We all want to look refreshed, but as busy mums that’s usually impossible! If you’ve glanced in the mirror recently and wondered if there was a way to rejuvenate your face, without going under the knife, Thread Lift Treatment may just be for you!

Thread Lift is a non-surgical innovation that tightens the parts of the face and neck which tend to show our age. The result is a refreshed look, in a minimally invasive way. There’s no cutting and no surgery, minimal downtime and the procedure is often finished in under 60 minutes!

We chatted to one of Australia’s leading thread lift procedure experts and trainers, Dr Gordon Ku from Me Clinic, to find out everything there is to know about Thread Lift Treatment, including how much it costs, the benefits, and whether it’s painful.

Who is a good candidate for a Thread Lift?

Any patient with good skin quality and requires tightening of the face and neck. Usually patients between the ages of 35 to 65 are suitable. However, age is just a number, and ultimately the doctor needs to assess your skin quality and the degree of skin sagging to determine if you are suitable.

What are the benefits of a Thread Lift?

The main purpose of a thread lift is to tighten and lift the skin, especially effective for mid-face, lower-face, and jawline. Thread lift treatment areas on face and neck include cheeks, nasolabial folds, jowls, and neck. Due to the collagen stimulating effect, the main benefits include the improvement of sagging skin quality and heaviness in the lower part of the face and jawline.

Is a Thread Lift painful?

The treatment is performed under local anaesthetic, avoiding pain during insertion of the suture. So there is very minimal discomfort.

How long does it last?

There are many threads on the market. There are threads that “lift” and threads that “don’t lift’. And there are threads that last longer (2-3 years) and threads that don’t last long (less than 7 months).

At the Me Clinic, the expert doctor only uses threads that “lift” and last longer.

Threads and cones generally dissolve over approximately 12 to 18 months, but during that time, they stimulate the growth of collagen around the area. This collagen (called ‘Type I Collagen’) still presents there after 2 years from the time of the procedure. Most patients can display an improved cosmetic result even after 2 years.

Me Clinic recommends a review with the treating doctor again around 24 months after the procedure to see if a repeat procedure is required.

What’s involved in a Thread Lift?

Before conducting the treatment, your physician will evaluate your needs and explain where the threads will be placed using a marking pen. The treated areas will be sterilised, and you will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area prior to the threads insertion.

Due to the threads being inserted into the fat layer under the skin, there is a relatively low level of discomfort during and after your treatment. Once the suture has been applied, the doctor performs slight moulding of the skin to reshape it by hand and to obtain the desired lifting effect. The non-inserted ends of the suture are cut off. The number of sutures applied depends on the skin laxity and condition.

After the insertion of the threads you may experience a minimal inflammatory reaction, this is normal and required. After placement, patients may experience some mild side effects, This may include mild discomfort, swelling and bruising. Most patients with good skin quality have minimal downtime (2-3 days).

The retightening effect is immediate: thanks to bi-directional cones distributed over the suspension suture that keep the skin in an elevated position. And the regenerative action is gradual: the main component of the suture (Polylactic acid: PLLA) during reabsorption stimulates the body so that it produces its own collagen. This action, which continues over time, restores the contours of the face and offers long term results.

Your physician will provide you with post-treatment recommendations and an aftercare program to follow to ensure the best possible result.

How long does recovery take?

Infection is very rare. While dimpling of skin may be a rare side-effect in the hands of an expert doctor, it’s usually non-permanent. There also may be initial swelling from the local anaesthetic. Thread lift results and expectations may vary from patient to patient, and in most cases downtime is minimal. Pin prick marks may be visible for a few days, and while bruising and swelling is possible, it’s uncommon. Most patients can apply makeup after 2 days with post-procedure side effects not noticeable to others.

What are the risks involved?

Like all procedures of this type there are potential side effects. Some mild swelling is the most common side effect, and it can usually last about 2-3 days.

Other uncommon side effects include infection, minimal acute inflammatory tissue reaction, and pain. Transient bruising may also occur. Sometimes, a slight depression or skin irregularity may be seen at the entry points of the threads for a few days, but usually not obvious to other people after 2-3 days.

How much does it cost?

The cost of a thread lift depends on the type of thread lift procedure and the number of threads required. The cost of a thread lift procedure at Me Clinic starts from $3900.

To determine the costs of your thread lift procedure, you’ll need a consultation with the expert doctor at Me Clinic. This will include an assessment to then be able to provide you with a full, obligation-free quote.

What’s the difference between a surgical facelift and a Thread Lift?

Thread lifts and facelifts produce different results. A thread lift is more natural looking and a less invasive more cost-effective procedure for people looking for cosmetic enhancements.

A surgical facelift, on the other hand, is a more permanent surgical procedure that can target all areas of the face.

What sort of results can I expect?

You can expect a natural refreshed look after a thread lift. With tightening/lifting and smoothing of the skin.

Surgical Warning: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Me Clinic to bring you this article. Me Clinic features some of Australia’s and the United States’ most experienced Cosmetic Surgeons who share the same ideals and beliefs to ensure that each patient’s experience is positive and nurturing. This approach helps patients get the most out of their surgery and achieve the desired results.