Thread Lift (Non-Surgical Facelift) in Ankara, Turkey

Thread lift is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure that enables sagging tissues to be mechanically lifted upward by placing special biocompatible threads under the skin, without the need for a surgical incision. Also known as a non-surgical facelift, this method tightens the cheek, jawline, and neck areas that lose volume due to gravity and aging, while simultaneously increasing tissue quality and elasticity through the neocollagenesis process it initiates beneath the skin. For individuals seeking a natural and dynamic rejuvenation effect in a short time without disconnecting from social life, thread-lift techniques are among the most powerful and reliable solutions offered by modern plastic surgery.

What Is a Thread Lift (Non-Surgical Facelift)?

A Thread Lift (Non-Surgical Facelift) is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure aimed at tightening sagging in the face and neck area by placing special medical threads under the skin. While this method enables tissues to be mechanically lifted upward, it also aims to increase skin firmness by stimulating collagen production. It is performed under local anesthesia, and the procedure planning should be carried out by a specialist physician according to the person’s anatomical structure.

Why does our face sag, and how does a thread lift prevent it?

The aging process is not only the appearance of fine wrinkles on the surface of the skin. It is the deterioration of a multilayered structure that progresses from deep to superficial. In our youth, the fat pads that sit firmly over our cheekbones make us look dynamic and lively. Our face has an inverted triangle form. However, over time, microscopic resorption occurs in our bone structure, the ligaments that connect the skin to the bone loosen, and those firm fat pads slide downward, unable to resist gravity.

This sliding movement disrupts the balance of the face. As the cheeks descend, the grooves beside the nose deepen, the sharp borders of the jawline fade, and the face begins to look squarer. Thread-lift techniques exist to reverse this anatomical migration. By catching these soft tissues that have descended, we invite them back to their original positions. The goal is not merely to tighten the skin, but to reposition the internal volume correctly so that the face regains its youthful “V” shape.

What are the thread-lift materials used in the procedure?

Threads used in aesthetic medicine are not one-size-fits-all; depending on the patient’s needs, age, skin thickness, and degree of sagging, we use different technologies. Fundamentally, we examine these threads in two main categories: bioabsorbable threads that dissolve over time, and permanent threads.

The main types of materials used are:

• Polydioxanone
• Polylactic Acid
• Polycaprolactone
• Silicone
• Polyester

Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are safe materials that have been used for years in surgery to suture wounds. These threads dissolve and disappear on their own under the skin in about six months. However, their dissolving does not mean the effect is over. Skin tightening continues thanks to the collagen tunnels the thread leaves behind as it dissolves.

Polylactic acid (PLA) and Polycaprolactone (PCL) technology goes a step further. These materials are used especially in threads with cone technology. The dissolution time of these threads is much longer and they can remain in the tissue for up to two years. As they dissolve, the components they release into the tissue create very strong biostimulation, meaning tissue revitalization.

Permanent threads are generally made of durable materials such as silicone on the outside and polyester on the inside. They do not dissolve and remain permanently in the tissue. Thanks to their flexible structure, they move with facial expressions, which provides a natural appearance. These threads are generally preferred in older age groups or in patients with heavier skin when it is desired that the lifting power continues for years.

What is the difference between spider web aesthetics and a thread lift?

These two terms are often confused in our patients’ minds, but technically their goals are quite different. In the method we call the “Spider Web,” many very thin and straight threads are laid under the skin in the form of a mesh. The aim here is not to pull the tissue upward like a crane. The aim is to improve skin quality, eliminate fine wrinkles, and tighten the skin by creating a woven lattice under the skin.

In a “Thread Lift” procedure, however, the structure of the threads used is completely different. These threads have tiny hooks, notches, or cones that allow them to hold onto the tissue. These structures catch the tissue like a parachute and pull it upward. So if your main problem is sagging cheeks and a deteriorated jawline, the solution is not spider web, but lifting threads.

Which areas can a thread lift be applied to?

We can benefit from this technology in many areas of the face and body where sagging is a problem. Since the anatomical structure, muscle strength, and skin thickness of each area are different, the type of thread used and the placement plan are also designed specifically for the region.

The most commonly treated areas are:

• Midface area
• Nasolabial folds
• Jawline
• Eyebrows
• Neck area
• Submental area
• Arms
• Inner thighs
• Abdominal area

In midface applications, the main goal is to reposition descended cheeks back onto the cheekbone. This move instantly removes a tired expression. Jawline applications clarify the facial oval and reduce the appearance of jowls. In brow-lift procedures, we aim to achieve a more open and attractive look known as “almond eyes,” especially by lifting the temple area and the outer part of the brow upward.

Who is an ideal candidate for a thread lift?

Although thread-lift procedures can produce remarkable results, they may not be suitable for every patient. If half of a successful result is the right technique, the other half is selecting the right patient. We generally refer to a patient profile starting from the mid-30s up to the 60s.

The ideal candidate profile includes:

• Those with good skin elasticity
• Those with mild sagging
• Those with moderate laxity
• Those with sufficient facial volume
• Those who do not want surgery

If there is very excessive sagging and surplus skin, threads cannot carry this load and skin folds may occur. In this case, a surgical facelift would be a much more appropriate option. In addition, in patients with extremely thin skin there is a risk that the threads may be noticeable from the outside, while in patients with very thick and oily skin the carrying capacity of the threads may be insufficient.

Is the procedure painful, and how long does it take?

One of our patients’ biggest concerns is whether the procedure is painful. The procedure is performed under completely sterile clinical conditions and under local anesthesia. Apart from the small anesthetic injections applied to the entry and exit points of the threads, no pain or discomfort is felt during the procedure. The patient is awake and can talk with the doctor. This gives us a great advantage especially when checking asymmetry; we can ask our patient to smile and adjust the tension of the threads at that moment.

Although the procedure time varies depending on the size of the area to be treated and the number of threads to be used, it is on average between 45 minutes and 1 hour. After the procedure, the patient can leave the clinic on foot and largely continue daily life. Due to this practicality, it is also referred to as “lunch break aesthetics.”

What is the recovery process like, and what should be considered?

Unlike surgical operations, there is no long convalescence period in a thread-lift procedure. Mild swelling immediately after the procedure, small redness, or bruising at the needle entry points are completely normal. These go away on their own within a few days.

Things to pay attention to after the procedure are:

• Sleeping on your back
• Not rubbing the face
• Limiting facial expressions
• Avoiding hard foods
• Not opening the mouth too wide
• Postponing dental treatment
• Avoiding the hammam

Especially the first three weeks are the period during which the threads integrate with the tissue. During this time, not lying on the face and avoiding exaggerated facial movements such as excessive laughing or yawning are vital for preventing the threads from shifting and for increasing longevity. Sometimes there may be small dimples along the line where the thread passes, a condition we call dimpling; this should not scare patients, as this appearance improves in a short time as the tissue adapts to the thread.

Is a thread lift permanent, and when does its effect wear off?

The most important point our patients should know is that the aging process is dynamic. With a thread lift, we turn back the clock, but we cannot stop the clock. The duration of longevity varies depending on the thread material used and the patient’s metabolism.

General longevity periods are:

• One year for PDO threads
• Two years for PLA threads
• Three years for PCL threads
• Five years for permanent threads

However, even if the effect of the thread wears off or the thread dissolves, your skin does not immediately return to its pre-procedure state. Thanks to the collagen network and fibrosis created by the threads inside, your skin will always be in a better condition than where we started. Small touch-ups performed at regular intervals help the result be maintained for many more years.

What is the difference between a surgical facelift and a thread lift?

Thread-lift applications are not a complete alternative to surgical facelift surgery, but rather a complement or a preliminary stage. A surgical facelift is a major operation in which excess skin is cut and removed, muscles are re-sutured, and it has a longevity of about ten years. A thread lift, on the other hand, is a procedure that does not require incisions or stitches, has a very fast recovery process, but its effect lasts for a more limited time.

We see this method as an excellent “bridge” treatment for our patients for whom it is still too early for surgery or who are hesitant about general anesthesia and the surgical process. For patients who want a natural refreshment, a rested expression, and a lifting effect on their face but avoid dramatic changes, a thread lift is the gold standard.