Threads lifting

Threads lifting in Turkey: what it is and how facial threads work

Threads lifting (also called a thread lift or suture suspension) is a minimally invasive treatment that elevates mildly sagging facial skin without surgery. Fine biocompatible sutures—usually polydioxanone (PDO) or poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)—are placed into the subcutaneous layer with blunt cannulas. Barbed threads grip tissue to reposition descending areas along planned vectors, restoring definition to the mid-face, jawline, and brows. As sutures dissolve over several months, they stimulate natural collagen production, maintaining tissue firmness.

Clinics in Turkey provide threads lifting as an outpatient option for adults noticing early facial laxity. While it cannot duplicate the lift or skin excision of a surgical facelift, it offers a noticeable, temporary refresh. This guide explains how threads work beneath the skin, what clinical evidence confirms about longevity, recovery milestones, approximate costs in Turkey compared with the UK, US, and Germany, and how to verify clinic credentials. For surgical alternatives, see our guide to plastic surgery treatments in Turkey.

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How are threads placed under the skin step by step?

A thread placement takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the areas treated. The practitioner marks vector lines while you sit upright, mapping the direction of desired lift. Local anaesthesia—usually lidocaine with dilute adrenaline—is injected at small entry points near the hairline or ears and along the insertion paths. This numbs the area thoroughly so you feel gentle movement and pressure rather than sharp pain.

A fine needle creates pilot punctures that heal without stitches. The doctor guides a slender, blunt cannula carrying the thread through the subcutaneous fat layer, avoiding deeper nerves and vessels. Once in position at the jawline or cheek, the cannula is withdrawn, leaving the thread anchored. Calibrated manual tension engages the barbs to lift tissue. Suture ends are trimmed below the skin, and sterile dressings are applied.

Does threads lifting actually work and what does clinical evidence show?

Prospective patients frequently ask whether does threads lifting work, and what evidence confirms. Medical literature from aesthetic surgery societies demonstrates two distinct effects: immediate mechanical elevation and gradual collagen stimulation. The immediate lift occurs as microscopic barbs grip subcutaneous tissue, repositioning it upward. Over subsequent months, the suture dissolves through hydrolysis, prompting fibroblasts to deposit new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid along the thread channels.

However, clinical studies also define clear limits. Threads lifting does not remove excess skin or reposition deeper muscular structures. Mechanical tension diminishes as sutures soften, meaning peak physical lift occurs during the first two to three months, after which support relies on newly formed collagen. Visible results typically last 12 to 18 months. In patients with heavy facial tissues or pronounced skin laxity, threads cannot sustain elevation, leading to rapid relapse. Trustworthy practitioners do not promise permanent outcomes or claim threads replace surgery.

Thread materials and designs: PDO, PLLA and PCL compared

Aesthetic practitioners primarily utilise three dissolvable suture materials, each offering different degradation rates and mechanical characteristics:

• PDO (Polydioxanone): Dissolves within 6 to 8 months. PDO threads provide gentle contouring and are well suited for first-time patients.
• PLLA (Poly-L-lactic acid): Absorbs over 12 to 18 months, triggering strong collagen synthesis that helps restore dermal thickness.
• PCL (Polycaprolactone): Persists for 18 to 24 months, providing sustained structural support and prolonged collagen induction.

Designs also vary. Barbed or cog threads feature cut or moulded teeth that grip tissue for mechanical lifting. Cone threads utilise absorbable cones for multidirectional suspension. Smooth mono threads lack barbs and do not lift; instead, they are placed in mesh patterns to firm thinned dermis. Screw threads feature coiled filaments that add subtle volume to shallow depressions.

Threads lifting cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany

The cost of threads lifting depends on the number and type of threads inserted, practitioner qualifications, and the areas treated. Below is an approximate comparison of market price ranges:

These figures are broad estimates, not specific clinic quotes. Treating mild jowls with four to six PDO threads sits at the lower end, while full-face contouring with 12 to 16 premium PLLA or PCL threads represents the upper range. In Turkey, accredited clinics routinely bundle treatment into packages covering consultations, anaesthesia, medications, airport transfers, and post-procedure check-ups. A reputable clinic provides a transparent written quotation before booking.

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Threads lifting, dermal fillers or surgical facelift?

Choosing the right procedure depends on whether your main concern is volume loss, skin laxity, or deep tissue descent:

Patients with hollow cheeks often achieve balanced facial harmony from volume restoration via fillers injection than from thread tension alone. Attempting to lift heavy jowls purely with filler risks an overfilled look. Dynamic expression lines respond better to muscle relaxation; clinics often combine threads with botox injections or targeted botox for forehead smoothing to prevent facial movement from dislodging newly placed threads. Where excess skin is substantial, surgery remains the primary effective solution.

Which facial areas can be treated with thread lifting?

Threads lifting can treat several facial zones, though anatomical suitability varies:

• Cheeks and mid-face: Barbed threads anchored near the hairline lift fallen malar fat, softening nasolabial folds and recreating defined cheek contours.
• Jawline and jowls: Suture placement along the lower jaw pulls lax tissue upward toward the ears, reducing mild jowls and sharpening the mandibular border.
• Marionette lines: Shorter barbed or mono threads support descending mouth corners, softening downturned lines.
• Eyebrows and temples: Lateral brow threads lift drooping brow arches to open hooded eyelids, though frequent muscle movement here limits longevity.
• Neck and submental zone: Mild under-chin laxity can be tightened with suspension threads, though pronounced sagging requires surgical neck lifting.

Threads lifting before and after: realistic expectations and limits

Authentic threads lifting before and after photographs illustrate what the technique realistically achieves. Successful outcomes show subtle, natural refinements: jowls appear firmer, cheek contours look rested, and shadows around the mouth soften. The result looks refreshed rather than surgically pulled.

What photographs do not show is equally important. Immediately after placement, images often show exaggerated tightness, swelling, and minor skin puckering near entry points; these resolve over two to three weeks as tissues settle. Furthermore, threads cannot correct severe sun damage or deep static wrinkles. Be cautious of clinic galleries showing only immediate post-procedure results under ring lighting, or clinics presenting surgical outcomes as thread lifts. Ask to see photographs taken at three to six months post-procedure to evaluate genuine, settled results.

Who is a suitable candidate for thread lifting?

Good candidates are men and women aged 30 to 55 with mild to moderate facial skin laxity, reasonable skin thickness, and realistic expectations. They want visible contour refinement without the downtime, incisions, or general anaesthesia of surgery.

Thread lifting is less suitable for individuals with severe skin sagging or substantial sun damage, as threads cannot remove excess skin. Heavy facial fat pads also reduce effectiveness, because excess weight overcomes thread barbs, causing early loss of lift. Conversely, very thin skin increases the risk of visible or palpable thread ridges. Medical contraindications include active skin infections or acne near entry sites, autoimmune diseases affecting healing, bleeding disorders, anticoagulant medications that cannot be paused, and pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Your trip to Turkey, downtime and recovery milestones

Planning your threads lifting recovery ensures smooth healing. Most international patients stay in Turkey for 3 to 4 nights. This timeframe allows an initial consultation, the procedure itself, and a follow-up visit at 48 to 72 hours to verify thread stability, check entry points, and confirm clearance before flying home.

Recovery typically progresses through these stages:

• Days 1 to 3: Mild swelling, tenderness, and bruising are normal. Minor skin dimpling near entry points usually smooths within a week. Eat soft foods, avoid opening your mouth widely, and sleep on your back elevated.
• Days 4 to 7: Bruising fades and visible swelling subsides. Most patients comfortably return to desk-based work and light activities within four to five days.
• Weeks 2 to 4: Deep tenderness resolves as collagen forms around sutures. Avoid strenuous workouts, dental appointments, facial massages, saunas, and sleeping on your face for three to four weeks.
• Months 2 to 3: Final contouring settles and collagen synthesis peaks, revealing the refined result.

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Risks, side effects and how to choose an accredited clinic

Although thread lifting avoids scalpel incisions, it is an invasive procedure requiring precise anatomical placement. Professional organisations such as the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) emphasise that placing sutures requires thorough knowledge of facial nerves and vessels. Common side effects include temporary swelling, bruising, mild asymmetry, and tightness along thread paths.

Uncommon complications include infection, thread extrusion through the skin, visible ridges, suture breakage, and granuloma formation. Incorrect placement into deeper planes risks facial nerve injury. To minimise risks, select a certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health, operating in a licensed clinical setting with strict sterilisation protocols. Red flags include high-pressure sales tactics, unnamed practitioners, refusal to disclose thread brands, or promises of permanent surgical results.

Questions to ask before proceeding

• Which brand and material of threads do you plan to use, and are they CE-marked or FDA-cleared?
• How many threads of each type will be placed in each targeted area?
• What is your protocol if a thread end becomes palpable, visible, or infected after I return home?
• What specific training does the performing doctor have in facial thread positioning?
• Can I review before-and-after photographs of patients with similar skin thickness and age?

Read how it works to understand our process, or request a written medical evaluation through our free quote page.

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Hospitals with Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery in Turkey

Academic Hospital

Üsküdar, Istanbul

MoHHealth Tourism Licence+2

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Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital

Pendik, Istanbul

JCIMoH+2

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