Thread Lift

Latest update: July 14, 2024
Medically reviewed by: Jennifer Trent MD, FAAD

Details

A thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that can create a tightened and lifted effect on the skin. While it cannot remove lax skin, it can pull the loose skin tighter. The procedure can treat the brows, jawline, and neck without scars and lasts for months. It is most suitable for candidates between 30 to 50 years old where the skin is mild to moderately lax. Thread lifts can also boost collagen production in the affected area to slow down aging and improve elasticity. As the skin continues to produce collagen, results improve over time.

A thread lift procedure is a quick lunch-hour treatment that will require a local anesthetic. Practitioners make tiny incisions at the targeted area. They insert the clear, thin threads through the subcutaneous tissue using fine needles. Patients will not feel the threads in their skin. Post-operative redness and swelling are expected, but patients can immediately return to their everyday activities. It is essential to refrain from rubbing the face and avoid sleeping face down when healing. The effects of a thread lift can last 1-3 years. 

NovaThreads is an FDA-approved thread lift procedure that targets the neck and jawline to create a youthful V-shape. The threads are made of the same synthetic biodegradable material as sutures, allowing them to dissolve over time.

There are two main techniques in NovaThreads:
NuLift and NuMesh. NuLift threads are best for loose skin because they have barbs that attach to the skin and can pull the skin tight. NuMesh threads are inserted like a mesh under the skin to produce collagen and tighten the area. NovaThreads can last for 4-6 months before they are absorbed.

Thread embedding acupuncture uses a slightly different approach. It combines traditional thread lifting with acupuncture. The needles are thinner and inserted under the dermal layer of the skin to stimulate a healing response and produce collagen to help give you a lifted 
look.
Anesthesia
Topical
Operation Time
1
Inpatient Period
n/a
Number of Appointments
1
Recovery Period
1 day
Invasiveness
minimal

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