Thread Lift

IDS Clinic offers thread lifting as a minimally invasive procedure to lift and recontour sagging facial areas including cheeks, jowls, and the neck. Dissolvable threads are carefully placed beneath the skin to provide immediate lifting support and stimulate natural collagen production for sustained improvement.

Thread lifting at IDS Clinic is a minimally invasive procedure that provides a non-surgical alternative to the traditional facelift for patients with mild to moderate facial laxity. The treatment involves the careful insertion of fine, absorbable threads — typically made from polydioxanone (PDO), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), or polycaprolactone (PCL) — beneath the skin using a fine needle or cannula. There are two primary mechanisms by which threads achieve their effect. First, the physical structure of barbed or cog threads allows the doctor to mechanically grip and lift soft tissue, providing an immediate repositioning of descended facial structures such as the cheeks, jowls, nasolabial folds, and neck. Second, the presence of the thread in the dermis triggers a mild inflammatory healing response that stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen around the thread, leading to gradual improvement in skin firmness and volume as the thread biodegrades over 6 to 24 months. IDS Clinic's aesthetic doctors assess each patient's facial anatomy to determine the optimal thread type, insertion trajectory, and number of threads required. Common treatment areas include the mid-face to lift the malar fat pads, the lower face to redefine the jawline and reduce jowling, the brow to achieve a subtle lateral lift, and the neck to tighten the submental area. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia in-clinic and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Mild swelling, bruising, and temporary asymmetry can occur but usually resolve within 7 to 14 days. Results are visible immediately and continue to improve over three to six months as collagen accumulates. Thread lift outcomes typically last 12 to 24 months, after which maintenance threads can be placed. For more advanced laxity, the procedure can be combined with volumising fillers or energy-based devices for a comprehensive non-surgical lifting approach.