Lifting
Thread Lift (PDO Threads)
A thread lift repositions sagging skin using dissolvable medical sutures — a visible lift in a single session, without surgery, general anaesthesia, or scars.
How it works
Fine PDO (polydioxanone) threads with microscopic anchoring cogs are placed under the skin and gently drawn to lift the jawline, mid-face, or brows. The mechanical lift is immediate. Over the following months the threads dissolve safely — and stimulate a column of fresh collagen along their path, so firmness continues to improve after the threads are gone.
The Dr. Thaj approach
Thread lifting is plane-dependent: placed too shallow it shows, too deep it fails. Our doctors plan thread vectors around your specific pattern of laxity, under local anaesthesia, in about an hour. It is offered when your skin laxity genuinely suits it — and we say so honestly when HIFU or skincare is the better first step.
Results & maintenance
Expect a natural, refreshed lift — not a surgical facelift result. The lift typically lasts 6–9 months, with the collagen benefit persisting beyond that. Mild swelling or tightness settles within days.
Who it’s for — and who it isn’t
The ideal thread-lift patient is typically 35–55 with mild to moderate laxity — early jowls, softening jawline, descending cheeks — and reasonable skin thickness. It is not the right tool for heavy sagging or very loose skin; in those cases a surgical lift gives the result threads cannot, and we say so plainly rather than take on a case that will disappoint. Very thin skin, active infection, and certain medical conditions also rule it out — all screened at consultation.
Your session, step by step
Local anaesthesia is placed along the planned thread paths — the only genuinely uncomfortable part. Threads go in through entry points hidden near the hairline, are anchored, and gently drawn to set the lift; you are awake and can see the change in the mirror before the doctor finalises. Total time is about an hour. Aftercare matters for two weeks: sleep on your back, avoid wide mouth-opening (big yawns, dental visits, tough foods), no facials or massage, no strenuous exercise for a week.
Thread lift vs HIFU vs surgery
HIFU tightens gradually over months with zero downtime — best for early laxity and prevention (how HIFU works). Threads give an immediate, visible lift with a few days of settling — best for moderate jowls and cheek descent. Surgical facelifts remain the definitive answer for advanced laxity. Many patients stage them: HIFU in the 30s, threads in the 40s, and often never need surgery at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a thread lift painful?
It is done under local anaesthesia — you feel pressure, not pain. Mild soreness or tightness for a few days afterwards is normal and settles on its own.
What can go wrong with a thread lift?
Temporary and common: swelling, tightness, small bruises, and occasionally a visible dimple at an anchor point — which settles or is released at review. Choosing an experienced medical team is what keeps problems in the minor, fixable category.
How many threads will I need?
Typically 2–4 threads per side for the jawline or mid-face, depending on your laxity pattern and the lift vector planned. The exact count — and therefore the cost — is set at consultation before you decide.
Can a thread lift be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and it usually is: threads lift, while Botox softens lines and skin boosters improve the skin itself. Sequencing matters, so the combination is planned as one programme rather than piecemeal.
Is a thread lift permanent?
No — the lift lasts 6–9 months and the collagen benefit somewhat longer. It is a repeatable, commitment-light alternative to surgery, not a replacement for it.
How long does a thread lift last?
The mechanical lift lasts about 6–9 months as the threads dissolve; the collagen they stimulate keeps skin firmer for longer. Sessions can be repeated safely.
Thread lift or HIFU — which is right for me?
HIFU tightens gradually with no downtime and suits early laxity; threads give an immediate, more defined lift for moderate sagging. The consultation examines your skin and recommends honestly — sometimes the answer is both, staged.
Are the threads safe to leave in the body?
Yes — PDO is a suture material used in surgery for decades. The threads fully dissolve within months, leaving only the new collagen behind.
What does a thread lift cost?
It depends on the areas treated and the number of threads your plan needs. Costs are explained upfront at consultation, before anything begins.
Talk to a doctor first
Every plan at Dr. Thaj Clinic starts with a doctor examining your skin — and its full cost explained upfront, before anything begins. 28 years of dermatology expertise, six branches across South India.
Book Consultation