What Is a Thread Lift?
The name “thread lift” is quite self-explanatory. When performing a thread lift, I place dissolvable, barbed sutures underneath the skin, that I use to pull your skin tight for a subtle, non-surgical facelift. The idea is to lift up sagging tissue by using the sutures to pull back the skin in trouble areas like the jowls, eyelids and nasolabial folds. Not everyone wants surgery or is able to undergo surgery, so instead of removing loose facial skin, a thread lift is a great non-surgical option where the skin is slightly suspended during an in-office procedure.
Targeted Areas for a Thread Lift
As we age, we lose facial volume caused by a reduction in facial fat. This can start to become visible as early as our 30’s. Many patients opt for a thread lift for facial areas that start to “sag” and look less tight over time. These areas include:
cheeks
jowls and jawline
brow line
under-eye area
forehead
Thread Lift Procedure
The procedure for thread lift may be slightly different depending on the area you’re targeting and the technique being used. The basic technique I use is as follows:
You will start in a comfortable reclined position as I apply alcohol, as well as topical anesthetic to your skin in preparation for the procedure.
I will use a thin needle or cannula to place the threads underneath your skin.
Once the threads are inserted, I will gently remove the needle and the procedure is complete!
Within minutes you’ll be free to go home.
The entire procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes and lasts from 1-3 years.
Post Thread Lift Procedure - What to Expect
Down time for a thread lift is very minimal. You will be able to leave my office directly after the procedure and drive home. After a thread lift, it is not uncommon to experience the following:
swelling
bruising
minimal bleeding
slight pain at the site of the thread injection
The final results should be visible after approximately 7 days.
*the before and after image is not of a patient of Dr. Hazen but rather an example of the possible results achieved by receiving a thread lift.
Thread Lift vs. Facelift
The fundamental difference between a thread lift and a facelift is that a thread lift is non-surgical while a facelift is performed under general anesthesia in the operating room and is a surgical procedure involving a significant amount of down time post op. There are pros and cons to both but it mostly depends on your individual needs and desires. The ideal candidate for a thread lift is someone between the ages of 30 and 50 who has minimal skin laxity and drooping and is looking for something effective but isn’t quite ready or in need of a surgical facelift. Some of the benefits of a thread lift are that there is little to no down time, it costs a fraction of the price of a facelift, it can be done in-office within 30-45 minutes and you can walk out the door immediately after the procedure is complete.
Another benefit of a thread lift is that in addition to an initial “lift” it combats aging in another way: by provoking the body's "healing response" and causing the body to produce large surges of collagen in treated areas. We all love collagen and there is a good reason for that - collagen plays a huge role in keeping our skin thick and youthful so the more the merrier. By inserting a foreign object into the skin, the body responds by trying to “heal” itself which results in the production of collagen. While a thread lift is ideal for some, for those who have quite a bit of sagging skin, a facelift might be the more effective procedure for you. You can “lift” much more with a surgical facelift and the results are more dramatic - but the cost is higher and the downtime is significant.
If you are not sure whether a thread lift or a facelift is the right procedure for you, contact my office and schedule a consultation with me. I am happy to recommend the best option for your unique face and beauty desires.
Until soon,
Alexes Hazen MD, FACS