Thread Lift and Vector Lift: Non-Surgical Tightening

Thread types

PDO (polydioxanone): Fully absorbed in 6-8 months. For lighter sagging. Price advantageous.

PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid): Absorbed in 12-18 months, triggers collagen synthesis during absorption. Durable and effective.

PCL (polycaprolactone): Lasts up to 24 months; the longest-lasting absorbable thread. Intense collagen stimulation.

Vector planning

The basic rule of thread placement: choose a vector that aligns with the natural lifting direction of the face, not against the natural direction of gravity. For example, for jowl sagging, threads are placed in a diagonal vector from the mandibular angle towards the front of the chin. For cheeks, threads extend from the temporal region downwards towards the mid-face.

If the vector is chosen incorrectly, the face may appear abnormally stretched, and even "hollows" may form during facial expressions. The quality of this planning can be more decisive than the type of thread.

Expectation management

Thread lift is not surgical facelift. It is not suitable for severe sagging. For moderate sagging, it can provide a significant lifting effect lasting 2-3 years. If the patient expects "results as good as surgery," they will either be dissatisfied or have received the wrong indication.

In my clinic, I generally consider thread lift a good option for patients aged 40-55 with mild/moderate sagging who are not yet ready for surgery. For patients aged 55+ with significant sagging, surgery (SMAS lifting) is recommended instead of threads.