In recent years, sagging and asymmetries in the face or neck can now be easily corrected with thread lift procedures without the need for surgery. Therefore, the popularity of thread lift procedures is increasing gradually each year. This allows patients to avoid distancing themselves from their social lives and achieve more natural results.
As we age, various changes occur in our faces. Due to the loss of subcutaneous fat tissue, muscles, and facial bones, along with thinning of the skin, wrinkles and loss of elasticity occur. When all these factors come together, our faces start to sag downwards, and the oval shape of the face disappears. Nowadays, it is possible to treat these sagging without surgery with thread lift procedures.
In thread lift procedures, threads that dissolve by 80% in the body and non-dissolvable by 20% are preferred worldwide. We also prefer dissolvable threads with lower complication risks in our clinic.
What is Thread Lift?
Thread lift is a non-surgical skin tightening method. The threads used have notches and cones to ensure the thread's grip on the tissue. These threads are completely compatible with human tissue, non-allergenic, and are the same threads used in surgeries. These threads are placed under the skin using thin needles or blunt-tipped cannulas, lifting the desired area upwards.
These threads, placed under the skin, pull the face upwards. Dissolving within 6-8 months, these threads stimulate collagen formation under the skin, ensuring long-lasting tightness of the face.
What is Thread Lift Used For?
- Lifting sagging cheeks and bringing them upwards
- Correcting sagging in the neck and chin area
- Lifting low eyebrows, correcting asymmetrical eyebrows, improving almond eye aesthetics
- Lifting a droopy nose
- Shortening the distance between the nose and lips
- Treating deepened lines such as the lines between the eyebrows.
In addition to these, thread lift procedures are also used for treating and tightening stretch marks on the abdominal area, breast lift, and sagging arms, although these procedures are not as common as others.
How Are Thread Lift Procedures Done?
Before the procedure, the application area is numbed with local anesthetic creams. Then, the points where the threads will be placed are marked. The entire face is sterilized. Injection method is used to numb the entry points for the cannula and thread and the areas where the thread will pass through. This way, patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Then, the threads are placed in the marked points. The total duration of the procedure is about 25-30 minutes.
When Does the Effect of Thread Lift Procedures Start? How Long Does It Last?
The effect on the face is immediately noticeable after the lift procedure, but it takes approximately 2-3 months for the threads to fully settle under the skin and for the maximum effect to be noticed. The durability of this procedure, done with dissolving threads, is approximately 1-1.5 years. When the effect of the procedure diminishes after this period, it doesn't worsen as much as expected. On the contrary, the collagen bands formed underneath still maintain an improvement compared to before. If desired, the procedure can be repeated at the end of this period, and each repetition is an investment for better aging.
What Can Patients Expect After Thread Lift and What Recommendations Are Given?
After the lift application, swelling, sometimes slight bruising, and dimples or ridges where the thread passes through may occur on the face. These are all expected conditions and will disappear within a few days.
For 5 days after the application, systemic antibiotics, painkillers, and topical antibiotic creams are recommended.
- The patient is advised to sleep on their back as much as possible for a week.
- Avoid lifting heavy weights for 3-5 days.
- Avoid excessive movement of the neck, jaw, mouth, and eye area for 2-3 weeks to prevent the threads from breaking or shifting.
- Avoid massaging the face and avoid trauma.
- It is recommended not to get the face wet for about 2 days.
The patient is called for regular check-ups after the procedure.
What Are the Advantages of Thread Lift Compared to Surgery?
- It can be applied in a shorter time, and the patient can return to their social life sooner.
- The applied threads also stimulate collagen, improving skin quality and reducing fine wrinkles.
- It is applied under local anesthesia without the need for general anesthesia and can be repeated when needed.
In Which Patient Group is Thread Lift More Effective?
The most important factor in achieving satisfactory results in thread lifting is the selection of suitable patients. Especially for patients aged 35-45 with no deep wrinkles or those who have previously undergone surgical face lift operations and require slight improvement, it is an ideal option.
The thickness of the patient's skin, good skin elasticity, and a strong underlying bone structure positively affect the outcome of the procedure.
On the other hand, the success rate is quite low in patients of advanced age, with excessive skin sagging, heavy and obese faces, very thin or very thick skin, and poor skin elasticity.
When is Thread Lift Not Done?
- Severe systemic illness and general condition disorder
- Local or systemic infection
- HIV or other immune system disorders
- Autoimmune and connective tissue diseases
- Use of blood thinners
- Pregnancy
- Allergies
- Illegal substance use or addiction
- Severe personality disorders and unrealistic expectations
Every skin is unique. Therefore, it is crucial to provide personalized health solutions and medical support to each individual. Dr. Pınar Koç specializes in dermatological conditions as well as aesthetic and cosmetic dermatology, laser applications in dermatology, and hair diseases. You can contact us for detailed information and consultancy.
