Quick answer: In MINT Lift vs Silhouette Soft, both are dissolvable thread lifts, but they differ in material and grip. MINT Lift uses PDO threads with barbs for a firm, strong lift. Silhouette Soft uses PLLA threads with small cones that lift gently and build collagen for longer. MINT suits heavier sagging; Silhouette Soft suits a softer, natural lift.
Key takeaways
- MINT Lift is made of PDO; Silhouette Soft is made of PLLA and PLGA.
- MINT uses moulded barbs; Silhouette Soft uses bidirectional cones.
- MINT often gives a stronger immediate lift.
- Silhouette Soft is known for collagen stimulation and a natural feel.
- Both dissolve over time and have one to two weeks of mild recovery.
What is MINT Lift?
MINT Lift is a thread lift made by HansBiomed in Korea. The threads are made of PDO (polydioxanone), a material used for many years in surgical stitches. They have pressed barbs along their length that grip tissue firmly. After numbing, the doctor places them under the skin with a cannula and lifts the cheeks, jowls or jawline. The PDO dissolves over several months, and collagen forms around the threads.
What is Silhouette Soft?
Silhouette Soft is a thread lift made by Sinclair. The threads are made of PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) and PLGA, the same family of materials used in collagen stimulators. Instead of barbs, they have small cones that face in two directions and hold tissue gently. As the threads and cones dissolve, PLLA encourages new collagen, so the skin can look firmer over time.
How do MINT Lift and Silhouette Soft compare?
- Material: MINT PDO; Silhouette Soft PLLA and PLGA.
- Grip: MINT barbs; Silhouette Soft cones.
- Immediate lift: MINT usually stronger; Silhouette Soft softer and more natural.
- Collagen effect: both stimulate collagen; PLLA is known for a longer collagen effect.
- How long results last: both often about one to two years, depending on the person.
- Feel: Silhouette Soft is often described as softer under the skin.
Which is better for heavier sagging?
For visible jowls, sagging cheeks or a jawline that has clearly dropped, MINT Lift is often the stronger choice. The barbs grip firmly and can reposition heavier tissue. Doctors may place more threads on the side that sags more to improve balance.
Which is better for a natural, gradual look?
For mild to moderate sagging, or for people who want a subtle lift that improves over time, Silhouette Soft is a popular choice. The cones hold tissue gently, and the PLLA builds collagen, which can improve skin firmness as well as shape. It is often used for the mid-face and cheeks.
Can they be combined with other treatments?
Yes. Thread lifts are often combined with Ultherapy or Thermage to tighten the deep layer and the skin. Fillers can restore lost volume, and jaw Botox can slim a wide jawline. Your doctor will plan the order and spacing between treatments.
What is the recovery like?
With both threads, expect swelling, small bruises, tightness and mild pain for several days. Small dimples or uneven areas can appear at first and usually settle within one to two weeks. Avoid wide mouth opening, facial massage, saunas and intense exercise for a short time. Visitors should allow a few days in Seoul before flying.
Is it safe?
Both are approved products and are safe in experienced hands. Possible risks include bruising, asymmetry, threads that can be felt or seen, and rarely infection. Always ask which thread brand and how many threads will be used, and choose a doctor who performs thread lifts often.
How to choose
Korea treated about 2.01 million foreign patients in 2025, and around 63% came for dermatology, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Thread lifts are a key part of non-surgical lifting in Korea. The right thread depends on how much tissue needs lifting, how natural you want the change to look and your skin thickness.
Frequently asked questions
Which thread lasts longer?
Both often last one to two years. Results depend on your skin, the number of threads and aftercare.
Which one feels more natural?
Many people find Silhouette Soft softer, but technique matters most.
Can I mix both threads?
Yes. Some doctors use different threads in different areas of the same face.
Will people notice I had threads?
Early swelling may show for a week or so, then the result usually looks natural.
Sources
- Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea – 2025 foreign patient statistics (press release, 2026).
- Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea – medical device approval information (absorbable lifting threads).
- HansBiomed – MINT Lift product information; Sinclair – Silhouette Soft product information.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Results vary between individuals. Please consult a qualified physician before any treatment.
