What is a Thread Lift?
A thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses dissolvable sutures placed under the skin to tone, tighten, and lift the face, neck, and body.
Threads create an immediate tightening effect by physically pulling back loose skin, but they also trigger your body’s collagen production as they degrade. Immediate, non-surgical lifting plus long-term skin rejuvenation? Yes, please.
Thread Lift Essentials:
A thread lift uses dissolvable stitches to lift and tighten skin.
Threads also boost collagen production to revitalize skin.
Barbed or cog threads lift loose or sagging skin.
Mono or smooth threads improve skin tone, texture, and firmness.
Thread lifts tighten skin on the cheeks, neck, jawline, under eyes, and décolletage.
How Does a Thread Lift Work?
Using a hollow needle, Nurse Desiree places biocompatible, biodegradable threads under the skin. Made of PDO (polydioxanone) or PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), the threads are synthetic sutures that trigger a collagen production response as they break down.
Barbed threads anchor in the skin to visibly lift and tighten sagging skin.
Smooth threads boost collagen for improved volume and elasticity.
The result? A firmer, more youthful look that keeps on improving your look for up to 2 years.
Skin Care Products
Thread Lift Cost
Get a natural-looking lift plus collagen stimulation with little to no downtime. At FACE, a minimally invasive thread face lift costs between $1,800 and $4,000, depending on your aesthetic goals and the level of correction needed to achieve the best results.
THREADS ABOUT
THREADS COST
THREADS BEFORE & AFTER
THREADS CANDIDACY & PREP
THREADS FAQ
THREADS AFTERCARE
Thread Lift Before & After Results Coming Soon
These PDO threads before and after results highlight the incredible possibilities of the procedure. See how Nurse Desiree uses threads to provide lift, refine contours, and boost collagen for dramatic but natural-looking results.
THREADS ABOUT
THREADS COST
THREADS BEFORE & AFTER
THREADS CANDIDACY & PREP
THREADS FAQ
THREADS AFTERCARE
Thread Lift Candidacy & Prep
Contraindications
The most common contraindications to Threads are:
Autoimmune disorders or otherwise compromised immune system.
Connective tissue disease.
Active inflammatory disorder.
Bleeding disorder.
Uncontrolled diabetes.
Immunosuppressive therapy.
Serious illness.
History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.
Recent surgery in the treatment area.
Severe allergies or hypersensitivity.
Active infection near the site of injection.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant.
Under the age of 22 years.
Preparation Details
To best prepare for success with Threads, follow the steps below before your appointment.
Consult with Nurse Desiree to assess candidacy and create a customized treatment plan.
For one week before your appointment, avoid blood thinners & dehydrating substances like caffeine, alcohol, St. John’s Wart, Ginko Biloba, primrose oil, fish oil, vitamin E, aspirin, ibuprofen, or similar products (Advil, Motrin, Aleve). They can cause bruising, bumps, more visible pinpoint marks, and lack of volume. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations if you are on blood-thinning medications.
For one week before and one week after your Sculptra appointment, avoid tretinoin, retinal retinoids, glycolic acid, peels, and skin-sensitizing products.
Remove all makeup in the treatment areas before your appointment.
Avoid highly processed foods for 72 hours before and 72 hours after your appointment, as they greatly dehydrate the body. Instead, eat spinach, kale, and celery the week before to boost your Vitamin K levels.
For 48 hours before treatment, refrain from alcohol and smoking.
24 hours before your filler appointment, take arnica montana tablets to help with swelling and bruising. You can also take arnica as needed afterward.
24 hours before your appointment, take an anti-inflammatory like Tylenol™ to help with swelling and bruising.
Avoid flying or saunas for 24 hours before and after your appointment as they can dehydrate the body.
Avoid rigorous workouts for 24 hours before and after your appointments.
Drink lots of water for the first 24 hours after your appointment.
One hour before your appointment, consider taking (2) Extra-Strength Tylenol™, which may help ease injection discomfort (avoid ASA, Advil, or Motrin).
Please arrive at your appointment with a clean face (or other treatment area) free of products or cosmetics.
Follow these guidelines and preparation instructions for the best possible outcome and experience with your thread lift at FACE.
Thread Lift FAQ
What is a thread lift?
Want to achieve a noticeable lifting and tightening effect while improving tone and texture? Meet your new go-to: the thread lift. Cosmetic threads, which are either smooth or barbed, are made of the same biocompatible material as dissolvable stitches.
Threads are a great option to effectively lift, tighten, and tone the skin while improving collagen production. The best part is that this minimally invasive, in-office treatment offers long-lasting results that are subtle but impactful— until they are fully metabolized by your body.
How do threads work?
Threads are dissolvable sutures placed under the skin’s surface to lift, tighten, and contour. Here is how threads work:
A medical professional places threads under the skin using a hollow needle.
Barbed threads have cogs that anchor in the tissue to mechanically lift sagging skin. Smooth threads are primarily used to increase volume and tone through increased collagen production.
Your body will eventually dissolve the biodegradable threads, but all that newly formed collagen is yours to keep.
What are the benefits of threads?
Here is why we absolutely love threads:
Minimally Invasive: Threads are inserted under the skin using hollow needles for a quick and easy lunchtime-style procedure.
Lift, Tighten & Tone: Depending on the type of threads used, you will see immediate lifting and tightening, plus improved tone over time.
Natural-Looking: Results are impactful while remaining subtle, so you still look like your already gorgeous self.
Long-Lasting: Depending on the type of threads used, plus your lifestyle and individual metabolism, threads can last from 12 months to 2 years.
Biocompatible: Threads are composed of human-made compounds that break down on their own over time.
Biostimulatory: As the threads dissolve, they stimulate collagen production—using your body’s natural processes to rejuvenate skin.
When will I start to see results?
This depends on whether your provider is using barbed or smooth threads. Typically, barned threads will create an immediate lift since their anchors grab the tissue and mechanically tighten the skin. Then, as they dissolve, the results from barbed threads continue to improve as they trigger collagen production.
With smooth threads, it takes longer to see results since they develop gradually as you produce new collagen. It can take between 3 and 8 months to see the full results of smooth threads.
What are threads made of?
Cosmetic threads are similar to the materials surgeons have used for many years to sew stitches. Think sturdy but biocompatible materials that your body naturally dissolves on its own over time. The materials most commonly used are PDO (polydioxanone), PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), and PCL (polycaprolactone). Get more info on how these compare here: PDO threads vs. PLLA vs. PCL.
Where can facial threads be used?
At FACE, we use barbed or cogged threads primarily for lifting—think jaw, neck, cheek, and jowl areas. For more delicate skin, Nurse Desiree uses smooth threads to plump and tone by boosting collagen production. These work best under the eyes and for the little lines above and below the lips, often called smoker’s lines.
How long do the effects of threads last?
The short answer is between 6 months and 3 years, depending on a number of factors. The first most impactful is the material the thread is made of—PCL lasts longest compared to PDO and PLLA. It also depends on where the threads are placed on the face. For instance, threads inserted in parts of the face where there is dynamic movement, like around the eyes and mouth, have reduced longevity when compared to areas like the jaw. Finally, factors such as age, lifestyle, metabolism, and individual skin conditions can influence the duration of the results.
Are threads safe?
With experienced care from a qualified medical provider like Nurse Desiree, cosmetic threads prove to be generally safe. Threads consist of biocompatible materials such as polydioxanone (PDO), which the body absorbs harmlessly over time. You may experience temporary swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort from threads, though serious complications remain rare. A safe and effective thread lift procedure requires both the care of a certified professional and a commitment to follow proper aftercare instructions.
What are the possible side effects of threads?
Temporary swelling combined with bruising and redness at the treatment site, as well as mild discomfort, are possible effects that can occur from cosmetic threads. Although they are very rare occurrences, some patients may experience asymmetry, infections, and visible threads. Most side effects from thread lifts are mild and typically disappear within several days to weeks without any treatment. Being treated by a licensed and skilled clinician, together with following aftercare instructions, ensures minimal side effects and facilitates smooth recovery.
How many threads do I need?
The size of the treatment area, plus your intended beauty goals, determines the number of threads you will need. Subtle changes require fewer threads, but larger areas and significant lift call for more threads. Nurse Desiree will evaluate your needs and determine the best types and quantities of threads for your desired look when you meet with her during your thread lift consultation.
Thread Lift Aftercare
THREAD LIFT HEALING
Most patients experience some tenderness, redness, bruising, and swelling following treatment, which may last several hours to several weeks. Icing the treatment area can reduce swelling and discomfort. To minimize bruising and swelling, avoid activities that boost circulation for the day. These include exercise, heat, and alcohol consumption.
When scheduling your appointments and social activities, remember that you may experience these temporary, minor, and unavoidable signs of treatment so you can plan accordingly. Final results typically appear within 1 to 3 months as collagen production increases and enhances effects.
Download Threads Aftercare Card
Must Do:
Keep the treatment area clean and minimize contact for 24 hours.
Apply clean, cold compresses to the treated area for 15-20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and discomfort during the first 48 hours.
Keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first few days.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water for 48 hours before and after treatment.
Minimize exaggerated movements in the treatment area..
Avoid:
Touching, pressing, or massaging the treated area.
Engaging in strenuous activity, extensive heat exposure, smoking, or alcohol for 24 hours.
Applying makeup or products to the treatment area for at least 48 hours.
Sleeping on the treated area for 72 hours.
Highly processed foods 72 hours before and after the appointment.
Tretinoin, retinol, retinoids, glycolic acid, peels, or skin-sensitizing products for one week.
Dental treatments for at least two weeks to avoid excessive facial movement.
Remember:
Contact the office immediately with any questions or concerns.
Optional: Use cold compresses and take Arnica Montana and Bromelain as required to reduce swelling and bruising.
Optional: Take over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen, if needed.