This page describes one type of thread
The materials the threads are made of, the recommendations before and after the treatment, the full list of complications, contraindications and the management of complications are kept in one place, on the thread treatments page. They apply to all three types.
The content is for information. It does not replace a consultation, an examination or an individual medical assessment.
On this page
How a thread lift works
The doctor introduces the threads under the skin along lines determined on the basis of the anatomy of the area. The barbs the thread is fitted with catch in the tissue and hold it in its new position. The support is mechanical, which is why the change is visible straight away.
The second mechanism works more slowly. The presence of the threads prompts the tissue to produce collagen and elastin, so the skin becomes denser and more elastic. This part of the effect builds up over several weeks after the treatment.
The threads are introduced through pinpoint punctures, without cutting the skin, so they leave no scars or visible marks. The material is absorbable and dissolves in the tissue over time.
The areas where lifting threads work
Barbed threads work on lifting tissue, which is why they are most often used within the facial contour, the cheeks, the temples and the eyebrow area. The scope depends on how much tissue can be supported in a given place.
Why the number of threads decides the result
The type of material and the method of anchoring matter, but the most common reason for a weak result is too few threads introduced. Threads that cannot hold the weight of the skin give a slight and short-lived change.
The type, number and length of the threads are set by the doctor at the consultation, after assessing the tissue. This is also why two quotes for the same treatment can differ considerably: behind the difference is the number of threads, not just the price per piece.
The first days after the treatment and overcorrection
Immediately after the treatment the tissue is pulled more tightly than the target result implies. This phenomenon is called overcorrection and it is expected, not a complication. It usually subsides after three to seven days.
During this time soreness and a feeling of the skin being pulled may persist. For this reason the final result is not assessed on the day of the treatment or the next day.
We say this before the treatment, because the first days are often a surprise for patients. The recommendations for this period, including avoiding pressure during sleep and limiting facial expression, are described on the thread treatments page.
The results and how long they last
The result is visible straight away and intensifies over several weeks, as collagen rebuilds. The skin is firmer, the facial contour more defined, lines and furrows shallower.
The threads dissolve in the skin over a period from several months to two years, and that is how long the effect of the treatment lasts. The time depends on the type of threads, their number, the initial state of the skin, the area and individual predisposition.
After the material dissolves, the tissue returns to the state resulting from the natural ageing process. The face does not change suddenly then, because the threads disappear gradually.
We publish photos of results only with patients’ consent and under comparable conditions: the same framing, light, facial expression and time interval. The result is always individual.
Threads, botulinum toxin and fillers
Three methods, three different mechanisms. Confusing them is the most common reason for dissatisfaction with a treatment.
Lifting threads
They support tissue mechanically, thanks to barbs anchored in the skin. They work on the position of the tissue, that is on what has sagged.
Botulinum toxin
It reduces the tension of selected muscles, so it acts on lines created by movement. It does not lift tissue.
Fillers
They replace volume where the tissue has sunk and support from below is missing. They do not change the position of the tissue.
The methods are sometimes part of one plan, in a set order. Threads do not limit muscle movement and do not add volume, so they do not replace the other two.
When a thread lift is not enough
With a large amount of fatty tissue, for example a pronounced double chin, threads alone will not hold its weight. The doctor will first propose reducing the volume by another method.
With a considerable excess of skin the scope of possible change is limited, because threads support tissue but do not remove it.
If the problem is the quality of the skin rather than its position, revitalising threads or another biostimulating method will be more appropriate.
The questions we are asked most often
What is overcorrection after threads?
It is the strong tightening of the tissue visible immediately after the treatment. An expected phenomenon, not a complication, and it usually subsides after three to seven days. That is why the final result is not assessed on the day of the treatment.
Do lifting threads leave scars?
The threads are introduced through pinpoint punctures, without cutting the skin, so they leave no scars or visible marks. Transient bruising at the puncture sites is possible, though.
How does thread lifting differ from botulinum toxin and fillers?
Threads support tissue mechanically. They do not limit muscle movement like botulinum toxin and do not add volume like fillers. They are three different mechanisms answering three different problems, which is why they are sometimes combined in one plan.
How long does the effect of lifting threads last?
The threads dissolve in the skin over a period from several months to two years, and that is how long the effect lasts. The time depends on the type of threads, their number, the initial state of the skin and the treatment area. After the material dissolves, the change fades gradually, not suddenly.
Will threads lift sagging cheeks?
With moderate sagging of the tissues, yes, because that is the basic indication for barbed threads. With a large amount of fatty tissue, threads alone will not hold its weight and the doctor will first propose a different approach.
Does the treatment hurt?
The treatment is performed under local anaesthesia, and we additionally use an anaesthetic cream. After the treatment, soreness and a feeling of the skin being pulled, related to overcorrection, may persist for a few days.
How many threads are needed for the treatment?
The type, number and length of the threads are set individually by the doctor after assessing the tissue. Too few threads will not hold the weight of the skin, so the result will be slight and short-lived. This is the most common cause of disappointment after a treatment chosen on price alone.
The content is for information. It does not replace a consultation, an examination or an individual medical assessment.