Facial aging is a mix of sagging and volume loss. Thread lifts reposition tissue; fillers replace volume. This guide helps you decide which one, or which combination, fits your face and your Seoul trip.
A thread lift and dermal filler treat different parts of facial aging. A PDO thread lift uses dissolvable threads to reposition mild to moderate sagging along the jowls and mid-cheek and stimulate collagen, with results lasting about 12–18 months and 3–7 days of swelling. Dermal filler uses hyaluronic acid to restore lost volume and soften folds, with mild swelling for 1–3 days. Many faces benefit from both. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong in Seoul, thread lifts start from ₩690,000 per area and HA filler from ₩150,000 per cc (KRW, excluding 10% VAT).
Prices are in Korean won, exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed by a doctor at consultation.
Thread lift vs filler: the short answer
Choose a thread lift when the main problem is tissue that has dropped, such as early jowls or a mid-cheek that has slid down. Choose dermal filler when the main problem is tissue that has deflated, such as hollow temples, flat cheeks or deep folds. Most faces over 40 show some of both, so a combined plan is common.
Using the wrong tool can backfire. Adding filler to correct sagging can make the lower face look heavy, while lifting with threads alone cannot replace volume that has gone.
How facial aging actually happens
Aging is not one process but several happening at once. The skin makes less collagen and elastin, so it thins and loosens. The fat pads of the face shrink and slide downward, especially in the mid-cheek. Ligaments that hold tissue in place relax. Bone in the jaw, chin and around the eyes slowly resorbs, removing some of the scaffold that supports the soft tissue above it.
The visible result is a mix of descent and deflation: jowls forming along the jaw, a deeper smile line, hollow temples and a flatter cheek. Threads mainly address descent. Filler mainly addresses deflation. Skin-tightening devices and collagen stimulators address skin quality. A good plan matches each tool to the part of the problem it can genuinely change, which is why your doctor may suggest a combination rather than a single treatment.
What is a thread lift?
A thread lift places dissolvable PDO (polydioxanone) threads under the skin through small entry points. Barbed or cog threads grip the tissue so it can be repositioned upward, while finer threads mainly stimulate collagen and improve firmness. As the threads dissolve over months, the collagen formed around them helps hold the result.
- Anesthesia: local anesthetic at the entry points.
- Treatment time: roughly 30–60 minutes depending on areas.
- Downtime: about 3–7 days of swelling, tightness or bruising.
- Duration: commonly about 12–18 months.
Read more on our thread lift page.
What is dermal filler?
Dermal filler uses a hyaluronic acid (HA) gel to restore volume and support. In the context of aging, it is used to fill hollow temples, rebuild flattened cheeks, soften nasolabial and marionette folds and support the chin and jawline. Placed well, it can produce a lifted look by restoring support, but it does not physically pull tissue upward.
See the dermal filler page and the guide to facial volume loss.
Thread lift vs dermal filler compared
| PDO thread lift | HA dermal filler | |
|---|---|---|
| Main target | Sagging tissue | Lost volume |
| Typical areas | Jowls, mid-cheek, jawline | Temples, cheeks, folds, chin |
| Effect | Repositions and firms | Fills and supports |
| Onset | Immediate lift, settles over weeks | Immediate |
| Downtime | 3–7 days | 1–3 days |
| Duration | About 12–18 months | About 6–18 months |
| Priced by | Area | cc and brand |
Who is a good candidate for each?
Usually a good fit
- Threads: early jowls and a softening jawline with reasonable skin quality
- Threads: mid-cheek descent in your late 30s to 50s
- Filler: hollow temples, flat cheeks or deep folds
- Both: sagging plus volume loss
Talk to the doctor first
- Heavy sagging or a lot of excess skin (a surgical opinion may suit better)
- Very thin skin, where threads may be visible
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or bleeding disorders
- Active infection or recent dental work
See jowls and sagging skin for how each concern is assessed.
Can you combine a thread lift and filler?
Yes. A common approach is to lift first with threads, then add filler where volume is still missing, or to place filler in the temples and cheeks to restore structure and use threads along the jawline. Your doctor may space the two treatments by a few weeks so swelling settles and the true result can be judged. Device lifting such as Ulthera can also be part of a plan; compare thread lift vs Ulthera Prime.
What happens on treatment day
- English consultation. A licensed doctor examines your face sitting upright, looks at how tissue moves when lifted by hand, and explains whether sagging, volume loss or both are driving your concern. Plan and price are agreed before anything starts.
- Marking and photos. Entry points and thread vectors, or filler zones, are marked on the skin.
- Anesthesia. Threads use local anesthetic at each entry point; filler uses numbing cream and lidocaine in the gel.
- Treatment. Threads are inserted with a fine cannula and the tissue is gently repositioned; filler is placed in small amounts while the doctor checks symmetry.
- Aftercare briefing. You receive written instructions in English, including what to avoid for the next one to two weeks.
Most thread lift appointments take about an hour including preparation, while filler appointments usually take 45 minutes or less. You can walk out and return to your hotel the same day.
Results timeline
With threads, you see an immediate lift that can look a little over-corrected for the first days. Puckering or tightness usually settles within one to two weeks, and the result becomes more natural over the first month as collagen forms. With filler, the shape is visible immediately and settles as swelling fades over one to two weeks. See thread lift results for a fuller timeline.
Is it safe? Risks and side effects
- Thread lift: swelling, bruising, tightness and mild pain when opening the mouth wide are common for several days. Less commonly, skin dimpling, asymmetry, visible or palpable threads, thread extrusion or infection can occur, and occasionally a thread needs to be removed.
- Filler: swelling, bruising and lumps are usually temporary. The most serious rare risk is vascular occlusion, where filler blocks a blood vessel; doctors reduce this with careful technique and keep hyaluronidase available.
Avoid wide mouth opening, dental work, facial massage and intense exercise for one to two weeks after threads. Read side effects and when to contact us.
How much do thread lifts and filler cost in Seoul (2026)?
| Option | Typical areas | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| Thread lift, one area | Jowls, mid-cheek or nasolabial folds | ₩690,000 |
| Thread lift, two areas | Mid-cheek and jawline | ₩1,190,000 |
| Thread lift, full lower face | Cheeks, jowls and jawline | ₩1,690,000 |
| Korean HA filler | 1cc / 2cc | ₩150,000 / ₩280,000 |
| Restylane / Juvéderm | 1cc | ₩290,000 / ₩350,000 |
Prices exclude 10% VAT. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on January 1, 2026 — see the VAT refund guide. Details on the thread lift price page.
Planning a thread lift or filler around your Seoul trip
- Book ahead. Send your dates and photos through our consultation form.
- Avoid your arrival day. Treat from day two, and schedule threads early so you can have a check before you fly.
- Allow recovery time. Plan about a week of quieter days after threads; filler fits a shorter stay.
- Getting here. Dernia is near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2).
Flying home? Most people can fly a few days after a thread lift once swelling is settling, and the day after filler. Sleep on your back and avoid pressing on the face. Our aftercare guide explains what to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
Is a thread lift or filler better for sagging?
A thread lift is better for repositioning mild to moderate sagging. Filler restores lost volume, which can support the face but does not pull tissue upward.
How long does a thread lift last?
Results commonly last about 12–18 months, as collagen formed around the threads continues to support the tissue after they dissolve.
Does a thread lift hurt?
Local anesthetic is used at the entry points, so most people feel pressure and tugging rather than sharp pain. Soreness for a few days is common.
Can I have threads and filler on the same day?
Sometimes, but many doctors space them a few weeks apart so the result of each can be judged. Your doctor decides.
What is the downtime after a thread lift?
Expect about 3–7 days of swelling, tightness or bruising. Avoid wide mouth opening and facial massage for one to two weeks.
How much is a thread lift in Seoul?
At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, a PDO thread lift starts from ₩690,000 per area, excluding 10% VAT. A full lower face is ₩1,690,000.
Lifting or volume: not sure what you need?
Tell us your concerns and travel dates. A doctor examines your face in person, explains whether threads, filler or both suit you, and confirms your plan and price in English.
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This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.