Silhouette Soft — Cone Threads in PLA

Cellon Dermatology Clinic, Cheongdam, Seoul — Silhouette Soft uses absorbable threads made of PLA carrying cones rather than barbs. The cones gather and reposition tissue, and the PLA itself stimulates collagen over time. The result is repositioning combined with gradual volume rather than traction alone.

Cones rather than barbs, PLA rather than PDO

Most thread lifting uses barbed threads that hold tissue by mechanical grip. Silhouette Soft uses cones, which gather tissue rather than hook it, and the thread material is PLA — the same material family used in collagen-stimulating injectables. That is why the treatment is described as producing volume as well as lift.

The material is registered with the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a thread for fixation of facial tissue.

Cellon also performs barbed thread lifting; see Triple Lock Thread Lift. Which approach suits a given face is decided at consultation.

Procedure summary

Silhouette Soft
ItemDetails
Procedure time30 to 60 minutes
AnaesthesiaLocal anaesthesia
Recovery / downtimeSwelling and possible bruising for several days; tenderness on pressure for about a week
DurationAround 18 months, varying by area, age, and lifestyle
Thread materialPLA cone threads, MFDS-registered for fixation of facial tissue
EffectImmediate repositioning plus gradual collagen-related volume
Suggested stayCellon suggests at least 3 days in Seoul; a week allows the follow-up review
Performed byDr. Kang Seunghoon, board-certified dermatologist

How the procedure works

  1. Consultation and mapping — the direction of repositioning and the entry points are planned.
  2. Local anaesthesia along the thread paths.
  3. Threads placed and tissue gathered along the planned vector.
  4. Symmetry checked and adjusted at the time of treatment.
  5. Aftercare instruction — soft diet and avoidance of firm facial massage for the first weeks.

Indications and contraindications

Best candidates
Adults with volume loss and mild to moderate sagging — deepened nasolabial folds, flattened cheeks, a softened jawline, or facial asymmetry — who want lift and volume together without surgery.
Limited benefit
Where sagging is severe or there is substantial excess skin, thread lifting alone will not achieve the goal and surgical lifting is discussed instead.
Contraindications
Pregnancy, active facial infection, bleeding or clotting disorder, known hypersensitivity to absorbable thread material, tendency to keloid formation.
Side effects
Swelling, bruising, temporary dimpling at entry points, and tenderness. Less commonly thread visibility under thin skin, asymmetry, or thread extrusion. Infection is uncommon but possible. All adverse events should be reported to the clinic.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from ordinary thread lifting?

Cones instead of barbs, and PLA instead of PDO. Cones gather tissue rather than hook it, and PLA stimulates collagen, which is why volume as well as lift is described.

How long does it last?

Around 18 months, varying with the area treated, age, and lifestyle.

Is it painful?

Performed under local anaesthesia. Most patients describe pressure during placement rather than sharp pain, with tenderness on pressure for about a week afterwards.

Can the threads be seen or felt?

Thread visibility under thin skin is a recognised complication, particularly where threads are placed too superficially. Depth planning is what controls this, and it is assessed before treatment.

Can it be combined with energy-based lifting?

Yes, with sequencing. Energy-based lifting is usually performed first, with threads staged afterwards to avoid heating the thread material.

Is the material approved?

Yes. It is registered with the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a thread for fixation of facial tissue.

Which should I choose — this or barbed thread lifting?

It depends on whether volume loss or laxity is the dominant problem. Dr. Kang assesses both and may combine approaches.

Regulatory references