An English-language patient guide to treatment in Thailand. General information, not medical advice.

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Thread lifts

General information, not medical advice. This guide explains treatments in general terms. It cannot tell you whether a treatment is right or safe for you. Discuss your health, medicines and expectations with a licensed doctor before any procedure. Read our medical review policy.

A thread lift uses fine absorbable threads, placed under the skin through a needle or thin cannula, to lift and support sagging tissue. It sits between injectable treatments and a surgical facelift: more involved than fillers, far less involved than surgery.

How it works

The threads are usually made from materials that the body breaks down over months, such as polydioxanone (PDO), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) or polycaprolactone (PCL). Some threads are smooth and are placed in a mesh pattern to support the skin. Others have small barbs or cones that grip the tissue so it can be repositioned, typically along the jawline, cheeks or brow.

As the threads dissolve, the body forms collagen around them, which is part of the intended effect. The lift itself is modest and temporary.

The procedure

Thread lifts are usually done under local anaesthetic in a clinic, and take around an hour depending on the area and number of threads. The doctor marks the entry points and vectors, numbs the skin and passes the threads along planned lines.

Recovery

Swelling, bruising and tightness are common for the first week or two. Some people notice small puckers or dimples where the threads grip, which usually settle. Doctors often advise avoiding wide mouth opening, facial massage, heavy exercise and sleeping face down for a period after treatment.

How long results last

Results vary between people, thread types and areas. Many clinics describe effects lasting somewhere between several months and a year or two. A thread lift will not match the result of a surgical facelift, and it suits people with mild to moderate sagging.

Possible complications

Removing threads is possible but can be difficult once tissue has grown around them.

Questions to ask

  • What type and how many threads will you use, and where will they be placed?
  • What result is realistic for my degree of sagging?
  • What is your plan if a thread becomes visible or infected?
  • Who handles follow-up if I return home soon after treatment?

Clinics in Thailand

Thread lifts are widely offered by aesthetic clinics in Bangkok. Some offer coordination in several languages for international patients. Check the doctor's licence and the clinic's licence before booking, as described in choosing a clinic in Thailand.

Written by the SurgicalEyes editorial team. Last updated October 2026. See how we prepare and check guides in our medical review policy.