What Is a Thread Face Lift?
A thread face lift, commonly known as a thread lift, is a non-surgical procedure in which medical threads that the body gradually absorbs are placed under the skin with a fine needle or cannula. Threads with small notches or anchoring structures are used to hold sagging tissue and support it upward and backward.
The second effect of the threads is biological: for as long as they remain under the skin, they stimulate collagen production in the surrounding tissue. For this reason, a thread lift is considered not only an immediate lifting method but also a way of strengthening the skin’s own supportive structure.
Who Is It Suitable For?
- People with mild to moderate sagging in the cheek area
- Those whose jawline is starting to lose definition
- People who notice mild drooping at the tail of the eyebrow or a softening of the facial contour
- People who are not considering surgery or do not yet need it
- Those whose skin thickness and tissue quality are adequate to hold a thread
In very thin skin or when there is marked excess skin, the effect of a thread lift may be limited. In that case, other methods or a surgical evaluation may be discussed.
How Is the Procedure Done?
- During the consultation, your facial structure and the direction and degree of sagging are evaluated; the type, number and placement lines of the threads are planned.
- The skin is cleansed and the entry and exit points of the threads are marked.
- Local anesthesia is applied at the entry points.
- The threads are advanced with a cannula at the planned depth, and the tissue is gently repositioned.
- After symmetry is checked, the ends of the threads are trimmed; the entry points usually do not need stitches.
The duration of the procedure varies with the number of threads used and the area treated. After a short rest, you can usually go home the same day. A mild feeling of tightness and some unevenness in the face during the first days are part of the tissue settling into its new position.
What Should You Pay Attention to Afterward?
- For the first 1–2 weeks, avoid opening your mouth very wide, rubbing your face and facial massage.
- For the first few days, sleep on your back with your head slightly raised if possible.
- Stay away from intense exercise, saunas, steam baths and very hot environments for a few days.
- If you have a planned dental treatment, discuss the timing with your doctor.
- For swelling, you can apply a cold compress as your doctor recommends.
Swelling and the feeling of tightness usually decrease noticeably within the first week. If you notice signs that suggest infection, such as increasing pain, spreading redness, fever or discharge at the entry points, you should contact your doctor without delay. At the follow-up visit, the healing process and symmetry are evaluated together.
Possible Side Effects and Who Should Not Have It
Swelling, bruising, tenderness and a feeling of tightness are common after the procedure and usually fade within days. Slight dimpling of the skin, asymmetry, being able to feel the thread when touching the area, or a pulling sensation when opening the mouth may occur; many of these resolve on their own. Infection and displacement of a thread are complications that can occur, although rarely.
The procedure is not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when there is an active infection or skin condition in the treatment area, in people with bleeding disorders, or in some chronic conditions that are not under control. The use of blood thinners must be mentioned at the consultation.
Dr. Fulya Koç’s Approach
For Dr. Fulya Koç, the aim of a thread lift is not to make the face look tight but to support the tissue in a position close to its natural one. For this reason, she plans the number of threads and the direction of pull so that the person’s facial movements and expression are preserved.
The collagen-stimulating effect of the threads fits her approach of "encouraging the skin to produce its own collagen rather than filling it." At the consultation, whether a thread would truly benefit you is discussed openly; if it is unlikely to meet your expectations, the procedure is not recommended.
Fulya Koç
Frequently asked questions
It varies with the type of thread used, skin structure and age, but the effect is generally reported to last around 1–1.5 years. The threads are absorbed over time; the contribution of the stimulated collagen may continue for a while longer. The result is not permanent and varies from person to person.
Because the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, you will usually feel pressure and a pulling sensation during it. Mild pain or tenderness may follow in the next days; this mostly decreases within a few days.
In the first weeks, the thread may be felt in some areas when touched. This sensation usually lessens as the tissue heals. If a thread continues to be felt for a long time or becomes visible, you should contact your doctor.
It can be in suitable cases; while the thread supports the tissue, filler targets volume loss and botulinum toxin targets expression lines. The timing and order of a combination are planned individually after the consultation.
The information on this page is general. Whether the treatment suits you, its possible risks and the results you can expect are assessed individually at your consultation. Results vary from person to person. Image is illustrative.
