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Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer for The Private Clinic of Harley Street, London.
Last Reviewed April 5th 2024

Thread Lift

A thread lift is a non surgical procedure that improves the appearance of ageing, sagging skin on the face and neck by physically lifting the skin whilst also stimulating the generation of new collagen.

As we age, a loss of collagen and elastin in our skin can lead to looser facial tone and the appearance of fine lines and creases. Losing this protein, combined with a natural loss of fat in the face, can hollow the upper cheeks and create heaviness above the jaw line (jowl) and around the chin (marionette lines), giving a tired and aged look.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘non-surgical facelift’, the Thread Lift is a minimally invasive treatment that lifts sagging areas of the face without the need for sedation or a hospital stay. It is performed under local anaesthetic and takes as little as 30 minutes, with patients able to walk out and return home a short while after.

A thread lift can help improve the appearance of sagging cheeks, deep lines and wrinkles, jowls, loss of facial volume, forehead wrinkles and jawline redefinition. The procedure involves lifting different parts of the face using specialised threads without the need for surgical incisions.

Benefits of a Thread Lift

The benefits of a thread lift include:

Instant and long lasting results
Low-risk procedure
Minimal downtime
An increase in natural collagen production
No stitches required

Thread Lifts at The Private Clinic

At The Private Clinic, we offer various types of thread lift including Silhouette Soft Thread Lift, PDO Thread Lift and APTOS Thread Lift treatment.

Thread Lift specialists, Dr Charlotte Woodward and Dr Victora Manning from River Aesthetics join our aesthetics team to offer a premium thread lift experience to patients at clinics in London Harley Street and Bournemouth. Their clinic has been named Best Clinic in the UK for Threads by Tatler Magazine in 2022 & 2023.

With over 30 years of combined experience between them, they are highly regarded as the UK’s leading thread lift doctors. As experts in collagen stimulation and thread lift treatments, they aim to help patients be the best versions of themselves by achieving beautiful and natural-looking results.

We do not provide thread lift treatments to anyone under 18 years old at The Private Clinic and we may ask for ID at the time of your appointment.

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Thread Lift at a glance

Procedure Time
30 – 60 mins

Downtime
48 – 72 hours

Final Results
2 weeks

No. of Treatments
1 Treatment

Results Last
3 – 6 months

A thread lift or non-surgical facelift is a great way to have the lift without having a facelift or mini facelift.

All thread lifts must be administered by a healthcare professional in a CQC-registered clinic. At The Private Clinic, we have highly specialised Cosmetic Doctors and Nurses who can advise you on the best options for what you are looking to achieve. All our clinics are registered with the CQC.

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Thread Lift Before & After Photos

Take a look at the Before and After photos to see our thread lift procedure results

Threadlift mid face lift jawline female before after photo uk results 084TPC

Threadlift mid face lift eyebrows surgery before after photo results 083TPC

Threadlift mid face eyebrow before after photo results 086TPC

What to Expect

The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of people placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.

Silhouette Soft Thread Lift
PDO Thread Lift
APTOS Thread Lift
Aftercare

The Procedure – Silhouette Soft

Silhouette Soft Thread Lift Treatment

The Thread Lift (or suture lift) is a revolutionary treatment to tackle sagging skin or lines and wrinkles, without the use of any incisions or surgery.

Anchoring sutures are placed under the skin using a fine needle to elevate the sagging tissue and lift problem areas. The treatment can take as little as 30 minutes under local anaesthetic and requires no hospital stay afterwards.

The sutures used in the treatment are completely bio-degradable, meaning they will not need to be removed. Their principle component, polylactic acid, encourages the body’s production of collagen, meaning your skin will appear naturally fuller over time, even after the sutures have dissolved.

Silhouette Soft is designed to restore volume to the mid-face, redefine the jawline, elevate the tail of the brow and reshape the neck for a natural looking and more youthful appearance.

Read more about the silhouette soft thread lift treatment.

The Procedure – PDO

PDO Thread Lift Treatment

A PDO Thread Lift uses cogged polydioxanone threads which is the same material used in medical stitches which dissolve naturally into the body over time.

Before your procedure you will have had local anaesthetic into the area being treated. A small entry point will be made usually near the ear and then fine threads are guided through the skin against the pre-marked contours of the face lifting your skin into a new position. New collagen will develop around the threads which work to keep them in place and provide natural support to the skin once the thread is naturally absorbed by the body.

PDO threads are designed to tighten and lift sagging skin and can help lift the entire face. PDO threads are also particularly effective at adding definition and contouring the lower jaw, eyebrows, neck and cheek.

The Procedure – PDO

APTOS Thread Lift Treatment

The latest version of APTOS Threads have an improved formula which contains elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. This combination helps to effectively treat signs of ageing by providing a duel lifting and regenerating effect.

include the addition of hyaluronic acid to their composition. This helps to achieve a combined result of lifted skin, tissue regeneration, and instant volume to the skin. APTOS threads are available in a variety of different forms which allows us to customise treatment depending on the patient’s needs.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic which will be injected into the areas being treated. APTOS threads are inserted using atraumatic blunt-tip cannulas, this helps to reduce inflammation and swelling.

APTOS thread lift procedure is designed to treat fine lines, wrinkles, tissue volume and sagging skin

The result is a naturally refreshed appearance. APTOS Thread treatment can also be used to lift the brow, define the jaw and help with facial asymmetry.

Aftercare

After your Thread Lift Treatment

Downtime after PDO Thread Lift Treatment

Downtime after a Thread Lift treatment is minimal, but you may experience some very slight bruising or swelling in the days following your procedure and some mild tension in the areas that have been elevated. Your doctor will give you individual advice tailored to the treatment and your lifestyle to ensure your recovery is as quick and easy as possible.

Results after PDO Thread Lift Treatment

You will notice an immediate result after PDO Thread treatment and this will continue to develop over time as new collagen is produced. The effects of a PDO Thread Lift can last from 6 months up until 2 years.

Results after Silhouette Soft Lift Treatment

Results after a Silhouette Soft thread lift are instant but results will continue to improve over time as the collagen is stimulated meaning the best results are often seen a few weeks after treatment. The visible effects of the Silhouette Soft thread lift can last up to 18-24 months.

Results after APTOS Thread Lift Treatment

Results following APTOS thread lift treatments are noticed immediately and will continue to improve over time. The threads are bio-compatible and are broken down and absorbed by the body over a 12 – 18 month timeframe. APTOS thread lift results can last up to 2 years.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the treatment work?

Extremely fine sutures are inserted to the chosen area at a depth of about 3-5mm where they are anchored in stable positions by your doctor using very light pressure. Absorbable, bidirectional cones attached to the sutures grasp and lift soft tissues to ease sagging and reduce the appearance of lines.

How do Silhouette Soft Threads work?

The principal component of Silhouette Soft® is polylactic acid (PLA) which naturally encourages the body’s own production of collagen, producing a fuller appearance to the skin over time. Your sutures will naturally dissolve in about 12 months.

How do PDO Threads work?

The principal component of PDO Threads is a strong filament fibre called polydioxanone which eventually breaks down into water and carbon dioxide which is naturally absorbed into the skin and body tissue after 6-8 months. During absorption a mild reaction will happen resulting in the formulation of new collagen production around the thread which results in a fuller and lifted appearance to the skin.

Does it Hurt?

Thread lift procedures can be uncomfortable but they should not be painful. In both Silhouette Soft and PDO Thread Lift treatments local anaesthetic is used during the procedure to prevent soreness. You may experience some discomfort in the days following the procedure but your doctor will be able to offer advice on pain relief for the initial 24 hours after the procedure.

How long does it take?

A silhouette soft thread lift procedure usually takes around 30-60 minutes. A PDO thread lift procedure usually takes around 30 minutes to complete.

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Thread Lift is Available in these Clinics

Why Choose The Private Clinic

Expert medical practitioners with years of experience.
State of the art medical facilities, all registered by the CQC (Care Quality Commission).
Our innovative treatment choice means you will be offered the most advanced minimally invasive treatment options.
When it comes to non-surgical treatments we always strive to give you little to no downtime, so you can get back to enjoying life.

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