Thread Lift (Facial Suspension Threads)
A non-surgical procedure using absorbable threads to reposition mildly to moderately descended facial tissue.
- Procedure time
- 60 minutes
- Sessions
- Tek seans · ip tipine göre 12-18 ayda yeniden değerlendirme
- Clinic
- Facial Aesthetics
What is a thread lift?
A thread lift uses absorbable suture materials placed beneath the skin to reposition tissue that has begun to descend. The threads are made of polydioxanone (PDO), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) or polycaprolactone (PCL) — materials also used in surgery — and are gradually absorbed by the body. The procedure is not a substitute for a surgical facelift and will not deliver the expected benefit in people with advanced skin laxity.
Types of thread
Barbed threads grip and carry tissue in a planned direction. Smooth or twisted threads are chosen mainly to stimulate collagen production and improve tissue quality. Which thread is used, and along which vector, is decided through facial analysis.
How does it work?
The effect has two components. The first is mechanical: the barbs engage the tissue and hold it along the planned vector. The second is biological: the controlled tissue response around each thread stimulates collagen and elastin production over the following months. Even after the thread has been absorbed, this supportive tissue continues to contribute for a time.
How the session goes
Preparation
A detailed examination assesses the degree of descent, skin thickness and the distribution of fat. Entry and exit points are marked. Local anaesthesia is given and you remain awake throughout.
The procedure
Fine cannulas place the threads in the appropriate subcutaneous plane; the tissue is gently carried along the chosen vector and the ends are fixed. Both sides are worked comparatively to preserve symmetry. The procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes.
What to expect afterwards
Swelling, tenderness, a mild pulling sensation when chewing and bruising at entry points are common in the first days and usually settle within one to two weeks. For the first three weeks you will be asked not to open the mouth widely, to avoid hard foods and not to sleep face down. The result may look tighter initially and becomes more natural as the tissue settles.
Who should avoid it
Thread lifting is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active infection at the treatment site, in uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disease, in bleeding disorders, in people prone to keloid scarring, or where there is advanced laxity with significant excess skin. In this last group we discuss surgical options instead.
Expectations and follow-up
How long the result of a thread lift lasts depends on the type of thread, the number of vectors used, skin quality and lifestyle. Reassessment is usually made after twelve to eighteen months. The first review is planned at one month, when symmetry, healing of the entry points and the settling of the tissue are examined together. The number and type of threads used are recorded in your file. Smoking and heavy sun exposure affect tissue quality and can shorten the duration of the result, so these subjects are discussed during planning.
The decision to proceed is made after a face-to-face examination in which the degree of laxity is measured.
Aftercare
- Do not sleep face down for three weeks; use a higher pillow.
- Avoid wide mouth opening and hard, chewy foods.
- No facial massage, salon skincare or pressure from make-up brushes for two weeks.
- Wait at least two weeks before sport and sauna.
- Keep entry points clean and dry.
- Attend the one-month review appointment.
Frequently asked about this treatment
No. A thread lift is a non-surgical option that supports mild to moderate tissue descent. Where there is significant excess skin it will not deliver the expected benefit, and we discuss surgical options instead. This distinction is made clear at the examination.
No. The threads are absorbable — made of polydioxanone, poly-L-lactic acid or polycaprolactone — and are absorbed by the body over roughly six to eighteen months depending on the type. The supportive tissue that formed around them continues to contribute for a time afterwards.
Most people return to daily activities the next day, though mild swelling, tenderness and a pulling sensation when chewing may persist for the first week. If you have an important social event, scheduling the procedure at least two weeks beforehand makes the process more comfortable.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace medical advice. Treatment decisions are made after an in-person examination.
