What is Face and Neck Lifting with Thread Suspension?

What is Thread Lift for Face and Neck Lifting?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüray Hügül explains the thread lift application for face and neck lifting in this video, covering the materials used, mechanism of action, procedure process, recovery period, and suitability for various individuals.

Hello, I am Associate Professor Hüray Hügül. Welcome to my channel. Today, I will tell you about face and neck lifting with thread lifts.

A thread lift, also known as thread lifting, is a facial and neck tightening application performed with special suspension threads placed under the skin. These threads are made from various materials and are essentially a specialized aesthetic form of the sutures, or surgical threads, that have been used in operations for centuries.

Thread lift materials are extremely thin. They have structures close to the thickness of a strand of hair and may have small barbs or cones to help grip the tissue. When these threads are placed under the skin, they create both a mechanical lifting effect and initiate a biological rejuvenation process under the skin.

How Do Thread Lifts Work Under the Skin?

It has been observed that in individuals who have undergone surgery, incision or sutured areas can feel firmer, harder, and tighter even years later. This observation led to the question: If these threads are placed under the skin, not to cut and sew tissue, but to create a similar tightening effect, can they achieve it?

Yes, they can. Thread lifts create a dense collagen network under the skin. This network contributes to the treated area looking firmer, younger, and more vibrant.

The application has two main effects. The first is a biological tightening effect that supports collagen and elastin activation under the skin. The second is the upward repositioning of downward-sagging tissues, especially the fat pads in the cheeks and the sagging tissues in the neck. Therefore, thread lifting is considered a dual approach that provides both lifting and rejuvenation.

Collagen, Elastin, and Skin Rejuvenation

The body perceives the threads placed under the skin as a foreign structure and initiates a defense mechanism to heal this area. This process triggers skin rejuvenation because controlled micro-injuries to the skin direct healing cells to that region.

Macrophages, cells that try to eliminate this foreign material under the skin, also support healthier collagen production and new blood vessel formation. The formation of new blood vessels is called angiogenesis. When more blood flow comes to the area, the skin can appear more vibrant, pinker, brighter, and healthier.

This effect is not limited to below the skin. The layers of the skin work together. The increase in collagen and elastin under the skin, increased lymphatic flow, and new blood vessel formation can also contribute to positive changes in the upper layers of the skin over time. Therefore, some patients may observe a reduction in the appearance of scars, color irregularities, wrinkles, and dullness on the skin surface.

Can a Thread Lift Replace Surgery?

One of the most frequently asked questions about thread lifts is whether this application can replace surgical procedures. The correct approach here is to evaluate according to the patient's needs and the condition of the tissue.

If the goal is to remove a tumor, excise diseased tissue, or perform a procedure requiring surgical necessity, a thread lift is certainly not an equivalent to surgery. However, if the goal is to tighten the skin upwards, lift sagging tissues, and provide a lifting effect in the face and neck area, thread lifts can yield strong results comparable to surgical procedures in suitable patients.

In this procedure, excess skin is not cut, there is no incision scar, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, and the recovery process can be more comfortable than surgical procedures. Additionally, the risk of nerve and blood vessel damage is considered within a much more limited scope compared to surgical procedures.

The effects of surgical procedures can also diminish over time because aging is an ongoing, dynamic process. No application completely stops aging; however, appropriate applications can provide strong support to this process.

At What Ages Are Thread Lifts More Effective?

The idea that thread lifts are only effective in young or middle-aged individuals is incorrect. On the contrary, very effective results can also be achieved in skin with significant sagging. Especially in excessively loose, thinned, withered, and downward-sagging tissues, the lifting effect can be more visible.

The "bulldog" appearance in the lower face, sagging cheeks, and looseness in the neck and double chin area can be lifted upwards with a thread lift. However, the lifting power achieved depends on the material, structure, number of threads used, and the application technique.

Materials Used in Thread Lifts

Thread lifts can be produced from different materials. Absorbable materials like polycaprolactone and polylactic acid are broken down by the body over time. During this process, they support collagen and elastin production. Although some absorbable threads begin to dissolve within 2 to 4 years, patients may experience clinical efficacy for a longer duration.

For example, in a patient who underwent an absorbable thread lift in 2021, slight sagging was observed to be just beginning in 2026. This indicates that the effect can extend up to 5 years and beyond in some patients.

In addition, permanent silicone threads can also be used. These threads remain in the tissue for a longer period. A permanence expectation of between 5 and 12 years can be mentioned. Clinical studies and long-term follow-ups also suggest that some results can extend up to 12 to 15 years.

Thread Lift for the Neck Area

The neck area is a special domain for aesthetic applications. It is a region where issues such as post-operative scars, irregularities, indentations, and the appearance of scars can be more noticeable. Therefore, for neck sagging, the thread lift method can provide a very elegant and natural lift in the right patient.

Looseness in the neck, double chin, and décolletage can be lifted upwards with connections close to the back of the ear and the mastoid region. This can make the neck line more defined, the jawline sharper, and the facial oval more balanced.

Are "Real" Thread Lifts and PDO Threads the Same?

One of the most common misunderstandings in thread lift applications is equating "real" lifting threads with PDO threads. PDO threads used in some applications may have lighter, more superficial, and short-term effects. Such procedures should not be confused with thread lift applications that create a true lifting effect.

A genuine thread lift, when applied with the correct material, appropriate planning, and proper technique, can provide a lifting effect nearly comparable to surgical procedures in suitable patients. The most important point here is accurate assessment of the patient's facial anatomy and realistic determination of expectations.

How is the Procedure Performed?

A thread lift application is generally performed under local anesthesia. First, the skin surface is prepared with numbing creams. Then, the entry and exit points for the threads are numbed with local anesthesia. This makes the procedure quite comfortable for the patient.

While the duration of the procedure varies depending on the area and the number of threads to be used, the application for both the right and left sides of the face can be completed in approximately 20-25 minutes. This time may extend or shorten according to the patient's needs.

What to Pay Attention to After the Procedure?

After the procedure, it is recommended not to get water on the entry points for the first 2-3 days, especially. Additionally, sleeping face down should be avoided during the initial period. During this time, swelling, mild pain, puffiness, or bruising may be observed.

These symptoms are often not side effects but expected healing responses. Even when only a needle is inserted and removed from the skin, slight swelling or bruising can occur. In a thread lift procedure, the mechanical repositioning of tissues, the fluid given during anesthesia, and the skin's healing response can contribute to swelling.

Swelling generally begins to subside within a few days and significantly diminishes within one to two weeks. Some patients may think their face is swollen or widened in the first few days. However, most often, the fat pads that have moved downwards over the years are repositioned to the cheek area. This creates a natural volume distribution that mimics a youthful facial appearance.

In Which Areas Can a Thread Lift Be Used?

A thread lift is a method that can be used not only in the face but also in different areas of the body. On the face, it can be applied for eyebrow lifting, upper face tightening, mid-face lifting, lower face firming, jawline definition, and neck-double chin tightening.

On the body, it can be considered for the abdomen, inner arms, inner thighs, and buttocks. Especially for looseness and wrinkled appearance in the abdomen after childbirth, tightening can be achieved with applications planned outwards from around the navel.

Thread lifts can also be an important alternative in buttocks lifting. The buttock area is a region that needs careful evaluation for filler or surgical applications. Since suspension threads offer a mechanical lifting approach without the risk of intravascular injection, they can be considered a safe and effective option in suitable patients.

Who Cannot Undergo a Thread Lift?

A thread lift application is generally not preferred for individuals with active autoimmune diseases. Careful evaluation is also required for individuals with highly allergic constitutions. It is not recommended for pregnant women, those suspected of pregnancy, and breastfeeding mothers.

Apart from these, a thread lift can be applied to many patients whose general health condition is appropriate. For individuals who are not suitable for surgery, are apprehensive about general anesthesia, have heart conditions, or are concerned about risks such as surgical scars and nerve damage, a thread lift can be a more practical and comfortable alternative.

Is Natural Lifting Possible with a Thread Lift?

A thread lift application performed on the right patient, with the correct technique, and appropriate thread material can provide a natural lift in the face and neck area. The goal is not to change the face but to bring downward-displaced tissues closer to their youthful anatomical positions.

Therefore, a thread lift application should be customized for each individual. Every patient's facial structure, degree of sagging, skin quality, fat tissue distribution, and expectations vary. The most accurate care plan should be determined after a detailed medical examination.

Conclusion

A thread lift for face and neck lifting holds a strong position among non-surgical facial rejuvenation applications. It supports collagen and elastin production under the skin while also helping to lift sagging tissues upwards.

It can provide effects such as defined facial oval, tightened neck and double chin line, repositioned cheeks, supported eyebrows, and improved skin quality. However, success is directly related to proper patient selection and an experienced practitioner.

To find out if your face and neck are suitable for a thread lift application, you can request an evaluation with your photos, visit the clinic in Antalya, or contact us through social media channels.