Thread Lift

Thread Lift

Changes in facial support, skin laxity and contour can develop gradually with age.

Some people notice softening through the cheeks and jawline, the development of jowls, a lower brow position, changes affecting the neck or concerns about the contour of the nose.

PDO cog lifting threads are one option that may be considered for selected adults after an individual assessment at Face and Body Adelaide.

Thread lifting is not suitable for every person or every degree of laxity. It is not the same as a surgical facelift and should not be expected to reproduce a surgical result.

A consultation with a registered health practitioner is required to assess anatomy, skin quality, medical history and expectations, and to explain alternatives, recovery, costs and risks before you decide whether to proceed.

Thread Lift Face and Body

What Is a Thread Lift?

A thread lift is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in which absorbable medical threads are placed beneath the skin using a technique selected for the treatment area. Depending on the thread design and placement, the procedure may provide temporary mechanical support or repositioning of selected tissues. The healing response around the threads may also contribute to gradual tissue change, but the degree and appearance of that response varies.

Different thread designs have different intended purposes, placement requirements and risk profiles. At Face and Body Adelaide, PDO cog lifting threads may be considered for selected cheek, jowl, neck, eyebrow and nose concerns. The cogged design is intended to engage selected tissue, but the thread material alone does not establish suitability or predict the result. Device selection, treatment area and technique are determined after clinical assessment and must be consistent with the device’s ARTG inclusion, intended purpose and practitioner judgment.

Concerns That May Be Assessed

  • Early or moderate softening of the lower face
  • The appearance of jowls or reduced jawline definition
  • Changes in cheek support or facial contour
  • A lower brow position or selected brow-shape concerns
  • Mild to moderate laxity affecting selected areas of the face or neck
  • Selected nose bridge or tip contour concerns where thread placement may be clinically appropriate

Similar concerns may have different causes. Jowls can be influenced by skin laxity, tissue descent, facial shape, fat distribution and skeletal support. A low brow may relate to anatomy, skin redundancy or muscle activity. Neck concerns can involve skin, fat, muscle bands and underlying structures.

Nose bridge or tip concerns may relate to cartilage, bone, skin, previous treatment, trauma or airway function. Assessment helps determine whether PDO cog thread treatment is reasonable or whether another pathway may be more appropriate.

What a Thread Lift May and May Not Do

For a suitable person, a thread lift may provide a temporary, generally modest change in selected contours or tissue position. The extent of visible change depends on anatomy, tissue weight, skin quality, thread type, placement, healing and individual response. Swelling immediately after the procedure can affect how the area looks, so early appearance should not be treated as the final outcome.

A thread lift cannot stop ageing, remove excess skin, recreate younger anatomy or guarantee symmetry. It may offer limited benefit for substantial laxity, heavy tissues, marked volume change or concerns caused mainly by bone structure, fat, pigmentation or surface texture. Some people may be better suited to a device-based treatment, another clinical pathway, surgical consultation or no treatment.

PDO Cog Thread Treatment Areas

Cheek Lift

PDO cog threads may be considered when selected cheek tissue has softened or descended. Assessment considers skin quality, tissue weight, facial proportions and whether modest mechanical support is likely to be appropriate. Threads do not replace lost volume or reproduce a surgical mid-face lift.

Jowl Lift

For selected adults, PDO cog threads may be used to support tissue along the lower face and jawline. Benefit varies with the cause and degree of jowling. Heavy tissue, marked laxity, skeletal structure or a substantial double chin may limit the change achievable with threads.

Neck Lift

Selected areas of mild to moderate neck laxity may be assessed for PDO cog thread treatment. Threads will not remove excess skin or treat every contributor to neck ageing, including muscle bands, fat distribution, crepey texture or sun-related change.

Eyebrow Lift

PDO cog threads may be considered for a modest change in selected brow position. Eyelid skin, brow asymmetry, eye health and surrounding anatomy must be assessed. Thread treatment is not a substitute for surgery and will not correct significant excess eyelid skin.

Nose Bridge and Tip Lift

PDO cog threads may be considered for selected cosmetic concerns involving the nose bridge or tip. The aim may be a modest, temporary contour or support change; the result cannot be predicted or guaranteed. Nasal treatment requires particularly careful assessment because skin thickness, cartilage and bone structure, previous procedures, trauma, asymmetry and airway symptoms may affect suitability. Functional concerns require appropriate medical assessment.

Related Concerns and Treatment Planning

Thread lifting is one possible option within a broader facial or neck plan. The following pages explain related concerns and separate device-based treatments that may be discussed after assessment. Combination treatment is not automatically necessary, safer or more effective.

Sagging Skin & Jowls

Lower-face heaviness and jowls may involve skin laxity, tissue descent, facial proportions and skeletal support. This condition page explains why the dominant contributing features should be identified before treatment planning.

Saggy Eyelids & Brow Concerns

Brow position, eyelid skin and under-eye concerns require separate assessment. A thread procedure may be unsuitable where excess eyelid skin, eye disease or another anatomical factor is the main concern.

Neck & Décolletage Ageing

Neck ageing may include lines, crepey texture, laxity, muscle bands, fat distribution and sun-related change. One procedure is unlikely to address all of these features.

RF Microneedling

RF microneedling is a separate device-based procedure that may be considered when texture, scarring, fine lines or mild laxity is an important feature. Timing around a thread procedure must allow for healing and individual risk.

HIFU Skin Tightening

Focused ultrasound may be discussed for selected skin-laxity concerns. It works differently from thread lifting and is not an equivalent substitute for surgery. Previous thread placement and treatment timing must be considered.

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Our Personalised Approach

Face and Body Adelaide uses a consultation-led and conservative approach. Your practitioner considers facial or neck anatomy, tissue quality, medical history, medicines, previous cosmetic procedures, healing, tolerance for recovery and the degree of change you are seeking.

The aim is to recommend a proportionate plan and explain its limitations. If thread lifting is unlikely to provide worthwhile benefit for the expected risk or recovery, another option, specialist referral or no treatment may be recommended. There is no obligation to proceed after consultation.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

Your practitioner may assess:

  • Your main concern, priorities and expectations
  • Skin quality, laxity, facial proportions and tissue movement
  • Relevant medical history, medicines, allergies and previous procedures
  • Scarring tendencies, healing concerns and infection risk
  • Whether another condition or structural concern needs assessment
  • Reasonable options, alternatives and choosing no treatment
  • Expected limitations and variability of results
  • Potential risks, recovery, aftercare and total estimated cost

Your practitioner may decline or postpone treatment if it is unsuitable, expectations cannot reasonably be met, additional medical information is required or there is a concern about informed consent or safety.

What Happens During a Thread Lift?

If you are assessed as suitable and choose to proceed, the treatment area is cleansed and marked according to the agreed plan. Comfort measures may be used where clinically appropriate. PDO cog threads are introduced beneath the skin through small entry points using an area-specific technique. The threads are positioned according to the agreed cheek, jowl, neck, eyebrow or nose plan and the relevant device information.

You may experience pressure, pulling, stinging or discomfort. Swelling, bruising, tenderness, asymmetry, skin dimpling or puckering can be visible immediately afterwards. Procedure time varies with the treatment area and plan. Treatment may be stopped or modified if clinical concerns arise.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery is variable and should not be described as ‘no downtime’. Swelling, bruising, tenderness, tightness, temporary asymmetry, dimpling or restricted facial movement may affect work and social activities. Some effects settle over days, while others may persist longer and require review. Allow adequate time before important events.

Individual aftercare instructions take priority. You may be advised to avoid pressure on the area, vigorous exercise, heat exposure, alcohol, facial massage, dental procedures, other facial treatments or wide mouth movements for a specified period. Sleeping position and skincare advice may also be provided. Contact the clinic if symptoms are severe, unexpected or worsening.

Risks and Possible Complications

Thread lifting is a higher-risk non-surgical cosmetic procedure. Temporary effects can include pain or tenderness, swelling, bruising, tightness, dimpling, puckering and asymmetry. Less common but more significant complications can include infection, scarring or pigmentation change, visible or displaced threads, an unsatisfactory result, injury to nearby nerves or blood vessels, and area-specific complications involving the brow, eyelid or nose.

This is not a complete list. Risks vary according to the treatment area, anatomy, device and technique. Your practitioner will discuss the risks relevant to you, reasonable alternatives, recovery and aftercare during consultation. The consent form will also include potential risks and complications, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.

Who May Not Be Suitable for Treatment?

Treatment may be unsuitable or need to be delayed for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have active infection or inflammation, uncontrolled medical conditions, impaired healing, bleeding concerns, certain allergies, immune-related conditions or significant scarring tendencies. Medicines and supplements may influence bruising, bleeding, healing or suitability. Thread lifting may also be inappropriate for substantial laxity, heavy tissues, very thin or fragile skin, unrealistic expectations or when a surgical degree of correction is desired. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice from the clinician who manages them. Additional medical information or clearance may be requested.

How Long Do Thread Lift Results Last?

There is no reliable duration that applies to every person. The early mechanical effect, healing response and visible result can change over time. Anatomy, tissue weight, thread design, placement, lifestyle, ageing and individual healing may influence duration. The absorbable thread and the visible cosmetic effect do not necessarily last for the same period. Further treatment should not be scheduled automatically according to a fixed maintenance interval. Your response, tissue condition and any complications should be reviewed before another procedure is considered
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Frequently Asked Questions

No. A thread lift does not remove excess skin or reposition deeper tissues in the same way as surgery. The potential change is generally more limited and temporary. People seeking a surgical degree of correction should consider an appropriate surgical consultation.

No. Suitability depends on anatomy, skin and tissue quality, health history, the treatment area and expectations. The thread material does not determine suitability by itself.

Some change may be visible immediately, but swelling, tightness, asymmetry and skin puckering can affect the early appearance. The final degree of improvement cannot be predicted or guaranteed.
Comfort varies. Pressure, pulling, stinging or discomfort can occur during and after the procedure even when comfort measures are used. Tenderness or tightness may persist during recovery.
Jowls can be assessed, but benefit depends on their cause and severity. Substantial laxity, heavy tissue or skeletal factors may limit what a thread procedure can achieve.

Selected cheek, brow or neck concerns may be assessed. PDO cog threads may be considered for temporary support or repositioning of selected tissue, but these areas have different anatomy and risks. Thread lifting will not address every cause of cheek descent, eyelid ageing or neck laxity.

Selected cosmetic concerns involving the nose bridge or tip may be assessed. Nose thread treatment is not appropriate for every contour concern and does not treat airway symptoms. Previous surgery, filler, trauma, infection, significant asymmetry or structural concerns may change suitability or require specialist assessment.

Possibly, but combination treatment is not automatically appropriate. Procedures must be planned and spaced according to the area, healing, previous treatment, device information and clinical judgment. Options involving prescription medicines can only be discussed privately after assessment.

Cost depends on the area, device and individual plan. A written quotation and estimated total cost should be provided after assessment and before you decide whether to proceed.
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Thread Lift Consultation in Adelaide

If you are concerned about cheek or jowl softening, brow position, selected neck laxity, or the contour of the nose bridge or tip, a consultation can help identify the main contributing features and determine whether PDO cog thread treatment or another pathway may be appropriate.

At Face and Body Adelaide, treatment planning is individualised. A consultation does not mean that treatment will be recommended or performed. It provides an opportunity to understand potential options, risks, limitations, recovery and costs before making a decision.

Book a consultation with Face and Body Adelaide at Torrensville or Newton to discuss your concerns and personalised treatment options.