In Depth
Thread Lifts in Detail
A thread lift places absorbable sutures under the skin. Most lifting threads carry small barbs or cones that grip the soft tissue; once a thread is anchored and gently tensioned, the tissue is held in a higher position. As the material slowly dissolves, the body forms a thin sheath of new collagen around it.
The evidence is worth knowing. A systematic review of thread-lift studies found that most reported short-term lifting, that the quality of the research was generally low, and that longer-term effects are not well established. [1]
That shapes how threads are used at Atelier. They suit people who want a visible lift on the day, accept that it is temporary, and have mild to moderate sagging with skin that is neither very thin nor very heavy. Threads are often paired with energy-based treatments such as the VF Lift – Vertical Facelift, which work on firmness, or with cheek filler where the midface has lost volume. [2,3]
Thread Lift and Other Lifting Options
| Option | What it does | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Thread lift | Mechanical lift on the day; some collagen forms around the threads | Temporary; small risk of visible threads or dimpling |
| VF Lift – Vertical Facelift | Radiofrequency tightening, zone by zone | Gradual; no lift on the day |
| HIFU | Focused ultrasound at set depths | Gradual and modest |
| Surgical facelift | Repositions deeper tissue and removes skin | Surgery and recovery; suits advanced sagging |
Threads lift on the day, then let go as they dissolve. Planning for that is part of the treatment.
What Happens on the Day
- ConsultationDr. Sin Yong assesses skin thickness, the weight of the tissue, where it needs to move and what you want to see. Threads are not the answer for every face.
- PlanningEntry points and directions are marked with you sitting up, because tissue sits differently when you lie down.
- Local anaestheticThe entry points and thread paths are numbed.
- PlacementA blunt cannula carries each thread under the skin along the planned line; the tissue is lifted and the thread is trimmed.
- ReviewAt two weeks for any dimpling or asymmetry, and again at three months.
Risks and Side Effects
- Swelling, bruising and tenderness for a few days
- Dimpling or puckering at entry points or along a thread, which usually settles
- Tightness when opening the mouth wide, for a week or two
- Asymmetry
- A thread end that can be felt or seen, or that works its way to the surface
- Infection, uncommon
- Rarely, irritation of a nerve or salivary gland
Warning signs. Contact the clinic if you notice increasing pain, redness, warmth or swelling after the first few days, a thread poking through the skin, or a fever.
Aftercare
- Sleep on your back with your head raised for the first few nights
- Avoid wide mouth opening, hard chewing, facial massage and dental work for about two weeks
- No saunas or strenuous exercise for about a week
- Keep entry points clean and dry for the first day
References
- Gülbitti HA, Colebunders B, Pirayesh A, Bertossi D, van der Lei B. Thread-lift sutures: still in the lift? A systematic review of the literature. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;141(3):341e-347e
- Fratila A, Schenck T, Redka-Swoboda W, Zilinsky I, Pavicic T, Cotofana S. The anatomy of the aging face: a review. Facial Plast Surg. 2016;32(3):253-260
- Rohrich RJ, Pessa JE. The fat compartments of the face: anatomy and clinical implications for cosmetic surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;119(7):2219-2227
- Health Sciences Authority, Singapore — medical device regulation
- Singapore Medical Council — Guidelines on Aesthetic Practices for Doctors
General information, reviewed by Dr. Sin Yong, Medical Director, on 6 Oct 2026. It is not a substitute for a consultation, and individual results vary.
