Thread Lift: What To Expect, Cost, Recovery, And More - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Skin Care

Everything You Want to Know About a Thread Lift Procedure

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Kathryn Watson — Updated on April 3, 2023

What is it?
Cost
How it works
Procedure
Targeted areas
Risks and side effects
What to expect
Pictures
Preparation
Vs. facelift
Find a provider

A thread lift is a cosmetic procedure that uses thread to sculpt the face or breasts. Some people may experience side effects or complications.

What is a thread lift?

Thread lift is a cosmetic procedure that offers a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery.

Thread lifts claim to tighten your skin by inserting medical-grade thread material into your face and then “pulling” your skin up by tightening the thread.

Also called a barbed suture lift, it aims to lift and sculpt the shape of your face or breasts. Thread lifts use temporary, medical-grade suture material to “stitch-up” your skin so that it’s drawn taut.

Thread lifts have been around since the 1990s, but innovations in the material used for thread lifts have led to an increase in popularity in recent years.

The typical candidate for a thread lift is in their late 30s to early 50s. A person who is generally in good health and is just starting to notice the signs of aging may benefit the most from the subtle impact of a thread lift.

Those who can’t have a surgical facelift because of medical conditions that make general anesthesia risky may consider a thread lift as a safer alternative.

How much does a thread lift cost?

The costs of a thread lift will vary widely according to where you live, how much experience your provider has, and how many areas you are going to target with your treatment.

One doctor calculated that a thread lift typically costs 40 percent of what a traditional facelift would cost. According to self-reported costs on RealSelf.com, the average cost of a thread lift in the United States is $2,050.

Your forehead, jowls, under-eye area, and eyebrow are all parts of your face that can be considered for a thread lift. You can choose to target just one area or several at once, increasing the cost. A thread lift used to draw up and tighten the breasts may be more costly.

Thread lifts don’t require general anesthesia, so you save money on the cost of sedation. You also don’t have to consider taking recovery time off from work. Recovery is minimal — it can even be done on your lunch break.

Your plastic surgeon may recommend that you get additional therapies or cosmetic procedures such as Botox or Juvederm to boost the effects of your thread lift. Make sure you’re aware of any costs associated with these procedures.

How does a thread lift work?

The thread lift procedure works in two ways.

The first is fairly straightforward. By threading thin, dissolvable sutures underneath your skin, your doctor is able to pull your skin tight around your forehead, neck, or torso.

Invisible, painless “barbs” grab on to your skin and make sure that the thread grips your underlying tissue and muscles as the thread is pulled tight.

Once a barbed thread is inserted, your body’s healing response is triggered. Even though you’re not injured by the threads under your skin, your 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 your face.

A 2017 study of 100 people who’d undergone a thread lift suggested that the 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 stayed in place and was noticeable 3 years or more after the procedure.

A 2019 review of the literature concerning thread lifts concluded that more research was needed to understand the long-term effects of them, as technology and methods of providing thread lifts continue to evolve.

Thread lift procedure

The procedure for thread lift may be slightly different depending on the area you’re targeting as well as your provider’s preferences. The basic technique is usually the same.

You’ll be asked to recline in the room where your procedure is being performed. Alcohol, as well as topical anesthetic, will be applied to your skin as it’s prepped for surgery.
A thin needle or cannula will be used to insert the threads underneath your skin. Inserting the threads can take 30 to 45 minutes.
After the threads are inserted, the method of insertion will be removed. You may feel light pressure or tightening under your skin.
Within a few minutes of the needles being taken out, your procedure will be complete and you’ll be free to go home or back to work.

Targeted areas for a thread lift

Many people choose a thread lift for facial areas that “sag” or look less tight over time. These areas include:

jowls and jawline
brow line
under-eye area
forehead
cheeks

Thread lifts are also used to lift and tighten breasts, especially after pregnancy and weight loss.

Are there any risks or side effects?

A thread lift is considered a low-risk procedure with minimal recovery time, but there are side effects and a risk of complications.

After a thread lift, it’s not uncommon to experience the following:

bruising
swelling
bleeding
slight pain at the site of the thread injection

There’s a 15 to 20 percent chance of complications, including dimpling. Possible complications are minor and can easily be corrected.

Complications to look out for include:

allergic reaction to ingredients in the threading material
bleeding as a result of the procedure building up behind your skin
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 bulges
pain under your skin as a result of the thread being too “tight” or awkwardly placed
infection at the site of the procedure

Of all the risks of a thread lift, infection is the one to watch out for most carefully. Call your doctor right away if you notice:

green, black, brown, or red discharge at the site of your procedure
swelling for more than 48 hours
persistent headaches
fever

If you have concerns about complications, it is best to go back to the surgeon who carried out the procedure.

Some people find the appearance of their face after treatment is not as they expected. Make sure to speak with your surgeon before having this treatment so that you can know what to expect, and always choose a licensed, qualified surgeon to do the procedure.

What to expect after a thread lift

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

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 dermal fillers, such as Botox, the threads used in the procedure will eventually be absorbed by the tissue underneath your skin.

After a thread lift, you can resume your normal routine. Your provider may advise you not to rub your face vigorously and to avoid sleeping on your side in the initial weeks following the procedure.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons advises that you skip your daily moisturizer for the first few weeks after a thread lift, and sleep with your head propped up to avoid rolling over onto the newly placed sutures.

You’ll also be advised to avoid saunas and high intensity workouts for the first week or so after the thread lift is performed.

Before and after pictures

Here is an example of a thread lift result.

Share on Pinterest

Thread lift of the faceThreads underneath the skin are used to pull the face more tight as well as stimulate collagen production over time.Photo credit: FACE Skincare ~ Medical ~ Wellness

Preparing for a thread lift

After consulting with your provider and booking your appointment, you may be given some guidelines for do’s and don’ts to prepare for your thread lift.

Do

inform your doctor of any medications you’re using prior to your procedure
try to relax and avoid stressors the night before your appointment
steer clear of any known inflammation triggers in your diet

Don’t

drink alcohol the night before a thread lift
take blood thinning medication or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, 1 week before your thread lift

Thread lift vs. facelift

A thread lift won’t give you 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 also not permanent. A facelift can’t stop the process of aging completely, but the results last many years. The subtle results of a thread lift usually last around 2 years.

To make the results last longer, you may need dermal fillers or other therapies that cost additional time and money.

On the other hand, the risks of complications with facelift surgery are much higher. 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.

If you’re noticing signs of aging in your jawline or under your eyes, a thread lift is a low-risk way to see how a more permanent procedure might look.

How to find a provider

Finding a trained, licensed provider is the key to a safe, effective thread lift. Possible complications are far less likely with an experienced surgeon.

You can find a provider in your area by using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ search tool.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

8 possible complications of thread lift and how to manage them. (n.d.).https://www.ifaas.co/single-post/2019/06/12/8-possible-complications-of-thread-lift-and-how-to-manage-them
Arora G. (2017). Thread lift in breast ptosis.https://www.jcasonline.com/article.asp?issn=0974-2077;year=2017;volume=10;issue=4;spage=228;epage=230;aulast=Arora
Barbed suture lift. (n.d.).https://www.isaps.org/procedures/facial-plastic-surgery/barbed-suture-lift/
Fukaya M. (2017). Long-term effect of the insoluble thread-lifting technique.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5697446/
Tehrani K. (2018). What you need to know about thread lifts.https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-thread-lifts
Tong LX, et al. (2019). Thread-lifts: A double-edged suture? A comprehensive review of the literature.https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/39/3/248/5320203
Woffles TL. (2019). Commentary on: Effectiveness, longevity, and complications of facelift by barbed suture insertion.https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/39/3/248/5320203
Yeo SH, et al. (2017). Early complications from absorbable anchoring suture following thread-lift for facial rejuvenation.https://e-aaps.org/upload/pdf/aaps-23-11.pdf

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Kathryn Watson — Updated on April 3, 2023

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media