What’s thread lifting? Thread lifting is a cosmetic procedure using threads to lift the sagging skin. It is a non-invasive and temporary treatment that tightens the skin by inserting medical-grade thread material into the face and pulling the skin upward.
The aim of a thread lift is to sculpt and lift the face and breasts, making it a popular procedure for people in their late 30s to early 50s. It’s a specifically suitable option for those who can’t undergo a surgical facelift due to medical conditions or financial constraints.
How Much Does a Thread Lift Cost?
For facelift using threads, the common areas include the forehead, under-eye areas, eyebrows, and jowls. Since thread lifting doesn’t require general anesthesia, people can save a significant amount of money. Moreover, it doesn’t need considerable recovery time, so you won’t need to take a considerable time off from work.
How Does Thread Lifting Work?
It works in two ways:
A Straightforward Way:
Thin, dissolvable sutures are inserted underneath the skin, and by pulling the threads up, the skin becomes drawn taut.
A Second Option:
The invisible, tiny, and painless barbs on the thread grasp your skin and underlying tissue, securing the thread in place as it’s pulled tight. Once inserted, the barbed thread triggers your body’s natural healing response, stimulating collagen production in the treated area. The increased collagen production helps fill in gaps in sagging skin, restoring a more youthful elasticity to your face.
The results from thread lifting procedures, such as cheek thread lift, nose thread lift, face thread lift and more, typically last between one to three years. And after that, the effects become to diminish as the sutures dissolve.
The Thread Lifting Procedure
Depending on the targeted areas and provider’s preferences, the procedure for thread lifting may be slightly different. Here is what you can generally expect:
- You’ll be asked to lie down in a reclined position during the procedure.
- Alcohol and topical anesthetic will be applied to prepare the skin for the procedure.
- A cannula or thin needle will be used to insert the threads under the skin. The whole procedure typically takes between 30 to 45 minutes.
- Once inserted, the insertion method will be removed. Thereby, you may feel light pressure or tightening right beneath your skin.
- Once the needles are being taken out, the procedure will be almost complete, and you’ll be ready to go back to your work or home.
The Side Effects of Thread Lifting
Thread lifting is generally considered a low-risk procedure with minimal recovery time; however, like any other procedure, it has potential side effects that typically subside after a short while. Common side effects include:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Slight pain at the targeted sites
Rare and more complicated side effects include:
- Allergic reactions to thread material’s ingredients
- Building up bleeding behind the skin due to procedure
- Lumpy or bulging skin due to unintended movement of threads
- Infection at the treatment site
- Visible dimpling or pulling after thread insertion
- Pain or discomfort under the skin if the threads are too tight or awkwardly placed.
All of these side effects can potentially lead to infection. Our recommendation is to call your doctor if you see one of these side effects. Also, please get in touch with your health provider if you notice one of these symptoms below:
- Swelling for more than 48 hours
- Fever
- Persistent headaches
- Green, black, or red discharge at the procedure site
What to Expect After Thread Lifting?
Regardless of the area treated (cheek lift with threads, face lift using threads, nose thread lift, neck thread lift, etc.), recovery time is minimal, allowing you to go back to your work or home right after the procedure.
You can see the initial results immediately after the threads are inserted beneath your skin, with full results becoming noticeable in a few days as bruising and swelling subside.
Please note that thread lifting isn’t a permanent solution for sagging skin. The effects of threads typically last between one to three years, and like other dissolvable dermal fillers, they’ll eventually be absorbed by the tissue underneath the skin.
It’s recommended to stop vigorous activities and saunas for the first week following the procedure. You may be asked to avoid sleeping on your side during the initial weeks post-treatment.
Thread Lift vs. Facelift Surgery
If you seek a dramatic result, thread lifting may not be the solution you’re looking for. So you must have realistic expectations before undergoing the procedure.
Moreover, the effects of thread lift aren’t permanent and generally last between one or three years. In contrast, while the facelift surgery can’t stop the process of aging, its effects last many years. If you’re unsatisfied with the final result of the surgery, you can’t do anything special but look for other procedures. However, if you don’t like the final results of thread lift, you can simply wait for the threads to be absorbed.
Alyssum Cosmetic
FAQ
- Share your medical history with your provider before the procedure
- Avoid stress and try to relax the night before the treatment
- Avoid any inflammation-triggering foods
- Avoid using alcohol the night before the treatment
- Stop taking blood-thinning medication or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, one week before the treatment
During the procedure, patients may feel mild pain or discomfort as the threads are inserted underneath the skin. An Ice pack can help to handle mild swelling and bruising, which appear immediately after the procedure. Over-the-contour medications can alleviate any pain after the treatment.
Bruising, swelling, and soreness are typical side effects that usually subside after a while.
Skin irregularities, such as bumps, lumps, or even asymmetry (if one side of the face ends up fuller than the other side), may occur. Rare complications include infection, lumpy or bulging skin, allergic reactions to thread materials, fever, persistent headaches, bleeding beneath the skin, or unusual discharge at the inserted site.
Yes, once the threads are inserted, they immediately lift the skin, which causes a more youthful yet natural appearance. Moreover, the threads stimulate our body to produce more collagen, improving skin elasticity.
- Jowls and jawline
- Forehead
- Cheeks
- Nose
- Under-eye areas
- Brow lines
- Neck
- Any part of the face that experiences sagging and loosing skin
Some Celebrities Who Have Had Thread Lift
Sarah Ferguson
Paris Hilton
Kim Kardashian
Kate Winslet
Jennifer Aniston
Gwyneth Paltrow
Sandra Bullock
