Deep Plane Facelift vs Thread Lift: Results, Duration, Risks and Who Each One Suits

6 hours ago

5 min read

Quick answer: A thread lift places absorbable barbed threads under the skin to lift it slightly and stimulate collagen. It suits early, mild sagging and lasts roughly 6 to 18 months. A deep plane facelift releases the ligaments and repositions the deeper SMAS layer, the cheek fat and the neck, and its effect lasts for many years. Threads cannot lift heavy jowls, a loose neck or a descended midface; a deep plane facelift can.

Key takeaways

Threads lift the skin and superficial fat; a deep plane facelift lifts the deep layer.
Threads are quick, with swelling for a few days and some precautions for about 2 weeks; a facelift needs about 2 to 3 weeks of social downtime.
Thread results are temporary; repeat treatments add up in cost.
Threads can cause dimpling, visible thread ends and asymmetry.
Previous threads can make later facelift surgery more difficult because of scar tissue.

How a thread lift works

Threads made of absorbable material such as polydioxanone (PDO) or polylactic acid are passed under the skin with a needle or cannula. Small barbs or cones grip the tissue so it can be lifted a few millimetres. As the threads dissolve, the body forms some collagen around them. The procedure takes under an hour under local anaesthesia.

How a deep plane facelift works

The surgeon works under the SMAS layer, releases the retaining ligaments and lifts the cheek, jowl and neck as one unit, then fixes the lift in the deep layer. The skin is redraped without tension and the incisions are hidden in the hairline and around the ear. Read more in deep plane facelift in Istanbul.

Video: Facelift and neck lift with nano fat grafting and laser: before and 7 days after. Watch on YouTube

The video above, viewed more than 7.3 million times, shows a woman before and 7 days after a facelift and neck lift combined with nano fat grafting and laser by Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas. The degree of jowl and neck change seen here is beyond what threads can achieve.

Scarless facelift before and after
Scarless facelift before and after
Scarless facelift before and after

Side-by-side comparison

What is lifted: threads lift skin and superficial fat; a deep plane facelift lifts the SMAS, cheek fat, jowl and neck.
Duration: threads about 6 to 18 months; a deep plane facelift many years.
Downtime: threads a few days of swelling, with precautions for about 2 weeks; a facelift about 2 to 3 weeks.
Anaesthesia: threads local; a facelift local with sedation or general.
Suited to: threads for early laxity in younger patients; a facelift for moderate to marked jowls, folds and neck laxity.

"Threads can hold a little skin for a little while. They cannot move a cheek that has slid down, and they cannot fix a neck. Patients deserve to hear that before they pay." — Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas

Risks of thread lifts

Dimpling or puckering of the skin.
Thread ends that can be felt or seen, or that come through the skin.
Asymmetry when one side relaxes earlier.
Infection or inflammation around a thread.
Scar bands that can make later surgery more demanding.

Risks of a deep plane facelift

Haematoma, numbness, scar problems, asymmetry and, rarely, temporary facial nerve weakness. Read our honest guide to deep plane facelift risks.

Video: Scarless facelift before and after: from surgical markings to a lifted jawline. Watch on YouTube

The second video, viewed more than 3.8 million times, shows a woman from her surgical markings before a facelift to a lifted jawline afterwards.

Cost over time

A thread lift costs less per session, but because the effect lasts months, many patients repeat it. Over several years the total can approach the cost of surgery, without the same lift. See facelift cost in Turkey vs the UK and the US.

I had threads before. Can I still have a deep plane facelift?

Yes. Most dissolved threads are not a problem, although scar bands may be found during surgery. Tell your surgeon when and where the threads were placed. If threads are still palpable or causing problems, they can often be removed during the facelift.

Who should choose threads?

Threads can make sense for a patient in their 30s or early 40s with very early laxity, good skin and no jowls, who wants a small change with minimal downtime and understands that the effect is temporary. They are also chosen by patients who cannot have surgery for medical reasons.

Who should choose a deep plane facelift?

A deep plane facelift is the better fit when the jowls have formed, the jawline is blurred, the neck is loose or the cheek has descended. It is also the more efficient option over time for patients who would otherwise repeat thread treatments every year. Read full facelift vs mini facelift vs deep plane and Cinderella facelift, mini lift or non-surgical.

Recovery compared

Threads: swelling and tenderness for a few days; avoid wide mouth opening and facial massage for about 2 weeks.
Deep plane facelift: swelling and bruising for 1 to 2 weeks, stitches out around day 5 to 7, social life after 2 to 3 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a thread lift as good as a facelift?

No. A thread lift gives a small, temporary lift of the skin. A deep plane facelift repositions the deep tissues and lasts for years.

How long does a thread lift last?

Usually about 6 to 18 months, depending on the thread type and skin quality.

Who is a good candidate for a thread lift?

People with mild, early sagging and good skin who want minimal downtime and accept a temporary result.

Can threads cause problems later?

They can cause dimpling, visible thread ends and scar bands that make later surgery more demanding.

Can I combine threads with a facelift?

It is rarely needed. A deep plane facelift already lifts the tissues that threads try to support.

About the Author

This article was written and medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas, a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon in Istanbul with over 20 years of experience. He is the author of Rhinoplasty in Practice (CRC Press, 2020), has more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications and five patents, and teaches facelift and rhinoplasty techniques to surgeons at international courses. Read more about Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas.

Individual results vary. Before and after photos and videos are shared with patient consent. This article is for general information and does not replace a personal medical consultation.

See More Before and After Results

Would You Like a Similar Result?

You can send your photos for an online assessment or book an appointment at the Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas Clinic, Terrace Fulya, Şişli, Istanbul. Book an online consultation.