- Thread lifts are a non-surgical treatment that’s minimally invasive.
- They stimulate collagen, in addition to a handful of other skin-care benefits.
- Here, experts break down everything you need to know about thread lifts.
If you keep up with all of the latest and greatest cosmetic surgery procedures, you may have heard about thread lifts. Contrary to how the name sounds, this non-surgical treatment – or “tweakment,” as we like to call it – doesn’t involve a needle and thread, nor does it involve external stitching of any kind. It’s a minimally invasive procedure using small hypodermic needles loaded with absorbable sutures (think internal dissolvable stitches) inserted into the skin that dissolves naturally within a few months. Similar to dermal fillers, there are a few different kinds of thread lifts out there, but they all have the same key benefit: to boost collagen.
This may sound complex, but the procedure itself is pretty quick. Ahead, two experts dive a little deeper into thread lifts and answer all of your burning questions, like exactly how they work, how long they last, and who’s a good candidate for them.
What Are Thread Lifts?
There are three main types of threads that can be used: polydioxanone (PDO), polylactic acid (PLA), and polycaprolactone (PCA). The first option developed – and still the most common choice today – are PDO threads, which are made from a synthetic absorbable material often used in surgeries. “[They] are dissolving surgical sutures that are thinner than a strand of hair [and] have a very high degree of predictability and safety,” says Lynn Bartels, an aesthetic nurse practitioner at SkinSpirit. These threads deliver immediate results and have a mild recovery time.
Then there’s the heftier thread option, called PLA threads, which are a combo of polylactic acid and the surgical sutures in the light version. Once inserted, the injectable tells the skin to create more collagen. “These new collagen cells are what is going to hold your lifted look for 12 to 18 months,” board-certified dermatologist and brand founder Dennis Gross, MD, says. This type of thread takes up to two years to dissolve.
Lastly, you have PCA threads, which are the newest option made from “bio-absorbable, monofilament suspension threads of synthetic origin” and work longer than both of the options mentioned prior.
During a thread lift, you’ll feel a needle prick into your skin, but there’s no cutting or slicing. “Overall, it’s a quick and easy appointment,” says Bartels. The threads dissolve slowly over the next six months, all the while leaving behind collagen in its place by superficially triggering fibroblasts in certain areas. “The way they’re placed depends on the location and goals. There’s an art to placement, and a consultation is required to determine if the patient is appropriate for treatment, to decide on the number of threads needed, and determine how many visits will be needed to achieve desired results.”
All three thread types serve a slightly different purpose, depending on your desired results. PDO threads are a good starting point if you want to do a test run to see how you like the procedure before opting for something more long-term. As with any other cosmetic surgery procedure, it comes with its share of perks and pitfalls.
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The Benefits of a Thread Lift
A thread lift can deliver fast results, but it’s important to have an understanding of what the procedure can and can’t do. The main benefit to threads is the collagen boost you get while they dissolve, but they’re also good for adding mild volume, reducing fine lines, and some tightening. “Everyone who’s looking for a slight correction to prevent laxity and lines is a safe candidate,” says Bartels. “It’s like putting a mesh hammock of support under the skin, which is both corrective and preventative.”
Threads do have some limitations. For instance, they’re not a substitute for a facelift, and with that in mind, they don’t possess extreme tightening or lifting capabilities. “The treatment is not great for people with very thin skin, or for people without enough laxity or drooping,” says Dr Gross. “It’s a step above injectables, but a notch below a facelift.”
New York-based plastic surgeon Melissa Doft, MD, adds: “Threads do not have the ability to change volume.” Depending on the type of threads, you’ll get six to 12 months out of the procedure before the threads need to be redone.
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