A Non-Surgical Facelift Alternative
Modern aesthetic medicine offers a range of facial rejuvenation techniques, including the thread lift, also known as a facelift with notched sutures, resorbable threads, or “thread lifting.” This procedure allows for a visible lifting and tightening of the skin—without surgery or general anesthesia.
It’s an ideal treatment to reshape the facial contours and address early signs of aging, offering natural-looking results with minimal downtime.
When to Consider a Thread Lift
Facelifts—surgical or non-surgical—are used to combat signs of facial aging, including skin laxity and sagging. A thread lift with notched sutures is especially effective in treating early to moderate sagging, making it ideal for patients in their 30s to 50s who are looking to:
- Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve the appearance of nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Tighten the lower cheeks, jowls, and neck
- Rejuvenate the facial contour and redefine the jawline
- Gently lift the eyebrows and cheekbones
Areas Treated with Thread Lifts
While thread lifts are most commonly used on the face and neck, they can also effectively treat other areas prone to sagging, such as:
- The décolletage (chest)
- Inner arms
- Inner thighs
- Knees
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
Ask your surgeon whether a thread lift is suitable for your body area of concern.
What Are Notched (Barbed) Threads and How Do They Work?
With age, our natural collagen production declines, leading to skin laxity and loss of firmness. Notched threads (also called barbed or cog threads) mimic the structure of collagen fibers and are inserted under the skin to restore firmness and structure.
There are two types of threads:
- Non-resorbable (permanent): Provide long-lasting effects (up to 10 years) but carry a higher risk of rejection or complications.
- Resorbable (absorbable): Stimulate natural collagen production, dissolve over time, and provide safer, more natural-looking results. These are the threads most commonly used today.
How They Work:
- Mechanical lifting: Threads physically lift the tissue through strategic placement and tension.
- Biological regeneration: As the threads dissolve, they trigger inflammation that stimulates fibroblasts to regenerate collagen and elastin, gradually improving skin tone, texture, and firmness.
Contraindications
Although the procedure is generally safe, a thread lift is not recommended for patients who:
- Have serious health issues (physical or psychological)
- Have wound healing disorders
- Smoke regularly
- Have uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes
- Are allergic to anesthesia
- Take blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) within one week of the procedure
What to Expect During the Procedure
A thread lift is an outpatient procedure that lasts between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of threads used.
Steps:
- The surgeon disinfects the area and applies local anesthesia.
- Entry and exit points are marked on the skin.
- Threads are inserted under the skin using a fine cannula.
- The threads are tightened to lift the skin, then trimmed and secured in place.
No hospitalization or general anesthesia is required. The procedure is relatively comfortable, and most patients return home the same day.
Results and Recovery
You’ll notice a visible lifting effect immediately after the procedure. Some swelling or mild bruising is normal and should subside within a few days to two weeks.
Final results become fully apparent after 3 months, once collagen regeneration occurs and skin texture improves. The skin appears:
- Firmer
- More hydrated
- Naturally rejuvenated
The effects of a thread lift typically last 18 to 24 months. After that, the treatment can be safely repeated or complemented with other non-invasive procedures like Botox or hyaluronic acid fillers.
How much do thread lifts cost?
The price for a thread lift for the face starts at €800.
Why Choose Plasticiens Paris?
If you’re looking for an expert non-surgical facelift in Paris, Dr. Yaël Berdah and Dr. Marc-David Benjoar offer their renowned expertise and tailored approach.
From your first consultation to post-treatment follow-up, you’ll benefit from the personalized care of two of Paris’s most respected aesthetic surgeons.