We have had many inquiries at our New Orleans facial plastic surgery practice about thread lifting over the past few months. The thread lifting technique heavily advertised approximately ten years ago employed barbed, permanent sutures that were placed in various spots on the face and anchored to the deep tissue, under local anesthesia, to provide a lift to sagging soft tissue. Unfortunately, after a few years the procedure proved to be ineffective and, in some cases, distorting due to suture failure. A study presented in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery 2009, looking closely at the author Dr. Edwin F. Williams’ experience with this technique concluded “…cannot justify further use of this procedure for facial rejuvenation.” This turned out to be yet another example of a new and innovative procedure that did not hold up against the test of time. We feel that it is prudent for our patients to allow a new procedure to be evaluated over a period of at least 3-5 years before considering undergoing it for themselves.
About five years ago, a different version of the technique described above was approved for use in the United States. This version of thread lifting has some distinct differences. The sutures that are being employed are now absorbable and are not being anchored to the deep tissues of the face. The goals of the technique are for a temporary “lift” and improvement in facial volume through directed compression of the soft tissues of the face. As the sutures dissolve they are also touted to stimulate collagen production. The overall results thus far are mixed. Instant lifting and volumization can be achieved, but duration of effect has been reported to be about twelve months at best. Neither of these versions of the thread lifting technique has ever been reported to be as effective as surgical face lift procedures. Based on duration and costs this could be a technique considered for patients that are not surgical candidates due to health restrictions or possibly patients that are interested in a short lived and limited result. There are still complications to consider that have not been eliminated with this technique such as infection, extrusion, hemorrhages, skin dimpling, asymmetries, and persistent pain.
Overall, we have yet to adopt this technique in our practice because we have not seen clear enough evidence that thread lifting’s results, cost, duration, and complication profile are yet at acceptable levels for our patients.
About five years ago, a different version of the technique described above was approved for use in the United States. This version of thread lifting has some distinct differences. The sutures that are being employed are now absorbable and are not being anchored to the deep tissues of the face. The goals of the technique are for a temporary “lift” and improvement in facial volume through directed compression of the soft tissues of the face. As the sutures dissolve they are also touted to stimulate collagen production. The overall results thus far are mixed. Instant lifting and volumization can be achieved, but duration of effect has been reported to be about twelve months at best. Neither of these versions of the thread lifting technique has ever been reported to be as effective as surgical face lift procedures. Based on duration and costs this could be a technique considered for patients that are not surgical candidates due to health restrictions or possibly patients that are interested in a short lived and limited result. There are still complications to consider that have not been eliminated with this technique such as infection, extrusion, hemorrhages, skin dimpling, asymmetries, and persistent pain.
Overall, we have yet to adopt this technique in our practice because we have not seen clear enough evidence that thread lifting’s results, cost, duration, and complication profile are yet at acceptable levels for our patients.
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