Dimpling After a Thread Lifting: Causes and Recovery Time

Thread lift dimpling is an indentation that forms as the barbs on a thread grip the tissue beneath the skin. When it is mild, it often smooths out on its own as swelling goes down. If the indentation is deep or lasts longer than a month, however, treatment such as molding or thread adjustment may be needed. If you had a thread lifting at a plastic surgery clinic near Sinsa Station in Gangnam and were alarmed to see a dip below your cheekbones or near your mouth, this guide walks through the causes, recovery time, and what to do, so you can judge whether what you are seeing is a normal part of healing or a complication.

Why Dimpling Happens After a Thread Lifting

The threads used in a thread lifting have small barbs that catch the tissue under the skin and lift it upward. If the pulling force concentrates too heavily at one point and that spot becomes over-anchored, the skin surface there can look pulled inward. This is what is commonly called dimpling.

Dimpling is more common where the skin is thin or where there is little fat. That is why the depth at which each thread is placed is critical, and how precisely that depth is set depends on the practitioner's skill. Not every uneven-looking area after a thread lifting will become a permanent scar; many are temporary changes that pass during recovery.

Recovery Time: Dimples You Can Wait Out and Dimples You Shouldn't

Mild indentations often smooth out naturally as swelling subsides, usually within about 7–14 days, or around 10 days on average. During this period, it is better to let healing run its course than to check the mirror anxiously.

On the other hand, if a thread was placed too shallow, the dimple may persist for more than a month. This kind of indentation needs to be released with hands-on treatment rather than waiting for time to fix it.

Can I Massage It Out at Home?

For the first 3 days after the procedure, avoid rubbing or pressing hard on the indented area. Too much pressure at this stage can weaken how well the threads hold.

Typically, at the one-week follow-up visit, the medical team assesses the depth and location of the indentation and gently releases it with a technique called "molding." Rather than trying to fix it yourself, having molding done under your provider's judgment is the safest approach.

What to Do Based on Severity: Watchful Waiting vs. a Follow-Up Visit

If it is mild, watch it for about 2 weeks. But if the area looks deeply sunken even at rest, or comes with severe pain or redness, don't just keep waiting; have it checked at the clinic where you had the procedure.

Key Takeaways

• Thread lift dimpling occurs when the barbs on a thread over-anchor a specific point, and it is common where the skin is thin or fat is sparse.
• Mild indentations often smooth out along with the swelling within 7–14 days; if they last more than a month, treatment is needed.
• Avoid self-massage for the first 3 days after the procedure; having it released with molding at your one-week visit is the safe approach.

※ This post is intended to provide medical information and does not encourage any specific procedure or guarantee results. Depending on each person's skin thickness and elasticity, any procedure may result in side effects such as dimpling, inflammation, or asymmetry, so be sure to make your decision after a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

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Last reviewed: 2026-10-07
This article provides general medical information. Individual diagnosis and treatment plans are determined through an in-person consultation.