Thread Lift

Thread lift procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery. This procedure tightens the skin by inserting temporary, medical-grade thread material into the face and then “pulling” the skin up by tightening the threads

Thread Lift Procedure.

The procedure is an outpatient procedure and may take 30-45 min time and involves insertion of thin dissolvable threads under local anaesthesia. A thin needle or cannula will be used to insert the threads underneath the skin.
By threading thin, dissolvable barbed sutures underneath the skin, the skin and the subcutaneous tissues can be pulled tight around the forehead, neck, or cheeks. One may feel a light pressure or tightening effect underneath the skin. Once a barbed thread is inserted, the body’s healing response is triggered. Even though not injured by the threads under the skin, the 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 the face.
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 stays in place and will be noticeable 2-3 years after the procedure.

Post Operative Care for Radio Frequency treatment

Immediately after the surgery

Patients will be made to walk on the same day of the surgery to ensure that blood clots do not form in the legs. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a healthy diet is recommended.

The weeks that follow

Supportive bra may be advised for a period of 4 weeks. Refrain from raising arms beyond 30 degrees for a week. It may be necessary to visit the outpatient clinic for dressing changes till the suture lines heal or dry up.

Full recovery timeline

You may resume work in 2-3 weeks time from your surgery. Scar modulation creams may be recommended for softening the scars. Lymphatic massages once the suture line is dry which improves the breast contours.  It may take 3 months for one to appreciate the final results.

You ask, we answer.

One should refrain from washing, wetting and touching the face or the treated area for at least 12 hours after the procedure. Once you do start showering and cleansing the area, be careful not to massage or scrub
with a washcloth for 3 weeks after the thread lift. One may be advised not to rub the face vigorously and to avoid sleeping on the side in the initial weeks following the procedure. One may be advised to skip the daily moisturizer for the first few days after a thread lift, and sleep with the head propped up to avoid rolling over onto the newly placed sutures. One may also be advised to avoid saunas and high intensity workouts for the
first week or so after the thread lift is performed.

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

After a thread lift, one may experience bruising, swelling, slight bleeding or
pain at the site of the thread injection. All these are temporary and subside in
2-3 days time.

  • Infection at the site of the procedure
  • Allergic reaction to ingredients in the threading material
  • Bleeding and blood clot formation along the direction of the threads
  • 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 bulged.
  • Pain under your skin as a result of the thread being too “tight” or awkwardly placed

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 materials (dermal fillers,
Botox) the threads used in the procedure will eventually be absorbed by the
tissue underneath your skin.

  • A thread lift won’t give 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 not permanent. A facelift can’t stop the process of aging completely, but the results last many years approximately 10 years. The subtle results of a thread lift usually last around 2-3 years.
  • The risks and complications with facelift surgery are much higher compared to thread lift. 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.

A PDO thread lift is customized to the unique skin type, skin texture and aesthetic goals. Depending on the area of concern, one may receive three or four carefully placed barbed threads. Different threads are used for varying degrees of lift, skin tightening and cellular rejuvenation. However, depending on your requirement, your team of surgeons may recommend using multiple other variants of the barbed sutures giving you the rejuvenated look you desire.

For better rejuvenation of the facial aesthetics, your team of surgeons recommend combining a thread lift with other kinds of anti-aging procedures, such as dermal fillers. Placement of threads shallows the grooves and reduces the requirement for the amount of filler to be injected.

If one has drooping and sagging skin, then a thread lift is going to provide a better result than dermal filler as it will help to lift andtighten the skin. However, if one is simply struggling with volume loss around the cheeks, then dermal filler injections are your best bet. One may need a combination of treatments in order to minimize the costs incurred by reducing the large volume of fillers to be injected.

A thread lift will stimulate collagen whereas Botulium toxin will not. Botox works differently to a thread lift because it effectively paralyses the muscles which are used to create wrinkles. It can also be used around the eye area where threads may not be suitable. Because their nature of action is different, their use are often complemented by the use of the other.