Written by Dr Shirin Lakhani MBBS MRCGP DRCOG — GMC No. 4634863 | CQC-Registered Practitioner | Medical Director, Elite Aesthetics, Greenhithe, Dartford, Kent

Thread Lift Results: What to Expect and How Long They Last

Thread lift has become one of the most requested non-surgical facial treatments in the UK — and for good reason. It offers a genuine, visible lift to sagging skin without surgery, without general anaesthetic, and without the weeks of downtime that facelift recovery demands. But what do thread lift results actually look like? How quickly do they appear, how dramatic are they, and how long can you realistically expect them to last?

At Elite Aesthetics in Greenhithe, Dartford, Kent — 22 minutes from London — Dr Shirin Lakhani performs PDO thread lifts regularly for patients seeking to restore facial definition, lift sagging cheeks and jowls, and address laxity along the jawline and brow. In this guide, she sets out an honest, clinically grounded picture of what thread lift results actually involve — so you can decide whether this treatment is right for you.

What Is a Thread Lift and How Does It Work?

A PDO (polydioxanone) thread lift is a minimally invasive treatment that uses fine, dissolvable threads to physically lift and reposition sagging skin, while simultaneously stimulating the body’s own collagen production for longer-lasting results.

The threads — made from the same absorbable material used in surgical sutures for decades — are inserted beneath the skin using fine needles or cannulas. Barbed threads physically grip the tissue and reposition it upward. As the threads dissolve over approximately six months, the trauma of their presence triggers a controlled inflammatory response that stimulates new collagen formation around each thread. This collagen framework is what maintains the lifting effect long after the threads themselves have been absorbed.

The result is twofold: an immediate mechanical lift, followed by a gradual improvement in skin quality and firmness that peaks at three to six months and can last 12–18 months or longer.

Thread Lift Results: A Week-by-Week and Month-by-Month Timeline

Understanding when to expect different stages of your results is one of the most important things we discuss with patients at Elite Aesthetics before treatment. Here is a realistic timeline:

How Long Do Thread Lift Results Last?

Thread lift results typically last between 12 and 18 months, with some patients maintaining visible improvement for up to two years. The exact duration depends on several factors:

• Age: Patients in their 30s and 40s — who have stronger collagen production — tend to see results lasting closer to 18 months. Those in their 50s and 60s may see results lasting 12 months or less, as the natural decline in collagen production limits the longevity of the collagen-stimulating effect.
• Skin condition at the time of treatment: Patients with good skin quality and mild to moderate laxity achieve the best and longest-lasting results. Severely lax skin may not hold threads as effectively.
• Thread type: PDO threads dissolve in approximately six months. PLLA and PCL threads dissolve more slowly and may produce slightly longer-lasting collagen stimulation. Dr Shirin will recommend the most appropriate thread type based on your individual assessment.
• Aftercare: Following aftercare advice — avoiding heavy physical activity, certain sleeping positions, and facial pressure in the weeks following treatment — significantly influences how well results are maintained.
• Lifestyle: Sun exposure, smoking, and a poor diet all accelerate collagen breakdown and can shorten the duration of thread lift results.

Many patients choose to repeat their thread lift at the 12–18 month mark to maintain their results. Because each treatment further stimulates collagen production, the cumulative benefit of repeat treatments can be significant over time.

Who Gets the Best Thread Lift Results?

Thread lift is not suitable for everyone, and being honest about candidacy is something Dr Shirin takes seriously at every consultation. The patients who see the most dramatic and longest-lasting results are typically those who:

• ✅ Have mild to moderate skin laxity — sagging cheeks, early jowling, a softening jawline, or a slightly drooping brow
• ✅ Are aged between 35 and 60 — old enough to have visible laxity, young enough to have sufficient collagen-producing capacity to maximise the treatment’s effect
• ✅ Have good skin quality — reasonable skin thickness and elasticity
• ✅ Are non-smokers, or have recently stopped smoking
• ✅ Have realistic expectations — thread lift delivers a subtle, natural improvement, not a surgical facelift result
• ❌ Not suitable if: skin laxity is severe — surgery will deliver better results
• ❌ Not suitable if: there is active infection, certain autoimmune conditions, or a history of poor wound healing

Thread Lift vs HIFU vs Surgical Facelift: How Do the Results Compare?

Patients often ask how thread lift compares to other lifting treatments. Here is a clear, honest comparison:

For many patients at Elite Aesthetics, a combination of thread lift and HIFU — or thread lift alongside Profhilo — delivers superior results to either treatment alone, addressing both the structural lift and the underlying skin quality simultaneously.

What Does Thread Lift Treatment Involve at Elite Aesthetics?

At Elite Aesthetics in Greenhithe, Dartford, Kent, all thread lift treatments are performed by Dr Shirin Lakhani (GMC No. 4634863) in our CQC-registered clinic. Every treatment is preceded by a thorough consultation to assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and confirm the most appropriate thread type and placement for your face.

On the day of treatment:

1. Topical anaesthetic is applied to the treatment area and left for 20–30 minutes.
2. Local anaesthetic injections are given to ensure the treatment is comfortable.
3. Threads are inserted using fine needles or cannulas, positioned to achieve the desired lift and secured in place.
4. Immediate assessment — Dr Shirin reviews the result and makes any adjustments before you leave.
5. Aftercare guidance is provided, including advice on sleeping position, exercise, and when to resume normal activities.

Most thread lift treatments take 45–90 minutes depending on the area being treated. Most patients return to normal daily activities within 24–48 hours, with any bruising or swelling easily covered with makeup after the first 24 hours.