Shopping lift, where should you get it? Distinguish by the number of threads and the substance of the explanation

The place to get a shopping lift is best found by choosing a clinic that explains the reasoning behind why they decided on that specific number and type of thread. The outcome of thread lift is known to be heavily dependent on the physician's skill, and Japanese multi-facility data also shows that more threads correlate with increased complications and patient dissatisfaction. Since no research has directly compared clinics against each other, you will need to distinguish based on the substance of the explanation.

Does the result come out the same regardless of who performs it?

Not the same. The effectiveness of thread lift is judged largely by appearance, and is known to be strongly dependent on the experience of the performing physician[1]. The fact that established standards (guidelines) are not yet in place is also cited as a challenge[1].

However, within the scope of my research, I found no studies that quantified how much the result changes based on the physician's years of experience. The authors of the Japanese multi-facility study also state that research taking into account differences in experience will be necessary going forward[2].

Is it safer to have more threads?

More is not necessarily better. A study of 2,000 cases across 105 domestic facilities found that for every additional thread, the likelihood of complications increased by approximately 1.12 times.[3].

Another study of 1,500 cases found that 3.4% of patients (51 people, or approximately 1 in 30) returned for follow-up care feeling the results were insufficient. Older age and a higher number of threads were associated with this dissatisfaction. The threshold reported was age 43 and 10 threads.[2].

It is also possible that patients with more severe sagging (skin laxity) had more threads inserted, so this study alone cannot determine whether the number of threads itself is the cause. Even so, it is worthwhile to ask the provider to explain their reasoning when they propose increasing the number of threads.

What complications occur, and how often?

In the 2,000-case study, some form of complication occurred in 12.4% of cases (roughly 1 in 8). The most common were skin tightness and dimpling (6.35%), asymmetry (2.9%), and pain (1.75%).[3].

Other reported complications include thread displacement, redness, infection, skin dimpling, and facial stiffness. Older patients are more prone to dimpling and infection, and in rare cases serious complications such as abscess formation or wound dehiscence have been reported.[4]Since the threads may take time to dissolve and inflammation can persist, it is also important to have a system in place for follow-up observation after the procedure.[4].

What changes depending on the shape of the thread?

The strength of the lift and the likelihood of complications change. U-shaped threads anchored at the temples have been reported to produce visible lifting in 85–90% of cases, while bleeding occurs in 15–20% and depression in 12–18%.[5].

Straight I-shaped threads have fewer complications, reported at less than 5%, but the lift is more modest. Rather than relying on one type of thread, combining them according to the individual is recommended.[5].

Four things to compare at your consultation

If you are consulting at multiple clinics, comparing the following four points will make the differences clearer. The first is how the number of threads is decided.[3][2]The second is the shape of the threads used and the reason for that choice.[5].

The third is how the clinic will address pulling or asymmetry if it occurs.[3]The fourth is whether the clinic can treat you if infection or prolonged inflammation develops.[4]If the answers remain vague and only the number of threads keeps increasing, it is also reasonable to take the information home and think it over.

Last: what to confirm at your medical consultation

How many threads and which type are suitable for your sagging (skin laxity) depends on your age and skin condition.[2]It has also been reported that sagging (skin laxity) moves differently when you are sitting versus lying down.[1]What cannot be decided from an article alone is how much lift you can expect from your own face and the number of threads needed to achieve it. Please confirm this with your doctor at an actual consultation.