Close Menu

Complete Guide to Re-treatment Cycles

Care within 72 hours determines 40% of results
Average duration 12-18 months
Optimal timing for re-treatment 6-8 months

Half of the results are determined within the first 72 hours after the procedure

The most frequently asked question in the clinic is 'When can I wash my face?' However, what is truly important is not washing, but compression.

During the 72 hours following thread insertion, collagen fibers in the dermis layer of the skin rearrange around the thread. During this period, external pressure slightly pushes the position of the threads, lowering the final lifting angle by 5–10 degrees. According to a 2022 발표 by the Korean Dermatological Association, the group that slept face down or received a massage within 48 hours of the procedure showed an average 38% lower satisfaction with the results after 3 months. Light rinsing with water is possible after 12 hours, but patting with a towel is prohibited for 72 hours. Please remove moisture by patting only. Caution: The habit of sleeping on your side is also a risk. If the pillow continuously presses against one cheek, the threads will settle asymmetrically. The principle is to maintain a supine position for 3 days.

Average 72 hours until thread fixation is complete
Effect reduction rate upon exposure to compression: 30-40%
Face washing is permitted 12 hours later

Recovery speed varies by thread type by a factor of 2

PDO (Polydioxanone), PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), PCL (Polycaprolactone) — These three materials have completely different rates of degradation in the body.

PDO threads degrade within 6-8 months according to FDA approval standards and provide a strong immediate lifting effect. On the other hand, PLLA dissolves slowly over 12-18 months and induces collagen production.

PCL threads have the slowest degradation rate of 24-36 months and are preferred by those over 40 who desire long-term support. In domestic clinical practice, Mint Lift (PCL) and Silhouette Soft (PLLA coating) are representative. From a recovery perspective, PDO allows for a return to daily life within one week, but PLLA/PCL is reported to have a tendency for swelling to persist longer during the initial two weeks. In clinical practice, if you do not know what type of thread is being used, effective management is impossible. Be sure to confirm the material and product name with your medical team before the procedure. Mixed procedures (PDO+PLLA) are also common.

Material	Degradation Period	Initial Swelling	Re-procedure Recommended
PDO	6-8 months	3-5 days	8-12 months
PLLA	12-18 months	7-10 days	12-18 months
PCL	24-36 months	7-14 days	18-24 months

Exercise, sauna, and drinking: When is it okay?

1 week after the procedure You must avoid all activities that increase blood flow. Vasodilation worsens edema by 2 to 3 times and amplifies the inflammatory response around the sutures. The general recommendation is to wait 48 hours before light walking, 1 week before strength training, and 10 days before high-intensity aerobic exercise (running). For yoga, prone positions (plank, chaturanga) are prohibited for 2 weeks. Saunas and steam rooms are generally prohibited for 2 weeks. High-temperature environments raise skin temperature to 38–42 degrees, hindering the rearrangement of collagen fibers. Half-body baths are possible at lukewarm temperatures starting 1 week after the procedure. Alcohol consumption not only causes vasodilation but also temporarily suppresses the immune response, increasing the risk of infection. Abstaining from alcohol for at least 5 days, and recommended for 10 days, is safe. Key Point: If you are an office worker, having the procedure on Friday is advantageous. In many cases, if you secure a 4-day stabilization period by working from home for 2 days over the weekend plus Monday and Tuesday, you can return to the office starting Wednesday. Please find a hospital strong in recovery care on K-Dia in advance.

Light exercise allowed 48 hours later
High-intensity exercise resumed 10 days later
Sauna/Steam Room ban period 14 days

Daily care extends the effects by 3 months

Thread lifting provides lifting immediately upon insertion, and the collagen regeneration effect is added for the following 3-6 months. To maximize this regeneration effect, you must create an environment for skin regeneration.

Vitamin C serum (concentration 10-20%) helps with collagen synthesis. However, please avoid high-concentration acid products (retinol, AHA/BHA) for 1 month. There is a risk of thread exposure due to dead skin cell shedding. UV rays activate collagen-degrading enzymes (MMP-1). Numerous studies show that applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily extends the duration of its effectiveness by an average of 2 to 3 months. Sleeping position is also a variable. Sleeping on your side concentrates gravity and pillow pressure on one cheek, causing asymmetrical sagging. Maintaining a supine position is ideal; if that is difficult, reduce friction with a silk pillowcase. Tip Dermatologist-recommended care: Vitamin C in the morning + peptide serum in the evening, LED mask (red light 633nm) twice a week, and radio frequency treatment once every 3 months. With this routine, you can delay the re-treatment cycle by an average of 4 months. The optimal timing for re-treatment is at the 50% mark. If you re-treat after the threads have completely decomposed, you must start over from the beginning. However, if you re-treat when 50% of the effect remains, you can achieve 120-130% of the initial result through cumulative effect. For PDO threads, the optimal time for re-treatment is 8-10 months after the initial procedure. At this point, 70-80% of the lifting effect remains, and thread decomposition has progressed to 50%. PLLA/PCL is slower, so re-treatment is performed at 12-18 months or 18-24 months. Doing it too early may cause the existing and new threads to overlap, resulting in an unnatural appearance of skin thickness. Please choose a clinic where medical staff confirm the position of the existing threads using ultrasound before the re-treatment. Blind reinsertion doubles the risk of suture overlap. Key Points Keep your own record of your procedures (material, number, insertion depth). Even if you change hospitals, having this information increases the accuracy of re-procedures by 40%. You can manage your procedure records on K-Dia and receive recommendations for a customized hospital for the optimal timing of re-procedures.

Suture Material	Duration of Initial Effect	Optimal Timing for Re-procedure	Accumulation Effects
PDO	6-8 months	8-10 months	120-130%
PLLA	12-18 months	12-18 months	130-140%
PCL	24-36 months	18-24 months	140-150%

Side Effect Warning Signs You Shouldn't Miss

Thread Lifting — Side Effect Signs, 3 Things You Must Not Miss

Thread lifting is relatively safe, but there are side effect signs that require early detection. Typical examples include pain that persists for more than two weeks after the procedure, localized redness at the thread insertion site, and skin depression.

If pain worsens or is accompanied by a sensation of heat, you should suspect the possibility of infection. Although reported cases in Korea are less than 1%, antibiotic administration or suture removal may be necessary if they occur. If the suture is pushed up to the skin surface and can be felt, or if the skin pulls unnaturally when smiling, it indicates a suture misalignment. In this case, readjustment is possible within 3 months. Rarely, asymmetry, dimples (skin depressions), and suture protrusion are reported. According to 2021 data from the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the incidence of dimples is 2.3%, and most resolve naturally within 3 months. Consultation with a specialist is essential if they persist. Caution Be sure to receive a follow-up check one month after the procedure. Initial side effects are most apparent at this time. If left untreated, the difficulty of correction increases threefold.

Infection rate less than 1%
Dimple rate 2.3%
Restoration procedure possible within 3 months

Comparison of characteristics by thread material

PDO [Immediate effect]

Decomposition 6-8 months
Initial swelling 3-5 days
Re-procedure 8-10 months
Strong lifting angle

For those who prefer fast recovery and short-term effects

PLLA [Collagen Induction]

Decomposition 12-18 months
Initial edema 7-10 days
Retreatment 12-18 months
Gradual volume increase

Natural change, mid-term effect

PCL [Long-term Support]

Decomposition 24-36 months
Initial edema 7-14 days
Retreatment 18-24 months
Longest Durability

For ages 40 and older, for long-term maintenance

Common Misconceptions

Misconception The effect returns to zero when the threads dissolve

Truth While the threads themselves decompose within 6–36 months, the collagen generated during the process is maintained for an additional 6–12 months. In particular, in the case of PLLA, the collagen-regenerating effect persists even after the threads decompose, so the actual perceived effect lasts an average of 30% longer than the stated period. It does not return completely to its original state, but rather follows a curve that gradually decreases. Misconception: You absolutely cannot receive other procedures after thread lifting. Truth: Concurrent procedures such as Botox and fillers are possible starting one month after the threads have been fully fixed. In fact, a combined strategy of using thread lifting to establish the structure and fillers to supplement volume creates natural results. However, high-temperature devices such as radiofrequency and Ulthera are recommended after three months. If performed by medical professionals who know the thread locations, the risk of collision is less than 5%.

Absolutely Prohibited Actions After Thread Lifting

Sleeping face down or lying on your side and applying pressure to one cheek within 72 hours of the procedure
High-temperature sauna, steam room, or half-body bath (water above 38 degrees Celsius) within 1 week
Facial massage, dermatological extraction, or scaling within 2 weeks
Using high-concentration retinol or AHA/BHA peeling products within 1 month
Blind reinsertion due to failure to provide previous procedure records (material/location) during re-procedure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return to work in a few days?

It varies depending on the degree of swelling, but most You can return to your daily routine after 3 to 5 days. If you are in an environment where wearing a mask is possible, you can even go to work the next day. If you have many in-person meetings, it is safer to allow a week's buffer. Is even a single drink really forbidden? The principle is to abstain from alcohol for a minimum of 5 days, with a recommended 10 days. Even small amounts of drinking can worsen swelling by 2 to 3 times due to vasodilation and suppress the immune response, increasing the risk of infection. In particular, absolutely avoid high-alcohol content drinks. When can I receive dental treatment? Procedures that require opening the mouth wide, such as scaling and cavity treatment, are possible after 2 weeks. It is safer to wait one month, as the suture insertion site may be pulled or shift. Please consult with medical staff for emergency treatment. Do people in their 20s need re-procedures? People in their 20s have a high natural collagen production capacity, so the initial effects often last for 12 to 15 months. For those in their 40s, the interval shortens to 8–10 months. Skin elasticity, rather than age, determines the re-treatment cycle.

Is it painful or uncomfortable during the process of the threads dissolving?

In most cases, it is asymptomatic. The threads are gradually hydrolyzed by the body's moisture, and this process is painless. Occasionally, you may feel the ends of the threads, but they will naturally disappear within 1–2 months.

Does it cause problems with MRI or CT scans?

Thread lifting threads are made of non-metallic materials (PDO, PLLA, PCL) and do not affect MRI or CT scans at all. It is safer to inform the medical staff of the procedure before the examination.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a specialist before the procedure.

Effects and side effects vary from person to person, and post-procedure care methods may differ depending on the type of thread used and individual skin condition. Find the right hospital for you at K-Dia