Best Thread Types by Age (PDO vs PLLA vs PCL): Korea’s Complete Guide

In Korea, thread lifts are customized based on age, skin elasticity, sagging level, and lifting goals.
PDO, PLLA, and PCL threads all offer different strengths, longevity, and collagen-stimulating effects — and the ideal choice changes with your age.

Here is Korea’s age-based guide to choosing the best thread type for you.

⭐ Quick Summary: Best Thread Materials by Age

• 20s → Light PDO / Baby Cogs
• 30s → PDO + optional PLLA
• 40s → PLLA or PCL (stronger lift)
• 50s → PCL + PLLA hybrid
• 60s+ → Soft, gentle threads (PDO/PCL light)

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✔ In Your 20s: PDO Threads Only (Light & Preventive)

Most people in their 20s don’t need strong lifting. Skin is tight, collagen is abundant, and sagging is minimal.

Best Thread Type:

⭐ PDO
(small, light cogs or mono threads)

Why PDO works best:

• Low risk of dimpling
• Gentle contouring without aggressive pulling
• Perfect for V-line shaping
• Best for prevention, not correction
• Safe for beginners

Avoid:

❌ PLLA — too strong
❌ PCL — unnecessary and can pull too harshly on young tissue

Best for:

• Jawline refinement
• Subtle contouring
• Skin tightening
• Preventive anti-aging

✔ In Your 30s: PDO + Optional PLLA (Best Natural Results)

Your 30s are the golden age for thread lifting in Korea:

• Mild sagging begins
• Jawline softens
• Early jowls appear
• Elasticity starts declining

Best Thread Types:

⭐ PDO (foundation lift)
⭐ PLLA (optional for midface support)

Why this combo works:

• PDO creates natural contour lifting
• PLLA adds deeper collagen stimulation
• Results last longer than PDO alone

Avoid:

❌ Strong PCL if your skin is still elastic (may look too tight)

Best for:

• Early jowls
• Cheek descent
• Smile line softening
• Early jawline reshaping

✔ In Your 40s: PLLA or PCL Threads (Stronger Lifting Needed)

The 40s bring moderate sagging, especially in:

• Cheeks
• Midface
• Jawline
• Neck

Skin elasticity is lower, so stronger thread materials are required.

Best Thread Types:

⭐ PLLA — collagen + structural support
⭐ PCL — longest-lasting, strongest lift

Why PLLA & PCL are ideal:

• They lift heavier tissue
• They last longer (18–24 months)
• They build deeper collagen
• They hold the vectors more securely

When to choose which:

• PLLA: Best for midface lift + nasolabial support
• PCL: Best for jawline + jowls + lower face

Avoid:

❌ Too many PDO-only threads (not strong enough at this age)

Best for:

• Soft jawline
• Moderate jowls
• Drooping cheeks
• Deeper folds

✔ In Your 50s: PCL + PLLA Hybrid = Korean Signature Lift

In your 50s, aging involves:

• Jowls
• Neck laxity
• Deep folds
• Heavier facial tissue
• Significant volume loss

A single thread type usually isn’t enough.
Korea’s signature method uses multiple thread materials for full support.

Best Thread Types:

⭐ PCL (for strong structural lift)
⭐ PLLA (for deep collagen support)
⭐ PDO (for surface smoothing as needed)

Why hybrid lifting works:

• PCL lifts heavy tissue
• PLLA rebuilds firmness
• PDO blends and smooths
• Mimics mini facelift without surgery

Best for:

• Lower face sagging
• Neck laxity
• Heavy jowls
• Deep folds

✔ In Your 60s and Beyond: Gentle Threads Only (Selective Lifting)

At this stage, results depend heavily on:

• Skin health
• Elasticity
• Volume loss
• Previous procedures

Best Thread Types:

⭐ Soft PDO (subtle elevation)
⭐ Light PCL (gentle support)
⭐ PLLA for collagen stimulation

Avoid:

❌ Over-tight or heavy lifting — increases risk of dimpling
❌ Too many threads — fragile skin may not tolerate tension

Best for:

• Mild sagging
• Small jowl correction
• Skin elasticity improvement
• Non-surgical refresh

In many cases, combination treatments like HIFU, RF tightening, and volume restoration deliver better results than heavy pigmented threads.



Choosing the right thread type isn’t about age alone — it’s also about skin elasticity, face shape, lifting goals, and how much sagging you have.
But this age-based guide follows what Korean dermatologists consistently use to achieve natural, long-lasting results.

Quick recap:

• 20s: PDO
• 30s: PDO + slight PLLA
• 40s: PLLA or PCL
• 50s: PCL + PLLA hybrid
• 60s+: Gentle PDO/PCL