Thread Face Lift (Skin Stitch)

What is the thread face lift procedure and how does it work?

The thread face lift procedure (also known as a suture face lift, skin stitch or facial thread lift) is a minimally invasive procedure in which stitches are placed under the skin to reposition, lift and tighten droopy or loose areas of the face.
As no skin is cut away, there is no real surgery. The stitches are made of nylon material and are located permanently under the skin. After a few weeks, the body develops a tissue reaction around the stitches, which holds the skin in its new position.

The basic idea behind a skin stitch is simple; the low-weight high-resistance threads have a clever method of anchoring to the facial tissue, the surgeon then lifts the sagging anatomical structures following the vectors (directions) appropriate to obtain the desired new look.

After the skin stitch procedure your facial features will remain anchored in their new position for years to come. A further benefit of this procedure is that the threads can be re-adjusted in the upcoming years to maintain the natural and youthful appearance obtained originally.
Before this procedure the only treatment available was the traditional surgical face lift with all its risks, trauma, suffering, prolonged downtime and high cost.

Is the skin stitch procedure right for me?

Your suitability for the thread face lift procedure will be assessed during an obligation free medical consultation with your Aesthetica cosmetic surgeon.
An ideal candidate is a person (female or male) that has some initial facial aging, noted by subtle or evident loosening of the facial tissue. People with severe aging can benefit greatly from this procedure. If the appearance of 'jowls' and deeper 'marionette' lines negatively affect your facial presentation then they can be repaired using this cosmetic procedure.

The thread face lift is not like a regular face lift as it does not involve cutting and removal of skin, therefore it is not a substitute for a full surgical face lift.
This procedure is often useful for patients who have previously had a face lift but have a few residual loose or droopy areas, this procedure can ‘tidy up’ these areas.
The thread face lift procedure is also useful for younger patients who do not require full surgical face lift surgery, or for those who do not want the scars which may result from surgery.

The Aesthetica consultation process.

An Aesthetica Doctor or qualified nurse will assess your skin condition and make recommendations on whether a facial thread lift is the most suitable procedure for you.

You may well find out that your areas of concern can be sufficiently treated using our other non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments such as the radio frequency non-surgical face lift or Thermage treatments. However for patient cases that may not respond to other non-surgical skin tightening techniques the skin stitch is an effective, flexible and relatively low impact procedure.

What happens during a thread face lift procedure?

The facial suturing procedure can be performed either under local anesthesia or light sedation...

A small puncture is made in the skin either behind the ear or in the hairline.
A long needle with a suture is threaded directly under the skin until it reaches the area that is droopy.
The stitch is fixed in this position, and the needle returned to the original puncture. The stitch is then tied and buried under the skin.

How will I look and feel after the facial thread lift procedure?

After your suture face lift bruising may occur in some people but is not common. For most people the swelling is mild and usually lasts about ten days. During the facial suturing procedure there should be no pain as local anesthesia is used. After the thread face lift procedure there is often some pain behind the ears, so painkillers should be used. This usually settles after 24 hours.

Because only small punctures are made in the skin and there is no skin removed there is usually no scarring. The stitches reposition the skin, so there may be a slight pucker in front of the ear initially. This usually settles by itself.

What risks are associated the skin stitch procedure?

The facial thread lift is a relatively non-invasive procedure, so there are few risks associated with it. However, with any procedure there are some potential complications. These include...

Sutures are too tight: If this occurs, the sutures can be removed and others put in their place.
Sutures too loose: If this occurs, the sutures can be removed and others put in their place.
Breakage of sutures: If a suture breaks, new ones can be substituted.
Infection: Infection is rare and can be treated with antibiotics.
Bleeding: Bleeding and bruising may occur. Avoiding Aspirin and Vitamin E may minimize this.
Asymmetry: This can be corrected by adjusting the sutures on one side.
Bunching of the skin: When the sutures lift the skin up and back there may be some bunching of the skin near the ear. This usually settles with time.
Fullness of the cheeks: There is usually some fullness in the cheeks, which can last for a few weeks.
Feeling the sutures: Occasionally it is possible to feel the sutures behind the ear. It is rare to feel the sutures in the face.
Seeing the sutures: It is rare to see the sutures as they are placed deeply in the skin.

How much does a thread face lift cost?

Every case is different and every patient has their own specific requirements and expectations, therefore it is hard to give an exacting price for every procedure.
You are most welcome to book a free no-obligation consultation with one of our Doctors or qualified nurses where your requirements will be discussed and we can make recommendations on whether a thread face lift is the most suitable procedure for you.

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