Thread Lift

The thread lift (also known as a suture or contour lift) is a non-surgical alternative to the facelift procedure. Like the facelift it can tighten sagging skin on the jowls, eyebrows, chin and neck, but there are no incisions and it is performed just with a local anaesthetic.

Thread lift: Am I suitable?

The results are not as dramatic as a surgical facelift, so thread lifts are most suited to men and women in their late 30s and 40s that have mild to moderate sagging of facial skin and wish to avoid having invasive surgery.

Thread lift: What do I have to do to prepare?

The consultation process is very important, because although a thread lift might sound attractive – relatively non-invasive and no general anaesthetic – it might not be the best option for you. It may be far more cost effective in the long run to undergo a facelift.

Thread lift: What’s the treatment like?

Small incisions (just one to two millimetres in length) are made at various points on the face. The threads are then attached to the fat underneath the skin and then adjusted to tighten the skin as required. Any excess thread is then trimmed.

A thread lift takes anything from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the extent of the procedure.

Thread lift: What about after?

The downtime after a thread lift is minimal compared to a facelift. There may be some small amount of bruising and swelling on the incision sites but this is temporary. Most patients will be able to return to work within a day or two.

Thread lift: Are there any risks or side effects?

As it is not an invasive procedure and it is performed under local anaesthetic then the complications are minimal; some of the threads might work their way out of the skin but your practitioner can easily deal with that. Any asymmetry or puckering of the skin can also be remedied by your practitioner.