A ‘Thread Lift’ Facelift is an excellent alternative to a Traditional Facelift when there is only early or medium degrees of facial ageing and the skin has started to lose its firmness and appears loose and a little saggy. It is not a worthwhile option for advanced facial ageing where a Traditional Facelift would be a more appropriate recommendation
Countering the early stages of facial ageing by inserting facial threads to ‘lift’ loose and sagging skin without traditional surgery has been progressively improving over the years since the first threads were developed in 1996.
One of the early pioneers in ‘Thread Lift’ Facelifts was Dr Des Fernandes, Plastic Surgeon in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2005, Dr Mayson travelled to Cape Town where he learned first-hand Dr Fernandes’ surgical techniques.
In the year after returning to Australia, Dr Mayson was introduced to Contour Threads – a new barbed thread system developed in the USA. Results from Contour Threads were very impressive but sadly, several years later, the company was sold and the production of these effective threads was discontinued.
Since then, various threads have been introduced and promoted in Australia none of which have met Dr Mayson’s approval by reason of the thread designs, their recommended insertion techniques, or both.
However, we are excited that new threads are currently awaiting approval by the TGA. Dr Mayson has inspected these new threads, considers them far superior in design to all others currently available in Australia, and looks forward to offering these with his unique techniques as soon as they become available.
Realistically, as the ageing process never stops, no facial rejuvenation procedure – whether it be a ‘Thread Lift’ Facelift or Traditional Surgical Facelift – can be expected to last forever. So, whether you’ve had previous Traditional Facelift Surgery or a ‘Thread Lift’ Facelift, when the signs of facial ageing again present themselves, you can restore a more youthful appearance by simply having another ‘Thread Lift’ Facelift’.
If researching and comparing costs at various clinics, please bear in mind that not all brands of threads are the same quality nor are the techniques of inserting the threads equally effective. Accordingly, don’t look for the cheapest quotes. A cheap quotation may reflect inferior threads, a less effective technique or a doctor without any surgical facelift experience.
If the doctor you’re seeing has not been taught how to firmly anchor the threads, you will likely get very little correction, or even worse, none at all!
For the best possible correction from a ‘Thread Lift’ Facelift, the ESSENTIAL CRITERIA you should look for when choosing where to have it done, are:
| ‘THREAD LIFT’ FACELIFT | TRADITIONAL SURGICAL FACELIFT | |
| Patient Suitability | Best when skin laxity is mild-medium | Best option for advanced facial ageing |
| Anaesthesia | Usually Local Anaesthetic only. Mild Sedation can be added if desired | General Anaesthesia |
| Where is it Done? | In the Privacy of our Clinic’s own Operating Theatre | In Hospital with a 2 day stay |
| Length of Procedure | About 1 hour | 3-4 hours |
| Surgical Scars | Very small, hidden and essentially undetectable | More extensive & noticeable, usually need to be camouflaged with make-up |
| ‘Down Time’ | Usually 3-7 days | Around 3-4 weeks |
| Post-Operative Restrictions | Some | Some |
| Post-Operative Appearances | Temporary, short-lived ‘Bunching’ of skin where it is pulled back (e.g. in front of the ears)
Surface Irregularities along the course of the threads are sometimes seen but these are usually temporary only |
No ‘Bunching’ because the pulled-back, excess skin is removed. Surface irregularities can occur but are usually temporary |
| Return to Normal Activities | Usually after 1 week | Around 4 weeks |
| Possible Complications | Uncommon, minor and usually temporary in experienced hands | More serious complications are possible |
| Duration of Correction | 2-3 years | Longer lasting, average 7 years |
| When Skin Laxity Returns | Simply add more threads or go to a Surgical Facelift | Repeat full Surgical Facelift or have a ‘Thread Lift’ Facelift |
| Cost | Average $4,000 -$5,000 depending on number of threads required | Mini-lift: Around $14,000
Full Lift: Around $20,000 |
Click on image to enlarge.
Patient TA Before & After ‘Thread Lift’ Facelift
View More Before/After Images
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
