2026-10-26
Dissolving Thread Lift: Does the Retention Period Differ by Thread Type?
Explains how dissolving thread lifts work, how Mint Thread and Silhouette Soft differ in structure, and which factors influence how long results last.
※ This post has been written for the purpose of providing medical information.
Please note that it is not subject to review under Articles 56(2) and 57 of the Medical Service Act and is not an advertising post unrelated to the subject of such review.
Hello, I am Park Jeong-geun, Director of Face Plus Plastic Surgery Clinic.
As we get older, many people notice their cheeks and jawline sagging and start considering a lift. Among the options, the dissolving thread lift involves inserting absorbable threads beneath the skin to support sagging tissue.
Even within this category, the structure and characteristics can vary depending on the type of thread used. The two threads most often compared are Mint Thread and Silhouette Soft.
Today, we'll take a closer look at the features of both threads and how their retention periods differ.
Table of Contents | ||
1. What Is a Dissolving Thread Lift? 2. What Are the Features of Mint Thread? 3. What Are the Features of Silhouette Soft? 4. What Factors Determine the Retention Period? |
1. What Is a Dissolving Thread Lift?
A dissolving thread lift involves inserting absorbable medical threads beneath the skin to support sagging tissue.
The inserted threads grip the skin tissue and reposition it in the desired direction.
Over time, the threads themselves gradually break down and are absorbed by the body. Around the threads, a tissue response can occur, so many people also hope to see improved skin elasticity.
Front-view photo of a woman in a gray hoodie against a gray background, with her eyes blurred for privacy.
However, not all threads used in a dissolving thread lift are made from the same material or have the same structure. The thread material, shape, barb structure, and anchoring method can all affect the lifting characteristics.
2. What Are the Features of Mint Thread?
Mint Thread is known as an absorbable PDO (polydioxanone)-based thread, and its key feature is its barb structure.
The barbs on the thread surface grip the tissue and provide support to the sagging area.
It can be especially useful for pulling down tissue that has sagged, such as in the cheeks or jawline. For this reason, it may be worth considering when you want to refine facial contours or support sagging areas with a dissolving thread lift.
However, even with Mint Thread, retention periods are not the same for everyone. Individual differences can arise depending on skin thickness, the amount of fat, the degree of sagging, and the number of threads used.
3. What Are the Features of Silhouette Soft?
Silhouette Soft has a structure that differs somewhat from typical barbed threads.
Small cone-shaped structures are arranged along the thread, and they support the tissue in this way.
The main component is a PLLA-based absorbable material, which breaks down gradually over time.
If Mint Thread grips tissue with barbs on its surface, Silhouette Soft is characterized by its cone structure. In other words, the two threads differ not just in name but also in how they support tissue.
That said, when choosing a dissolving thread lift, it is difficult to say that one thread is definitively better than the other. The most suitable option can depend on the direction of facial sagging and skin condition.
4. What Factors Determine the Retention Period?
Because Mint Thread and Silhouette Soft differ in material and structure, their absorption processes also differ.
Close-up of a blue twisted thread with sharp barbs sticking out of it.
However, the period over which a thread is absorbed in the body and the period over which the lifting effect remains visible are not the same.
3D rendering of a clear thread lined with cone-shaped pieces and small knots.
How long the results of a dissolving thread lift last depends on more than just the type of thread. The depth and direction of insertion, the number of threads, and where they are anchored can all affect the outcome.
Skin thickness and the amount of fat also influence how long results last. If sagging is severe, threads alone may not deliver the change you want.
Even with the same Mint Thread, retention can vary depending on each person's facial condition. Silhouette Soft can also show individual differences depending on facial structure and the treatment method.
Therefore, when deciding on a dissolving thread lift, it isn't enough to simply ask which thread lasts longer. It's important to first check which area of your face has sagged and in which direction the tissue needs support.
Ultimately, a dissolving thread lift should not be chosen based on the thread's name or retention period alone. Because Mint Thread and Silhouette Soft each have different structures and characteristics, the choice should match your facial condition. Skin thickness, fat amount, and the degree and direction of sagging should all be evaluated comprehensively.
We recommend determining the thread and treatment approach best suited to your face through thorough consultation and assessment.
-Operating Hours-
Weekdays 9:00 ~ 18:00 Saturday 9:00 ~ 16:00 Public Holidays / Sunday Regular closure |
-Contact Us-
Face Plus Plastic Surgery Clinic | ||
Consultation phone: 02-541-8500 Inquiries: Inquire via KakaoTalk |
-Directions-
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dissolving thread lift?
A dissolving thread lift involves inserting absorbable medical threads beneath the skin to support sagging tissue. The inserted threads grip the tissue and reposition it in the desired direction, and the threads themselves gradually break down and are absorbed by the body over time.
What are the features of Mint Thread?
Mint Thread is known as an absorbable PDO-based thread, and its key feature is the barb structure on its surface. The barbs grip the tissue to support sagging areas, and it is described as useful for pulling down sagging areas such as the cheeks and jawline.
How is Silhouette Soft different from Mint Thread?
Silhouette Soft uses a PLLA-based absorbable material and features small cone-shaped structures arranged along the thread to support tissue. While Mint Thread grips tissue with barbs, Silhouette Soft is distinguished by its cone structure.
Is the retention period of a dissolving thread lift determined only by the type of thread?
No. Retention can be affected by several factors beyond thread type, including the depth and direction of insertion, the number and anchoring positions of the threads, skin thickness, the amount of fat, and the degree of sagging.
Is the absorption period of the thread the same as how long the lift lasts?
No. The period during which a thread is absorbed in the body and the period during which the lifting effect is visible are different. For that reason, it is hard to judge how long a lift will last based on absorption time alone.
Which thread should I choose for a dissolving thread lift?
It is difficult to say that one thread is always better. Because the most suitable option depends on the direction of facial sagging and skin condition, it is best to determine the thread and treatment approach that suit your face through thorough consultation and assessment.