What Is a String Face Lift?

Small incisions are typically used for the string face lift procedure, through which the surgeon inserts the barbed sutures. The barbs not only lift the skin, but they encourage the body to produce more collagen in specific facial areas. There are multiple techniques for performing this procedure, but they are usually performed in either an open or closed fashion. Open string lifts allow the surgeon to place the barbs beneath the skin with the help of surgical instruments. Closed string lifts require the surgeon to mold facial tissue over the barbs until they catch in the best place to improve appearance.

String face lifts are typically performed on an outpatient basis, and the procedure usually takes about one hour to perform. General anesthetic is not typically required. Patients remain awake, and they are treated during the procedure with local anesthetic and oral sedative medication. Many surgeons allow patients to give feedback when the threads are pulled back to lift the sagging skin, so the process can give many patients more control over their results.

Recovery takes about seven days. Many patients may need help with daily activities for the first 24 hours after treatment, and a soft-food diet may be required for the entire week. Oral pain relievers like acetaminophen can generally relieve the pain associated with recovery. Swelling and bruising may not completely recede for up to three weeks following the procedure.

A string facelift is not as invasive as a typical surgical facelift, but it is not a painless procedure. Local anesthesia will be administered to help reduce any pain that occurs during the actual process of insertion, but once it wears off people can expect to have a moderate amount of pain due to the barbed threads tugging the skin upwards. The level of pain experienced may differ from person to person, depending on individual pain tolerance, and it may also vary with the location of the lift. Someone who is receiving a string lift in the face will likely experience more soreness than another patient that is getting one to tighten their breasts, as there is less fat and tissue in the facial area to cushion the trauma of the needle. Before the appointment, patients should avoid drugs, alcohol, and any food that may cause inflammation. After the procedure, there may be some swelling and bruising, but the recovery process should not last more than a few days. Doctors may advise that the patient avoid possible irritants for a week, like saunas or intense workouts, but they can otherwise return to life as normal.

Thread lifts are generally considered to be low-risk, but there are possible complications that can occur after the procedure. Going in for this procedure presents about a 20% risk of complication, depending on individual patient factors. Allergic reactions are a common complication, as people may be intolerant of the materials used in the thread without knowing beforehand. Dimpling is another common reaction, showing small indents where the threads were inserted. When dimpling shows underneath the skin, it means that the plastic surgeon has placed the threads too close to the surface, and they will need to go back in and adjust them in order to correct the healing process. Other complications include bleeding, thread movement, and overall tightness. The most important issue to watch out for when dealing with a thread lift is the risk of infection. Signs of infection at the incision sites include colored discharge and swelling that has not gone down for at least two days. Headaches and fever also indicate infection and are an alert that you need to see a doctor. Infection should always be taken seriously, as it can lead to sepsis and possibly death.

A string lift, otherwise known as a thread or suture lift, is not the same as a general facelift. A facelift is a surgical procedure that is done in a hospital under general anesthesia. A surgeon fully removes extra skin, smooths out wrinkles, and tightens the overall appearance of the face. During a thread lift, the doctor will insert small barbed threads in the skin that provide a tightening appearance but will dissolve over time. Thread lifts also stimulate collagen production within the body, which gives the appearance of plump, full skin. Compared to a string lift, a facelift procedure is associated with higher risk and higher cost, but it also gives a much more dramatic effect. As both are elective cosmetic procedures, they are not likely to be covered by insurance. With a surgical facelift, the cost of the surgery, hospital stay, and medications can add up, so an outpatient procedure like a string lift can be a cheaper alternative; however, facelift procedures last much longer than a string lift, so it may be the more cost-effective option in the long run. 

The length of a string lift's effects vary from person to person, but patients can typically expect to see lifting results for one to three years after the procedure. The threads inserted in the face are similar to other dermal fillers, meaning that they dissolve over time. While it is not as long-lasting as a facelift, knowing that the effects will fade makes it a more approachable option for many people. If they do not like the look of the lift, they can simply have the threads dissolved. Typically though, most people are very satisfied with their experience. Patients that pursue this type of cosmetic enhancement are usually committed to it as a lifestyle and yearly maintenance enhancements are a common choice among the string lift population. If someone elects not to proceed with another thread lift, there should not be any visible negative effects on the face, other than the natural signs of aging. Dermal fillers and materials used in thread lifts are FDA-approved, but they have not yet been extensively studied to determine their long-term effects on the body.