What are facial threads? Also known as a thread lift or PDO thread lift, this non-surgical procedure lifts and tightens the skin on the face while boosting collagen production in the treated area. This minimally-invasive cosmetic technique leads to a more youthful appearance with a subtle effect that snatches facial contours while reducing wrinkles, sagging, and slowing the aging process.
Read on to find out more about facial threads, how they work and how effective they are, their potential side effects, and why some plastic surgeons don’t recommend them. Ultimately, you can decide whether or not a thread lift is suitable for you.
What Are Facial Threads?
Facial threads are used in a thread lift procedure, often performed with a biodegradable material called polydioxanone in a PDO thread lift. Polydioxanone threads are the material used for PDO sutures (stitches). Dissolvable threads made from polydioxanone comprise a long-chain polysaccharide that’s like sugar.
There are two other types of facial threads, and they are made from polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCA). The latter are newer types of thread lift and are potentially longer lasting.
Facial threading is nothing new. In fact, they’ve been used cosmetically in thread lifts since the 1990s, however they’ve improved a lot since then and were approved by the FDA in 2016.
Thread lifts can increase facial rejuvenation, improving the appearance of:
- Midface and cheeks
- Jawline and jowls
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Neck
- Eyes: targeting crow’s feet or for a fox-eyed look with a cat or fox eye thread lift
A traditional facelift gives long-lasting results that can be dramatic, however this kind of surgical facelift is invasive and expensive. In contrast, a thread lift treatment is best for people looking for a subtle improvement in their appearance rather than a dramatic change. It’s also an option for those who can’t have plastic surgery due to health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Facial thread lift costs range from $2,000 in the US. In the UK, the treatment starts from about £600.
How Do Facial Threads Work?
Facial threads have two goals. Firstly, they give immediate results by physically lifting the skin and pulling the skin tighter. Secondly, the threads stimulate the production of new collagen as the affected tissue in the face seeks to repair itself. This gives a gradual improvement over time.
Does a facial thread lift hurt? Naturally, most people report discomfort, but you’ll be given topical or local anesthesia to help numb the treated area. Users report feeling tugging as the threads are placed, but this is to be expected.
You don’t need to worry about PDO threads being inside your face indefinitely, since the threads are dissolved by the body in about six months. In contrast, PLA and PCA threads take a little longer to dissolve.
Benefits of Facial Threads
The benefits of a thread facelift is that it’s faster and cheaper to perform than a full face lift. Since a thread lift cosmetic procedure takes no more than an hour, it’s been titled the “lunchtime lift” by fans. Indeed, in contrast to a regular face lift, there is less chance of complications and scarring with a thread lift. You can resume normal activities immediately, however it’s best to wait a couple of weeks before doing anything strenuous.
Despite this, unregulated thread lifts can cause serious damage, so do your research before undertaking any work. More on this in a moment.
Facial Threads Complications
Many people experience no complications with minimal downtime following a thread lift. However, a small minority of people do experience some problems. These include:
- Visible sutures
- Pain and swelling
- Threads snapping
- Inflammation
- A change in texture of the skin
- Bruising
It’s important to be fully aware of the risks and choose a trained professional to help avoid any complications.
The Downsides of Facial Threads
Facial thread procedures are controversial – not everybody believes they’re worth the cost, and some plastic surgeons don’t recommend them. This is because some plastic surgeons believe that the thread lift results can be unpredictable. Although they’ve been around a while, there’s not much research to back up the safety and efficacy of facial threads.
Additionally, in the long run, given the cost of threads and how often the treatment needs to be repeated, a full face lift or neck lift often works out more cost effective.
Different Types of PDO Facial Threads
Your practitioner can recommend various types of threads to suit your needs and bring about a different final result. Facial threads can be smooth, barbed, or contain cogs, anchors, or screws to control and fix the underlying soft tissue. The threads can also be of differing thickness – thicker threads are used for heavy duty lifting and repositioning of loose skin, while thinner threads are used for volumizing and boosting the texture of the skin.
- Mono Threads: also known as smooth threads or flat threads, are used to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, and give a mild lifting effect in smaller areas of the face like around the eyes.
- Cog Threads: these barbed threads are used to give significant lift along the mid face, jawline, and neck. Cog threads are said to bring the longest lasting results.
- Screw Threads: with their twisted appearance, screw threads bring volume to the face and stimulate production of collagen.
Your practitioner will consult with you about the type of thread that’s right for you.
What’s Involved in the Procedure?
Before going ahead, you’ll be asked to avoid certain foods, drinks, and medication before the procedure for a few days beforehand. Alcohol, tobacco, and certain foods are off limits.
The procedure: After disinfecting and numbing your face, a small needle or cannula is used to insert the thread, which is then pulled tight by your practitioner. The thread is anchored in place, and the cannula is removed. Finally, the thread will be checked and cut.
How Long to See Results from a Thread Lift?
Expect to see some instant results from a thread lift. However, once the threads are inserted, the body’s healing response will cause the tissue and skin surrounding them to begin producing more collagen.
This process can take several months and you’ll experience a boost in collagen production during that time.
Who Is A Good Candidate for Facial Threads?
The ideal candidates for facial threads are aged from late thirties to early fifties. If you have a thread lift at an older age, you might not see the dramatic results you desire. A full face lift would probably be a more suitable option.
How Long Do Facial Threads Last?
The results of a thread lift can vary a great deal, and it depends on your age and circumstances. A rough guide is between 1 to 3 years.
After this time, by all means you can have another thread lift.
Aftercare
Recovery time from a facial thread lift is minimal. However, it’s important to follow your practitioner’s advice on caring for yourself following the procedure.
- Avoid rubbing your face
- Sleep on your back
- Stay away from alcohol and tobacco
- Refrain from intense exercise
- No saunas or other heat treatments
Your provider may stipulate not using any skincare products or makeup at all in the period immediately following treatment. Following this, it’s a good idea to only use gentle skincare in the treated areas for a period of a few weeks following a thread lift. Your healing skin will benefit from mild cleansers, and scent-free moisturisers.
Similarly, it’s best to avoid retinol and retinoid products for 2 to 4 weeks following the procedure. The same goes for active skincare products e.g. vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, facial scrubs, and any kind of skincare treatment.
PDO Thread Lift Before and After
Check out the PDO thread lift before and after results in this informative video from Dr. Nina Bat. The video also shows the process of facial threading.
Where To Go For A Thread Lift
Thread lifts are a regulated procedure. In the US, thread lifts must be carried by professionals licensed to carry out medical procedures such as MDs, RNs, PAs, etc. The FDA regulates the thread materials and medical devices used in thread lifts.
Practitioners don’t need to be board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but they do require comprehensive training courses before performing thread lifts.
In England, professionals such as doctors, nurses, and dentists who perform thread lifts must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They need to receive specialist training, so check that this is the case before undergoing any procedures.
It goes without saying that before undertaking any procedure, ensure you’ve researched the practitioner. Ask to see their qualifications and check what experience, training, and safety protocols they have in place. Positive patient reviews speak volumes, so look into these too. Serious complications can arise from using unregulated providers of thread lifts, so don’t go into the procedure lightly.
Avoid going to a beauty salon for this treatment unless they’re a licensed professional.
Non-Surgical Alternatives to Thread Lifts and How They Compare
If, after learning about facial threads, you decide they’re not for you, then consider these non-surgical alternatives to thread lifts.
- Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers reduce fine lines and smooth wrinkles, replace lost fat, boost the volume of the skin of the face, and work on facial contours. Despite this, they can’t physically lift facial tissue like thread lifts. However, like thread lifts, they can boost collagen production in the face.
- Botox: This popular treatment freezes facial muscles and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles.
- Fat transfer: Fat transfer is also less invasive than a face lift, and offers similar benefits as a facial thread lift, such as restoring volume and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
- Microneedling: This procedure stimulates collagen by creating micro injuries. It improves the texture of the skin and boosts tone and skin laxity.
- Laser skin resurfacing: Laser treatment can remove the skin’s surface layers along with sun damaged skin to reveal a more youthful complexion.
Final Thoughts on Facial Threads
Thread lifting is a great choice for people in their late thirties to early fifties who are looking to subtly improve the lift in their face and neck with a minimally invasive procedure. However, thread lifts are controversial and have the potential to go wrong, so it’s important to be fully informed about the risks and choose a reputable practitioner.
Will you try facial threads? Have you tried cosmetic surgery? Let me know in the comments! And for more from me, subscribe to my blog, or find me on Instagram.
