What Are Thread Lifts?
Immediate, Natural Lift
Threads gently reposition tissues that have begun to descend, creating a refreshed and more defined contour without changing your underlying facial shape.
Thread lifting is a minimally invasive treatment that provides an immediate lift and longer-term collagen stimulation, helping to refine facial contours and restore natural definition.
Dissolvable sutures are carefully placed beneath the skin to reposition and support areas affected by laxity. As the threads settle, they also encourage the body to produce fresh collagen around them.
This creates a subtle and elegant lift that looks like you — just more structured, refreshed and refined.
Thread lifting may be considered for areas including the jawline, cheeks, mid-face and neck.
It offers an alternative for people who want visible improvement without surgery or the addition of excessive facial volume.
Long-Term Collagen Support
The threads stimulate fibroblast activity and support collagen and elastin production, helping the skin become firmer and more resilient over time.
Improved Facial Definition
Threads can support areas where early laxity is visible, including the jawline, jowls and mid-face, helping restore structure and soften heaviness.
Minimally Invasive Treatment
Thread lifting provides a non-surgical alternative with less downtime than surgery. Mild swelling, tightness or tenderness may occur for several days.
Types of Thread Lift
Different Levels of Support
Thread lifting is not one single technique. Different types of threads can be used to lift, support and refine the face according to your anatomy, skin quality and the amount of lift required.
At Hart Skin & Wellness Centre, we use free-floating threads and double-needle, or anchored, threads.
Double-needle threads
Double-needle threads anchor securely within the tissue to create a stronger lift and greater structural support. They may be appropriate for moderate laxity, heavier skin or people wanting more visible contouring of the jawline and mid-face.
They may be considered for jawline definition, mid-face descent, moderate laxity and concerns requiring a more noticeable lift.
Free-floating threads
Free-floating threads glide beneath the skin without anchoring to a fixed point. They create a gentler, more elegant lift and may be better suited to early laxity, delicate areas or people who want subtle enhancement rather than dramatic repositioning.
They may be considered for early jowls, mid-face softening, neck refinement and concerns where subtlety is particularly important.
Sagging Skin
Threads can lift and support areas of facial skin where increased laxity or sagging has become noticeable.
Facial Contours
Relife Threads can help improve facial contours by providing targeted support within selected areas of the face.
Fine Lines
Treatment may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while supporting changes in overall skin quality.
Firmness & Elasticity
Collagen stimulation following treatment can help improve the appearance of skin firmness and elasticity over time.
Neck Laxity
Relife Threads can be used to support and firm areas of the neck affected by skin laxity or crepiness.
Neck Texture
Treatment may also help improve the texture and overall appearance of skin across selected areas of the neck.
Individual Suitability
Who May Be Suitable for Thread Lifts?
Thread lifts tend to work best where the skin has developed mild to moderate laxity but still has enough underlying structure to support a lift.
They may be considered if you have noticed early jowls, a softer jawline, changes through the mid-face or neck, or reduced definition caused by descending tissue.
Thread lifting may also suit people who want lift and structural support without adding facial volume.
Skin quality, tissue heaviness, ligament support, facial proportions and the degree of laxity all affect suitability. Some people will achieve a better outcome from treatments such as Sofwave, RF microneedling, biostimulators or dermal fillers.
Your practitioner will assess these factors before recommending whether threads are the most appropriate option.
Natural-looking approach
Individual treatment planning
Face and neck assessment
Clear, considered advice
Common Questions
What is the Science Behind Thread Lifting?
Thread lifting works through mechanical repositioning and biological collagen stimulation.
When threads are placed beneath the skin, their small barbs or cones grip the surrounding tissue. Controlled tension allows areas of descent, such as the mid-face, jawline and jowls, to be repositioned along natural anatomical vectors.
The presence of the threads also creates a controlled healing response that activates fibroblasts. These cells are responsible for producing collagen, elastin and extracellular matrix proteins.
Thread lifting can stimulate Type I collagen, which contributes to strength, and Type III collagen, which contributes to elasticity. This may improve firmness, elasticity, skin density and overall structural support.
Threads are made from biocompatible materials such as PDO, PLLA or PCL. As the threads gradually dissolve, they continue to support collagen production.
The threads also act as a temporary internal scaffold, supporting weakened tissues while the skin develops additional collagen around them.
What Happens During Thread Lift Treatment?
Your appointment begins with a detailed consultation covering your concerns, medical history and the result you would like to achieve.
Your practitioner will assess your facial structure, skin quality, ligament support and areas of descent. This helps determine whether thread lifting is appropriate and whether free-floating or double-needle threads would be better suited to your anatomy.
You will be advised which areas may be treated, the recommended type and number of threads, how the treatment works, expected results, longevity, risks and cost.
Threads are placed beneath the skin using a fine cannula or double-needle technique, depending on the degree of support required.
Local anaesthetic is used for comfort. Numbing cream may be used for free-floating threads, while local anaesthetic containing lidocaine may be used for double-needle treatment.
Treatment time: Approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the number and type of threads placed.
Results: An immediate lift may be visible, followed by continued improvement over approximately 6 to 12 weeks as collagen develops.
Longevity: Results typically last around 12 to 18 months, depending on skin quality, lifestyle and individual response.
What Can I Expect from Recovery?
Common short-term effects can include mild swelling along the lifting vectors, tenderness, a tight or pulling sensation, small entry-point marks, bruising and temporary asymmetry while the tissues settle.
These effects usually improve over several days. Less common risks include puckering or dimpling, visible threads in very thin skin, infection, thread migration or thread breakage.
During the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, excessive heat, alcohol, active skincare and touching, pressing or massaging the treated area.
Sleep on your back with your head elevated rather than on your side or stomach.
For approximately 7 to 10 days, avoid wide yawning, large chewing movements, chewing gum, exaggerated smiling or laughing, facial exercises and dental appointments. Excessive movement can affect how the threads anchor and may contribute to migration, asymmetry, puckering or reduced longevity.
Contact the clinic urgently if you experience severe pain that does not improve, mottled, dusky or unusually pale skin, sudden changes to your vision or anything else that feels unexpected.
Why Choose Hart Skin & Wellness Centre?
Thread lifting at Hart Skin & Wellness Centre is performed by nurse prescribers and medical professionals with advanced training in facial anatomy, vector-based lifting and thread-related complication management.
Treatment plans are based on your ligament strength, skin quality, facial proportions and areas of tissue descent. The objective is to restore natural structure and definition without creating an artificial or overly pulled appearance.
We assess the face as a whole rather than treating one isolated concern. Your plan may include complementary treatments such as Sofwave, RF microneedling, biostimulators or skin boosters where these would improve skin quality or support the overall result.
If thread lifting is not the right option, or another treatment would be more appropriate, we will explain that during your consultation.
What are threads?
Threads are dissolvable sutures placed beneath the skin to lift and support tissues while stimulating collagen. They create an immediate lifting effect and longer-term strengthening as collagen develops around them.
Will I look pulled or overdone?
The treatment is planned to create a subtle, anatomically appropriate lift. The objective is to restore structure and definition while maintaining your natural facial shape.
Which areas can be treated?
Threads may be used for selected concerns affecting the jawline, jowls, cheeks, mid-face and neck. The appropriate areas depend on your anatomy and degree of laxity.
What is the difference between free-floating and double-needle threads?
Free-floating threads provide a softer lift and may suit early laxity or delicate areas. Double-needle threads provide stronger anchoring and may be appropriate where more structural support or visible lifting is required.
Does thread lifting hurt?
Local anaesthetic is used to improve comfort. You may feel pressure, pulling or tightness during or after treatment, but your practitioner will explain what to expect.
Can thread lifts replace a facelift?
Thread lifting is a minimally invasive treatment for selected degrees of laxity. It cannot reproduce the results of surgical lifting, and suitability depends on your skin, tissue heaviness and treatment goals.
What is the difference between free-floating and double-needle threads?
Free-floating threads provide a softer lift and may suit early laxity or delicate areas. Double-needle threads provide stronger anchoring and may be appropriate where more structural support or visible lifting is required.
Does thread lifting hurt?
Local anaesthetic is used to improve comfort. You may feel pressure, pulling or tightness during or after treatment, but your practitioner will explain what to expect.
Your Path to Radiance
We guide you through every stage of your skin health journey with professional expertise and personalised care.
A NEW AND IMPROVED YOU AWAITS
1
Consultation
A relaxed clinical discussion about your goals.
2
Personalised Plan
A bespoke treatment route tailored to you.
3
Treatment
Expert clinical care delivered with precision.
4
Ongoing Support
Continuous wellness guidance beyond your visit.
