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A PDO thread lift can improve a mild-to-moderate "turkey neck" by physically repositioning loose skin and stimulating collagen along the jawline and upper neck β but honest before-and-after results are subtle and tightening-focused, not the dramatic redraping of a surgical neck lift. For most people the visible change is a cleaner jaw-to-neck angle and a firmer under-chin, settling over several weeks as collagen builds. Results vary by individual, and the right plan is confirmed in person. Below, we explain who this genuinely suits, what your before-and-after may look like, and how a visit to HERA in Gangnam is structured.
What "turkey neck" actually is
"Turkey neck" is an everyday term for the crepey, sagging skin and vertical banding that appears under the chin and along the front of the neck as skin laxity, fat position and the platysma muscle change with age. Not all turkey necks are the same β and that matters enormously for what a thread lift can and cannot do. Some are mostly loose skin, some are mostly muscle banding, and some are heavier necks where volume and skin excess dominate.
A PDO (polydioxanone) thread lift works by inserting fine absorbable threads under the skin. Barbed "cog" threads grip and gently lift tissue toward the jaw and behind the ear, while smoother mono/screw threads add support and trigger a collagen response as the body breaks the material down over months. The lift you see on day one comes from the mechanical repositioning; the longer-term firmness comes from that collagen.
Good to know
A thread lift lifts skin β it does not remove it. If you have a large amount of hanging skin or heavy fat under the chin, threads alone will underdeliver, and a good doctor will tell you so rather than overselling the before-and-after.
Who a neck thread lift is for β and who it's not
The most rewarding before-and-after results tend to come from people with mild-to-moderate skin laxity who still have reasonable skin quality and are not looking for a surgical outcome.
- Good candidates: early jowl and jaw-neck blurring, mild under-chin looseness, people wanting a firmer contour without surgery or long downtime, and those who want to combine with energy-based tightening.
- Less suitable: significant skin excess, prominent fat pads under the chin, deep platysmal bands, or very thin, heavily sun-damaged skin β here a thread lift may disappoint on its own.
- Not for: anyone expecting a neck-lift-equivalent result, active infection in the area, or unrealistic "snatched" expectations from a single non-surgical session.
If your concern is mostly skin tightening and collagen rather than lifting, an energy device may serve you better or alongside threads. We often discuss lifting treatments such as ultrasound or RF tightening for the neck, and pair them thoughtfully. If loose skin is minor but fat under the chin is the real issue, body contouring options like fat-dissolving may be the more logical starting point.
| PDO Thread Lift | Threads + Energy | Surgical Neck Lift | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mild-moderate laxity | Laxity + skin quality | Severe excess skin |
| Downtime | Low | Low | Weeks |
| Result onset | Immediate + weeks | Immediate + weeks | After healing |
| Longevity | Monthsβ1yr+ | Often longer | Years |
What your before and after may realistically look like
Because this is a before-and-after search, honesty matters more than hype. On the day, you may notice an immediate firming and a cleaner jaw-neck angle from the mechanical lift β but this is often accompanied by swelling and slight puckering that has NOT settled yet. The "real" before-and-after is best judged at around 6β12 weeks, once swelling resolves and collagen contributes.
Typical honest outcomes: a tidier under-chin, softened early jowls, and a more defined jawline transition into the neck. What threads do not reliably do: erase deep horizontal neck lines, remove significant hanging skin, or flatten strong muscle bands. You can browse real records in our patient case gallery, filterable by treatment, to calibrate your expectations before you ever book.
What's included at HERA β and our same-price policy
A neck thread lift plan at HERA includes an in-person physician consultation and facial-neck assessment, the procedure itself performed by a licensed doctor with appropriate thread type and count for your anatomy, local anaesthesia for comfort, and written aftercare guidance. If threads alone are not the best answer, we will say so and outline the alternative before anything begins.
We do not print per-thread or per-session numbers here because the right plan depends on your anatomy and goals. What we can promise is that international and local patients pay the same price β there is no foreigner markup β and that you will receive a clear, itemised written estimate at consultation so nothing is a surprise. For a firm quote tailored to you, message our English-speaking team for a written estimate.
Trust: doctor-led care and genuine products
Neck thread work is technique-sensitive β vector, depth and anchoring determine both safety and how natural the before-and-after looks. At HERA, threads are placed by licensed physicians, not delegated. Every product is handled under our genuine-product protocol: sealed packaging opened in front of you where possible, with serial and record-keeping so you know exactly what was used.
Many neck patients do best with a combination approach β threads for lift plus collagen-stimulating support. We sometimes pair threads with skin regeneration boosters to improve the thin, crepey skin quality that threads alone can't address.
Recovery timeline and travel-aware aftercare
- Day of: mild soreness, tightness when turning the head, possible swelling and small entry-point marks. Eat soft foods and sleep slightly elevated.
- Day 3: most visible swelling and bruising begins to settle; puckering usually smooths. Avoid wide mouth opening, deep neck stretches and heavy exercise.
- Day 7: most people look socially presentable; continue avoiding saunas, intense workouts and dental procedures that force the jaw open for a couple more weeks.
Before you fly
Schedule a neck thread lift early in your Seoul trip, ideally with 5β7 buffer days before your flight or any event. Long-haul travel, alcohol and neck strain in the first days can worsen swelling and are best avoided.
Visiting HERA in Gangnam
For international patients, logistics cause more worry than the procedure. Here is how a HERA visit works:
- Consultation and booking: enquire and reserve before you arrive so your visit is confirmed.
- Interpretation: an on-site English interpreter joins your consultation and treatment so nothing is lost.
- Length of stay: a neck thread lift is usually one visit with low downtime, but plan buffer days before flying.
- Combining treatments: if threads plus tightening or boosters suit you, we time them together around your schedule.
We would rather send you home with a smaller, honest plan you understand than an oversized one you were talked into. If you'd like a personalised assessment and a written estimate, our English-speaking team is one message away β with no obligation to proceed the day you enquire.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q1Can a PDO thread lift really fix a turkey neck?
It can improve mild-to-moderate laxity by lifting skin and stimulating collagen, giving a firmer jaw-neck contour. It does not remove excess skin like surgery. Results vary by individual and are confirmed at an in-person consultation.Q2When will I see my final before-and-after result?
You may notice immediate firming on the day, but swelling can mask it. The settled before-and-after is best judged around 6β12 weeks as collagen builds. We can show real records in our case gallery at consultation.Q3How long does a neck thread lift last?
Typically several months up to a year or more, depending on skin quality, age and lifestyle. Combining threads with energy tightening often extends the effect. Longevity varies by individual.Q4Do international patients pay more than locals at HERA?
No. International and local patients pay the same price with no foreigner markup. We provide a clear, itemised written estimate at consultation so there are no surprises before anything begins.Q5How much downtime should I plan before flying home?
Most visible swelling settles within 2β3 days and people look presentable by around a week. We recommend scheduling early in your trip with 5β7 buffer days before your flight or any event.
Real stories
What Our Patients Say
Videos posted by patients who came from abroad.
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On YouTube
Hear it from the doctors before you fly
Our doctors explain HERA's main treatments, lifting, filler and skin boosters, on camera, so you know who you are meeting and how they think before you land in Seoul.
Korean audio Β· auto-translated captions available on YouTube
16 videos
- 6:24Filler
Dr. Kim and Dr. Lee sort out how fillers, collagen injections and skin boosters differ, and which concern each one is for.
Dr. Jong Β· Dr. Jong - 7:36Clinic & doctors
HERA podcast ep. 3 β Dr. Kim and Dr. Lee look at the same face and explain the treatments they would choose, and why.
Dr. Jong Β· Dr. Jong - 8:07Lifting
What APTOS threads are, who they are recommended for, and a real patient's treatment and before-and-after.
Dr. Jong - 5:44Lifting
How APTOS compares with other lifting threads, what recovery is like and how long results last.
Dr. Jong Β· Dr. Jong - 4:20Filler
Dr. Kim shows how injection technique changes with the amount of filler, and how filler dissolves.
Dr. Jong - 5:50Filler
What a hollow upper eyelid is, filler vs fat grafting, how long it lasts and what to watch for.
Dr. Jong - 5:20Filler
Dr. Kim breaks down lip proportion, volume and mouth corners using well-known Korean celebrities' lips as examples.
Dr. Jong - 5:39Skin & boosters
Hydration, pores, breakouts or tone β matching the skin booster to what your skin actually needs.
Dr. Jong - 6:05Skin & boosters
Dr. Lee explains how Lituo and CaHA work, how they are injected and how often.
Dr. Jong - 5:00Skin & boosters
What Juvelook Eye is, what it is used for, how many sessions it takes and how long it lasts.
Dr. Jong - 5:56Lifting
Why lines form around the eyes, which treatments are combined, and Eye Thermage vs Eye Ulthera.
Dr. Jong - 4:58Lifting
Why Dr. Lee cares about lifting, and what he looks at first when he sees a patient.
Dr. Jong - 3:30Clinic & doctors
Dr. Han talks about what matters most in a consultation and the approach behind every treatment.
Dr. Jin - 5:29Skin & boosters
A tour of HERA's main devices and which skin concern β pores, texture or firmness β each one helps with.
Dr. Jong - 4:40Clinic & doctors
Three areas brides care about, recommended treatments, and what still works with a month to go.
Dr. Jong Β· Dr. Jong - 4:39Clinic & doctors
What an AI skin scan measures β wrinkles, pigment, firmness, pores β and why a doctor's consultation still matters.
Dr. Jong Β· Dr. Jong
Shorts
One question, under a minute
HERA TV
The doctors explain it on camera β then in writing
Each piece is written by the doctor from their own YouTube video: the patient question, why it happens and how we approach it.
4:21ultherapy seoulThread Lift With Ultherapy or Titanium: A Combination Lift in Seoul
Dr. Jong Hoon Lee of Gangnam HERA explains HERA's two signature combination lifts β threads with Ultherapy, and threads with Titanium laser β what each part adds, who suits which, and how to time them before an event.
Dr. Jong Hoon Lee7 min read
5:56non surgical eye lift koreaNon-Surgical Eye Lift in Korea: Thermage, Ultherapy and Needle RF for Crepey Eyes
A Gangnam doctor explains why eye skin wrinkles so easily, why relaxing the muscle is only a temporary fix, and the three-device eye combination HERA uses to rebuild collagen and lift the eye area without surgery.
Dr. Jong Seon Kim7 min read
6:06eye ultherapyEye Ultherapy From the Patient's Chair: Dr. Jong Hoon Lee's Own Session
Dr. Jong Hoon Lee of Gangnam HERA lies down as the patient for eye-area Ultherapy and needle RF for crow's feet β what each depth is for, how it actually feels, why redness is a good sign and when the result appears.
Dr. Jong Hoon Lee7 min read
HERA Journal
Keep reading
LiftingBest Clinic for Ultherapy in Korea: What Actually Matters
The best clinic for Ultherapy in Korea is the one that uses genuine Ultherapy Prime, plans depth and lines for your face, has a doctor in charge and tells you when ultrasound lifting will not help. Dr. Jong Hoon Lee explains how to judge it.
7 minRead β
LiftingWhere to Get Thermage in Korea: 6 Checks Before You Book
Choosing where to get Thermage in Korea comes down to a genuine FLX tip, an honest shot count, who holds the handpiece and a published price. Dr. Jin Yi Han walks through six checks to make before you book.
7 minRead β
LiftingEye Thermage Cost in Korea: What Decides the Price
Eye Thermage cost in Korea comes down to the number of shots, whether you add the face, and what is included. Dr. Jong Hoon Lee explains each factor, what you should get for the price, and when it is not worth paying for.
7 minRead β
Visit us
Find Gangnam HERA
In Seocho-gu, Seoul, a three-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 9. Tap the map for directions.
Address
4F, 9 Seocho-daero 73-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Opening Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 10:00 AM β 7:00 PM; Monday, Friday: 10:00 AM β 8:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM β 5:00 PM; Lunch break: 1:00 PM β 2:00 PM; Closed on Sundays and public holidays
