Thread Lifting

Thread lifting at Poliklinika Sever's Eye Care & Aesthetics Centre offers a non-surgical facial lifting option using dissolvable sutures inserted under the skin to mechanically reposition sagging tissue and stimulate collagen production. MUDr. Kim Štěpánková FEBO DiS. performs three thread protocols: 3D thread lifting for a multi-vector lift of the mid-face and jowl area (from 12,000 Kč), APTOS thread lifting using specialised barbed sutures for more durable tissue repositioning (from 18,000 Kč), and reinforcing or firming threads for smaller localised areas (from 2,000 Kč). Thread lifting bridges the gap between injectables and surgery, producing visible lifting with minimal downtime — typically 2–5 days of mild swelling — compared to 2–4 weeks for surgical facelift recovery.

Thread lifting is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure in which fine dissolvable sutures — made from polydioxanone (PDO), polylactic acid (PLLA), or specialised barbed materials like APTOS threads — are introduced under the skin through small needle entry points. Once in place, the threads serve two functions: an immediate mechanical effect that repositions and supports descended tissue, and a biological effect whereby the body's wound-healing response to the suture material stimulates local collagen and elastin production over 3–6 months, gradually improving skin texture and firmness. The Eye Care & Aesthetics Centre at Poliklinika Sever, directed by MUDr. Kim Štěpánková FEBO DiS., offers three thread protocols tailored to different clinical presentations and budgets: **3D Thread Lifting (from 12,000 Kč):** A multi-directional lift technique using multiple threads placed across vectors to address volume descent in the mid-face, cheek, and jowl area. The '3D' designation refers to the three-dimensional repositioning effect — threads are placed at varying depths and angles to create a comprehensive lift rather than a single linear pull. Suitable for patients with moderate facial laxity who want a visible lifting effect without surgery. Results typically last 12–18 months depending on skin quality and the number of threads used. **APTOS Thread Lifting (from 18,000 Kč):** APTOS (Anti-Ptosis) threads are a specialised patented suture system developed in Russia with a distinctive bidirectional barb configuration that anchors at both ends, enabling a stronger and more durable tissue grip than standard smooth PDO threads. APTOS threads are particularly effective for significant ptosis of the cheek and neck, and their longevity — up to 2 years — justifies the higher price point. The APTOS system requires specific training and certification, which MUDr. Štěpánková holds. **Reinforcing / Firming Threads (from 2,000 Kč):** Smaller-diameter smooth or mono threads used to improve skin texture, tighten a localised area (perioral lines, décolleté, neck), or complement a broader thread or filler treatment. These are not primarily repositioning threads — they work primarily through collagen induction — and can be used in younger patients as a preventive measure or in any area with early laxity. All procedures begin with the 200 Kč consultation (credited toward treatment cost) at which MUDr. Štěpánková assesses facial anatomy, tissue quality, skin laxity grade, and patient expectations. Thread lifting is not a substitute for surgical facelift in cases of advanced skin excess, but for patients who are not ready for or are not candidates for surgery, it provides a clinically meaningful intermediate option. Recovery involves 2–5 days of mild swelling and possible bruising at insertion points; strenuous activity, saunas, and facial massage should be avoided for 2 weeks. Bookings via stepankova-ocni.cz or +420 387 435 808.