Thread lifting often feels like there are too many types—
Mint, JBP V-Loc, Aptos, Tess, mono threads, mesh threads…

Just looking at the names doesn’t tell you much.

 

But in reality, you can categorize thread lifts using three simple criteria:

Material / Purpose / Cog Design (vector & barbs)

Let’s break everything down clearly.

---

1) By Material: PDO vs PLLA

 

PDO (Polydioxanone)

Typically lasts 3–6 months.

Cost-effective, breaks down quickly, and is relatively easy to revise in case of complications.

 

Downside: shorter longevity.

 

※ For safety reasons, most threads on the market
(Mint, Tess, standard cog threads, etc.) are PDO.

---

PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid)

 

Can last 12 months or longer,
strong structural support, good for patients with thicker fat pads.

 

Downside: more expensive and higher risk of nodules compared to PDO.

※ Representative example: Silhouette Soft (cone type)

 

In short:
Most threads are PDO; PLLA is basically Silhouette Soft.

And remember—thread lifting is a non-surgical, short-term lift,
so PLLA isn’t automatically “better.”
The recommendation should depend on the purpose.

---

2) By Purpose: Mono / Volume / Cog

 

① Mono Threads (Skin texture & fine-line improvement)

Smooth threads inserted multiple times into the dermis.

Micro-injury → Collagen remodeling → Skin texture improvement

Used more frequently in the past, but
after collagen booster injectables became popular, the advantages have become limited.

• Empty “gaps” occur even when inserted densely

• Discomfort, migration

• Less efficient relative to effect

---

② Volume Threads (Supporting deep wrinkles)

 

Twisted or cylinder-type threads
(JBP V-Loc, Screw/Cabin-type, etc.)

 

Inserted beneath deep wrinkles (nasolabial folds, glabella) to
create structural support + stimulate collagen during absorption.

 

Most effective when combined with fillers,
improving shape stability.

---

③ Cog Threads (Main lifting threads)

Threads with barbs or cones:
Mint, Aptos/Apticon, Blue Rose, Tess Lift, Silhouette Soft, etc.

 

Placed in the fat layer or SMAS and pulled
from bottom → top, or inside → outside
to correct sagging.

• Standard cog: 180° barbs

• Mint: 360° evenly distributed barbs

• Silhouette Soft: strong cone fixation

---

3) How to Use Cog Threads Properly: Vector / Barbs / Depth

Thread-lift success depends entirely on design.

 

Vector Design

Lifting isn’t simply “pulling upward.”
You need a personalized vector based on:

• Face shape

• Sagging direction

• Cheek volume distribution

 

Where you anchor the tissues determines whether
complications like cheek hollowing or exaggerated cheekbones appear.

---

Barb Direction & Density

 

Even within the same brand,
barb direction, length, and density vary.

 

Why?
Because tissue tends to shift toward the barb-free direction.

 

So barb patterns must be selected depending on the patient’s anatomy
to prevent uneven volume distribution.

---

Depth Accuracy

• Mono / Volume threads → lower dermis

• Cog threads → fat layer / SMAS

Too shallow → visible threads, irregularities
Too deep → weak effect, more bruising/pain

 

Anesthetic traction, skin tension, and handling pressure
must be adjusted simultaneously for optimal fixation.

---

Which Products to Choose?

 

Mint Threads

• 360° barbs

• Good fixation

• Less migration

• Strong cost–performance balance
  → One of the most widely used options.

---

Multi-Vector Cogs

 

For patients prone to cheek hollowing,
multi-directional cogs distribute tension more evenly than Mint alone.

---

Silhouette Soft

 

Excellent cone fixation and longevity,
but costly—multiple sessions can become almost surgical-level pricing.

 

Used selectively.

---

Personally, I prefer using Mint as a base,
then adding multi-vector cogs depending on face shape and volume distribution.

 

Ultimately, the outcome depends more on:

“Which doctor places the thread,

using what design,
at which depth,
with how stable a fixation?”

than on the thread brand itself.

---

Summary｜Thread Lifting Types (Mono / Volume / Cog)

 

Thread lifts can be organized into:

• Material (PDO / PLLA)

• Purpose (Mono / Volume / Cog)

• Design (Vector / Barbs / Depth)

 

In the end, results are determined by
design precision and fixation stability, not just the thread type.

 

Share your desired lift intensity, duration, and budget with your doctor,
and choose the design that fits your face best.

---

Written by: Dr. Won Daehan, Medical Director

 

Thank you for reading.

 

📍 Primi Clinic
52 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 3F (Primi Clinic)

 

📍 Primi Clinic
서울특별시 성동구 성수일로 52 3F

Thread Lifting Types (Mono / Volume / Cog) – Complete Guide