Question 1

What are NovaThreads?

Accepted Answer

NovaThreads are FDA-cleared, absorbable sutures placed under the skin during a thread lift procedure, to physically lift the tissue and enhance collagen production. NovaThreads work especially well to tighten skin on the neck, lower and midface, and jawline, to restore the face's youthful V-shape.

“We use NovaThreads to treat lower-face skin laxity and facial wrinkles, such as marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and laugh lines,” says New York City dermatologic surgeon Dr. Bruce Katz.

NovaThreads are one of several types of threads used in thread lifts, including Silhouette Instalift and Eurothreads, points out Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, a facial plastic surgeon based in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Most of these threads are made of a synthetic biodegradable material called PDO (polydioxanone), which is also used in an absorbable surgical suture. NovaThreads consist of hypodermic needles, preloaded with these PDO sutures.

The needles are inserted just under the skin, parallel to the surface, and leave the thread behind when they’re pulled out.

“The PDO sutures dissolve over time, allowing new collagen to grow in their place,” says Dr. Stephen Greenberg, a New York City plastic surgeon. Skin is lifted immediately, while firmness increases over time.

RealSelf Tip: NovaThreads can be inserted along the edge of the lips for a nonsurgical lip lift. This procedure, called lip threading, perks up the Cupid's bow and helps define the lips' border.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of NovaThreads?

Accepted Answer

Pros

This facial rejuvenation procedure is relatively quick and easy. Each PDO thread takes just a minute to place, with no incisions required.
You'll see an immediate result from the skin being lifted, with an enhancement in firmness for up to a year as new collagen develops.
Dissolvable PDO NovaThreads are less risky than the permanent sutures inserted in thread lifts of the past, which could attract infection-causing bacteria and leave scar tissue.
If you’re not ready for any surgical procedures, like a facelift, a thread lift is a far more affordable, less invasive option.

Cons

As with other nonsurgical procedures, the results from any type of PDO thread lift can’t compare to what facelift surgery can achieve. The threads merely lift the skin, while a surgical facelift also tightens underlying muscles and removes excess sagging skin.
NovaThread results are temporary. This nonsurgical facelift or neck lift effect lasts six months, though you may see firmer skin for up to a year as new collagen develops.
If your NovaThreads lead to complications, such as bumps and indentations in your skin, your best option is to wait up to four months for the threads to dissolve.
NovaThreads have a relatively low Worth It Rating on RealSelf: just type: embedded-entry-inline id: Ks6V6ARYAktTMUTOEu3el. Those who deemed it Not Worth It say they didn't see noticeable results or experienced complications with their threads, such as visible lumps.

Related: Experts Are Split Over the Benefits of Thread Lifts. Top Doctors Explain Why.

Question 3

How much do NovaThreads cost?

Accepted Answer

Your cost will depend on your surgeon’s level of experience, their practice location, and the scope of your procedure, including the number of threads used.

Cosmetic procedures aren't covered by insurance, but most providers accept financing or offer payment plans.

Question 4

Who makes a good candidate for a NovaThreads procedure?

Accepted Answer

The best candidates for a thread lift are typically in their 40s, with mild to moderate skin laxity.

It's also important to have realistic expectations: this and other nonsurgical treatments won't yield the same kind of results you'd see from a surgical mini lift or facelift.

Question 5

What happens during a NovaThreads procedure?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor can place the threads in less than an hour. They’ll start by numbing your face with local anesthesia, so your thread lift shouldn’t hurt.

There are two main techniques for placing NovaThreads.

The NuMesh approach creates a mesh-like scaffolding under the skin, as its name implies. Two smooth PDO sutures are placed vertically and three horizontally, on each side of your face. The threads boost collagen production as your body tries to heal around the foreign material, leading to increased skin firmness.
The NuLift uses barbed PDO threads under the skin’s surface, to pull it taut and reposition it. This type of thread lift can be performed on the face, neck, or jowls to address sagging skin. The threads physically lift the skin, and over time your body produces more collagen in a "selective inflammatory response" to the foreign material embedded in the tissue. This response firms the tissue over time, providing a mild skin tightening effect.

Question 6

What should you expect afterward?

Accepted Answer

Thread lifts come with little to no downtime. You may be slightly swollen, bruised, or red for a few days, but it's typically mild enough that you can still return to work the next day.

It's best to skip moisturizer or vigorous facial rubbing for about a week after your procedure, so you don't irritate the tissue. After a week, you can resume your normal skin care routine.

Question 7

How long do NovaThreads last?

Accepted Answer

NovaThreads dissolve naturally over four to six months, but improved fullness and firmness due to new collagen can last up to a year.

To improve your results, your provider may recommend complementary treatments—such as microneedling, Botox, or filler—to address other skin concerns like fine lines, discoloration, and volume loss.

Question 8

Are NovaThreads safe?

Accepted Answer

PDO thread lifts with NovaThreads are considered safe, when they're performed by a reputable provider.

That said, results can vary widely with the doctor’s skill and experience. Even though thread lifts are available at medical spas, you should see a doctor who has a deep knowledge of facial anatomy and is well-versed in all surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, like a facial plastic surgeon.

Most NovaThreads complications are caused by poorly placed threads. Common side effects seen by RealSelf members include visible dents or bumps, asymmetry, and barbs showing from under the skin or even poking out. Additionally, threads pulled too tightly can break under excessive tension, and then the lifting benefit is lost.

If you’re unhappy with your results, you’ll likely have to wait it out while the threads dissolve.

“Removal of a thread is not so straightforward. The tissue trauma, swelling, bruising, and pain makes it a rather invasive process, so many doctors feel it is much better to give time to allow for the threads to dissolve,” says Dr. Daniel Chang, a physician in Singapore, in a RealSelf Q&A.

Your doctor may be able to improve the appearance of a less-than-ideal outcome with additional treatments, such as injectable filler, to camouflage indentations.

NOVATHREADS

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS

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Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS

Kali Swenson

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