Show patients their result before they treat.
Dissolvable PDO threads that lift sagging skin and stimulate collagen — a non-surgical alternative to a facelift.
Sarah Jenkins
Plan • Injectable
Recommended Protocol
Thread Lift
PDO Mono (NovaThreads) • 1–2 times per year
Maintenance & Follow-Up
Ongoing plan
A thread lift uses dissolvable PDO threads inserted under the skin to lift sagging tissue along the jawline, cheeks, brows, and neck, while stimulating new collagen. Results are immediate, refine over weeks, and last about 12–18 months. It's a non-surgical alternative to a facelift with only a few days of mild swelling.
A thread lift uses fine, absorbable sutures — most often PDO (polydioxanone), plus PLLA and PCL variants — inserted under the skin to mechanically lift lax tissue and anchor it in a higher position. Barbed 'cog' threads reposition the jawline, cheeks, brows, and neck, while smooth 'mono' and coiled 'screw' threads stimulate fresh collagen along their path. Results are immediate, refine over the following weeks as collagen builds, and typically last 12–18 months before the threads fully dissolve.
For a practice, thread lifts capture the large group of patients who want visible lift without surgery or downtime — a high-ticket service that pairs naturally with filler and neuromodulators. Because the lift is subtle and partly collagen-driven, the conversion barrier is helping a patient picture the repositioned contour before they commit. Simulating the projected lift on their own photo, framed inside a staged plan, is what turns a cautious consult into a booked procedure.
Thread Lift
Category
Injectable
Typical cadence
1–2 times per year
Downtime
Mild swelling or bruising for a few days; avoid facial massage for a week.
Typical range
$100–$300 per thread (most treatments use several)
From in-clinic procedures to at-home regimens, Afters maps the full range of options — so patients can see what each one would do for them, on their own photo, before they commit.
Branded injectables, medical supplies, and products used for this treatment.
The named products and devices patients search for — each with what it is, who makes it, and how it fits a visual plan.
Each concern maps to its full range of options — and lets patients preview their result before they commit.
Loosening and sagging of facial skin as collagen and elastin decline, softening the cheeks and jawline.
Explore concernLoose, crepey, or sagging skin on the neck — often called 'turkey neck' — from collagen loss and sun exposure.
Explore concernRestoring a sharper, more defined jawline as skin laxity and jowls soften the lower face.
Explore concernSubtly elevating and reshaping low or heavy brows to open up the eyes for a more rested, youthful look.
Explore concernThe folds that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, deepening with age and volume loss.
Explore concernLoose, sagging, or crepey neck skin with reduced jawline definition from collagen loss and sun damage.
Explore concernThe vertical folds running from the corners of the mouth toward the chin that create a downturned, tired look.
Explore concernCommon questions patients ask about thread lift — and what practices should be ready to answer.
Most thread lifts last 12–18 months. The threads themselves dissolve in a few months, but the collagen they stimulate continues to support the lift after that.
No. A surgical facelift removes and repositions tissue for dramatic, long-lasting change. A thread lift is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that gives a subtler lift with little downtime — best for mild to moderate laxity.
Expect mild swelling, tenderness, or bruising for a few days. Most people return to normal activity quickly but avoid heavy exercise and facial massage for about a week.
PDO threads are absorbable and have a long safety record. When placed by a trained provider, risks are low — mostly minor bruising or temporary dimpling that resolves as the threads settle.
Patients rarely come in for just one thing. Browse other treatments Afters can visualize and plan.
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View treatmentHyaluronic acid gels that restore volume and contour — cheeks, lips, jawline, and folds — instantly.
View treatmentRadiofrequency heat that firms and lifts loose skin on the face and body without surgery.
View treatmentAfters simulates the outcome on a patient's own photo and builds a visual 12-month plan — so consults convert and average ticket climbs.