Fast facts

About

Thread lift procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery. Thread lifts claim to tighten your skin by inserting medical-grade thread material into your face and then “pulling” your skin up by tightening the thread.

Safety

Thread lifts are considered a low-risk procedure with minimal recovery time, but side effects of redness, bruising, and swelling do occur.

Convenience

This procedure can be performed in about 45 minutes, and, if you want to, you can go right back to work afterward. Finding a trained, experienced Doctor is the key to a safe, effective thread lift.

Efficacy

Thread lift procedures have as dramatically effective as facelifts but on selective individuals as customized procedures. Results from a thread lift last from 1 to 3 years. For best results, surgeons recommend combining a thread lift with other kinds of anti-aging procedures.

What is a thread lift?

A thread lift, also called a barbed suture lift, is a cosmetic procedure that aims to lift and sculpt the shape of your face or breasts. Thread lifts use temporary, medical-grade suture material to “stitch-up” your skin so that it’s drawn taut.

Thread lifts have been around since decades, but innovations in the material used for thread lifts have led to an increase in popularity in recent years.

The typical candidate for a thread lift is in their late 30s to early 50s. A person who is generally in good health and is just starting to notice the signs of aging may benefit the most from the subtle impact of a thread lift.

Those who can’t have a surgical facelift because of medical conditions that make general anesthesia risky may consider a thread lift as a safer alternative.

TYPES OF THREADS

Mono Threads- They are the smooth threads without barbs, often placed into the face in a mesh-like fashion for skin tightening effect. The skin tightening gradually improves as collagen starts developing around these threads. The treatment areas are often necklines, neck sagginess, forehead and under eyes. To sustain a lift, 10-20 threads are attached to an anchoring point of the scalp or face. For overall improvement in face tightening and rejuvenation, they have to be used with cog threads as they alone don’t tighten the skin without much significant lifting.

Screw Threads- They can be available in the form of one or two threads intertwined together around the inserting needle. They have a great impact on giving volume on the sunken area of the skin. In some cases, Multi Screw, i.e intertwining of two threads is used for a stronger effect. Screw threads are often used for general face-lifting.

Cog Threads- They are nearly mono threads with barbs to hook to the underside of the skin. These barbs form a support structure which lifts the sagging tissues. But unlike mono threads, the cog threads do not need an anchoring point. Also, collagen formation can occur around the threads and their barbs. These cog threads are most effective for jawline lifting and slimming.

How does a thread lift work?

The thread lift procedure works in two ways.

The first is fairly straightforward. By threading thin, dissolvable sutures like PDO (Polydioxanone) underneath your skin, your doctor is able to pull your skin tight around your forehead, neck, or torso.

Invisible, painless “barbs” grab on to your skin and make sure that the thread grips your underlying tissue and muscles as the thread is pulled tight.

Once a barbed thread is inserted, your body’s healing response is triggered. Even though you’re not injured by the threads under your skin, your body detects a suture material and stimulates collagen production in the affected area. Collagen can fill gaps in sagging skin and restore a more youthful elasticity to your face.

It has been observed that the primary effect of a thread lift procedure is skin appearing tighter and more structured. After a year, this effect begins to decrease as the sutures dissolve. However, there was a secondary “rejuvenation” effect that stayed in place and was noticeable 3 years or more after the procedure.

Thread lift procedure

The procedure for thread lift may be slightly different depending on the area you’re targeting as well as your provider’s preferences. The basic technique is usually the same.

1. You’ll be asked to recline in the room where your procedure is being performed. Alcohol, as well as topical anesthetic, will be applied to your skin as it’s prepped for surgery.
2. A thin needle or cannula will be used to insert the threads underneath your skin. Inserting the threads can take 30 to 45 minutes.
3. After the threads are inserted, the needle or cannula of insertion will be removed. You may feel light pressure or tightening under your skin.
4. Within a few minutes of the needles being taken out, your procedure will be complete and you’ll be free to go home.

Targeted areas for a thread lift

Many people choose a thread lift for facial areas that “sag” or look less tight over time. These areas include:

• Sagging cheeks
• Loss of facial volume
• Deep lines and wrinkles
• Jowls
• Double chin
• Turkey neck
• Wish to opt for a non-surgical facelift or neck lift

Changes in the skin:

• Will look firmer and lifted.
• Restoration of the lost volume over time as the collagen production will be stimulated.
• Face will mould itself as the collagen is built gradually.

Thread lifts are also to lift and tighten breasts, especially after pregnancy and weight loss.

Are there any risks or side effects?

A thread lift is considered a low-risk procedure, but there are side effects and a risk of complications.

After a thread lift, it’s not uncommon to experience the following:

• bruising
• swelling
• bleeding
• slight pain at the site of the thread injection

There’s a 15 to 20 percent chance of complications, including dimpling. Possible complications are minor and can easily be corrected.

Complications to look out for include:

• Allergic reaction to ingredients in the threading material
• bleeding as a result of the procedure building up behind your skin
• visible dimpling or pulling where the threads have been inserted
• migration or unintended “movement” of the threads that result in skin that looks lumpy or bulges
• pain under your skin as a result of the thread being too “tight” or awkwardly placed
• infection at the site of the procedure

Of all the risks of a thread lift, infection is the one to watch out for most carefully. Call your doctor right away if you notice:

• green, black, brown, or red discharge at the site of your procedure
• swelling for more than 48 hours
• persistent headaches
• fever

What to expect after a thread lift

Recovery after a successful thread lift is quite minimal. While there may be some visible swelling and bruising, you can go back to work right away if you’d like.

Results should be apparent right after the threads are put into place, but you may notice more in the days and weeks right after they are inserted, as swelling and bruising starts to subside.

Results from a thread lift aren’t meant to be permanent. Successful effects typically last from 1 to 3 years. Like other dissolvable dermal fillers, such as Botox, the threads used in the procedure will eventually be absorbed by the tissue underneath your skin.

After a thread lift, you can resume your normal routine. Your provider may advise you not to rub your face vigorously and to avoid sleeping on your side in the initial weeks following the procedure.

It is advised that you skip your daily moisturizer for the first few weeks after a thread lift, and sleep with your head propped up to avoid rolling over onto the newly placed sutures.

You’ll also be advised to avoid saunas and high intensity workouts for the first week or so after the thread lift is performed.

Preparing for a thread lift

After consulting with your provider and booking your appointment, you may be given some guidelines for do’s and don’ts to prepare for your thread lift.

Do

• inform your doctor of any medications you’re on prior to your procedure
• try to relax and avoid stressors the night before your appointment
• steer clear of any known inflammation triggers in your diet

Don’t

• drink alcohol the night before a thread lift
• take blood thinning medication or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) 1 week before your thread lift

Thread lift vs. facelift

A thread lift won’t give you the same dramatic results as a surgical facelift. If you’re considering investing in this procedure, it’s important to have realistic expectations.

A thread lift is also not permanent. A facelift can’t stop the process of aging completely, but the results last many years. The subtle results of a thread lift usually last around 2 years.

To make the results last longer, you may need dermal fillers or other therapies that cost additional time and money.

On the other hand, the risks of complications with facelift surgery are much higher. If you don’t like the results of a facelift, there’s not much you can do except have another invasive procedure. If you don’t like the result of a thread lift, you can simply wait for the threads to dissolve.

A thread lift is less expensive than a facelift. You can go right back to work after having it done, and the recovery is minimal.

If you’re noticing signs of aging in your jawline or under your eyes, a thread lift is a low-risk way to see how a more permanent procedure might look.