A French thread lift is a non-surgical facelift that repositions tissues that have dropped with age and gravity, using special threads placed under the skin. It is also known as a spring thread lift or French lifting. It needs no incision and is done under local anesthetic.

With age, collagen and elastin decrease, the cheeks slide down and the jawline loses definition. A French thread lift corrects this sagging by repositioning tissue rather than adding volume, so facial proportions are preserved and the result looks natural.

The threads are flexible, with a silicone outer layer and a polyester core. Because they stretch, they move with you when you talk or smile, which helps avoid a tight, “mask-like” expression.

It is most often chosen for:

• Sagging in the cheeks and cheekbone area
• A less defined jawline and sagging under the chin
• Deepening nasolabial (nose-to-mouth) lines
• A drooping brow tail and tired-looking eyes

The method usually suits people with mild to moderate sagging who do not want surgery or cannot set aside time for a long recovery. Age alone is not the deciding factor; skin thickness, the degree of sagging and volume loss matter more. With very advanced sagging and excess skin, a surgical facelift may be more appropriate. Suitability is decided at your consultation.

Thread lifts fall into two groups: dissolving threads and non-dissolving threads. With dissolving threads, the body absorbs the thread within a few months; the collagen formed around it gives support for a while, but the effect is more limited.

The threads used in a French thread lift do not dissolve. New connective tissue forms around the thread and holds it in place, so the lifting effect lasts a long time. Their flexibility also reduces the tightness and restricted expression that rigid non-dissolving threads can cause.

A thread lift also works differently from a liquid facelift, which restores lost volume with fillers. A French thread lift lifts sagging tissue without adding volume, so where volume loss and sagging appear together, the two can be combined. For milder laxity, threads placed in a mesh pattern to support the skin, known as the spider web treatment, may be considered.

The appointment begins with a facial analysis. The doctor assesses the degree of sagging, skin thickness and facial symmetry, then plans the entry and exit points and the direction of lift.

1. Entry and exit points are marked. Entry points are usually inside the hairline, so no visible mark is left.
2. Local anesthetic is given along the treatment line.
3. The threads are placed under the skin with fine cannulas. Small grip points on the thread hold the tissue.
4. The threads are tensioned to achieve the planned lift and anchored in the scalp.
5. Both sides of the face are compared to check symmetry.

The procedure takes about 45–60 minutes. The number of threads is decided at your consultation, based on the degree of sagging. Stopping blood thinners such as aspirin and some supplements a few days beforehand, after checking with your doctor, reduces the risk of bruising.

Mild swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are expected afterward and usually ease noticeably within the first week. Most people return to social life after 2–3 days and to their full routine after about a week.

To help the threads settle, it is important to:

• Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised for the first week; avoid sleeping face down or on your side.
• Avoid opening your mouth wide (big yawns, large bites, dental work) for 2–3 weeks.
• Avoid facial massage; wait for your doctor’s approval before face yoga or intensive facials.
• Stay away from saunas, Turkish baths and heavy exercise for 2 weeks.
• Keep the area clean and follow your aftercare advice.

Rarely, a thread may be felt under thin skin, or temporary asymmetry or infection may occur; these are assessed at your follow-up. Sterile conditions and a doctor who knows facial anatomy well are key to a smooth recovery.

Because the threads do not dissolve, the effect lasts much longer than with dissolving threads. The lift is usually maintained for several years, although this varies with skin type, age and lifestyle.

The threads stay in place, but the face keeps aging, and new sagging may develop over time; supporting treatments can then be planned. To help maintain the result:

• Collagen-supporting treatments such as Golden Needle (RF microneedling)
• Facial filler where there is volume loss
• Daily sun protection and avoiding smoking

At our clinic in Istanbul, a French thread lift is planned around your facial proportions and other treatments, following the Facial Architecture (Yüz Mimarisi®) approach of Dr. Sevgi Ekiyor.