A thread lift in Korea places absorbable sutures under the skin to hold sagging cheek and jaw tissue higher, and it is often planned alongside filler, botulinum toxin or an ultrasound or radiofrequency lift on the same trip. Local anesthetic is injected at the entry points, and placing the threads commonly takes under an hour. Flying home is generally possible the same day, though bruising and swelling can take one to two weeks to settle. The change is visible at once and softens over the following months. Clinics charge per thread, before VAT, and this page lists clinics in Myeongdong beside a table of current prices.
Clinics in Myeongdong
10 clinics for Thread lifts in Myeongdong
If you are comparing Thread lifts in Myeongdong, these 10 clinics are on this page: Kind Global Clinic, Summit Clinic, RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong, iD Clinic Myeongdong, UPIC Clinic Myeongdong, Heyday Clinic Myeongdong, Beauty Z Skin Clinic Myeongdong, Muse Clinic Myeongdong, Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic and VandS Clinic Myeongdong. Their published Thread lifts prices start at ₩69,000 before VAT.
11. Kind Global Clinic
★ 4.9359 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Euljiro-ipgu Station offering HIFU lifting and RF lifting
Kind Global Clinic, a skin and aesthetic clinic near Euljiro-ipgu Station, mainly offers HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox; Thread lifts is on the menu too.
- HIFU lifting
- RF lifting
- Botox
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Wrinkle or jawline toxin
- Location
- Euljiro-ipgu Station (Line 2) Exit 6 / Myeongdong Station (Line 4) Exit 8
- Languages
- English · 日本語 · 中文 · Español
- Listed price
- From ₩69,000 + VAT
22. Summit Clinic
★ 5.0157 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong, with RF lifting and skin boosters on its menu
Summit Clinic is a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeongdong. Its menu covers RF lifting, skin boosters and laser toning, and Thread lifts is also offered.
- RF lifting
- Skin boosters
- Laser toning
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Hydration and skin-quality boosters
- Location
- Myeongdong
33. RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.91,091 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong Station, with HIFU lifting and RF lifting on its menu
RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong Station. Its menu covers HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox, and Thread lifts is also offered.
- HIFU lifting
- RF lifting
- Botox
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Wrinkle or jawline toxin
- Location
- Myeongdong Station (Line 4) / Euljiro-ipgu Station (Line 2)
- Languages
- English · 中文 · 日本語 · Español
- Listed price
- From ₩350,000 + VAT
4. iD Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.8396 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic in Namdaemun-ro offering Ultherapy and Thermage
ID Clinic Myeongdong, a skin and aesthetic clinic in Namdaemun-ro, mainly offers Ultherapy, Thermage and HIFU lifting; Thread lifts is on the menu too.
- Ultherapy
- Thermage
- HIFU lifting
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Thread lifting
- Location
- Namdaemun-ro
5. UPIC Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.9707 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeong-dong, with Ultherapy and Thermage on its menu
UPIC Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeong-dong. Its menu covers Ultherapy, Thermage and RF lifting, and Thread lifts is also offered.
- Ultherapy
- Thermage
- RF lifting
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Thread lifting
- Location
- Myeong-dong
6. Heyday Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.91,417 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic in Myeong-dong offering Ultherapy and Thermage
Heyday Clinic Myeongdong, a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeong-dong, mainly offers Ultherapy, Thermage and HIFU lifting; Thread lifts is on the menu too.
- Location
- Myeong-dong
7. Beauty Z Skin Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.8167 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic in Myeongdong offering Botox and Ultherapy
Beauty Z Skin Clinic Myeongdong, a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeongdong, mainly offers Botox, Ultherapy and Thermage; Thread lifts is on the menu too.
- Location
- Myeongdong
8. Muse Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.6285 Google reviewsMyeong-dong skin and aesthetic clinic listing Ultherapy and HIFU lifting
At Muse Clinic Myeongdong in Myeong-dong, the menu centres on Ultherapy, HIFU lifting and RF lifting, with Thread lifts also available.
- Location
- Myeong-dong
9. Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic
★ 4.6667 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic in Myeongdong-gil offering Ultherapy and Thermage
Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic, a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeongdong-gil, mainly offers Ultherapy, Thermage and Sofwave; Thread lifts is on the menu too.
- Location
- Myeongdong-gil
10. VandS Clinic Myeongdong
★ 5.0691 Google reviewsToegye-ro plastic surgery clinic listing laser toning and acne and scar care
At VandS Clinic Myeongdong in Toegye-ro, the menu centres on laser toning, acne and scar care and Botox, with Thread lifts also available.
- Location
- Toegye-ro
Prices
Thread lifts cost in Myeongdong
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Thread
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $50₩69,000 + VATCompare clinicsJamber Thread Lift 4 Threads
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $255₩350,000 + VATCompare clinicsJamber Thread Lift 8 Threads
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $473₩650,000 + VATCompare clinicsDOOTH Short Thread 4 Threads
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $480₩660,000 + VATCompare clinicsDOOTH Short Thread 8 Threads
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $800₩1,100,000 + VATCompare clinicsDOOTH Dream Thread 8 Threads
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $872₩1,199,000 + VATCompare clinicsDOOTH Dream Thread 12 Threads
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $1,192₩1,639,000 + VATCompare clinicsIs it for you?
Who Thread lifts in Myeongdong suits, and who should wait
Threads are appropriate for adults with early to moderate descent of the cheeks and jaw whose skin still has some thickness. They reposition tissue but add little volume and do not tighten skin with heat, so many plans pair them with filler, botulinum toxin or an energy-based lift.
They are a poor match for heavy skin excess, very thin skin, or an expectation of results lasting years. Threads will not remove loose skin, erase etched lines or replace a surgical facelift.
Usually a good fit
- Mild jowls or a softened jaw edge
- Cheek tissue that lifts easily by hand
- Wants a visible change within days
- Open to pairing threads with another treatment
May be better to wait
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Infection or active acne on the area
- Permanent filler or implants in the thread path
- Heavy loose skin that needs surgery
How it works
How a Thread lifts session runs
A thread lift is a mechanical procedure, and no energy device is involved. A needle or blunt cannula carries each suture through the fat layer just below the skin, and barbs, cones or T-shaped anchors grip the tissue as the cannula is withdrawn. Most threads used in Korea are polydioxanone (PDO), including Mint Lift cog threads and Dooth threads by CGBIO, and some clinics also stock polycaprolactone or poly-L-lactic acid threads. Clinics dose and price by the number of threads per side.
Combining is common because each treatment works on a different layer. Filler restores volume where fat has thinned, botulinum toxin relaxes muscles that drag the jaw or neck down, and focused ultrasound or radiofrequency heats deeper tissue to firm it over months. The treating doctor sets the order and the gap, because numbing fluid, swelling and fresh entry points all affect what can follow safely on the same day.
The research explains why threads are rarely presented as a long-term answer on their own. A 2018 systematic review by Gülbitti and colleagues in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that all but two included studies showed only very limited durability, and both positive studies were sponsored by thread manufacturers. A 2024 update by Riopelle and colleagues in Dermatologic Surgery covered 12 newer studies with 818 patients: scores improved right after treatment in every study, but long-term efficacy data were still lacking.
Assessment and sequencing
Dropped zones, entry points and thread paths are mapped, and the plan states whether filler, botulinum toxin or an energy-based lift is included and on which day.
Numbing
Local anesthetic is injected at each entry point and along the planned paths; it takes effect within a few minutes, and some pressure and tugging are still felt.
Thread placement
The cannula passes along each path, the threads are set, the face is shaped by hand and the ends are trimmed; this commonly takes under an hour.
Same-session additions
When the doctor agrees, botulinum toxin or filler is added after the threads, in areas away from fresh entry points.
Aftercare briefing
Cold packs are applied, and you receive written instructions on sleeping position, mouth opening, washing and what to report.
Thread lifts compared with other options
| Feature | Thread lift | Focused ultrasound | Hyaluronic acid filler | Botulinum toxin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Mechanical suspension with absorbable sutures | Heat delivered to deep layers | Gel injected to add volume | Relaxes targeted muscles |
| Main effect | Repositions dropped tissue | Gradual firming | Fills hollows and folds | Softens muscle pull and lines |
| Layer treated | Fat just under the skin | Deeper support layers | Skin to deep fat, by product | Muscle |
| Sensation | Pressure and tugging after numbing | Deep heat pulses | Pinches and pressure | Brief needle pricks |
| When change shows | Same day, then softens | Builds over weeks to months | Same day | Within days |
| Usual role in a combined plan | Lift | Firming | Volume | Muscle balance |
At a glance
Thread lifts facts
| Material | Absorbable PDO threads, with some PCL or PLLA options |
|---|---|
| Example products in Korea | Mint Lift (PDO cog), Dooth by CGBIO (PDO with T-shaped anchors) |
| Method | Mechanical suspension, no energy device |
| Dose unit | Number of threads per side |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic at entry points and along paths |
| Procedure time | Commonly under an hour |
| Downtime | Bruising and swelling for one to two weeks |
| When results show | Immediately, softening over months |
| Earliest flight home | Generally the same day |
Recovery
What the days after look like
Tightness, tenderness and swelling; cold packs and sleeping on the back help.
Swelling and any bruising peak; small dimples at entry points are common. Avoid wide mouth opening and facial massage.
Bruising fades and the pulling feeling eases. Saunas and hard exercise wait until the aftercare sheet allows them.
The final contour of the lift becomes easier to judge; this is a sensible point to review any planned filler or energy treatment.
The threads gradually dissolve, and the lift softens at a rate that varies from person to person.
Safety
Thread lifts risks and limits
- Bruising, swelling and tenderness are the most frequent reported effects.
- Asymmetry, dimpling or a palpable thread end can appear and sometimes need correction.
- Infection and inflammatory reactions are uncommon but may need medical treatment.
- Rare events include altered sensation and injury to vessels or glands.
- Barbed threads were linked with more complications than smooth or cone threads in a 2024 review.
- The lift is temporary, and long-term efficacy data remain limited.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Update on Absorbable Facial Thread LiftsDermatologic Surgery · 2024 · Riopelle A, Geisler A, Eber A, Dover J · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000004521
A review of 12 studies (818 patients) found immediate improvement in all of them and mild complications, with follow-up up to two years and long-term efficacy data still lacking.
- An Assessment and Comparison of Adverse Effect Rates in Differing Absorbable Thread Lift Suture MaterialsDermatologic Surgery · 2024 · Ojha A, Farahbakhsh N, Saikaly S · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000004466
Across 19 studies and 1,406 patients, bruising, swelling and tenderness were most frequent, and barbed and floating threads were linked with more complications than smooth, coned or fixed ones.
- Thread-Lift Sutures: Still in the Lift? A Systematic Review of the LiteraturePlastic & Reconstructive Surgery · 2018 · Gülbitti H, Colebunders B, Pirayesh A, Bertossi D, van der Lei B · doi:10.1097/prs.0000000000004101
Of 12 included studies, all but two showed only very limited durability of the lift, and the two positive studies were sponsored by thread manufacturers.
FAQ
Questions about Thread lifts in Myeongdong
Which clinics offer Thread lifts in Myeongdong?
Clinics offering Thread lifts in Myeongdong include Kind Global Clinic (Euljiro-ipgu Station), Summit Clinic (Myeongdong), RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong (Myeongdong Station), iD Clinic Myeongdong (Namdaemun-ro) and UPIC Clinic Myeongdong (Myeong-dong). Each lists Thread lifts on its own menu; message the clinic directly to confirm the doctor, product and current price.
Which comes first when threads and filler are both planned?
There is no single fixed order; the treating doctor chooses it based on which zones need lift and which need volume. Some doctors place threads first and add filler after, away from fresh entry points, so the gel does not sit where a cannula will pass. Others fill hollows at a later visit once swelling has settled. Ask for the order and the reason to be written in your plan.
Can an ultrasound lift be done on the same trip as a thread lift in Korea?
Often yes, though many doctors avoid delivering heat over freshly placed threads on the same day. Focused ultrasound works on deeper layers and its firming builds over weeks, while threads give an immediate mechanical lift. A common approach is to do the ultrasound treatment first or on a different day of the trip. The exact gap is the treating doctor's decision and depends on swelling and the zones involved.
Is radiofrequency safe over threads that are already in place?
Published data on heating directly over recent threads are limited, so many doctors wait until the entry points have healed and swelling has gone. Radiofrequency raises tissue temperature, and fresh thread paths are still inflamed. If you already have threads from an earlier trip, tell the clinic the date and product before any energy treatment. They can then adjust settings or choose a different zone.
Does botulinum toxin help a thread lift hold?
None of the reviews cited here tested that, so it should not be assumed. The reasoning some doctors give is that relaxing muscles which pull the jaw and neck downward removes some of the load on fresh threads. Botulinum toxin is quick, so it is often added in the same session. Treat it as a separate treatment with its own effects, and results vary from person to person.
How long does the lift usually last according to studies?
Studies show a clear early improvement but little reliable evidence on lasting results. Riopelle and colleagues, writing in Dermatologic Surgery in 2024, found improvement right after treatment in all 12 reviewed studies, with follow-up of up to two years and long-term data lacking. Gülbitti and colleagues reported in 2018 that most studies showed very limited durability. Plan on a temporary change.
Are barbed threads riskier than smooth or cone threads?
In one 2024 review, barbed threads were linked with more complications than smooth or coned threads. Ojha and colleagues, in Dermatologic Surgery, pooled 19 studies with 1,406 patients and also found more problems with floating threads than fixed ones, and more swelling and bruising with polycaprolactone and in midface lifts. Ask which design the doctor plans to use and why it suits your zone.
Is a same-day flight possible after threads?
A flight on the day of treatment is generally possible, because the procedure uses local anesthetic and involves no surgical incision. Swelling, tenderness and bruising may still be visible during travel and for one to two weeks after. Keep the treated side off the headrest where you can, and pack the written aftercare. Leave a margin before photos or events at home.
Which activities should wait until the entry points heal?
Facial massage, saunas, hard exercise and very wide mouth opening are usually paused while the entry points close and swelling fades. These raise pressure or movement along fresh thread paths. Dental work and sleeping face-down are also commonly postponed for a period. Your aftercare sheet sets the exact length, so follow it rather than a general rule.
Can threads be repeated on a later trip?
Yes, threads can be placed again once earlier ones have dissolved and the tissue has settled, if the doctor finds the zone still suitable. Bring the date, product and thread count from the first treatment, since these guide where new paths can go. Repeating threads does not build a permanent lift. Some people switch to an energy-based lift or filler instead at the second visit.
How can I tell if my case needs surgery rather than threads?
Surgery is usually the more appropriate route when loose skin hangs below the jaw or in the neck and threads would only move it briefly. A doctor can show this by lifting the skin by hand: if the excess remains, a suture cannot remove it. Threads are suited to mild descent on firm skin. Ask the treating doctor directly whether your case is a thread case at all.