Threads
A minimally invasive thread lift for sagging skin and gentle facial contouring
- Treatment time
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Anaesthetic
- Local anaesthetic
- Downtime
- A few days of swelling and tenderness, bruising up to two weeks
- Results
- Immediate lift, with collagen building over two to three months
- Longevity
- Typically 12 to 18 months
What is a thread lift?
As the face ages, the supporting structures beneath the skin loosen and soft tissue that once sat high on the cheek gradually drifts downwards. The result is a heavier jawline, a softening along the jowls and a face that reads as tired rather than rested. A thread lift addresses that drift directly, repositioning tissue without surgery.
The threads themselves are made from polydioxanone, or PDO, the same absorbable material that has been used in surgical sutures for decades. They are placed beneath the skin through a fine needle or cannula, with no cuts and nothing left behind permanently. Lifting threads carry tiny barbs along their length that grip the tissue and hold it in its new position; smoother threads are used where the aim is to firm and thicken the skin rather than to lift it.
What makes the treatment interesting is that it works twice. There is an immediate mechanical lift as the threads are anchored, and then a slower biological effect: the body treats each thread as something to heal around, laying down fresh collagen along its path. The threads themselves break down and are absorbed over roughly six months, but the collagen framework they prompted remains, which is why the result outlives the material.
A thread lift is not a facelift and does not pretend to be one. It suits mild to moderate laxity, where a lift of a centimetre or so makes a genuine difference. If there is significant excess skin, your consultant will tell you honestly that surgery would serve you better.
Why patients choose Threads
- Lifts and repositions sagging skin without surgery
- Redefines the jawline, cheeks, brow or neck
- Stimulates the skin to lay down fresh collagen along each thread
- Fully absorbable, with nothing left permanently in the face
- Carried out under local anaesthetic with no incisions
- Far shorter recovery than a surgical lift
A thread lift suits people with mild to moderate sagging around the cheeks, jawline, brow or neck who want a visible lift without surgery or a long recovery. It works best where skin still has reasonable elasticity. If there is a significant amount of loose skin, a surgical lift will give a better and longer lasting result, and your consultant will say so at your assessment.
What to expect from Threads
- Step 1
Consultation and planning
Your practitioner assesses your skin quality and the degree of laxity, discusses what a thread lift can realistically achieve for you, and maps where the threads will sit and in which direction the lift will run. Suitability and any alternatives are discussed openly.
- Step 2
Treatment
The skin is cleansed and local anaesthetic is used to numb the entry points. Threads are introduced through a fine needle or cannula, positioned along the planned lines and gently drawn to lift the tissue into place. Most treatments take between 30 minutes and an hour, and you go home the same day.
- Step 3
Recovery and results
You see a lift straight away, though some swelling in the first days can mask it. Tightness, tenderness and occasionally slight puckering at the entry points settle over the following one to two weeks, and the collagen response continues to build for two to three months.
Expect tightness, tenderness and some swelling for the first few days, with bruising that can take up to two weeks to fade fully. The single most important thing is to keep the face still while the threads settle: avoid exaggerated expressions, wide yawning and chewing anything tough for around two weeks, and sleep on your back with your head slightly raised. Do not massage, rub or have facials on the treated areas, and postpone dental treatment until your practitioner says it is safe. Avoid strenuous exercise for seven to ten days, along with saunas, steam rooms and swimming. Keep make-up off for 24 hours and avoid sunbeds and strong sun while the skin is healing. Some slight dimpling at the entry points is normal in the first days and usually settles by itself, but contact the clinic if it persists, if the area becomes increasingly red, hot or painful, or if a thread becomes visible.
Frequently asked questions about Threads
What are the threads made of?
Polydioxanone, usually shortened to PDO. It is the same absorbable material used in surgical sutures for decades, and it is fully broken down and absorbed by the body over roughly six months. Nothing permanent is left in the face.
How long do the results last?
Most people keep their result for around 12 to 18 months. The threads dissolve well before that, so the longer-term effect comes from the collagen your skin lays down around them rather than from the threads themselves. Skin quality, age, lifestyle and how many threads were used all influence the outcome.
Is a thread lift the same as a facelift?
No. A thread lift repositions tissue and firms the skin, but it does not remove excess skin or reposition deeper structures the way surgery does. It suits mild to moderate laxity. Where there is significant loose skin, a surgical lift gives a much better and longer lasting result, and our consultants will tell you if that is the case for you.
Does it hurt?
Local anaesthetic is used, so the treatment itself is generally comfortable. Most people describe a pulling or tugging sensation as the threads are positioned rather than pain. Afterwards the area feels tight and tender for several days, which usually responds well to simple pain relief.
How much downtime should I plan for?
Most people return to everyday activities the next day, but plan for the face to feel tight and look a little swollen for the first few days, and allow up to two weeks for bruising to clear. It is sensible to avoid an important social or work event for the first week or two.
What are the risks?
The most common are bruising, swelling, tenderness and temporary puckering or dimpling of the skin at the entry points. Less commonly a thread can become palpable or visible, the lift can settle unevenly, or the result can be more subtle than hoped. Infection is uncommon but possible. All of this is discussed in full at consultation.
Can threads be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and they often are. Threads reposition tissue but do not restore lost volume or improve skin quality on their own, so they are frequently planned alongside fillers, biostimulators or skin treatments. Your practitioner will suggest a sequence and timing that suits your goals.
How much does a thread lift cost?
Pricing depends on the areas treated and what is agreed for you and is confirmed in writing at your consultation, with no obligation to proceed.
Considering Threads?
Book a consultation with our specialist team to discuss whether this treatment is right for you.
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