Thread Lift As an Alternative to Full Facelift?

The Silhouette Instalift is a non-invasive office procedure using an absorbable thread with attached micro-lifting cones.  This procedure is superb for mild laxity of the cheek and jaw area.  The results are rapidly visible and the down time minimal. 
A Facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts, contours and smooths the neck, jaw and mid-face.  Associated with the facelift are scars, which are usually well placed and not very discernible after they are well healed.  The recovery time is weeks but the results are incredible when the proper time, energy and artistry are woven into the surgery.  Generally, the Silhouette Instalift is great for those with better skin tone and fairly smooth necks.  A consultation with your surgeon will identify which procedure is optimal for you. 

The thread lift lifts a different area of the fact. It lifts a small amount more in the cheek area. It is an alternative to a full face lift and it is in fact cheaper than a full face lift.

A Threadlift and a Facelift treat separate areas of the face, so one procedure cannot substitute for another.  The threadlift focuses more on the cheek area and nasal folds, giving a subtle lift to the midface.  A full Facelift primarily lifts the sagging skin in the neck  and jawline.  A threadlift is a relatively minor procedure that can be done under a local injection in about one hour with a smaller incision.  A full Facelift is a more detailed, time consuming procedure that is done under general anesthesia.  The results are more dramatic and can last up to ten years where a threadlift can give results lasting up to five years.  The recovery time for a threadlift is minimal, about 7 days, with some slight swelling and bruising.  A Facelift has a recovery time of about 10 days.  If you have minimal sagging along the jawline, a mini facelift may work well for you.  Consult a board certified facial plastic surgeon to see what would be the best procedure for your needs. 

We have many options available for facial rejuvenation. Your choice depends on a number of factors, including your goals, recover time, medical history, and budget. The thread lifts provides moderate improvement of the jowl and lower portion of the nasolabial folds. The Silhouette lift is a new, improved version of the threat lift. The suture itself is stronger and works with bioabsorbable cones rather than barbs which has reduced complications due to contour irregularities, failure, and asymmetry. The technique has been refined over the past several years, initially in Europe and now in the United States. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia. It works best for those with jowl and nasolabial folds, but can provide improvement in the neck. The threads can be re tightened for further lifting if needed. Silhouette lift can be combined with fillers and Botox for facial wrinkles, eyelid lifts, liposuction of the neck for an overall facial improvement. The results of the procedure can last up to 3-4 years. This may be the best option for those with early signs of aging and not ready for a cheek and neck lift. The procedure is affordable making it an excellent option. These advantages have to be compared to the temporary improvement provided.

I do not recommend a mini face lift or any of the branded mini face lifts as the results age short-lived and not worth the costs. This procedure does not last very long as only a limited amount of skin is removed and there is no correction of the muscles.

The results of a face and neck lift with muscle (SMAS and platysma) correction, although more expensive, can provide spectacular results and is much longer lasting than a mini face lift or thread lift


I recommend consulting with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has experience with thread lifts, mini face lifts, and face and neck lifts to discuss you options.


Best regards, Andrew Lyos, MD, FACS

Thread lifts are NOT an alternative to a full facelift. They may be an alternative to a mini face lift. However, the early reports of thread lifting and the initial excitement has clearly subsided and many of the original products such as the contour threads are no longer available. The threads are passed through the face with needles or very small incisions (typically within the hairline) and with the far end possessing barbs, or other "snagging" like devices to grab the skin/fascia whereas the near end is secured to a deep facial structure to achieve the lifting. It does have less scarring but it is not necessarily less expensive. There has been great discussion of absorbable vs permanent sutures as well as various methods of fixation. At present there are no great options for thread lifting and it is not a viable alternative to a facelift, in my opinion.