Thread Lift Types: Choosing the Right Threads for Your Needs

Thread lifts are a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical facelifts. They provide natural-looking results and have grown in popularity thanks to the variety of options available. If you have started looking into thread lifts, you might have noticed that there are a lot of different thread lift types available.

But how do you know which ones are the best? This blog will explain all the different thread lift types in detail to help you choose the most suitable option for your desired results.

Thread Lift: The Basics

What is a thread lift?

A thread lift is a safe and effective treatment that leaves you with firmer, smoother, and younger-looking skin. Threads are very fine, and some have small, cone-like structures running along their length. These are inserted under your skin and gently pulled for a natural lift. Although this might sound uncomfortable, you won’t feel any discomfort; it’s just a gentle pulling feeling as they are applied.

What are the benefits of thread lifts?

There are many benefits to a thread lift; they provide natural-looking results and are incredibly versatile in the areas they can treat. Unlike surgical options, thread lifts are far more cost-effective and as it is a non-invasive treatment, you will also experience minimal downtime post-treatment.

What can a thread lift help with?

These treatments lift parts of your skin to enhance your features and create a more youthful appearance. They can reduce wrinkles and fine lines whilst promoting collagen production to add more volume to your skin. 

Areas they can help with include:

• Lifting loose, sagging skin on the cheeks, jowls and under-eye area.
• Smoothing fine lines such as forehead creases, crow’s feet and frown lines.
• Tightening skin on the jawline and neck.
• Improving the appearance of wrinkles and deeper lines on the lower face, including nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

What Are The Different Thread Lift Types?

At Elite Aesthetics, we use only the highest-quality threads to ensure the very best results possible, and many different thread lift types are available to you. Some are better for certain areas of the body than others, and if you are unsure after reading about them, you can ask us to recommend the best type of thread for your treatment.

PDO Threads

PDO (polydioxanone) threads are the most common type of thread. They have been around longer and have been used effectively in surgical procedures for decades. Threads are entirely absorbable; your body naturally breaks them down over time while stimulating your body’s collagen production.

The different types of PDO threads are:

• Mono threads (smooth): they provide subtle lifting and all-round skin rejuvenation.
• Cog threads (barbed): providing a more noticeable lift and contouring.
• Screw threads (twisted): these are perfect for adding volume and stimulating collagen.

The PDO thread lift typically lasts between 6 – 18 months.

PLLA Threads

PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) threads are longer-lasting and stimulate more collagen production.

These threads are better for deeper lines and wrinkles and overall skin rejuvenation; they are often recommended as an alternative to fillers because they are so efficient at volumising skin and stimulating the production of collagen. 

Because of this fact, they are regarded as much more powerful collagen stimulators than PDO threads. You can expect results to last between 12-18 months.

Silhouette Soft Threads

Silhouette Soft threads are biodegradable and compatible with your body. Absorbable cones attached to a suture provide a more significant lift and contouring effect and their unique mechanism of action: lifting and volumising.

Silhouette Soft suspension sutures are made from PLLA and PLGA (Poly L Lactic Acid & Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid), both of which have been used safely in medicine for decades. 

This type of thread lift can last up to 24 months.

APTOS Threads 

AptosThreads is a brand made from a unique blend of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone (PCL) that has an outstanding reputation in the aesthetics community.

Their barbed design provides a robust lifting effect with long-lasting results. They are most renowned for their ability to lift and tighten sagging tissues in the face and neck. Like other threads, they contain hyaluronic acid, combining instant lifting and tissue regeneration, delivering a much longer-lasting result; typical longevity is 18-24 months.

Some other benefits of an APTOS Thread Lift are:

• Double action: lifting and rejuvenation.
• Minimally invasive procedure.
• 20-minute procedure.
• Immediately evident results.
• Minimum of downtime.
• New collagen growth and increased microcirculation.

MINT Threads

MINT stands for minimally invasive non-surgical threads, a newer type of thread lift made from PDO material with a unique micro-sawtooth design. They are finer than PDO threads, making them suitable for nose or cheek lifts. 

Another feature that differentiates them from other threads is the barbs that sit along the thread. It is the barbs that “hold on” to your skin and help to reposition it. MINT threads feature press-moulded 360-degree barbs, which have 4 times the tensile strength of traditional threads. Tensile strength is how strong the thread is under tension, and when used in a MINT thread lift, these threads offer a brilliant lift.

These threads are designed to provide a subtle yet effective lift whilst improving skin texture. They are well known for their minimal downtime and quick recovery; the results can last 6-12 months.

Choosing the Right Thread Lift Type For You

When choosing the right thread lift types for you, you should consider the following factors:

• The severity of sagging skin.
• Your desired outcome (subtle lift vs. more dramatic results).
• What area of your body is being treated, e.g. face, neck, breasts.
• Your individual preferences and expectations.

It is essential to consult with a qualified practitioner to discuss your options and determine the most suitable thread lift types. If you are unsure, visiting the right clinic can help you decide which type of thread lift will work best for you. 

Many clinics offer thread lift procedures, but not all will provide the same gold standard of care. Always research both the clinic and your practitioner before booking in anywhere.

What to Expect During and After a Thread Lift

Threads can be used all over your body, and during your consultation, your clinician will identify the sagging skin around the area in which you want to be treated. They then carefully mark where to position each thread to ensure maximum results. 

Local anaesthesia is used to numb the areas treated during a thread lift so you won’t feel a thing. All the different thread lift types available are dissolvable and inserted underneath your skin using a cannula. Cannulas are flexible and provide a smoother finish, but they also minimise bruising and pain while speeding up recovery time. 

Once the threads are placed, they are massaged to ensure they’re in the correct placement and trimmed to ensure they’re secure and invisible inside your skin. They work in two ways: providing an immediate lift and triggering long-term collagen stimulation.

Every procedure has potential side effects, but they are usually minimal with any thread lift treatment. You might experience mild swelling, bruising, and temporary discomfort, but these side effects tend to subside within 48 hours. 

You should see instant results, but because the threads stimulate collagen production, the full results become visible within 3 months. If you like the results, then maintenance treatments are recommended.

Ready To Book Your Thread Lift?

Thread lifts are a safe and effective option for non-surgical facial rejuvenation. The different thread lift types provide different varying results and unique benefits. What kind of thread lift you decide on depends on the desired results and treatment area.

Choosing the right threads based on your needs and goals is incredibly important, and an experienced expert can help you create your bespoke treatment plan. At Elite Aesthetics, our doctors can help you create your unique treatment and provide all the information needed before you undergo a thread lift.

You should book a consultation to talk with someone about the best thread lift types to suit your needs. Consultations are held in our award-winning clinic based in Greenhithe, Kent, just 22 minutes away by train from St. Pancras, London. You can contact us by calling 01322 381 205, emailing info@elite-aesthetics.co.uk, or WhatsApp us.