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I'm Dr. Jong Hoon Lee, a physician at Gangnam HERA in Seoul. I co-authored LIFTINGOLOGY: Science and Clinical Practice in Aesthetic Medicine and am a foundation member of the Korean Academy of Facelift & Contouring, so lifting is most of what I do. The neck is where many people first notice ageing they cannot fix with skincare, and the question I receive is nearly always the same: "Can threads lift my neck, or is surgery the only real option?" My answer, first: a neck thread lift can raise mildly sagging neck skin and give a cleaner line from the jaw into the neck, usually with an energy device alongside. It does not remove loose skin or fat, and it is not the right tool for horizontal neck lines on their own. Which of those describes your neck decides the plan.
What can a neck thread lift actually do?
It raises sagging neck skin for a smoother, more graceful contour and a clearer transition from the jawline into the neck. Absorbable threads are placed under the skin with a cannula and gently reposition lax tissue upward. They also act as a scaffold for new collagen, so the immediate mechanical lift is followed by firming that builds over the following months as the threads slowly absorb.
In practice the change people notice is a tidier under-chin area, a softer jaw-to-neck angle and neck skin that looks less loose. It is a lift of what is there, not a removal of anything.
Who is a good candidate for a neck thread lift β and who isn't?
Mild to moderate neck laxity with reasonable skin quality responds well; heavy excess skin or a lot of fat under the chin does not. Threads need skin that can hold them, and they can only move tissue so far.
Likely to suit threads
- Early softening where the jawline meets the neck
- Mild looseness of the neck skin
- Someone who wants a non-surgical option with little downtime
- Someone happy to combine threads with an energy device for firmness
Usually better served by something else
- A lot of hanging skin: threads lift skin; they do not remove it, and the result would disappoint.
- Fullness from fat under the chin: a fat-dissolving injection for the double chin may be the logical first step.
- Horizontal neck lines as the main concern: these are creases, and neck line filler or energy treatment addresses them more directly.
I tell patients which group they are in before anything else, because a neck that needs fat reduced or lines softened will not be helped by adding threads.
Which threads are used for the neck at HERA?
Two thread lifts include the neck: Custom Thread Lifting and Premium Thread Lifting. The choice depends on how much hold your neck needs and whether deeper firming is part of the plan.
Custom Thread Lifting
Absorbable threads (PDO, PCL or PLLA) raise sagging neck skin, and ultrasound is added to promote deep collagen regeneration for a graceful contour. Thread directions follow your own structure. Treatment takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Details are on our Custom Thread Lifting page.
Premium Thread Lifting
PLA threads with patented 360Β° cones grip and reposition tissue for an even lift, and continue to stimulate collagen as they absorb. It suits a contour that has collapsed along the jawline and neck. Treatment takes about 30 to 60 minutes. See our Premium Thread Lifting page.
Threads, energy or filler β what does each do for the neck?
Threads lift, energy devices firm, and filler smooths lines; many necks need more than one. Knowing the job of each tool prevents paying for the wrong one.
| Tool | What it does for the neck | How long it typically lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Thread lift | Mechanically raises lax neck skin and stimulates collagen | About 12β24 months |
| Energy devices (ultrasound, radiofrequency, laser) | Tighten lax skin and soften horizontal lines from within, without lifting tissue mechanically | Varies by device, roughly 6β18 months |
| Neck line filler | Hyaluronic acid placed beneath horizontal or vertical creases to smooth them | Domestic 6β12 months; imported 12β18 months |
At HERA the energy options that include the neck are 10Thera (focused ultrasound for neck lines), Soprano Titanium and Preheat Thermage. If your concern is mostly firmness rather than lift, our Ultherapy neck before and after guide shows what an ultrasound-only approach can realistically achieve.
What happens on the day?
A consultation, a marked design, numbing, thread placement and a check of the result β usually within an hour.
- Consultation and analysis: I assess the direction of sagging, skin quality and structure to choose the thread type and lift vectors.
- Design and mapping: insertion points and thread directions are marked for a balanced, natural lift.
- Anaesthesia: topical cream and local anaesthesia so insertion is comfortable.
- Thread placement: absorbable threads are placed with a cannula into the target layer and gently repositioned.
- Energy reinforcement, if planned: ultrasound or Titanium to firm the deeper layers.
- Review and aftercare: we look at the lift together and I explain how to look after it.
Downtime is minimal. Mild swelling, tightness or small bruises near the insertion points usually ease within a few days, and strenuous movement and exaggerated expressions should be avoided for a short while.
When will I see the result, and how long does it last?
The lift is visible straight away, the firmness builds over the following months, and it generally holds about 12 to 24 months. Early swelling can make the neck look tighter than the final result in the first days, so I judge the outcome once that has settled. Results vary from person to person, and skin condition matters as much as the threads themselves.
To calibrate your expectations, our turkey neck thread lift before and after guide and the before-and-after gallery show real HERA cases. The general thread lift guide explains how threads work across the face.
What do patients ask me next?
"How is a neck thread lift priced?"
By thread type, number of threads, areas and whether an energy device is added β always as an itemised written estimate after consultation. Our thread lift cost guide explains each factor.
"Is it the same as a surgical neck lift?"
No. Surgery removes excess skin; threads lift and firm what is there. If your neck needs skin removed, I will tell you that threads are not the answer.
"Can I do my nose or face at the same visit?"
Often, yes, planned together so downtime overlaps. The nose thread lift price guide covers the nose.
What are the honest limits?
A neck thread lift improves a mildly sagging neck; it does not reverse a heavily aged one. It does not remove skin or fat, it does not erase deep horizontal lines by itself, and the threads are absorbed over time. Some necks respond more than others. What I can promise is to tell you honestly which tool fits your neck β threads, energy, filler or a combination β before you spend anything.
Book a consultation
If you are considering a neck thread lift, send me a photo of your neck from the side and from the front, with your chin level. We will arrange a consultation in Gangnam, or a photo consultation first if you are still abroad. An English interpreter joins every visit, and you receive an itemised written estimate before anything begins β international and local patients pay exactly the same.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q1What does a neck thread lift do?
It raises mildly sagging neck skin for a smoother contour and a cleaner line from the jaw into the neck. Absorbable threads reposition tissue and stimulate collagen, so firmness builds over the following months.Q2Who is a good candidate for a neck thread lift?
People with mild to moderate neck laxity and reasonable skin quality. A lot of hanging skin, fat under the chin or horizontal lines as the main concern are usually better treated another way.Q3Can threads remove horizontal neck lines?
Not on their own. Horizontal lines are creases; neck line filler or an energy treatment addresses them more directly, sometimes alongside threads.Q4How long does a neck thread lift last?
At HERA the lift generally holds about 12 to 24 months as the threads absorb and collagen matures. Results vary from person to person.Q5Is there downtime after a neck thread lift?
Downtime is minimal. Mild swelling, tightness or small bruises near the insertion points usually ease within a few days.
HERA Journal
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Your medical team
A Medical Team That Sees You Through, Start to Finish
Board-certified specialists who treat every patient like family β the same doctor guides you from your first consultation to your final result, aiming for natural beauty with minimal need for revision.
Jong Seon Kim, MD
βI am a doctor you can trust, dedicated to enhancing your natural beauty.β
Career & Credentials
- Director, Gangnam HERA Plastic Surgery Clinic
- Board Member, Korean Society of Aesthetic Surgery (KSAS)
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Dr. Lee Jong Hoon
βI dedicate myself to achieving the best results with minimal need for revision.β
Career & Credentials
- Co-author, LIFTINGOLOGY: Science and Clinical Practice in Aesthetic Medicine
- Recipient, Minister of Health and Welfare Award for Outstanding Contribution to National Health Improvement
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