Thread lifting is a minimally invasive procedure in which absorbable suture threads — typically made of polydioxanone (PDO) or poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) — are inserted under the skin using fine needles or cannulas. Barbed or cogged threads provide immediate mechanical lifting of sagging tissue, while smooth threads stimulate collagen production along their path.
At St. George Hospital, thread lifting is performed by physicians with specialized training in facial anatomy and thread techniques. The procedure offers a less invasive alternative to surgical facelifting for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity.
Barbed lifting threads are inserted along predetermined vectors and anchored to provide immediate tissue repositioning. As the threads are absorbed over 6-12 months, they stimulate a controlled fibrotic response that produces new collagen along the thread path. This collagen scaffold maintains the lifting effect even after the threads have dissolved.
Smooth PDO threads (mono threads) are placed in a mesh pattern to create a collagen-stimulating framework without mechanical lifting. This approach improves skin texture, thickness, and firmness. The combination of lifting and smooth threads allows physicians to address both structural laxity and surface skin quality in a single procedure.
Our physicians will evaluate whether this treatment is appropriate for your condition after a thorough assessment.
