Who is Thread lift a good fit for? Suitability and unsuitability depend on the degree of sagging and age

Thread lift tends to be suitable for people in the early stages when sagging has just begun to appear[1]In a survey of 1,500 people in Japan, people aged 43 and over and those who had 11 or more threads inserted showed higher rates of returning for follow-up visits due to "insufficient results"[2]When there is a large amount of excess skin, threads alone may not be sufficient[1][3]

What type of sagging is Thread lift suitable for?

Thread lift tends to be suitable for sagging at the stage where skin firmness has declined and the facial contours have become slightly loose[1]There is a view that receiving treatment before sagging progresses fully allows the effects to be more noticeable[1]

Desired outcomes vary by age group. It has been reported that people in their 20s–30s tend to seek partial changes such as skin firmness, while those in their 40s–50s tend to seek changes in overall facial shape[1]

In a study of 143 Japanese people examining how much facial position moves with body position, those who had received Thread lift showed less movement than those who had not[4]However, this was a study comparing a single time point and did not follow the same individuals before and after[4]

Does satisfaction level change with age and number of threads?

It may change. In a survey of 1,500 people, as age increased and as the number of threads increased, more people reported that the results were insufficient[2]As a guideline, age 43 and 10 threads are indicated as the threshold[2]

Researchers cite that with advancing age, skin elasticity decreases and collagen regeneration slows down[2]They also note that when unrealistic expectations—such as surgical-level changes from a non-invasive procedure—are held, discrepancies tend to arise[2]

When are threads alone not enough?

When there is a large amount of excess skin, threads alone may not be sufficient. It has been reported that previously, when ear-to-ear skin traction resulted in 2 cm or more of excess skin, a surgical Facelift was recommended[1]

Even if only skin and underlying fat are lifted, the results are not expected to last long[1]Lifting more forcefully does not mean longer-lasting results, and over-tightening can lead to other complications[1]

Guidelines from the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgeons also state that while Thread lift can be expected to provide temporary improvement, the effects are not substantial and the duration is short[3]The researchers from the 1,500-person survey noted that for older individuals, combining volume-restoring treatments or surgical lifting may be more suitable[2]

How should you think about how long the results last?

Duration is not the same as "how long the threads remain." Among absorbable threads, PDO material is broken down in 6–8 months, and PCL material may remain for approximately 12 months[5]

There is debate about how long results persist, and it has been reported that there is significant individual variation in the duration of visible effects[6]In studies combining hyaluronic acid with threads, satisfactory results around the cheeks were reported over a 2-year period, though this was a small-scale study[7]

Even if suitable, what risks should you be aware of?

Even for suitable candidates, dimple-like depressions, thread protrusion, and rarely inflammation of salivary glands or nerve injury may occur[8]Many such complications are attributed to anatomical factors, and in some cases removing the threads may be the safest approach[8]

There is a view that assessing fit and careful planning—rather than the type of thread—determine the outcome[1]Be sure to discuss complications and their likelihood before treatment

What does the doctor evaluate during consultation?

Whether Thread lift is suitable depends on the degree of sagging, amount of excess skin, age, and what changes and to what degree are desired[2][1]From an article alone, you cannot determine whether your sagging is at a stage that threads can address

During consultation, confirm the amount of excess skin when it is pulled, the number and type of threads, expected duration of results, and whether combination with other treatments is appropriate