What is a Featherlift?

Just a couple of years ago, "thread" lifting or "suture" lifting was a media darling. And now? Contour threads ("Thread lift") have been removed from the market and APTOS threads (the "Featherlift") are gone, too.
Unfortunately, these procedures were unimpressive in their results and flawed even in theory.
The idea was that barbed sutures--like porcupine quills--could be inserted under the skin, engage the tissue and then either lift it or bunch it together. Sounds great, right? So what was the problem?
The problem is that living tissue expands to accommodate tension, meaning that if you pull on skin it will grow and stretch out to eliminate that pull...and it does so pretty quickly. Doctors know this, which is why it was perplexing that any doctor ever offered it. In fact, we make use of this property with devices known as "tissue expanders," which we use for reconstructive procedures.
So why, you might ask, does a real surgical facelift last? Aren't we just pulling tissue? Not at all. The difference is that in a real surgical facelift, we are actually dissecting and then repositioning tissue planes. It's a little bit like peeling up a sticker and then re-adhering it in a new location. Unfortunately, that requires real surgery and its associated downtime, but a natural and lasting appearance is the result.

Thank you for your question. A featherlift referred to a variation on the thread lift. This type of technique is best suited to patients with mild aging changes. Moderate to severe aging changes would more likely benefit from a more traditional facelift. I would recommend consultation with a facial plastic surgeon to discuss what option is best for you."This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

The feather lift is done with stitches under the skin to try to lift the skin.  Some refer to this as the thread lift.  Most surgeons have abandoned this procedure because it doesn't work.

The featherlift is a variant of the thread lift. This procedure uses sutures with barbs that hold the soft tissue in a suspended position. Unfortunately, with time, the barbs lose their traction and the patient develops recurrent facial skin sag. For this reason, the procedure has been widely criticized. The procedure has significant expense and is associated with minimal improvement.

It’s not unusual for these types of procedures to be given names that have marketing value. Descriptive terms like; smart, lunch hour and laser are added to standard terms like facelift to make them sound as if they represent new technology. In reality, this leads to significant confusion amongst patients.

This is one of many ideas that had a lot of publicity and great hype but  the results (or lack thereof) just did not support the expectation of patients and surgeons alike. Essentially "thread" lifting or " barbed suture" lifting is the concept. They are placed through small "stab incisions" and threaded through and tied under tension. Of course as would be expected the tiny barbs "cheese wired" through the soft tissue and the results fade in a matter of several weeks to several months. I personally have removed more than I have placed, from dissatisfied patients with suture migration and almost immediately abandoned this technique.  Contour threads ("Thread lift") have been removed from the market and APTOS threads which are the barbed sutures used for the "Featherlift") are also history. Save your money and consider a real procedure with longevity from a board certified plastic surgeon.

As a surgeon with over 20 years experience, I have seen a lot of these “newest and greatest” procedures come and go. I can only name a couple that have truly stood the test of time. A few keep coming back every few years with a new twist and a new brand name, but the same basic results. Put all the “blah-blah-blah lift” varieties in this category, along with cellulite reducing creams and non surgical bust enhancers.

Here's my advice on XYZ lifts:


Mini surgeries tend to give mini results. Adjust expectations accordingly.

Let others be the guinea pigs. Most new technologies need to have their kinks worked out. Better to avoid the “OOPS!” phase in the development of new technology.

“Results may vary” - new procedures take some time to “find their place.” In the meantime, a lot of people will be spending a lot of money getting xyz lifts on various other parts of the face that may not work that great.

It’s the tennis player, not the racket. A lot of times a procedure is marketed as an alternative for something that can be reliably done by an experienced surgeon using time tested techniques. The risk of the new procedure is that you may be wasting your money, or worse yet, risking a complication.


In your consultation with your surgeon, focus on describing exactly what you want to change, as opposed to the name of the technique. Let the surgeon explain the various techniques available to achieve the best results.