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The Pros and Cons of a Thread Facelift

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Posted March 21, 2022 in Facelift

The world of noninvasive yet effective rejuvenating treatments continues to evolve. Solutions that we once considered impossible are now commonplace and changing the way we age as we know them. Case in point: the thread facelift. We compiled a list of the pros and cons of a thread facelift. Keep reading to see if it’s right for you!

The modern-day version of this nonsurgical treatment is safer and more predictable than the first-generation threads. But that doesn’t mean that they are an acceptable replacement for a facelift.

While threads are popular on social media and in med-spas, they don’t offer nearly the same degree of lift and tightening as surgery. And, unlike a facelift, which requires incisions, threads also don’t address or reposition aging tissue, fat, and muscle, which is important for a natural look.

So if you’re on the fence about a thread lift, this is everything you need to know about what they can and can’t do as well as the pros and cons of a thread facelift – some of which may surprise you.

THE PROS

They’ll give some lift and volume

A thread facelift works differently than other volumizing and enhancing procedures in that it makes use of an absorbable thread to add support to the tissues of the face. Over time, these threads create more collagen within the skin for a thickening effect. However, the degree of lift and volume does not compare or even come close to what surgery can accomplish. Plus, any improvement you see is normally short-lived. 

Some threads can improve the appearance of the skin.

Patients who suffer from acne scarring may like the idea of a thread facelift since the thread (when it’s a smooth variety) can help to reduce the appearance of these scars. 

They provide an instant, but not permanent, effect.

There are plenty of age-rejuvenating procedures that work wonders for the face and skin, but it can take months for the final result to surface. That’s not the case with a thread facelift. Immediately after placing the threads, a more contoured lifted appearance can be seen. There is no waiting for the product to take hold like other treatments and devices. There’s also no downtime or recovery with a thread facelift.

They can contour some parts of the face.

One of the most touted benefits of a thread facelift is its ability to improve the face, especially in areas that need some sharpening. It’s especially beneficial when there are minimal signs of aging to areas of the face like the cheeks, lips, and temples. Oftentimes, comparable results can be achieved with fillers and injectables.

However, to see a visible improvement in facial contours, your provider must be well versed in administering this treatment.  

Read our guide on Facelift procedures here!

THE CONS

You can’t do a thread facelift everywhere on the face.

Small areas of the face aren’t suitable for a thread facelift because the needle can’t get into hard-to-reach crevices. That’s why most thread facelifts are done on the mid-face or lower face. Threads can be used to give a lifting effect to the brows, the jawline, and the neck, too. A thread lift is often combined with other age-rejuvenating treatments like fillers and injectables, adding extra cost.

They’re not a replacement for a traditional facelift.

In suitable candidates, a thread facelift can create a lifting effect. But in patients who have more extreme sagging and excess skin, a thread facelift may not be the best option. Unlike a facelift, it does not trim away loose skin or reposition the underlying fat, tissue, and muscle. 

They aren’t a permanent fix.

Like so many other cosmetic treatments, a thread facelift is not a permanent fix, and follow-up treatment is necessary to maintain the results. On average, a thread facelift lasts anywhere from a few months to one year, although most patients tend to see the results wearing away around the six-month mark. Surgical correction, like with a facelift, lasts permanently. 

There’s no quick fix to reverse the result if you don’t like the result.

Similar to Botox results, if you’re not happy with how your thread facelift looks when it’s all done, you’ll have to wait until the sutures fully dissolve. There’s no reversible treatment for fixing sutures, so make sure you are an ideal candidate for optimal results.

Keep in mind that post-treatment bruising and swelling are normal at first. Likewise, after a thread facelift, swelling and soreness are to be expected for the first few days.

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