Thread Lift

Nasolabial Fold Thread Lift in Seoul: A Visit Guide

A planning guide to the nasolabial fold thread lift at RESUM Plastic Surgery Clinic in Gangnam: time on the day, the first two weeks, and when filler is added to the plan.

Plan a consultation

Published: 2026-10-15

Updated: 2026-10-15

At a glance

The threads lift the upper cheek toward the temple; they are not placed around the mouth.
The session takes 30-50 minutes under local anaesthesia, and the main swelling lasts 3-5 days.
For a very deep fold, threads alone are limited and a combination with nasolabial fold filler is recommended.

What does a nasolabial fold thread lift treat?

A nasolabial fold thread lift softens the fold by raising the cheek above it. In many faces the line from the nose to the mouth corner deepens because the upper cheek has slid down, so cog threads are run from an entry point at the temple down through the upper cheek and the tissue is drawn back up.

PDO, PLA (PLLA) or PCL cog threads are used. Where the marionette lines beside the mouth are also showing, the direction of pull is carried on to them so that one line is not corrected while its neighbour is left behind.

How long does a nasolabial fold thread lift take?

The treatment takes 30-50 minutes, with the consultation and local anaesthesia on top. Swelling is at its most noticeable for 3-5 days and has largely settled within 1-2 weeks. If filler is going to be combined, the order of the two treatments is set at the consultation, so let us know your travel dates beforehand.

Treatment time	30-50 minutes
Anaesthesia	Local anaesthesia
Daily activities	Main swelling settles in 3-5 days
How long it lasts	About 12 months as a general guide; by thread type, about 9-12 months (PDO), 12-24 months (PLA), 24-36 months (PCL)

When are threads alone not enough for nasolabial folds?

A thread lift does not fill a fold. If the nasolabial fold is very deep, lifting the cheek only goes part of the way, and Dr. Jin-Young Kim will recommend adding nasolabial fold filler or a Deep Cheek Thread Lift. Threads placed only around the mouth are not offered either, because that approach tends to look unnatural and to wear off quickly.

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Purpose & suitability

Your nasolabial folds have become prominent in your 30s-40s and make you look tired.

The upper cheek has dropped along with the fold, so the cause sits above the line itself.

You have had filler in the fold before and felt it was not enough, or you want filler and threads planned together.

You want the marionette lines beside the mouth handled in the same plan.

Treatment process

Consultation. Dr. Jin-Young Kim compares the depth of the fold with the amount of upper-cheek descent to judge where the cause lies.
Plan. The pull on the upper cheek toward the temple is fixed first. The thread count, any extension to the marionette lines and the need for filler follow from that.
Treatment. With local anaesthesia in place, cog threads are inserted so that the upper cheek is raised before anything else.
Aftercare. You are told how to look after the swelling, in what order filler would be added for a deep fold, and when a reinforcement might be due.

Time & recovery

Swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are usual at first. Most of the swelling lasts 3-5 days and the greater part has gone within 1-2 weeks, depending on the area treated and the thread count.

For 1-2 weeks, avoid opening your mouth wide, exaggerated expressions and firm massage, so the line of pull can settle.

How long the lift holds depends on the thread: about 9-12 months for PDO, 12-24 months for PLA and 24-36 months for PCL, with differences according to skin ageing and weight change.

Limitations & precautions

The treatment is not carried out during pregnancy or when an active skin infection is present.

Anticoagulant medicines make bruising and bleeding more likely. Tell us at the consultation if you take them.

Temporary asymmetry, dimpling and knot irritation can occur and mostly settle with time. Infection and thread exposure have been reported in rare cases.

Results vary between individuals, and a specialist consultation is required before treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a nasolabial fold thread lift on a short visit to Seoul?

A nasolabial fold thread lift takes 30-50 minutes under local anaesthesia, so the treatment itself fits a short visit. Plan for 3-5 days of main swelling, 1-2 weeks for it to settle, and the same 1-2 weeks without wide mouth opening or firm facial massage.

Is the treatment painful?

A nasolabial fold thread lift is performed under local anaesthesia. Swelling, bruising and tightness are the usual reactions afterwards.

Should I choose threads or filler for my nasolabial folds?

Threads and filler do different jobs: a thread lift raises the sagging upper cheek, while hyaluronic acid filler fills the hollow of the fold. When the fold is very deep the two are combined, and the order is explained at the consultation.

Why are the threads not placed around the mouth?

The threads are placed in the upper cheek because that is where the fold usually starts. Treating the mouth area alone tends to give an unnatural line that fades quickly, and it can leave the marionette lines beside the mouth untouched.

How long does it last, and who chooses the thread?

The lift is reported to hold for roughly 9-12 months when PDO is used, 12-24 months for PLA and 24-36 months for PCL. Dr. Jin-Young Kim chooses the thread type and count in a 1:1 consultation after assessing the area that causes the fold.