How to Care for Bruising After a Thread Lift: Is There a Way to Clear It Faster?

Why does bruising occur after a thread lift?

A thread lift inserts threads under the skin to lift and anchor sagging tissue. If small blood vessels under the skin are irritated or damaged as the thread goes in, some blood pools in the tissue and a bruise forms. So a bruise after the procedure is not necessarily a complication. Bruising and swelling are common post-procedure reactions to tiny bleeding and tissue irritation under the skin. They usually look red or purple at first, then change over time to blue, green and yellow before gradually fading. The extent and color of a bruise on the skin surface can change over time. What matters is not the bruise's color but whether it shrinks over time. Bruises are usually absorbed naturally, but if one keeps spreading or suddenly worsens, check with the clinic that performed the procedure.

In a meta-analysis of 26 studies on facial thread lifts, the most common complication was swelling (35%), followed by skin dimpling 10%, sensory changes 6%, visible or palpable threads 4% and infection 2%.^[1]

Related readingWhether a thread lift or laser lifting suits you is compared in "Thread lift or laser lifting: which suits my face?" (Korean).

How long does thread-lift bruising usually last?

How long a bruise takes to disappear depends on its size and depth, but most fade gradually over time. A typical bruise can look darker for the first few days and then change color as it gradually disappears. Small bruises often improve noticeably within a few days to 1–2 weeks, while deep or widespread bruises can last longer. So rather than expecting the bruise to be gone the next day, expect it to darken briefly at first and then gradually fade. Because a thread lift can insert threads in several areas of the face, bruising may appear not only around the treated area but also lower down. As blood under the skin moves with gravity, bruising can appear below where the thread actually went in.

What is the most basic way to reduce bruising right after the procedure?

Right after a thread lift, cold compresses come first. Cold compresses constrict blood vessels and can help reduce early swelling in the treated area. However, applying ice directly to the skin can damage it, so protect the skin with a thin towel or use a cold pack. Rather than applying it for too long at once, repeat short applications. Avoid pressing hard on the treated area or rubbing while pressing. Right after the procedure, keeping your head above your heart also helps manage swelling. Raising your upper body slightly with pillows when sleeping helps reduce blood and fluid pooling in the face. After cosmetic surgery too, keeping the upper body raised is used early on to manage swelling, and it is important not to press on or irritate the treated area.

Related readingIf dimpling appears after a thread lift, see "Thread lift dimpling: causes and how to manage it" (Korean).

How long should cold compresses be used?

Cold compresses are best used from right after the procedure through the period when early swelling and bruising develop. Especially on the day of the procedure and the next day, the face may swell or throb, so cold compresses can be used. However, keeping an ice pack on continuously for a long time is not good. The purpose of cold compresses is not to force the bruise away but to reduce early swelling and vascular reaction. So there is no need to think "the longer I use cold compresses, the faster the bruise will go." Apply them for short periods to avoid excessive cold on the skin, and follow any method your clinic has advised first.

When can warm compresses start?

Warm compresses are better started after early bleeding and swelling have settled, rather than right after the procedure. Exposure to strong heat, such as hot compresses or saunas, dilates blood vessels and can worsen early swelling or bleeding. In particular, avoid hot baths, saunas and jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses) on the day of the procedure. Swelling and bruising recover naturally over time, so there is no need to force them away quickly with heat. In actual post-surgery care, cold compresses are used early on, and activities that greatly increase heat and blood flow, such as saunas and strenuous exercise, are advised against for a certain period.

A review of arnica, often said to clear bruises quickly, found that although it is widely recommended on social media, evidence that it reduces bruising and swelling after cosmetic injection procedures is still insufficient.^[2]

Can I massage to clear bruising faster?

It is best not to massage your face right after a thread lift. A typical bruise disappears as the body naturally absorbs the blood, even without massage. But with a thread lift, threads are under the skin, so pressing hard on or rubbing the treated area should be avoided.

In particular, rubbing your face hard or using gua sha, massage devices or meridian massage can put unnecessary pressure on the treated area. Strong stimulation while the threads are settling can cause more pain or swelling. So rather than massaging yourself to clear the bruise faster, it is safer to leave the area alone and let it recover. If there is a massage or care program you need, do not do it on your own; check with your medical team when it can start.

What should be avoided after a thread lift?

To reduce bruising and swelling and support recovery after a thread lift, reduce actions that stress the face. First, it is best to avoid alcohol. Alcohol dilates blood vessels and can affect bleeding and swelling, so avoid it right after the procedure. Strenuous exercise should also be avoided early on. Activities that greatly raise heart rate and blood flow, such as running or high-intensity strength training, can make swelling worse. Also avoid things that heat the face, such as saunas, jjimjilbang and hot baths. When washing your face or applying makeup, be gentle and do not rub hard. Lying on your side with your face pressed firmly into a pillow is also best avoided early on. In short, the best way to clear bruising after a thread lift is not using many home remedies but, early on, reducing heat, pressure and friction and creating conditions in which you can fully recover.

Tell your clinic right away about these bruises and swelling

Some bruising and swelling after the procedure is common, but not every symptom should be seen as normal recovery. In particular, if the following symptoms appear, tell the clinic that performed the procedure right away.

First, when the bruised area keeps spreading over time. A typical bruise should change color and gradually fade.

Second, when only one side of the face suddenly swells a lot. A large left–right difference or rapidly increasing swelling needs to be checked.

Third, when severe pain, heat and redness appear together. Rather than a simple bruise, inflammation or another procedure-related problem should be checked.

Fourth, when the skin turns abnormally pale or dark red with severe pain. Immediate medical assessment is needed to check for possible problems with skin blood flow.

Also, if continuous bleeding, pus or fever occur, do not treat it as simply a long-lasting bruise. It is important to report abnormal reactions after a procedure to your medical team quickly so appropriate action can be taken.

Thread lifts: common myths and facts