Thread Lift
A minimally invasive procedure in which absorbable or non-absorbable sutures with barbs or cones are inserted under the skin to mechanically lift sagging tissue and stimulate collagen production.
Full Definition
Thread lifts involve the percutaneous insertion of suture material—most commonly polydioxanone (PDO), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), or polycaprolactone (PCL)—fitted with barbs, cones, or spirals to engage tissue and provide mechanical lift. Over time, the threads also stimulate a fibrotic response that adds volumetric support. Thread types are classified as smooth, twisted, barbed, or cog threads, and this distinction is clinically significant in documentation. Editors must hyphenate 'thread lift' only when used as a compound modifier and should not accept 'suture lift' or 'thread facelift' as interchangeable terms without confirming clinical context. PDO thread lift is the most common variant and PDO must be expanded on first use.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate only as a compound modifier. Do not use 'thread facelift' in clinical documents unless explicitly describing a surgical-grade procedure.
In Context
- "The procedure note documented insertion of six bidirectional cog threads bilaterally for midface lifting." — Procedure note
- "The clinic's brochure used 'thread facelift' and 'thread lift' interchangeably; these were standardized to 'thread lift' throughout." — Marketing copy editorial review