What Is a Thread Lift?
A thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses dissolvable sutures to reposition sagging facial tissues and stimulate collagen. Often marketed as a “lunchtime facelift,” the technique promises lifted contours with minimal downtime.
Unlike a surgical facelift, thread lifting doesn’t remove excess skin or reposition deep facial fat. Instead, it provides light mechanical lift and initiates a biological response in the skin, promoting the production of new collagen and elastin around the threads. For some, this is enough. For others, especially those with more advanced aging, the effect may be limited — or even disappointing.
Thread lifting involves inserting thin, absorbable sutures under the skin through a blunt-tipped cannula or needle. Once in place, the threads are gently pulled to lift the tissue and reposition it into a slightly higher position. The ends are then trimmed and left under the skin, where they gradually dissolve over time.
There are two functional thread types:
- Lifting threads, which have barbs, cones, or cogs to catch and reposition sagging tissue
- Volumizing threads, which are coiled, mesh-like, or bundled to gently fill deep wrinkles or restore mild facial volume
In both cases, the threads trigger a localized healing response — encouraging your body to produce fresh collagen, elastin, and even small blood vessels around them.
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Thread Materials and Longevity
The three most common materials used in thread lifting are:
- PDO (polydioxanone): A strong, fast-absorbing material. These threads dissolve in about 6 months, but collagen stimulation may last 6 to 12 months. They’re commonly used for their reliability and affordability.
- PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid): This slower-degrading material is softer and more flexible. It takes around 12 to 18 months to fully dissolve, and the collagen effect may persist for up to 24 months.
- PCL (polycaprolactone): The longest-lasting thread type, often remaining in the tissue for 24 months or more. PCL threads promote slow, sustained collagen remodeling and are ideal for subtle but lasting improvement — though they may not suit thin or delicate skin due to their firmness.
Longer-lasting doesn’t always mean better. Threads that are too rigid or placed too superficially can cause discomfort or surface irregularities. The choice of material depends on your skin type, facial structure, and treatment goals.
Treatment Zones
Thread lifts are most commonly used for:
- Jawline definition and jowl lifting
- Midface contouring
- Neck tightening
- Lateral brow lifts (sometimes marketed as "fox eye" or "cat eye")
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
Volumizing threads can also be used in areas where fillers may not be ideal, such as:
- Horizontal neck lines
- Perioral wrinkles
- Tear troughs
- Temples or infraorbital hollows
In skilled hands, threads can be used to reshape facial contours subtly — but they must be selected and placed with care.
Thread Types and Techniques
Modern thread lifting techniques have evolved significantly. Today’s threads come in various shapes and structures, including:
- Cogged or barbed threads that physically lift tissue by anchoring it in place
- Bidirectional or convergent threads that pull skin from both sides toward a central point
- Volumizing threads, such as:
- Spring-type (coiled for filler-like lift)
- Broom-type (clusters of fine threads for soft support)
- Mesh or cylindrical threads (create a collagen scaffold in the skin)
These threads don’t just lift — they reshape. Some act like internal support structures, filling deep wrinkles or restoring softness in hollow areas where the face has lost fat.
The success of a thread lift relies heavily on the technique: anatomical vectors, anchoring points, thread depth, and tissue tension must all be customized to the individual.
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Procedure and Recovery
A typical thread lift takes 30 to 60 minutes. It is performed under local anesthesia and usually follows these steps:
- Skin is cleaned and marked for insertion points
- Local anesthetic is applied
- Threads are inserted via cannula or needle
- Tissue is gently lifted and adjusted
- Thread ends are trimmed and left under the skin
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You’ll likely be able to return to daily activities within 24–48 hours. However, some aftercare is important:
- Sleep on your back
- Avoid intense facial movements or rubbing
- Skip facials, dental work, or strenuous workouts for at least a week
- Compression bands may be recommended for neck or jaw treatments
Swelling, mild bruising, or asymmetry can last several days. Temporary rippling or puckering usually resolves on its own.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Thread lifting works best for:
- People aged 30–50 with mild to moderate skin laxity
- Patients with decent skin thickness and minimal volume loss
- Those seeking subtle enhancement, not dramatic transformation
- People open to combination treatments and maintenance
Thread lifts are not ideal for:
- Thin, fragile, or crepey skin
- Deep jowls or heavy lower face sagging
- Those seeking long-term or surgical-level results
- Patients with unrealistic expectations
For these individuals, a surgical facelift, facial fat transfer, or biostimulant filler may be more appropriate.
Before any treatment, an accurate diagnosis is essential. Meet a qualified aesthetic doctor to determine the solution best suited to your face.
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What to Expect and How Long Results Last
- A light lift with better contour definition — not a dramatic change
- Some results may be visible immediately, but collagen effects build gradually over 2–3 months
- Most people enjoy visible improvement for 6 to 12 months with PDO threads
- PLLA threads may last up to 18–24 months
- PCL threads can deliver effects for 2 to 3 years, but outcomes vary
Maintenance sessions are usually needed every 12–18 months.
Risks and Complications
While thread lifts can offer subtle improvement in the right patients, the results are temporary, and the risks are often underestimated.
Thread lifts are often portrayed as low-risk, but real-world complication rates range from 15% to over 30% in some studies — especially in less experienced hands.
Common temporary effects include:
- Bruising and swelling (in more than 60% of cases)
- Mild asymmetry or uneven lifting
- Dimpling or puckering at the entry or exit points
- Sensitivity or tightness in treated areas
- Palpable thread ends under the skin
These typically resolve within a few days to a few weeks.
More serious or long-lasting complications:
- Thread migration or extrusion (thread moves or pokes out)
- Infection or abscess
- Contour irregularities, tissue tethering, or visible thread tracks
- Nerve irritation or prolonged discomfort
- Granulomas or nodules forming around thread material
- Long-term fibrosis, which can create visible adhesions or pulling — especially after repeated treatments
While uncommon, serious complications may require thread removal or revision procedures, which can be difficult and may leave scars.
For a natural and balanced result, entrust your treatment to an experienced aesthetic doctor specializing in thread lifts.
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Combined Treatments Are Often Needed
Thread lifting is rarely effective as a stand-alone treatment. To avoid the classic "tight but hollow" look, most experienced providers combine threads with:
- Dermal fillers to support lifted areas or restore volume
- Sculptra or Radiesse to trigger collagen in broader zones
- Botox to soften dynamic wrinkles and rebalance muscle pull
- Radiofrequency (RF) or ultrasound for skin tightening
- Microneedling , PFR or PRP to improve texture and healing
Threads provide structure — but true facial rejuvenation often requires a combination of lift, volume, tone, and skin quality treatments.
Who can perform a thread lift in Belgium?
Although it is not a surgical procedure, a thread lift remains a medical act and must be performed exclusively by a doctor trained in the technique.
In Belgium, several medical specialties are authorized to perform this treatment, including:
- Dermatologists
- Qualified aesthetic doctors
- Plastic or aesthetic surgeons
- ENT or maxillofacial doctors with aesthetic training
The key factor is not the doctor’s title, but their experience, mastery of facial anatomy, and ability to personalize the thread placement to your facial structure.
For your safety, make sure the doctor uses certified materials, has completed specialized training in thread lift techniques, and is able to manage potential complications if they arise.
Price of a Thread Lift in Belgium
The cost of a thread lift depends on several factors: the treated area, the number of threads used, and the type of material (PDO, PLLA, or PCL).
The number of threads varies based on your facial anatomy, skin laxity, and the technique chosen. For a moderate facial lift, 4 to 8 threads per side are commonly used, though this may be fewer or more depending on individual needs. The practitioner will determine the exact number during the consultation.
As a guideline, a treatment with 4 threads (2 per side) typically starts around €725 including VAT in some clinics.
The price increases depending on several elements:
- the surface area treated (e.g., face only vs. face + neck)
- the total number of threads used
- the type of thread selected (long-lasting materials such as PCL are generally more expensive)
Some practitioners offer pricing per thread (usually between €120 and €180 each), while others apply a flat rate per area.
The quote may include:
- the medical consultation
- local anesthesia
- post-treatment follow-up
Always check what’s included in the quoted price, as inclusions can vary from one clinic to another.
Conclusion
A thread lift can offer subtle, temporary rejuvenation when performed correctly on the right patient. It’s a tool — not a miracle. For someone with mild sagging, good skin, and realistic goals, the results can be rewarding. But for others, especially those expecting surgery-level change or lasting lift, it may lead to disappointment — or complications.
Thread lifts are best seen as part of a thoughtful aesthetic plan, not a shortcut. An experienced practitioner will help you understand whether threads are right for you — or whether another path would be safer, more natural-looking, and longer lasting.
A good thread lift doesn’t transform — it reveals. Find a clinic in Belgium that focuses on natural, safe, and balanced results.
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