Aptos Thread Lift

Aptos thread lifting is a minimally invasive facial rejuvenation technique that repositions sagging facial and neck tissue without surgery. Brandeis Clinic uses Aptos threads — a patented system developed in 1996 by Georgian surgeon Marlen Sulamanidze — inserted via a 1.2mm-diameter needle into the subcutaneous layer. The threads' bidirectional barbs or cogs mechanically lift and anchor the tissue immediately, while the thread itself stimulates collagen production as it integrates over subsequent weeks. Treatment takes 20–30 minutes under local anaesthesia; patients leave the clinic immediately after. Minor swelling and bruising resolve in approximately 1 week. Results last several years, with patients described as appearing 5–7 years younger.

The Aptos thread lift at Brandeis Clinic offers a non-surgical alternative to facial lifting for patients who want visible repositioning of descended facial tissue without the recovery period, cost, or scar commitment of surgical facelift. **About Aptos threads:** Aptos is a Georgian (Tbilisi) medical technology company whose thread-lifting system was first developed in 1996. The name derives from 'aponeurosis+ptosis'. The threads are made from polypropylene or absorbable polymers (depending on the product line) with integrated barbs, cogs or notches along their length that mechanically grip the surrounding tissue when the thread is tensioned. The system has a substantial publication record in the aesthetic medicine literature covering both technique development and long-term outcome data. **What the procedure does:** Threads are inserted through the skin using a specialised 1.2mm-diameter needle in a precise placement pattern mapped from the patient's facial anatomy at consultation. Once positioned, the thread is tensioned and the barbs or cogs anchor the lifted tissue in its new superior position. The mechanical lift is immediate — visible at the end of the session. The thread then integrates over 6–8 weeks: the biodegradable or non-absorbable thread stimulates a fibroblastic response, generating new collagen around and between the thread fibres. This secondary biological effect adds gradual, progressive improvement to the immediate mechanical lift. **HA-enhanced Aptos threads (+2,000 Kč):** Certain Aptos thread variants incorporate hyaluronic acid within the thread matrix. As the thread integrates, HA is released locally, providing simultaneous volumising and hydration in the lifted zone — combining lifting with the skin-quality improvement effect of an HA skin booster in a single procedure step. **Areas treated at Brandeis Clinic:** *Cheeks (from 20,000 Kč):* Repositioning of the malar fat pad and lower cheek tissue to address midface descent, jowl formation, and the loss of lateral cheek definition that accumulates from the late 30s onwards. Thread placement follows a vector from the lateral or temporal anchor point toward the malar eminence. *Submental (from 20,000 Kč):* Thread placement in the submental (chin and upper neck) region to improve jaw definition and reduce early platysmal banding. This is an alternative to submental liposuction for patients who have minimal fat but reduced tissue support. **Session experience:** Local anaesthesia is applied before needle insertion. The procedure takes 20–30 minutes; multiple threads are placed in each area depending on the degree of correction required. The patient leaves the clinic immediately after — no observation period is required. **After the treatment:** Minor swelling and bruising are expected and typically resolve within approximately 1 week. During the first 2 weeks, avoid extreme facial expressions, massage of the treated area, and sleeping on the treated side. Normal activities resume as soon as comfortable. **Longevity:** Results are described as lasting several years; clinical publications suggest 2–4 years is typical for thread lift longevity, depending on the thread type, the area treated, and individual tissue characteristics. The result can be maintained with repeat treatment. **Vs. surgical facelift:** Thread lifting does not address excess skin — it repositions descended tissue without removing the skin envelope. Patients with significant skin laxity (especially after large weight loss) or with severe ptosis are better candidates for surgical facelift. Thread lifting is optimal for patients with mild to moderate tissue descent who want a visible improvement without surgical downtime.