The thread lift procedure works in two main ways.
The first method is relatively simple.
Your doctor will use thin, dissolvable sutures and insert them under your skin. Then, they will gently pull the skin tight in areas like your forehead, neck, or torso.
These sutures have tiny, almost invisible “barbs” that catch onto the skin and hold it in place as they are pulled.
This helps the thread grip your underlying tissues and muscles, making the skin look tighter.
Once the barbed thread is placed under your skin, your body starts a healing process.
Even though you aren’t actually harmed by the threads, your body identifies them as foreign material and begins to produce collagen in that area. Collagen is a natural protein that helps fill in gaps in sagging skin, making it firmer and more elastic, which can give your face a more youthful appearance.
A 2017 study involving 100 people who had undergone a thread lift found that the immediate effect of the procedure was that the skin looked tighter and more structured.
However, this effect started to fade after about a year as the threads dissolved. But there was also a secondary “rejuvenation” effect that continued to be noticeable for three years or longer.
A 2019 review of the available literature on thread lifts concluded that more research is still needed to fully understand the long-term effects of the procedure. Also read Facial Threads in Singapore for more information.
This is because the technology and methods used in thread lifts are still evolving.
The thread lift procedure itself can vary slightly depending on the area being treated and the provider’s technique.
But the basic steps are usually similar.
You will be asked to lie down in the treatment room.
Before beginning, your skin will be cleaned, and a topical anesthetic or alcohol will be applied to numb the area.
A thin needle or a small tube (called a cannula) will be used to insert the threads underneath your skin.
The insertion of the threads typically takes between 30 to 45 minutes.
Once the threads are in place, the insertion tool will be removed.
You might feel a slight pressure or tightness under your skin during this process.
Within a few minutes after the needles are removed, the procedure is completed, and you can go home or return to work.
Thread lifts are commonly used to address areas of the face that begin to sag or lose their tightness over time.
These areas include:
– Jowls and jawline
– Brow line
– Under-eye area
– Forehead
– Cheeks
In addition to facial areas, thread lifts can also be used to lift and tighten the breasts, especially after significant weight loss or pregnancy.