Mid-Face Thread Lift in Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

What is a mid-face thread lift?

The mid-face holds some of the most visible signs of ageing. The cheek fat pads sit on top of a network of retaining ligaments; as those supports loosen, the pads slide down and forward. The upper cheek flattens, the lower eyelid looks longer, and the tissue gathers against the nasolabial fold, deepening it.

A mid-face thread lift addresses that descent directly. Fine absorbable threads with small anchoring features are introduced under the skin through tiny entry points, engaged in the descended tissue and drawn along carefully planned vectors, usually upward and towards the temple. The lift is visible straight away. As the threads gradually absorb, the body forms collagen around them, which is one reason results can outlast the threads themselves.

How Doje Clinic approaches the mid-face lift

The Doje signature thread lift is built on the clinic's 17 years of accumulated thread-lift experience. Dr. Byun Jeik, a surgery specialist and fellow trained at Seoul National University Hospital, designs each mid-face lift individually rather than following a standard pattern:

• Vector design – the direction of lift is chosen for your cheek shape and how your tissue has moved, so the cheek is restored rather than pulled sideways.
• Depth and smoothness – threads are placed at a consistent depth with meticulous technique to reduce the risk of lumpiness or dimpling.
• Restraint – the number of threads reflects the amount of descent, not a fixed count.
• Support – where ligament areas have weakened, retaining-ligament filler is considered so the lifted tissue has something to rest on.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

• Suits mild to moderate cheek descent with reasonable skin quality, typically from the mid-thirties onwards.
• Suits people who want visible lift with less downtime than surgery.
• Suits those whose nasolabial filler has started to look heavy because the cheek above was never lifted.
• Less effective for very thin faces with little tissue to lift, or for heavy laxity with excess skin.
• Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active infection, or with certain bleeding or autoimmune conditions; medication such as blood thinners is reviewed at consultation.

What to expect, step by step

1. Consultation: Dr. Byun Jeik assesses cheek position, ligament lines and skin quality, sitting upright.
2. Design: entry points and vectors are marked on your face.
3. Anaesthesia: local anaesthesia at the entry points and along the thread paths.
4. Placement: threads are introduced and adjusted while symmetry is checked.
5. Finishing: any planned filler is refined against the new cheek position.
6. Aftercare: written instructions and a follow-up check.

Recovery and aftercare

Expect tightness and a slightly over-corrected look at first, particularly when smiling, which usually relaxes over the first week or two. Swelling typically peaks in the first two or three days. Small dimples at entry points, if they appear, commonly settle as swelling resolves; tell the clinic if anything persists. For the first weeks, avoid wide mouth opening, facial massage, saunas, hard chewing and strenuous exercise, and sleep on your back with the head raised.

Cost

The fee depends on your thread design and whether it is combined with filler or other options. It is quoted after the 1:1 consultation; ask for a written quote. Korean non-covered (비급여) aesthetic fees are set per plan.

Frequently asked questions

Is a mid-face thread lift painful?

It is performed under local anaesthesia. Most people feel pressure and mild discomfort rather than sharp pain, and tenderness for a few days afterwards.

Will I see results immediately?

Yes, a lift is visible straight away. The final look becomes clearer as swelling settles over the following weeks.

How long does it last?

The clinic states thread-lift results can last up to two years or more, though individual results vary and ageing continues.

Does it help nasolabial folds?

Lifting the cheek often softens the fold because less tissue rests against it. Remaining depth may be treated with nasolabial filler.

Can threads be felt under the skin?

Some tightness is normal early on. Careful depth and technique aim to avoid palpable or visible threads.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Doje Signature Thread Lift
• Mid-Face Program
• Retaining-Ligament Filler
• Sagging Cheeks
• Nasolabial Folds
• Thread Lift Aftercare
• Thread Lift vs Ultherapy

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.