Not until recently, there was only one way to address issues caused by facial skin laxity, including jowls and droopy cheeks, was facelift surgery. After all, while skin resurfacing treatments can restore some degree of firmness to your face, only surgery can “remove” it once loose skin becomes noticeable. However, though using injectable compounds and skin resurfacing until facelift surgery becomes necessary works for most people, not everyone is willing or can go under the knife.
If you’re one of those people, you’d be happy to know that there’s a great alternative that doesn’t require you to go under the knife—filling in the gap between non-invasive techniques and facelift surgery, the thread lift. This popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure is gaining traction in the beauty world.
Anyone can now take PDO thread lift workshops to be eligible to offer the service, making it more accessible than ever. However, the procedure itself can be a bit pricey, averaging around $2,000 per session. So, you may be wondering, is it worth the price?
Here’s what you need to know about thread lift and see if it’s worth the costs.
What is a Thread Lift?
Thread lifts are nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedures. They involve passing threads beneath the surface of the skin, which usually has tiny barbs or cones that grip the skin tightly, lifting the tissue. These “threads” can make your face more toned and lifted, particularly around your lower face and jowls, when done correctly. Plus, once your body absorbs the threads, they’ll trigger a boost in your natural collagen production, improving your skin’s firmness for a year.
The Advantages and Downsides Of Thread Lifts
Just like any other cosmetic procedure, despite being an all-natural procedure, thread lifts have their pros and cons, including:
Pros
- Thread lifts are fast and usually have minimal to no downtime, where most individuals are allowed to work the day after the procedure.
- Compared to surgical facelifts, they’re more affordable and less invasive.
- The dissolvable threads used today are safer compared to permanent fibers used in the past.
Cons
- The thread lift’s lifting effect is short-term, and it can be even shorter if the one behind the procedure uses straighter or smoother sutures.
- If you possess naturally thinner skin, the threads used may become visible under your skin’s surface.
- Although rare, thread lifts can lead to complications like nerve injury and scarring.
- Since thread lifts only lift and firm up your skin, results tend to be less noticeable than their surgical counterparts.
What to Expect After a Thread Lift?
After a thread lift session, you’ll go home with dimpled or bunched skin, which should be relatively mild and go back to normal in a week. Beyond that, recovering from this cosmetic procedure is easy, similar to getting injectable fillers—getting mild bruising and swelling. To reduce inflammation quicker, try sleeping sitting up for a few days, and avoid massaging, tugging, and rubbing your face.
The Thread Lift Results — and How Long Will It Last
Although subtle, your skin will look firmer and undeniably younger due to your skin swelling almost immediately after the procedure. However, you’ll start to see actual results after a month and usually maximize after three months as the threads generate new collagen production. Finally, the “threads” will gradually dissolve after six months, but thanks to their collagen-boosting effect, you can continue seeing results for a year. That’s because, in thread lifts, you can’t make the same “vectored lifts” with threads typically used with surgical facelifts.
Although thread lifts are safe and more non-invasive, keep in mind that they have limited durability of the lifting effect, so if you’re looking for a long-term solution, this isn’t the best choice. That’s why it’s vital to have realistic expectations and understand thread lifts’ limitations beforehand.
So, Is It Worth The Price?
The average cost of nonsurgical facelifts is around $2,250 but can range from $50 and $6,000. The final costs will depend on the surgeon’s level of experience, location, the scope of the procedure you want, and how many threads they use on your face. Plus, since it’s a cosmetic procedure, no insurance will cover it, making it relatively expensive, so the question is, is it worth the price?
The thread lift or facelift may do a great job in pulling your jawline, jowls, and chin right back up, closer to your bone, instead of drooping—creating a more youthful-looking face without surgery, which for its costs, can be worth it for anyone looking to stay young. However, if you’re looking for a long-term solution, thread lifts aren’t the best choice.
