How Long Does the Thread Lift Last?

14% is the satisfaction rate on this website from threadlifts, the lowest of any recorded category.
Comments from patients cover the gamut, from it didn't work, it didn't work long enough, facial distortion, extruding hooks, chronic pain, palpable lumps, etc. In our practice, we remove suture material from threadlifts on a weekly basis, usually while performing the facelift that patients needed initially.
Some patients do report seeing a benefit for a year, some for up to a year and a half. Some note immediate distortion and no results beyond a few months.
Why don't threadlifts accomplish the same as a facelift if they are pulling on the same tissues?
Strings placed through the tissues without any undermining tend to pull through the tissues. They do not hold up the way that undermined and fixated tissues do (i.e. during a facelift). An experienced facelift surgeon will require 20-40 sutures, placed directly in the deep tissues alone, to hold up the layer until it heals in a higher (and lifted) position. Strings are at a disadvantage because tissues are not undermined and only a few sutures are placed.
But this information is nothing new.
Patients should go into procedures with their eyes open to what the likely results are. Stringlifts do not produce facelift results.

The threadlift is a controversial procedure.  Many people feel as though they don't last.  The problem is that the majority of surgeons that tried them did not know how to place them properly and therefore did not achieve good results.  They are useful only for the cheek area, and the result, when placed properly can last several years.  I also perform the traditional subperiosteal midface lift as well, and in the long run, there is not a big difference between the two procedures.  They result in an enhancement of the cheek while lifting the droopy midface.  A big difference is the three weeks of swelling that accompanies the midface lift as opposed to one week with the threadlift under local anesthesia.  A good facial plastic surgeon will discuss all the options with you during consultation.

 

With a very experienced provider and the right patient, a good thread lift can last 6-12 months. The dissolvable sutures used for this procedure trigger the body to produce more collagen, which extends and enhances the results of the procedure. In my office, we also frequently combine this procedure with treatments like RF microneedling or laser resurfacing to further prolong the results. I recommend working with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can customize your treatment plan to ensure you get the most satisfying and durable results possible.

This is an excellent question.
The Instalift is an excellent procedure to re-contour the face, lifting deeper layers of the skin for a more youthful appearance.  You see immediate results and there is no downtime. It is an option for people who want a lift without undergoing surgery.
Over time the sutures are naturally absorbed by your body while stimulating production of collagen to aid healthy renewal of your skin to produce natural-looking long lasting results.  Patients generally see improvements continuing over 1-2 years as collagen is remodelled.
It does not provide as dramatic and permanent results as a surgical face lift and a surgical neck lift.  However, some people do not want to undergo surgery and prefer the Instalift option.
If you would like to learn more about the procedure I recommend an in person consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist with cosmetic training.

Thread lifting has a long history with both very beautiful results and happy patients mixed with poor results and dissatisfaction. Most of the latter stems from the use of permanent sutures and poor technique.
Most modern thread lifting utilizes absorbable sutures, which have many major benefits. These threads not only lift and support, but provide volume as they go away, creating a lift and fill effect. The risk of dimpling, an issue with the old thread lifts, is zero here as these are not providing a permanent pull. 
These modern thread lifts are best thought of like a filler. They will do their job for a year or two and then will need to be touched up, but the results in the meantime are beautiful.
Choosing your physician wisely here is key, as knowledge of normal facelift anatomy, tissue movement and technique is a highly valuable skill when placing these absorbable lifting threads.
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these "core four" cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.
Cameron Chesnut#realself500 Physician

A thread lift or lifestyle lift is a procedure touted for fast recovery and cheaper alternative to a facelift.  If it sounds to good to be true it usually is.  The operation involves placing a barbed suture under the skin and using is to pull up and back the face or neck.  Eventually the sutures break, get infected or cause distortion and can be difficult to fix.  Surprisingly it is not that cheap either.  I do not perform these types of lifts as I have seen patients with complications but never seen a patient happy with the results.  

A thread-lift lasts for several weeks to several months and has been largely abandoned as an offered procedure. The concept of facial elevation/ repositioning without tissue mobilization doesn't make anatomic sense and works very poorly in the real world

Most plastic surgeons who tried the thread lifts have now abandoned them.  Patients are generally disappointed with the outcomes and there is virtually no long term advantage.

PDO is a minimally invasive procedure to rejuvenate and lift skin. It may last for 2-4 years depending on several factors. Please contact a qualified provider or a board-certified physician with extensive experience in these procedures.

Hello and thank you for your question.
The longevity of thread lift effects depend on several factors, including the skin laxity, number of threads being placed, placement and skill of the surgeon. Some patients obtain results for up to a year or a year and a half, while some begin to see diminishing results after six months. Thread lift can be performed in combination with botox and fillers for more prominent rejuvenating effects. Overall, thread lift is an effective and safe procedure for patients who seek non-surgical treatment to tone the face and enhance their natural appearance. As always, an in-office or virtual examination is needed to fully evaluate your options. For more information to determine the best approach for you, please contact our office or consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.
Best of luck from Tran Plastic Surgery!