As with most reboots, thread lifts are haunted by disappointments past. The thread lifts of the early 2000s had significant design flaws. With coarse barbs and an unnatural structure, they often caused https://www.newbeauty.com/threadlift-nose-job-gone-wrong/bunching, skin perforations, and thread breakage, leading to inconsistent results. These problems resulted in a lack of efficacy over time. Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few avoided using these early thread lifts because of their poor design. Now, he’s a leading user of Silhouette InstaLift, a newer dissolvable device with polyglycolide/l-lactide threads. These newer threads, with tissue-gripping cones, provide a temporary lift to the midface. Other brands, like Nova Threads and MINT, offer similar products made from polydioxanone, a biocompatible material that has been used safely in Asian markets for a long time. These advancements in thread lift technology have significantly improved the procedure’s safety and effectiveness.
Featured Experts
- Julius Few, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Chicago
- Val Lambros, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Corona Del Mar, CA
What is a Thread Lift?
A thread lift, also known as an absorbable suture suspension, is a minimally invasive procedure designed to lift and tighten sagging facial tissues. It uses dissolvable threads embedded with tiny tissue-gripping cones to reposition and elevate the skin. Unlike traditional facelifts, thread lifts involve minimal incisions and shorter recovery times, and results are nowhere near comparable to a facelift.
The threads eventually dissolve within the body, stimulating collagen production for a lifting effect that can last between two and three years. Silhouette, he believes, is “really something different.” In more than 1,000 cases, he’s never seen an infection; a thread snap or extrude; “or any folding or bunching of the skin that lasted more than overnight and wasn’t truly minor in nature—barely visible.” As the threads dissolve, they stimulate the body to make more of its own collagen for a lift that lasts between two and three years, according to Dr. Few.
How Long Do Thread Lifts Last?
Thread lift results can last between two and three years, according to Dr. Few. This longevity is due to the collagen stimulation that occurs as the threads dissolve. However, results depend on the patient’s age, skin quality, and the degree of sagging at the time of the procedure.
How Much Does a Thread Lift Cost?
The cost of a thread lift can vary widely based on factors like location, the experience of the practitioner, and the specific type of thread used. Generally, the cost ranges from $1,500 to $4,500, but it’s essential to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to get a more accurate estimate based on your individual needs.
What Are the Risks of a Thread Lift?
Though considered minimally invasive, thread lifts are not without risks. Potential complications include bruising, swelling, thread snapping or extrusion, skin bunching, and asymmetry. Dr. Few emphasizes that the ideal candidate “has relatively good facial volume and skin quality with mild-to-moderate sagging,” suggesting that overstepping these bounds can lead to increased risks.
“I think it’s a placebo,” counters Corona Del Mar, CA plastic surgeon Val Lambros, MD. “I don’t think the operation works. There’s an anatomic reason for that: The face is held onto the bone by lots of tiny ligaments, which in aggregate are very strong, but individually, are quite weak,” he explains. It’s these ligaments that the threads and cones aim to snag and anchor onto. “They’re not catching something with a lot of strength to it. Once you start pursing your lips and smiling, the threads can release from the ligaments.”
What to Expect from a Thread Lift?
A thread lift procedure typically involves local anesthesia, and most patients experience only a few days of swelling and bruising post-procedure. Dr. Few describes the ideal candidate as someone in their 30s or 40s with good facial volume and mild-to-moderate sagging. The procedure can be completed in under an hour, and recovery time is minimal, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days. He adds, “It’s super predictable and there’s little downtime,” noting that the greatest danger with these modern threads is pushing the envelope.
However, for people in their late 50s and 60s, results can be hit-or-miss. “A classic facelift is going to reset the clock in a more dramatic way and last longer,” Dr. Few advises, noting that surgery can be more appropriate for patients who require a significant lift or whose necks have aged beyond their years.
Despite the varied opinions among practitioners, the key to a successful thread lift is to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with substantial thread-lifting experience to ensure a safe and effective outcome.
