Laser & Lifting · Apgujeong, Seoul

PDO Thread Lift

PDO mono, screw and cog threads for light lifting and collagen stimulation with a short recovery.

Quick answer

Every plan at Oaro Dermatology Clinic begins with a 1:1 skin diagnosis by a board-certified dermatologist, so the dose, device settings and session count are set for your skin rather than a template. Meet our doctors or ask about your own skin .

At a glance

Overview

What is a PDO thread lift?

Polydioxanone (PDO) is the same absorbable material used in surgical sutures for decades. In aesthetic dermatology it is made into three thread types. Mono threads are smooth and placed in a mesh pattern to stimulate collagen and firm the skin without lifting. Screw threads are coiled around the needle to add a little volume in hollow areas. Cog threads have cut barbs along their length that catch the subcutaneous tissue so that, when tensioned, the cheek or jawline is repositioned. PDO dissolves over about six months, leaving a mild collagen scaffold behind.

Because PDO is thinner and absorbs faster than PLLA or PCL threads, a PDO lift is lighter, cheaper and quicker to recover from, but also shorter-lived. It is often a first thread procedure for patients in their thirties and early forties.

How PDO thread lifting works at Oaro

Oaro Dermatology Clinic in Apgujeong, Seoul, uses PDO threads where a gentle lift or skin firming is the goal, and reserves Silhouette Soft cone threads for stronger, longer-lasting repositioning. Dr. Chang-hyun Kim, who advises thread-lifting brands, plans the pattern at your 1:1 diagnosis: a mesh of mono threads under the cheeks or neck for texture and tightness, cog threads from the temple for the jowl, or a combination.

PDO threads sit comfortably alongside energy treatments. Many patients have Thermage FLX or Ultherapy first, then PDO threads a few weeks later, and maintain with laser lifting. For patients focused on skin quality rather than lift, Rejuran Healer may be a better match. Each option is compared on the laser and lifting hub.

Why patients choose Oaro

• Diagnosis and treatment by a board-certified dermatologist, not a technician
• Genuine devices and products: Ultherapy, Thermage FLX, Helios Pico, Rejuran, Juvelook
• One treatment plan, written down, with aftercare and follow-up
• Private 1:1 rooms in Cheongdam Tower, 8 minutes from Apgujeong Rodeo Station
• English-friendly coordination and clear, itemised pricing

Treatment goals

Common goals for a PDO thread lift

Firm the lower cheeks and jawline

Cog threads may lift mild jowling with a few days of recovery.

Tighten crepey skin on the neck or cheeks

A mesh of mono threads stimulates collagen for firmer texture.

Lift the brow tail or outer eye

Short cog threads can give a subtle upward tilt to the brow.

A lower-cost first thread lift

PDO is a practical entry point for younger patients in Seoul. Book a consultation to discuss which thread type suits you.

Your visit

What to expect

1. Consultation & diagnosis

Your dermatologist examines laxity, skin thickness and bruising risk, marks the vectors while you sit upright, and decides thread types and counts.

2. Treatment

Numbing cream and local anaesthetic are applied. Mono threads are inserted with fine needles in a grid; cog threads are passed with a cannula from the temple or ear towards the fold and tensioned. The procedure takes 20–45 minutes.

3. Aftercare & follow-up

Written aftercare goes into your care notebook. Swelling settles over two to five days and a review is booked at two weeks.

Cost guide

PDO thread lift cost in Seoul

PDO threads are priced per thread or per area, and are generally the most affordable thread option in Apgujeong.

Exact pricing is confirmed at consultation after examination.

Aftercare

Aftercare

• Mild swelling, tenderness and small bruises last two to five days.
• Avoid facial massage, wide mouth opening and sleeping on your side for one to two weeks after cog threads.
• No saunas, hot baths or vigorous exercise for one week.
• Keep entry points clean for 24 hours; make-up may resume after two days.
• Report any persistent dimpling or thread visibility at your two-week review.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Chang-hyun Kim, M.D.

Board-certified dermatologist and Representative Director of Oaro Dermatology Clinic, Cheongdam. Ulthera Certified Treatment Provider, Thermage FLX Master Certified, and full member of the Korean Dermatological Association, the Korean Society for Dermatologic Laser and the Korean Filler Society.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long do PDO threads last?

The threads dissolve in about six months and the firming effect typically lasts six to twelve months.

Are PDO threads painful?

Not during the procedure, thanks to local anaesthetic; afterwards there is tightness and tenderness for a few days.

PDO or Silhouette Soft?

PDO suits mild laxity and a lighter budget; Silhouette Soft gives a stronger, longer-lasting lift, and your dermatologist in Seoul will advise.

Can PDO threads be combined with filler?

Yes. Filler is usually placed two to four weeks after threads to support the new position.

Is there any scarring?

Entry points are needle-sized and heal without visible marks in almost all cases.

Explore related care

Often considered together

• Thread Lift — overview of thread types and planning
• Silhouette Soft Thread Lift — longer-lasting cone threads
• Fox Eye Thread Lift — short threads for the brow tail
• Thermage FLX — radiofrequency tightening before threads
• Laser Skin Clinic — every lifting option at Oaro
• Contact & Booking — arrange a thread consultation

Private 1:1 consultation

Plan your treatment with a board-certified dermatologist in Apgujeong

Tell us what you would like to change, and we will examine your skin, explain the options and give you a written plan with clear pricing. English-speaking coordinators are available for international patients.