Swelling, bruising and pulling after a thread lift: how long do they last? — What is common and when to contact us
The message we receive most often the day after a thread lift is “Is this normal?” Swelling, bruising and a pulling feeling are common and mostly pass on their own, but it helps to know what you can simply watch and what needs a call straight away. We have set this out together with the frequencies reported in research.
The short answer
The most common reactions after a thread lift are bruising, swelling and tenderness, and most settle on their own. A review pooling 19 studies of absorbable threads (1,406 patients) found bruising in 19.49%, swelling in 16.79% and tenderness in 9.96%, while infection (2.49%) and haematoma (0.64%) were rare (Ojha 2025). If you develop a fever, if swelling or pain gets worse after a few days rather than better, or if the end of a thread becomes visible through the skin, contact us straight away. Miso Clinic (4F Bombom Building, 125 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea; +82-53-428-2700) sets the follow-up schedule in advance and explains when to contact us in between.
Which reactions are common, and how common?
| Reaction | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Bruising | 19.49% |
| Swelling | 16.79% |
| Pain on pressure (tenderness) | 9.96% |
| Infection | 2.49% |
| Sensory disturbance | 1.14% |
| Haematoma | 0.64% |
The numbers vary a little between meta-analyses. Another analysis pooling 26 studies found swelling in 35% and skin dimpling in 10% (Niu 2021). This is because studies differ in thread type, number and how events were recorded.
Why do swelling and bruising happen, and how long do they last?
Bruising occurs when small blood vessels are injured along the path where the thread goes in, and swelling occurs as the tissue reacts. Swelling and bruising were more common with more threads, in the midface, and with PCL threads and barbed threads (Ojha 2025).
Most of it settles within a few days to 2 weeks, but we could not find a study that pinned down the duration precisely. The usual stages of a bruise fading are set out in How bruising and swelling resolve.
What about the pulling feeling and discomfort when opening the mouth?
Because tissue has been hooked and lifted, a pulling feeling when smiling or opening the mouth wide is common at first. Rubbing the face hard or opening the mouth wide during this period can pull the barbs out of the tissue, so for the first few weeks we advise putting off firm massage and anything that keeps the mouth open for a long time, such as dental treatment (clinical judgement).
What if a dimple-like dent (dimpling) appears?
If a thread catches too close to the skin, or the pull is uneven, the skin can form a small dent. A meta-analysis reported this in 10%, and it was more common over age 50, at 16% vs 5.6% (Niu 2021).
It often releases on its own as the swelling goes down, but if it persists we examine it in person and release it by hand or adjust the thread position. Please do not press or rub it hard yourself; contact us first.
Which signs mean I should contact you straight away?
- A fever, or the area becoming red and hot and more painful and swollen after a few days rather than less — possible infection
- Sudden, marked swelling and hardness on one side only — possible haematoma
- The end of a thread visible or palpable through the skin
- Movement around the mouth feeling odd on one side only, or numbness that lasts a long time
A systematic review found that most adverse events got better on their own, but infection, inflammatory reactions and contour irregularity needed treatment (Pham 2021). That is why we ask you to tell us rather than wait and see.
When can I get back to everyday life?
Washing your face and light make-up are usually fine from the next day, but saunas, strenuous exercise and alcohol can make swelling and bruising worse, so we put them off for a few days. The exact timing depends on the type and number of threads used, and we explain it separately on the day of treatment (clinical judgement).
In these cases it is better to postpone treatment
- When an important event such as a wedding or photo shoot is within 1–2 weeks
- When there is acne inflammation or a skin infection in the treatment area
- When you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs — do not stop them yourself; talk to the prescribing doctor first
- When dental treatment is booked soon
Recovery after a thread lift: frequently asked questions
How common are swelling and bruising after a thread lift?
A review pooling 19 studies of absorbable threads (1,406 patients) found bruising in 19.49%, swelling in 16.79% and tenderness in 9.96%. Most settle on their own.
I have a dimple-like dent after a thread lift.
A meta-analysis reported dimpling in 10%, more often over age 50. It often releases as the swelling goes down, but if it persists we examine and adjust it in person, so please do not press hard; contact us.
How often does infection happen after a thread lift?
It is rare, at around 2–2.5% depending on the study. If you develop a fever, or the area becomes more swollen and painful after a few days, contact us straight away.
Can I open my mouth wide after a thread lift?
For the first few weeks, opening the mouth wide or firm massage can pull the barbs out, so we advise putting these off. Please tell us about any dental appointments at the consultation.
When can I exercise or use a sauna after a thread lift?
These can make swelling and bruising worse, so put them off for a few days; we give the exact timing on the day, depending on the type and number of threads used.
Where can I have a thread lift consultation in Daegu?
Miso Clinic is at 4F Bombom Building, 125 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, in front of Exit 1 of Kyungpook National University Hospital Station. +82-53-428-2700. Weekdays 11:00–19:00, Saturdays 10:00–16:00 (no lunch break); closed Sundays and public holidays.
Read next
Product pages
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by Lee Chi-Hak, MD, director of Miso Clinic, Daegu. The treatment standards and injection design set out here are the ones we use in practice.
| Medical director | Lee Chi-Hak, MD |
|---|---|
| Address | 4F Bombom Building, 125 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea · Exit 1, Kyungpook National University Hospital Station |
| Phone | +82-53-428-2700 |
| Hours | Weekdays 11:00–19:00 (lunch 13:00–14:00) / Saturday 10:00–16:00 (no lunch break) / Closed Sundays and public holidays |
| Columns | All clinical columns |
| Reference library | All booster and device references |
References
- Adverse events by absorbable thread material — Ojha AS et al., Dermatol Surg 2025;51(3):272–276, PMID 39442180, DOI 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004466. 19 studies, 1,406 patients. Bruising 19.49%, swelling 16.79%, tenderness 9.96%, infection 2.49%, sensory disturbance 1.14%, haematoma 0.64%. Swelling and bruising were more common with PCL threads, barbed threads and the midface; barbed threads had more adverse events than smooth or cone threads, and floating (unanchored) threads more than anchored threads.
- Meta-analysis of thread lift complications — Niu Z et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg 2021;45(5):2148–2158, PMID 33821308, DOI 10.1007/s00266-021-02256-w. Pooled 26 studies. Swelling 35%, skin dimpling 10%, sensory disturbance 6%, visible or palpable thread 4%, infection 2%, thread extrusion 2%. Absorbable threads had less sensory disturbance (3.1% vs 11.7%) and extrusion (1.6% vs 7.6%) than non-absorbable threads; patients over 50 had more dimpling (16% vs 5.6%) and infection (5.9% vs 0.7%). Satisfaction fell from 98% immediately after treatment to 88% at 6 months.
- Systematic review of face and neck thread lift safety — Pham CT et al., Dermatol Surg 2021;47(11):1460–1465, PMID 34699439, DOI 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003189. 59 studies, 14,222 patients (mostly barbed threads). The most common events were asymmetry, swelling and bruising. Serious events were rare (sensory disturbance, hair loss, vascular and salivary gland injury), and most resolved on their own, with the exceptions of contour irregularity, vascular and salivary gland injury, infection and inflammatory reactions.
- Medical advertising law — Medical Service Act of Korea, Article 56(2), which prohibits testimonial advertising, comparison with other clinics, superlative claims and advertising that guarantees or implies a guaranteed treatment effect.
- Miso Clinic practice guidance — indication criteria, site-by-site design, and the explanation and consent procedure. This is the source for every sentence marked as clinical judgement.
Everything in this column is general information and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Effects and side effects vary with individual skin condition, age and underlying illness, and the same result is not guaranteed for everyone. Any decision to proceed should be made in an in-person consultation with a physician.