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.
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 the skin 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.
What are the different types of threads?
Two main types of threads are used in cosmetic treatments: smooth threads and barbed threads. Smooth threads, also called mono threads, have a flat surface and focus on improving skin texture and firmness by stimulating collagen production, making them ideal for fine lines and mild sagging.
Barbed threads, also called lifting threads, have tiny barbs that grip the skin, providing a more pronounced lift to sagging areas like the cheeks and jawline. Both types are made from biocompatible materials like polydioxanone (PDO) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA).
What are threads made of?
Cosmetic threads are all made up of biocompatible materials, similar to dissolvable stitches or sutures. But different types of threads use different materials, each of which has unique benefits.
PDO Threads: PDO stands for polydioxanone, a human-made polymer used in both barbed and smooth threads. Here is what we love about PDO threads: they are biodegradable, which means your body will naturally break them down over time, and they stimulate skin-firming collagen as they dissolve. Plus, results can last 6-12 months. Barbed PDO threads provide more lift than smooth ones, but results are not as dramatic as PLLA threads, which can stimulate collagen over a longer period.
PLLA Threads: PLLA stands for poly-L-lactic acid, the human-made biostimulatory material used in Sculptra. PLLA threads can be either smooth or barbed and have some added benefits compared to PDO threads. Results can last 1-2 years until the body breaks down the threads into glucose, carbon dioxide, and water. PLLA threads also stimulate collagen production over a longer period than PDO threads, improving skin texture and tone over time.
PCL Threads: PCL stands for polycaprolactone, another human-made, biodegradable polymer used in dissolvable sutures. Since PCL bonds are sturdier and more complex than either PDO or PLLA bonds, PCL takes longer to dissolve within the body. As a result, it is the longest-lasting thread available and boosts collagen production over an extended period.
How long do the effects of threads last?
The effects of cosmetic threads typically last between 12 to 18 months. As the threads gradually dissolve, they stimulate collagen production, which helps maintain the lifting and tightening effects over time. Factors such as the type of threads used, the area treated, and individual skin conditions can influence the duration of the results. Regular maintenance treatments can help prolong the effects, making thread lifts a long-lasting, non-surgical option for skin rejuvenation.\
Are threads safe?
Yes, cosmetic threads are generally safe when performed by a qualified, experienced provider like Nurse Desiree. The threads are made from biocompatible materials like polydioxanone (PDO), which are safely absorbed by the body over time. While temporary side effects like swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort may occur, serious complications are rare. Following proper aftercare and choosing a certified practitioner ensures a safe and effective thread lift procedure.
What are the possible side effects of threads?
The possible side effects of cosmetic threads include temporary swelling, bruising, redness, and mild discomfort at the treatment site. In some cases, patients may experience minor asymmetry, infection, or thread visibility, though these are rare. Most side effects are mild and resolve independently within a few days to weeks. Choosing an experienced provider and following proper aftercare instructions can help minimize the risk of side effects and ensure a smooth recovery.
How many threads do I need?
The number of threads you need depends on the treatment area and your aesthetic goals. Fewer threads may be required for subtle improvements, while more threads are typically needed for a pronounced lift or to treat larger areas like the cheeks or jawline. During a consultation, your provider will assess your skin and recommend the appropriate number of threads to achieve your desired results.
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.