Neck thread lift

A neck thread lift uses absorbable suture threads inserted under the skin of the neck to reposition tissue and stimulate collagen formation. It is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for loose or lax skin in the neck.

It is not a small neck lift. It does a more limited job, and the section below on what it cannot do is the part worth reading before booking.

How it works

Absorbable threads are inserted deep under the skin through fine needles, under local anaesthetic. The threads engage the tissue and draw it upward, and the body responds to the thread by laying down collagen along its path. As the thread dissolves, that collagen provides some ongoing support.

The procedure duration varies with the number of threads used - on average around 60 minutes, though it can be shorter or longer. Local anaesthetic is used, and while the aim is to keep the procedure comfortable, some discomfort is possible.

Who it may suit

Generally people with mild to moderate skin laxity in the neck who want a change without surgery. Age matters less than the degree of laxity and the quality of the skin - it is often chosen by patients from their late twenties to early forties, but suitability is assessed individually.

What it cannot do

This is where expectations most often go wrong:

• It does not remove skin. Where there is significant excess skin, threads reposition it rather than reduce it, and the result will be limited.
• It does not tighten the platysma muscle. Vertical bands running down the front of the neck are muscular. Threads do not address them - platysmaplasty does.
• It does not remove fat. Where fullness under the chin is the concern, fat-dissolving injections or liposuction are the relevant options.
• It does not stop ageing. Threads slow the visible progression; they do not halt it.

Where any of these is the main issue, a thread lift will disappoint - and a good consultation will say so before you spend the money rather than afterwards.

How long results last

Results of up to around two years have been reported, though this varies between individuals with thread type, number of threads, skin quality and metabolism. The procedure can be repeated.

Which threads are used

Absorbable threads. The material determines longevity - PDO threads are generally cited by manufacturers as lasting six months to a year, while PLLA and PCA threads dissolve more slowly and can produce results lasting more than two years. Threads with barbs or cones lift tissue; smooth threads stimulate collagen without lifting.

Ask which type is proposed for you and how long that material lasts. It is the single question that most affects value for money.

Recovery

• Small entry-point marks
• Initial swelling, partly from the local anaesthetic
• Bruising is possible
• Temporary dimpling or rippling along the thread lines, which usually settles
• Most people apply makeup after two to three days
• Avoid neck massage, extreme neck movement and sleeping in positions that stretch the area, as directed, while the threads settle

Risks

This is a medical procedure and it is invasive, even though it does not involve open surgery. Risks include:

• Pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness
• Rippling, dimpling or visible irregularity along the thread line, occasionally persistent
• Threads becoming palpable or visible under the skin
• Thread extrusion through the skin, requiring removal
• Asymmetry
• Infection - uncommon, but infection around a foreign material may require thread removal
• Granuloma or nodule formation
• Nerve irritation causing numbness or altered sensation
• Thread migration or breakage
• Little or no lift, particularly where laxity is significant
• An unsatisfactory result

Contact the clinic for increasing pain, spreading redness, fever, a thread coming through the skin, or a dimple that is not settling.

Please read our information on the risks and complications of cosmetic surgery before proceeding.

Combining procedures

A neck thread lift can be combined with a face thread lift and with other non-surgical treatments. Eyelid surgery and skin resurfacing are other options that may be discussed at consultation, depending on what you want to change.

Cost

Cost is determined by the number of threads required, which is assessed at consultation. A full, obligation-free quote is provided afterwards. Thread lift procedures at Me Clinic start at $4,600; treatment with Dr Ku starts from $4,900.

As at September 2024 and including GST, a consultation with a Cosmetic Doctor is $150. This is a cosmetic treatment and is not covered by Medicare.

Who performs it

Neck and face thread lifts at Me Clinic are performed by Dr Gordon Ku, Cosmetic Doctor (MED0001169203). Registration can be checked free of charge on the AHPRA public register.

An initial consultation is required to assess suitability and help you make an informed decision. Ask questions at that consultation - about the thread type, the number proposed, complications, recovery, and what happens if you are not happy with the result.

Booking

Book a consultation or contact the clinic. Me Clinic is at 4 Burke Road, Malvern East VIC 3145. Phone 1300 852 050.

Related pages

See thread lift, neck lift surgery, thread lift before and after, anti-ageing procedures, or all face procedures.

Individual results may vary. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.