Why does having multiple thread lifts make a facelift difficult?

 

hello, 3D Plastic Surgery at surgery during doing Director Heo Jae-won, a board-certified plastic surgeon no see.

 

 

There is a phrase I hear most often in the doctor's office these days.
I've been getting thread lifts every one or two years, but now it seems like they have almost no effect.
And the question that follows,
“I have had thread lifts multiple times; is a facelift still possible?”

 

 

If you have undergone repeated thread lifting, you will face this dilemma at least once.

 

 

today Why a facelift can become more complicated after a thread lift cast,

Cases confirmed in actual clinical practice and international academic journals Aesthetic Plastic Surgery published in (2025)
Dr. Yordan P. Yordanov's Research paper I will explain focusing on...

 

1. What type of lifting procedure is thread lifting?

🎯 Thread lifting is It is a non-surgical lifting procedure that physically pulls the skin using threads beneath the skin.

 

🔹 Thread lifting involves inserting absorbable threads under the skin. A method that pulls up sagging areas no see.
🔹 You may feel that your jawline or nasolabial folds have lifted immediately after the procedure. Immediate change I feel that this is an advantage.

 

 

The reason for choosing thread lifting usually starts with the following.

• “ Major surgery is a burden When you want just a light lift

• “ Whenever I feel my face sagging Cases where non-surgical methods are repeatedly selected

 

 

2. Why do changes occur in internal tissues with repeated thread lifting?

🎯Thread lifting Even after the thread is gone, traces of the tissue can remain.

 

🔸 Absorbable threads (PDO, PLLA, PCL, etc.) used in thread lifting dissolve over time.
🔸 However, in this process Stimulates collagen production It becomes, and that position Fibrotic tissue It can be changed to.

 

👉 How these changes actually manifest has been confirmed through research.

 

Dr. Yordanov during 2021–2023 History of receiving thread lifting On 10 patients (average age 59) with
Facelift surgery We directly observed the internal tissue condition while performing the procedure.

 

 

 

in result, The following common changes were identified in all patients.

• ✔️ The area where the thread was inserted hardening

• ✔️ Skin, subcutaneous fat, and SMAS layer Adhesion that sticks together

• ✔️ Anatomically important layer Reduced mobility

• ✔️ Increase in surgery time : Difficult to peel off skin layer and increased bleeding

 

in other words, Even if the thread melts, organizational change can remain. The key point is this.

 

 

3. How do these tissue changes affect facelift surgery?

🎯 The surgical process may become more difficult.

 

🔹 Facelift surgery involves the process of dissecting and trimming the tissue beneath the skin.
However, after thread lifting In cases where fibrosis or adhesions are present ,

→ Organizational separation becomes difficult and
→ Anatomical differentiation may become difficult during surgery.

 

 

 

 

✨ A point commonly confirmed in research papers is,

 

“ Thread lifting is Changes that remain in an organization last longer than temporary effects. .”

“ thread lifting After Facelift is It becomes much more anatomically complex. .”

 

in other words , repetitive thread lifting silver Later surgery Making it difficult 'viewless evidence' second It means leaving something behind. .

 

 

 

 

4. In that case, is a facelift impossible if I have had a thread lift?

🎯 That is not the case. However, 'information sharing' is important.

 

✔️ Just because you have had thread lifting multiple times It is not impossible to have a facelift.

✔️ I also frequently encounter patients who undergo surgery after thread lifting while primarily performing facelifts.

It is very rare for someone to choose a facelift from the start without ever having tried thread lifting.

Looking at actual surgical cases, traces of previously inserted lifting threads are visible in 1 out of 3 cases.

 

 

However, Information that must be provided before surgery There is.

• 🔸 Timing of the procedure

• 🔸 Treatment area

• 🔸 Types of yarn used

• 🔸 Number of treatments

 

⚠️ You need this information,
→ Avoid unexpected adhesions during surgery and
→ See Safe surgery plan You can set it up.

 

 

 

5. How does thread lifting compare to other procedures?

🎯 Not all procedures have the same effect.

 

🔹 From a clinical perspective,

• Collagen stimulants (Juvelux, etc.)

• Fat grafting and liposuction

• Specific volume control procedures (AccuSculp, etc.)
  In some cases, this actually makes the surgery more complicated.

✨ Compared to this, The traces of lifting threads are relatively easy to clean up. There are also many cases that fall under this category.

 

 

What matters is not 'what procedure was performed,' but 'how accurately it is shared with the medical staff.'

 

FAQ ❓

Q1. What causes the effects of thread lifting to wear off quickly?
A1. Since thread lifting is not a surgery that fundamentally rearranges the structure, the lifting effect may diminish over time. In some cases, the perceived effect may last longer when combined with other procedures.

 

Q2. I am considering a face lift. Which would be the better choice, thread lifting or a facelift?
A2. It depends on the degree of sagging and the expected results. Non-surgical methods may be considered more suitable for mild sagging, while surgical methods may be more appropriate for moderate to severe sagging.

 

Q3. When can I return to my daily life after a facelift? I am curious about the recovery period.
A3. Initially, there is swelling and tightness, but it gradually stabilizes after a certain period.

The speed of recovery may vary depending on individual conditions.

 

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Conclusion 🧾

Thread lifting is simple, but, Internal organizational changes may remain upon repetition.
This change subsequently led to a facelift surgery Factors that make it more delicate This can be
✔️ However, this does not mean that surgery becomes impossible, Sharing accurate procedure history is key. no see.

 

✨ Rather than choosing blindly, Check current condition and past procedure history together do
Consult thoroughly with a specialist The direction that suits me It is important to find it.

 

 

 

 

3D Plastic Surgery

Director Heo Jae-won

 

Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine

Master of Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School

Severance Hospital Plastic Surgeon

Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Regular member of the Korean Society of Craniofacial Plastic Surgery

Regular member of the Oculoplastic Surgery Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Rhinoplasty Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Anti-Aging Plastic Surgery Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Liposuction Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Laser Plastic Surgery Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Botox, Filler, and Thread Lifting Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Current Director of Ipse Plastic Surgery Clinic

10 years of experience specializing in lifting procedures

 

 

 

👉 Curious about Dr. Jae-Won Heo's facelift surgery at Ipche Plastic Surgery?