facelift without surgery non surgical thread face lift mini facelift silhouette lift
  • A Thread Lift is a minimally-invasive treatment that lifts and improves skin elasticity
  • Visible results over time and minimal downtime
  • Treatments performed by expert doctors and nurse injectors

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Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer for The Private Clinic of Harley Street, London.
Last Reviewed February 19th 2023

Thread Lift

As we age, a loss of collagen and elastin in our skin can lead to looser facial tone and the appearance of fine lines and creases. Losing this protein, combined with a natural loss of fat in the face, can hollow the upper cheeks and create heaviness above the jaw line (jowl) and around the chin (marionette lines), giving a tired and aged look.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘non-surgical facelift’, the Thread Lift is a minimally-invasive treatment that lifts sagging areas of the face without the need for sedation or a hospital stay. It is performed under local anaesthetic and takes as little as 30 minutes, with patients able to walk-out and return home a short while after.

A thread lift can help improve the appearance of sagging cheeks, deep lines and wrinkles, jowls, loss of facial volume, forehead wrinkles and even offer jawline redefinition. The procedure involves lifting different parts of the face using specialised threads without the need for surgical incisions.

The benefits of a thread lift include instant and long lasting results, minimal downtime, an increase in natural collagen production and no stitches required.

At The Private Clinic, we are able to offer various types of thread lift including Silhouette Soft Thread Lift, PDO Thread Lift and APTOS Thread Lift treatment.

Thread Lift specialists, Dr Charlotte Woodward and Dr Victora Manning from River Aesthetics join our aesthetics team to offer a premium thread lift experience to patients at clinics in London Harley Street and Bournemouth. Their clinic has been named Best Clinic in the UK for Threads by Tatler Magazine in 2022 & 2023.

With over 30 years of combined experience between them, they are highly regarded as the UK’s leading thread lift doctors. As experts in collagen stimulation and thread lift treatments, they aim to help patients be the best versions of themselves by achieving beautiful and natural-looking results.

Thread Lift at a glance

Procedure Time
30 – 60 mins

Downtime
48 – 72 hours

Final Results
2 weeks

No. of Treatments
1 Treatment

Results Last
3 – 6 months

A thread lift or non-surgical facelift is a great way to have the lift without having a facelift or mini facelift.

All thread lifts must be administered by a healthcare professional in a CQC-registered clinic. At The Private Clinic, we have highly specialised Cosmetic Doctors and Nurses who can advise you on the best options for what you are looking to achieve. All our clinics are registered with the CQC.

To book a consultation click here.

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Thread Lift Before & After Photos

Take a look at the Before and After photos to see our thread lift procedure results



What to Expect

The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of people placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.

Silhouette Soft Thread Lift Treatment

The Thread Lift (or suture lift) is a revolutionary treatment to tackle sagging skin or lines and wrinkles, without the use of any incisions or surgery.

Anchoring sutures are placed under the skin using a fine needle to elevate the sagging tissue and lift problem areas. The treatment can take as little as 30 minutes under local anaesthetic and requires no hospital stay afterwards.

The sutures used in the treatment are completely bio-degradable, meaning they will not need to be removed. Their principle component, polylactic acid, encourages the body’s production of collagen, meaning your skin will appear naturally fuller over time, even after the sutures have dissolved.

Silhouette Soft is designed to restore volume to the mid-face, redefine the jawline, elevate the tail of the brow and reshape the neck for a natural looking and more youthful appearance.

Read more about the silhouette soft thread lift treatment.

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PDO Thread Lift Treatment

A PDO Thread Lift uses cogged polydioxanone threads which is the same material used in medical stitches which dissolve naturally into the body over time.

Before your procedure you will have had local anaesthetic into the area being treated. A small entry point will be made usually near the ear and then fine threads are guided through the skin against the pre-marked contours of the face lifting your skin into a new position. New collagen will develop around the threads which work to keep them in place and provide natural support to the skin once the thread is naturally absorbed by the body.

PDO threads are designed to tighten and lift sagging skin and can help lift the entire face. PDO threads are also particularly effective at adding definition and contouring the lower jaw, eyebrows, neck and cheek.

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APTOS Thread Lift Treatment

The latest version of APTOS Threads have an improved formula which contains elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. This combination helps to effectively treat signs of ageing by providing a duel lifting and regenerating effect.

include the addition of hyaluronic acid to their composition. This helps to achieve a combined result of lifted skin, tissue regeneration, and instant volume to the skin. APTOS threads are available in a variety of different forms which allows us to customise treatment depending on the patient’s needs.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic which will be injected into the areas being treated. APTOS threads are inserted using atraumatic blunt-tip cannulas, this helps to reduce inflammation and swelling.

APTOS thread lift procedure is designed to treat fine lines, wrinkles, tissue volume and sagging skin

The result is a naturally refreshed appearance. APTOS Thread treatment can also be used to lift the brow, define the jaw and help with facial asymmetry.

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After your Thread Lift Treatment

Downtime after PDO Thread Lift Treatment

Downtime after a Thread Lift treatment is minimal, but you may experience some very slight bruising or swelling in the days following your procedure and some mild tension in the areas that have been elevated. Your doctor will give you individual advice tailored to the treatment and your lifestyle to ensure your recovery is as quick and easy as possible.

Results after PDO Thread Lift Treatment

You will notice an immediate result after PDO Thread treatment and this will continue to develop over time as new collagen is produced. The effects of a PDO Thread Lift can last from 6 months up until 2 years.

Results after Silhouette Soft Lift Treatment

Results after a Silhouette Soft thread lift are instant but results will continue to improve over time as the collagen is stimulated meaning the best results are often seen a few weeks after treatment. The visible effects of the Silhouette Soft thread lift can last up to 18-24 months.

Results after APTOS Thread Lift Treatment

Results following APTOS thread lift treatments are noticed immediately and will continue to improve over time. The threads are bio-compatible and are broken down and absorbed by the body over a 12 – 18 month timeframe. APTOS thread lift results can last up to 2 years.

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FAQs

How does the treatment work?

Extremely fine sutures are inserted to the chosen area at a depth of about 3-5mm where they are anchored in stable positions by your doctor using very light pressure. Absorbable, bidirectional cones attached to the sutures grasp and lift soft tissues to ease sagging and reduce the appearance of lines.

How do Silhouette Soft Threads work?

The principal component of Silhouette Soft® is polylactic acid (PLA) which naturally encourages the body’s own production of collagen, producing a fuller appearance to the skin over time. Your sutures will naturally dissolve in about 12 months.

How do PDO Threads work?

The principal component of PDO Threads is a strong filament fibre called polydioxanone which eventually breaks down into water and carbon dioxide which is naturally absorbed into the skin and body tissue after 6-8 months. During absorption a mild reaction will happen resulting in the formulation of new collagen production around the thread which results in a fuller and lifted appearance to the skin.

Does it Hurt?

Thread lift procedures can be uncomfortable but they should not be painful. In both Silhouette Soft and PDO Thread Lift treatments local anaesthetic is used during the procedure to prevent soreness. You may experience some discomfort in the days following the procedure but your doctor will be able to offer advice on pain relief for the initial 24 hours after the procedure.

How long does it take?

A silhouette soft thread lift procedure usually takes around 30-60 minutes. A PDO thread lift procedure usually takes around 30 minutes to complete.

How long will results last?

The visible effects of the Silhouette Soft thread lift can last up to 18-24 months. The effects of a PDO Thread Lift can last from 6 months up until 2 years.

Are there any side effects?

You may notice swelling and/or bruising especially around the exit and entry points on your face. This is common and should subside after a 2-5 days. As the local anaesthetic wears off you may experience some soreness for 24 hours. You may also notice slight dimpling or bunching of the skin but this should even itself out within the week.

Is a Thread Lift safe?

As with any treatment, your safety and final results depend entirely on the skill of the doctor performing it. Providing you work with an experienced medical practitioner, Silhouette Soft® and PDO Thread Lifts are highly safe treatments with proven results and success. The main substance of both thread lifts treatments, polylactic acid and polydioxanone are fully absorbable by the body. The treatments are also performed under local anaesthetic, meaning no sedation is necessary. You doctor will go through the full list of risks and benefits of the treatment at your consultation prior to treatment.

Do Thread Lift threads have to be removed again?

No, the threads from both Silhouette Soft and PDO Thread lifts are fully absorbable by the body.

What are the main components of Threads?

The main component of Silhouette Soft® is polylatic acid, which is biocompatible and naturally absorbed by the body. It is used in a range of medical treatments ranging from scews for bone fractures, to new biodegradable stent trials.

PDO Threads are surgical threads which are made from polydioxanone. PDO Threads have been used for decades in various surgical procedures because the material is tolerated well by the body and naturally breaks down to be absorbed by the body over time.

Do I need to do anything before a Thread Lift?

There are no special preparations required for a Silhouette Soft or PDO Thread Lift treatments. However during consultation we will fully discuss any previous treatments you may have undergone, any allergies you have and your medical background to ensure the treatment is suitable for you.

What should I do after a Thread Lift treatment?

As with the majority of aesthetic treatments we recommend that you protect your skin with sun care and avoid excessive sun exposure. Although you can wash your face post treatment we advise that you do not rub or massage the face for at least 2 weeks after treatment and this also includes avoiding facial massages and beauty treatments. It is also best to avoid opening your mouth too wide for 3-4 weeks and no dental treatment for at least 2 weeks.

Patients are also advised to sleep on their back to avoid any complications and not take part in any physical exercise for at least a week after the procedure.

A full list of aftercare will be given to you after your procedure by your doctor.

Where can the treatment be used?

A silhouette soft thread lift can be used to contour the lower jaw, cheeks and cheekbones, eyebrows, and the neck. A PDO thread lift can be used to treat all areas of the face and neck. PDO thread lifts can also be used on the rest of the body including sagging tissue on the arms.

How soon will I see results?

Results from Silhouette soft and PDO thread lifts are instant however the best results are usually not seen until a few weeks after treatment once the new collagen has formed.

Am I suitable for a Thread Lift?

A thread lift is suitable for both men and women who are over the age of 30 who wish to improve the moderate signs of ageing. Suitable patients will be seeking a more dramatic difference than wrinkle injections or fillers, but without the potential stress of a full face lift. Both thread lift treatments are suitable for all skin types, but those who are allergic or sensitive to bio-materials are advised to speak to their doctor as the procedure could cause a reaction. Your consultation will give you time to disclose any allergies, and your doctor will be able to advise you if the treatment is safe and effective for your needs.

Can a Thread Lift be combined with other treatments?

Both silhouette soft and PDO thread lifts work perfectly alongside other rejuvenation treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers however you should aim to wait 3-4 weeks after having a thread lift before having aesthetic treatments. Laser treatments however should be avoided for at least 6 months after a thread lift and any aggressive facial treatments that require vigorous movement of the face should also be avoided for at least 1 month.

How much does Thread Lift cost?

The cost of a Silhouette Soft Thread lift starts from £2,500.

The cost of a PDO Thread Lift starts from £399.

The cost of thread lift treatment will vary from patient to patient as it will depend on:

The type of thread lift treatment.

The area/s treated.

Please note that these are guide prices – you will be given an accurate quote to suit your requirements following your consultation.

Consultations with our expert doctors or nurses are £50 however this cost is redeemable against the price of treatment should you wish to book following your consultation.

Our prices are competitive and we only use experienced and qualified medical professionals at The Private Clinic to carry out our thread lift treatments. We believe our patients deserve the utmost safety in our care and we are committed to offering reliable, effective results.

Why Choose The Private Clinic

  • Expert medical practitioners with years of experience.
  • State of the art medical facilities, all registered by the CQC (Care Quality Commission).
  • Our innovative treatment choice means you will be offered the most advanced minimally invasive treatment options.
  • When it comes to non-surgical treatments we always strive to give you little to no downtime, so you can get back to enjoying life.
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