The nasolabial fold is the groove extending from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth — one of the most visible signs of facial aging and often the first area where people notice ‘I’m getting older.’ Causes of deepening nasolabial folds are complex: (1) Midface fat descent — with age, malar fat pads (SOOF and malar fat pad) are pulled downward by gravity, bulging above the fold and creating a depression below. (2) Skin laxity — collagen and elastin loss reduces skin support, unable to resist fat descent. (3) Maxillary bone resorption — skeletal retrusion reduces midface support, deepening the fold. (4) Expression habits — repeated smiling pulls and deepens the fold crease. Traditional nasolabial fold treatment uses HA filler directly in the depression, but results are limited for ‘descent-type’ folds — the root cause is midface fat pad descent, and merely filling the depression without lifting the overlying tissue gives unnatural, short-lasting results. APTOS thread lifting addresses nasolabial folds from the ‘upward lift’ perspective — repositioning and fixing descended midface tissue to improve the fold at its source. Rappoel Dermatology near Gangnam Station, Seoul, provides APTOS thread lifting for nasolabial folds.
Technical Principles of APTOS Thread Lifting for Nasolabial Folds
- Bidirectional lift and fixation: APTOS threads feature special design (bidirectional or unidirectional barbs) — after subcutaneous placement, the barbs grip surrounding tissue, lifting and repositioning the descended midface fat pad upward, anchoring it subcutaneously. Unlike traditional smooth threads (which rely only on collagen proliferation for tightening), APTOS barbed threads provide immediate mechanical lifting force
- Instant effect plus gradual improvement: (1) Instant — immediately after placement, midface elevation and fold reduction are visible as mechanical lifting force acts instantly. (2) Gradual — collagen sheath (fibrotic encapsulation) forms around the thread over 2-6 months, so even after thread absorption, new collagen continues to provide lifting support
- Multi-layer placement: The key to nasolabial lifting is not at the skin surface but in the SMAS layer and subcutaneous fat — APTOS threads are placed at this depth, directly lifting the descended fat pad and repositioning tissue at the structural level. Compared to HA filler (which only fills depressions), thread lifting improves from the ‘lift’ perspective
- Minimally invasive and safe: Uses specialized blunt needles or cannulas for thread placement, no skin incisions — only needle-puncture-sized entry points, minimal bleeding, shorter recovery (3-7 days vs. 2-4 weeks for surgery)
- Absorbable material: APTOS threads use absorbable materials such as polycaprolactone/polylactic acid (PCL/PLA) — gradually hydrolyzed and absorbed in 6-12 months with no residual foreign material. After absorption, the collagen sheath maintains the lifting effect
Treatment Strategies for Different Nasolabial Fold Types
- Pure depression type (no descent): Depression at the fold but no significant midface descent (young group). Strategy: HA filler directly in the depression — no lift needed, filling suffices
- Descent type (midface sagging): Deep fold with midface fat descent (most common at 30-50). Strategy: APTOS thread lifting — repositioning the descended fat pad to improve the fold at its source. Small amounts of HA filler for residual depression if needed
- Mixed type: Depression plus descent simultaneously. Strategy: thread lift plus HA filler — first lift tissue to reposition, then fill residual depression, dual approach
- Nasolabial fold plus jowls (marionette lines): Midface descent plus lower face laxity. Strategy: extend APTOS threads to the lower face — lifting from nasolabial fold to jawline in one thread, improving the mid-lower face contour overall
- Severe laxity type: Severe skin laxity, very deep folds (50+). Strategy: thread lifting has limited results — surgical facelift evaluation recommended (thread lifting suits mild-to-moderate laxity; severe cases need surgery). Rappoel honestly advises on suitability
Rappoel APTOS Thread Nasolabial Lift Protocol
- Consultation assessment (10 min): Frontal and 45° oblique evaluation of fold depth, midface descent degree, skin thickness and elasticity → design thread plan (direction, depth, thread count) → mark entry points and lift vectors
- Cleansing and anesthesia (20 min): Makeup removal → alcohol disinfection → local infiltration anesthesia (lidocaine) plus topical anesthetic cream → confirm anesthesia effect
- Precise thread placement (20-30 min): Insert APTOS threads via cannula along designed directions → from lateral fold toward the cheekbone → 3-6 threads per side → confirm lift effect and symmetry → trim thread ends
- Result confirmation and adjustment (5 min): Patient sits up to check the mirror → confirm fold reduction and midface elevation → adjust thread position if necessary
- Post-care instructions (5 min): Ice pack for swelling in 24 hours → avoid laughing, facial pressing, and strenuous exercise for 1 week → 1-week follow-up to assess results → stable at 1 month
APTOS thread lifting for nasolabial folds takes about 40-60 minutes (including anesthesia), with 3-7 days recovery and results lasting 1-2 years. Located 3 minutes from Gangnam Station Exit 10, with seamless English and Chinese consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between thread lifting and HA filler for nasolabial folds? Which is better?
Different principles and indications: (1) HA filler — ‘filling’ logic: injecting HA directly into the fold depression to restore volume and smooth the groove. Suitable for pure depression-type folds (no midface descent), 30 minutes, no downtime, lasts 12-18 months, dissolvable. (2) APTOS thread lifting — ‘lifting’ logic: repositioning the descended midface fat pad upward and anchoring it, improving the fold at its source. Suitable for descent-type folds (midface fat descent), 40-60 minutes, 3-7 days recovery, lasts 1-2 years. (3) How to tell — push the midface upward with your hand: if the fold markedly lightens = descent type, suitable for threads; if the fold remains deep after pushing = depression type, suitable for filler. (4) Mixed type — threads first to reposition then fill residual depression for best results. (5) Rappoel physicians distinguish the fold type during consultation and recommend the most suitable approach.
How does nasolabial thread lifting compare to surgical facelift?
Different candidates and effects: (1) APTOS thread lifting — non-surgical, needle-puncture entry, local anesthesia, 40-60 minutes, 3-7 days recovery. Suitable for mild-to-moderate midface descent. Results last 1-2 years (collagen sheath maintains partial effect after thread absorption). Reversible (returns to original state after absorption). (2) Surgical facelift — surgical, skin incisions, general or local anesthesia, 2-4 hour surgery, 2-4 weeks recovery. Suitable for moderate-to-severe laxity. Results last 5-10 years (permanent structural change). (3) Key difference — threads suit 30-50 with mild-to-moderate descent (wanting improvement but avoiding surgery); surgery suits 50+ with severe laxity (accepting surgery for lasting results). (4) Rappoel’s recommendation — try threads first (safe, reversible, no scarring); if satisfied, maintain with regular top-ups; if laxity progresses significantly, then evaluate surgery.
Is APTOS thread lifting for nasolabial folds safe? What are the risks and side effects?
Safety: (1) APTOS threads use absorbable materials (PCL/PLA), hydrolyzed and absorbed in 6-12 months with no residual foreign material. APTOS is an internationally certified thread lifting brand with CE marking. (2) Common side effects — post-treatment swelling (peak at 2-3 days, resolves within a week), mild bruising (5-7 days), needle-mark redness (2-3 days), pulling sensation for several days (mild tightness, adapts within a week). (3) Rare risks — thread exposure or extrusion through skin (return for treatment), asymmetry (adjustable), local infection (extremely rare under aseptic technique), temporary expression unnaturalness (recovers within a week). (4) Contraindications — pregnancy and breastfeeding, active facial infection, severe scarring tendency (keloids), bleeding disorders, autoimmune disease (physician evaluation). (5) Rappoel uses experienced physicians, strict aseptic technique, and complete post-treatment follow-up.
How long do nasolabial thread lifting results last? Will it be worse than before after threads dissolve?
Duration and long-term effects: (1) Instant — midface elevation and fold reduction visible immediately after placement. (2) Gradual — collagen sheath forms around threads over 2-6 months, so even as threads gradually absorb, the sheath continues to provide lifting support. (3) Duration — results typically last 1-2 years (related to thread count, thread type, individual metabolism, and baseline skin condition). (4) After thread absorption — threads fully hydrolyze in 6-12 months with no residue. The collagen sheath gradually weakens over 1-2 years, and the lifting effect slowly diminishes. After effects fade, the face returns to its ‘natural aging’ state — not worse than if never treated (natural aging continues during treatment but is not accelerated by threads). (5) Long-term maintenance — top-up threads every 1-2 years; HA filler and skincare can extend overall youthfulness. (6) Rappoel schedules follow-up at 1 month and 6 months to assess results.
Does nasolabial thread lifting hurt? How long is recovery? What are the post-treatment restrictions?
Pain, recovery, and restrictions: (1) Pain — local infiltration anesthesia (lidocaine) plus topical cream during treatment; mild pulling sensation but no pain during placement. After anesthesia wears off (hours), mild soreness may occur, manageable with pain relievers. (2) Recovery — swelling peaks at 2-3 days (resolves within a week), bruising 5-7 days, needle marks 2-3 days. Work from day 3-5 with light makeup. Appearance basically normal after 1 week. (3) Restrictions — ice pack for swelling in 24 hours; avoid laughing, wide mouth opening (prevent thread migration), facial pressing, strenuous exercise, sauna/heat for 1 week; avoid side-sleeping with facial pressure for 1 week. (4) Makeup — light makeup after 24 hours to cover needle marks. (5) Diet — avoid very hard or heavy-chewing foods for 1 week. (6) Exercise — light exercise after 1 week, normal exercise after 2 weeks.
Who is suitable for nasolabial thread lifting? Who is not?
Suitable: (1) 30-50 with mild-to-moderate midface descent — deep folds, beginning midface fat descent but not severe laxity. (2) Those unwilling to undergo surgical facelift — wanting to improve folds without incisions and recovery. (3) Those unsatisfied with HA filler results — limited improvement from filler alone (because the root cause is descent, not depression). (4) Those wanting long-term maintenance — thread results last 1-2 years, longer than fillers. Unsuitable or cautious: (1) Severe skin laxity (50+ severe) — limited lifting force; surgery recommended. (2) Extremely thin face with minimal fat — threads need fat tissue for lifting anchorage. (3) Pregnancy and breastfeeding (postpone). (4) Severe scarring tendency/keloids (physician evaluation). (5) Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use (assess bruising risk). (6) Active facial infection (treat first). Rappoel honestly assesses suitability during consultation.
Can nasolabial thread lifting be combined with other treatments? How?
Combination strategies: (1) Threads plus HA — first lift to reposition tissue, then fill residual depression. The most common combination, suitable for mixed-type folds. Can be same day (threads first then filler). (2) Threads plus botox — thread lifting for structure plus botox for dynamic lines (small amounts of botox in the fold area reduce smile-induced deepening). (3) Threads plus Thermage — threads for midface lift plus Thermage for full-face skin tightening. Recommend Thermage 2-4 weeks before threads (better thread results on tightened skin). (4) Threads plus cheek filler — thread lift plus HA midface volume. Fill volume first then thread lift, combining structure, volume, and lift. (5) Timing — threads and filler/botox can be same day; threads and Thermage spaced 2-4 weeks. (6) Rappoel offers midface overall rejuvenation plan design.
What material are the nasolabial threads? Will they stay in my face?
Material and safety: (1) APTOS thread material — absorbable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) or polylactic acid (PLA), commonly used in surgical sutures and medical implants with good biocompatibility. (2) Absorption process — over 6-12 months after placement, threads gradually hydrolyze into carbon dioxide and water, fully metabolized and excreted with no residual foreign material. (3) Effect maintenance principle — during absorption (2-6 months), surrounding tissue forms a collagen sheath (fibrotic encapsulation), so even after complete thread absorption, the sheath maintains partial lifting effect (an additional 6-12 months). (4) Difference from non-absorbable threads — APTOS uses absorbable threads that do not remain permanently; some brands use PDO (polydioxanone) threads that absorb faster (3-6 months) with shorter-lasting results. APTOS PCL/PLA absorbs more slowly, with longer-lasting effects. (5) Rappoel uses internationally certified APTOS brand threads, safe and reliable.
Will nasolabial thread lifting look unnatural? Will people be able to tell?
Naturalness: (1) With correct technique — thread lifting ‘returns descended tissue to its original position’ rather than ‘forcefully pulling upward.’ Good thread lifting ‘makes you look refreshed and younger without anyone knowing what was done.’ (2) Causes of unnaturalness — over-lifting (too many threads or excessive force) causing facial distortion, expression stiffness, skin depression; threads placed too superficially causing visible thread marks or surface irregularity. (3) Prevention — Rappoel uses appropriate thread count (3-6 per side), individualized design based on descent degree; precise placement depth (SMAS and subcutaneous fat, not skin surface); adjustable post-treatment. (4) Recovery — mild swelling and lifting sensation (tightness) for 1 week, natural thereafter. (5) Expression impact — correct placement does not affect expression function; smiling and speaking are completely normal. Rare pulling sensation during laughing in the first week, resolving as tissue adapts. (6) Rappoel physicians are experienced, with natural results as the top priority.
How much does nasolabial thread lifting cost? Is it more cost-effective than filler?
Cost comparison: (1) Factors — thread lifting cost depends on thread type (APTOS brand, PCL/PLA material), thread count, physician experience, and anesthesia method. (2) Compared to HA filler — HA filler per-session cost is lower but lasts 12-18 months requiring regular top-ups; thread lifting per-session cost is higher but lasts 1-2 years, making long-term value competitive. (3) Volume reference — nasolabial thread lifting uses 3-6 threads per side, 6-12 total for both sides. (4) Value logic — if the fold is primarily descent-type (root cause is midface descent), threads solve the problem at the source, with more lasting and natural results than repeated filler. If pure depression-type, filler is more direct and affordable. (5) Rappoel’s principle — reasonable, transparent pricing; quote based on actual thread count needed after consultation, no hard selling. First consultation to assess fold type, then decide on filler, threads, or combination. For specific pricing, book a consultation.
Deep nasolabial folds making you look old? Rappoel APTOS thread lifting — 40 minutes to lift midface sagging at its source!
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