However, this is based on the remaining period of the thread and the expert review's explanation, not the results of following the patient for more than two years. So accept '1–2 years' as the maximum expected value, and during the consultation, ask first about the material of the seal and the absorption period.

The review is no different. Out of 97 reviews of Gangnam Unnie thread lifting, only 2 showed results beyond 90 days, and there was also a review from a user in their 60s who received their third thread lift after 6 months.

The absorption period is the time during which the thread remains in the body. This does not mean that the tightening effect is maintained to that extent; some of the reviewers are medical professionals affiliated with domestic beauty clinics.

What happens if you undergo thread lifting multiple times and then have the skin lifted?

There have been reports that revision lifting has become more complicated after repeated thread lifting.In 2025, a plastic surgeon in Bulgaria analyzed 10 patients (aged 51–68, with an average of 59) who underwent facial liposuction between 2021 and 2023 and had received thread lifting with dissolvable sutures more than twice.

During surgery, fibrosis, tissue distortion, adhesions between layers, and reduced movement of the myometrium (SMAS) were identified, making the procedure more complicated and time-consuming. 7 out of 10 patients’ skin did not smooth out or remained depressed, and 1 experienced temporary paralysis of the facial nerve branch near the jaw.

The researchers concluded that the tissue changes caused by thread lifting last far longer than the duration of the pulling effect or the time the threads remain in place. Although this is a case involving 10 patients, so generalization is limited, if you have had multiple thread lifting procedures, please be sure to provide the number of sessions, type of thread, and the date of your last procedure during the lift-up consultation.

The same trend is shown in the reviews. Among 131 reviews of Gangnam Unnie’s lift, 6 stated that they tried thread lifting but saw no effect or the results didn’t last long, leading them to choose a lift; there were also reviews on Babitok saying they had multiple lifting procedures but chose a lift because the results were short-lived.

How much does the price differ?

At Gangnam Unnie, thread lifting events are mostly listed at a per-thread price. Just looking at the examples on the same search screen, the price per line varied greatly from 15,400 won to 219,000 won, and the six-line jawline product was 440,000 won (73,333 won per line).

The facelift event prices ranged from 2,189,000 won to 9,900,000 won, but since the product names mix mini facelift, full facelift, and deep plane procedures, it’s hard to make a comparison based on the numbers alone. When requesting quotes, write the incision size, anesthesia method, and whether aftercare is included in the same field for comparison.

The difference is even clearer when looking at the actual payment amount. The median receipt amount for Gangnam Unnie’s thread lifting reviews was 1.32 million won (with the middle half ranging from 790,000 to 2.1 million won), while the median for 94 upper lip lift reviews was 5 million won (3.6 million to 6.6 million won), and amounts including other procedures are also included. The 15 facial lift estimates from Babitok Balpum reviews ranged from 979,000 to 8 million won, with a median of 2.42 million won, which is lower, but since the scope of surgery varies by estimate, it’s hard to consider the prices as the same under the same conditions.

Even if thread lifting is inexpensive, the number of sessions should be multiplied to fairly compare it with surgical lifters.

The domestic price is an example event shown on the first page of the Gangnam Unnie search results as of September 28, 2026, and it will change after the promotion ends. I left out the hospital names because this table is meant to show price ranges, not to recommend hospitals.

What should I be careful about after the procedure?

It is advised that for thread lifting, the first 1–2 weeks after the threads are placed are critical, while for facelifts, the first month of postoperative care is important. The 2025 thread lifting review states that if the sensation is severe, it can last up to a month, so if it continues beyond that, inform the clinic where you had the procedure.

The thread lifting section contains the 2025 thread lifting review and official care instructions from the manufacturer, Hans Biomed, while the facelift section includes the postoperative precautions from Well Plastic Surgery’s official website. Since the guidance period varies by hospital, please follow the instructions of the hospital where you are receiving the procedure.

Which is right for me, thread lifting or a lift?

The table below groups the differences identified in the reviews and papers by situation. The final decision should be made in consultation with the doctor you meet in person.

What should you check in the hospital disclosure information before a facelift consultation?

If you are considering a facelift, it is best to check the specialists, surgical methods, surgery duration, and recovery schedule of the medical staff under the same category on the hospital’s official website. Below is the introduction of the medical staff and information about facial and neck lifting from Wel Plastic Surgery in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, published on their official website on September 29, 2026.

1. Medical staff information. Chief Director Ha Sung-yoon is a board-certified plastic surgeon and has disclosed his experience as a plastic surgery fellow at UCLA University Hospital in the United States in 2000. The medical team includes Director Kang Mi-sook, a specialist in anesthesiology and pain medicine who previously served as a fellow and pain clinic physician at Seoul National University Hospital.

2. Surgical Procedure Information.The four steps are illustrated as follows: make a minimal incision along the ear crease and inside the ear, dissect the skin and muscle tissue to the minimum extent, lift and fix from the SMAS layer to the skin and fat layers, and suture the remaining skin. We also explain how to graft the excised SMAS tissue into nasolabial folds.

3. Surgery duration and recovery schedule. The surgery takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 4 hours, with sedation anesthesia. Stitches are removed approximately 7 to 10 days later. Follow-up visits are 2 to 3 times. Recovery usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, and normal daily activities are possible after 4 to 5 days. Since the hospital timeline is shorter than RealSelf’s recovery guide (10–14 days), it’s best to confirm during the consultation which option is closer to your surgery scope.

4. Neck lifting and forehead lifting menu.As seen earlier, the neck also partially recovers after a facelift, and a facelift does not address the forehead or eyelids. Well Plastic Surgery offers separate menus for neck lifting based on wrinkle direction, endotine forehead lifting, temple lifting, and thread lifting, as well as triple procedures that lift the forehead, midface, and lower face, and treatments for removing foreign substances like old threads or fillers.

What should I ask during the consultation?

Thread lifting and lift surgery are difficult to compare using the same question. Take the following questions for each procedure.

So, how should you choose between thread lifting and a facelift?

If there is no recovery time and the sagging is mild, thread lifting is the way to go; if the sagging is deep and you want long-lasting results, start with a consultation for a facelift.If you’re thinking about how many thread lifting sessions to repeat, you need to factor in the cost for each and reports that the facelift has become more complicated after repeated procedures.

In any case, calculate and compare whether the price is per line or per surgery, and how many sessions are needed.

Before consulting about a facelift, it is best to confirm the medical staff's specialty, surgical method, operation time, and stitch removal schedule with the same criteria across different hospitals. I recommend comparing the information published on the hospital's website with the same question and then confirming it directly during a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and review dates

1. SILIFTING Procedure Information, Event Prices, and ReviewsChecked on 2026-09-29
2. Facelift, mini facelift procedure information, special event prices, and patient reviewsChecked on 2026-09-29
3. 'Thread Lifting' Procedure Reviews and Events (Babitok)Checked on 2026-09-29
4. Facelift Reviews, Walk-Through Reviews, Events (Babitalk)Checked on 2026-09-29
5. Thread Lift: Worth It Rating, Average Cost, Pros and Cons (RealSelf)Checked on 2026-09-28
6. Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy): Worth It Rating, Average Cost, Downtime (RealSelf)Checked on 2026-09-28
7. Gülbitti HA 외. Thread-Lift Sutures: Still in the Lift? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 (PMID 29481392)Checked on 2026-09-28
8. Niu Z et al. A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Incidences of Complications Following Facial Thread-Lifting. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2021 (PMID 33821308)Checked on 2026-09-28
9. Riopelle AM 외. Update on Absorbable Facial Thread Lifts. Dermatol Surg. 2025 (PMID 39662017)Checked on 2026-09-28
10. Gupta V 외. Preoperative Risk Factors and Complication Rates in Facelift: Analysis of 11,300 Patients. Aesthet Surg J. 2016 (PMID 26578747)Checked on 2026-09-28
11. Jones BM, Lo SJ. How long does a face lift last? Objective and subjective measurements over a 5-year period. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012 (PMID 23190814)Checked on 2026-09-28
12. Hong GW 외. Thread Lifting Materials: A Review of Its Difference in Terms of Technical and Mechanical Perspective. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024 (PMID 38737945)Checked on 2026-09-29
13. Hong GW 외. Pre- and Post-Procedural Considerations and Thread Types for Thread Lifting. Life (Basel). 2025 (PMID 39860025)Checked on 2026-09-29
14. Yordanov YP. The Facelift After Thread Lifting: Surgical and Aesthetic Complications. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2025 (PMID 40775188)Checked on 2026-09-29
15. Well Plastic Surgery Official WebsiteChecked on 2026-09-29
16. Well Plastic Surgery Official Website (English)Checked on 2026-09-29
17. Bertossi D 외. Effectiveness, Longevity, and Complications of Facelift by Barbed Suture Insertion. Aesthet Surg J. 2019 (PMID 29474522)Checked on 2026-09-29
18. Hong YA 외. What Do Patients Say About Doctors Online? A Systematic Review of Studies on Patient Online Reviews. J Med Internet Res. 2019 (PMID 30958276)Checked on 2026-09-29
19. Facelift (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)Checked on 2026-09-29
20. Things to do Before and After a PDO Thread (MINT PDO, Hans Biomed 공식 홈페이지)Checked on 2026-09-29
21. Hijkoop LF 외. The minimal access cranial suspension (MACS) lift: A systematic review of literature 18 years after its introduction. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2022 (PMID 34922854)Checked on 2026-09-29

Related topics