How long does the effect of fat-transfer thread lift last? What we know and what we don't

What we know is the period until the Thread lift dissolves in the body, but how long the visible change lasts is a separate issue. A multi-facility review of over 110,000 cases indicates that standard absorbable Thread lift lasts approximately 6–8 months, and PCL (polycaprolactone) Thread lift approximately 12 months[1], but we could not find any randomized controlled trials verifying the duration of effects in the materials referenced this time[2][3].

What do we know?——Timeline until the Thread lift dissolves

Guidelines for dissolution by material are shown from large-scale observational studies[1]. However, this is a retrospective study, and the authors themselves acknowledge selection bias, recognizing that populations receiving Thread lift may differ from typical cosmetic surgery patient populations[1]. If the population is skewed, the basis for applying the resulting figures directly to oneself becomes weak.

"Thread remaining" and "appearing lifted" are separate

The period during which the Thread lift remains and the period during which it appears lifted do not coincide. Research tracking changes in thread diameter over time using ultrasound is an objective means of observing how the Thread lift itself remains, but it does not measure the persistence of visible effects[4]. The timeline for dissolution cannot be reinterpreted as a promise of how long effects continue.

What do systematic reviews say?

There are multiple systematic reviews targeting Thread lift. A 2018 review evaluated both effectiveness and complications for absorbable and non-absorbable barbed Thread lift[2], and a 2021 meta-analysis focused primarily on complication frequency[3]. Both integrate observational studies and remain at moderate to low levels of evidence.

The challenge of measuring "effectiveness"

There is also the problem that the evaluation metrics themselves are weak. In the field of facial lift surgery, results should be reported using evaluation scales with verified validity, and the quality of non-randomized studies is recommended to be evaluated using MINORS criteria (18 points or higher for comparative studies, 12 points or higher for non-comparative studies)[5]. In minimally invasive facial rejuvenation treatments, there are examples where the certainty of evidence for subjective lifting effects has been rated as low[6].

The barrier of inconsistent follow-up periods

Inconsistent follow-up lengths also make conclusions difficult. In a systematic review of SMAS Facelift, there is long-term follow-up extending to 228 months alongside short-term studies, and it is noted that this difference makes it difficult to establish long-term effectiveness[7]. Beyond the period when Thread lift dissolution is complete, information on prognosis is currently even more limited[1].

How to use this uncertainty

Low certainty can be either a reason not to undergo the procedure or a reason to undergo it. What you can decide for yourself is the conditions of how much change you are willing to accept, for how long, and in exchange for what recovery period. In your consultation, it helps to decide in advance when and under what conditions before-and-after photos will be taken, and what criteria you will use to judge when you feel the effects have diminished. The expected duration will be explained individually by the physician after examining your skin condition and the degree of sagging (skin laxity).