Performed by our consultant plastic surgeon Mr Mark Ho-Asjoe in London, facial threads, also known as a thread lift or a non-surgical face lift, are a popular treatment for lifting and rejuvenating the face without the need for more invasive surgery.
Facial ageing such as loss of definition along the jawline, sagging in the midface and drooping in the brow or eye area, can all be greatly improved by this treatment. The thread lift can be the perfect solution for those that are just noticing these visible signs of ageing or are unsure or unable to undergo more invasive facial rejuvenation surgery at this time.
Threads made of polylactic acid are inserted into the dermis, producing an instant lifting effect as well as stimulating collagen remodelling to further tighten the skin as well as smooth out deep lines and wrinkles over the following weeks. Skin appears more youthful and rejuvenated. Polylactic acid has been used in medicine for many years and is completely biodegradable so the body just naturally absorbs the threads over time.
Another option is the Ultherapy, which is a truly non-invasive skin tightening procedure and is suitable for anyone with early sagging and laxity of the face, particularly on the jawline, neck and forehead. If you would like to know more, give our London clinic a call and we can arrange a consultation.
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FAQs for Thread Lifts
A thread lift is best suited to men and women who have begun to notice the visible signs of facial ageing as a result of the loss of collagen, but still have relatively good skin elasticity.
Typically, they are not ready to undergo more invasive surgery at this point, although our consultant plastic surgeon Mr Mark Ho-Asjoe can advise them as to whether a thread lift will achieve the results they are hoping for or whether surgery would be more appropriate at this point.
A thread lift is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women or patients that suffer from certain auto-immune diseases or conditions that cause problems with blood clotting.
A thread lift is a minimally-invasive procedure with little to no downtime and less potential risks and side effects compared to a surgical facelift. However, this does mean that results are not as long-lasting, and a thread lift may not be able to address significant ageing concerns.
A thread lift can lift the mid-face area which tends to sag and flatten as we age, creating folds around the nose and mouth. Mr Ho-Asjoe will often combine a thread lift with temporary dermal fillers which can restore lost volume.
As we age, we also experience loss of definition along the jawline, causing jowls to form. A thread lift can tighten and lift the jawline and neck.
The threads are inserted into the dermis using a very fine cannula, instantly lifting the skin. They also stimulate the body’s natural healing response, so over the following weeks and months, collagen remodelling occurs. The skin becomes smoother, tighter and more rejuvenated and results appear very natural.
The polylactic acid fibres will then just naturally dissolve, but you’ll experience the benefits of a thread lift for a number of years before deciding whether to undergo a repeat treatment or explore the option of a surgical facelift.
You may experience some slight swelling and bruising where the threads were inserted and there may be a small amount of bruising in the following days. This will disappear relatively quickly and there is no real downtime after a thread lift procedure, so you’ll be able to resume normal activities immediately after. We do advise no strenuous activity or exercise for the first week or so. There is little to no scarring after a thread lift as a very fine needle is used to insert the threads in the skin.
A thread lift produces a very natural facelift and is a fantastic option for those that do not want the downtime of a surgical procedure and prefer a more subtle rejuvenation. You’ll see an immediate enhancement, but those results will continue to visibly improve time and can last from 18 months to three years.
