Deutsch
Español
Français
العربية
Română
Русский
Thread lift in Istanbul
For early sagging of the cheeks, jawline or neck when you want a modest lift without surgery: the thread types, how long results last and the risks that matter most.
- Treatment time About 1 hour
- Hospital stay None — you go home the same day
- Time in Istanbul Plan a few days; swelling can last up to 5 days
- Back to work Often straight away; bruising may show for 5 days
What is a thread lift?
A thread lift places medical threads under the skin through small entry points to lift early sagging, without the incisions of a facelift. It takes about an hour under local anaesthetic, and swelling and bruising can last up to five days. Threads are either absorbable, dissolving over time, or non-absorbable; Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker's own pages describe the non-absorbable type. The lift is modest, and evidence on how long it lasts is limited.
What it can do
- Slightly lift early sagging in the cheeks, jawline, brows or neck
- Avoid the incisions and longer recovery of surgery
- Be removed if you are unhappy with the result
What it cannot do
- Match the result or durability of a facelift
- Treat under-eye bags; eyelid surgery addresses those
- Offer a predictable duration; evidence on longevity is limited
Is it right for you?
Threads suit early, mild sagging; the looser the skin, the less they can do.
Usually a good fit if
- You have early laxity in the cheeks, jawline, brows or neck
- You are typically in your late 30s to early 50s
- You want to postpone surgery, or refresh an earlier facelift
- You accept a modest result that may not last long
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- You have marked sagging or a lot of loose skin
- You are over 50, when dimpling and infection are more frequent
- You have a skin infection on the face
- You hope for a facelift result without surgery
Techniques
Threads differ mainly in whether they dissolve, which changes the risks.
Absorbable barbed threads
The standard type described by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, made of materials such as polydioxanone (PDO). Small barbs grip tissue, and the threads dissolve over time.
Best for
A temporary lift with fewer thread-related problems
Non-absorbable elastic threads
These stay in the tissue. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker's own pages describe an elastic silicone and polyester thread anchored above the ear, so no stitches are needed. Pooled studies link this type with more numbness and more threads working their way out.
Best for
Selected patients, after a frank talk about the higher risks
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches the thread lift
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, trained at Dokuz Eylül University. Her pages present the thread lift for people who prefer to avoid surgery, done under local anaesthetic in about an hour.
As she also performs facelifts, she can compare both with you. Her pages note that threads can deform over time, so treatment may need repeating.
- Thread type named You are told which thread is used and whether it dissolves.
- Examination first Sagging, skin quality and age are assessed before threads are recommended.
- Written consent Common and rarer complications are explained before you sign.
The treatment, step by step
Done in the clinic in about an hour:
-
Consultation and marking
Your face is examined, and the direction of lift and entry points are marked.
-
Local anaesthetic
The entry points and thread paths are numbed; you stay awake.
-
Entry points
No real incisions, only small entry points that usually become invisible within days.
-
Placing the threads
A fine cannula guides each thread under the skin, and the tissue is lifted into position.
-
Finishing
Cold compresses and antibiotic ointment are applied; you go home the same day.
Your days in Istanbul
Plan a few days in Istanbul so early swelling can settle.
-
Consultation in person
Before your treatment
Arrive early enough for an unhurried examination; treatment follows once you agree the plan and sign consent.
-
Rest with your head raised
Treatment day
Do not wash your face for 24 hours, and take any medicines exactly as prescribed.
-
Know the warning signs
Before you fly home
Know the signs of infection or a thread coming through the skin, and whom to contact.
Recovery, day by day
Normal life resumes quickly, but the face needs care for two weeks.
- Hours 0–24
Cool and upright
Use cold compresses, sleep with your head raised and do not wash your face.
- Days 2–3
Swollen and sore
Pain relief may help. Opening the mouth wide can be hard for a while.
- Days 4–7
Fading
Swelling and bruising usually settle by about day five.
- Weeks 1–2
Protect the lift
Entry points are usually invisible. No strenuous exercise, which may loosen threads.
- Weeks 3–4
Back to routine
Moisturiser and your usual skincare can return.
- Month 1
Result clearer
Judge the result now; report any dimpling or a palpable thread.
- Months 6–12
Gradual change
The lift slowly fades; in pooled studies, satisfaction fell from 98% at first to 88% at six months.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- Fever, increasing redness, warmth or discharge at an entry point
- Swelling that is not easing after 48 hours, or a persistent headache
- A thread showing through the skin or coming out
- Severe or worsening pain
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Sleep with your head raised for the first nights.
- Do not wash your face for the first 24 hours.
- Use the antibiotic ointment and any prescribed medicines as directed.
- Wait a few days before make-up and a few weeks before moisturiser.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for two weeks and protect your face from the sun.
Risks and how they are reduced
Minor complications are fairly frequent. The figures come from a 2021 analysis pooling 26 studies.
Careful patient selection, sterile technique, anatomical knowledge and choosing the thread with its risks in mind reduce complications; being under 50 with mild sagging also helps.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Swelling and bruisingReported in about 35%; usually settles within about five days. | Common |
Skin dimplingAbout 10% overall: 16% in people over 50 and 5.6% in younger patients. | Common |
Numbness or tinglingAbout 6% overall: 11.7% with non-absorbable threads against 3.1% with absorbable ones. | Common |
Thread showing or coming outVisible or felt in about 4%; extrusion in about 2%, rising to 7.6% with non-absorbable threads against 1.6% with absorbable ones. | Common |
InfectionAbout 2%, and more frequent in older patients. | Common |
Short-lived liftA systematic review found only a brief effect in most studies. | Varies |
Results and how long they last
The lift shows at once, but swelling hides the true result for the first weeks; judge it after about a month.
Results are subtler than surgery, and how long they last varies.
How long it lasts: Varies from person to person; one to three years is often quoted, but evidence is limited.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Before and after
Before and after photos are shared only with patients’ written consent. You can ask to see examples during your consultation.
Before and afterQuestions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- Which thread will you use, and is it absorbable?
- What complication rates should I expect with this thread type?
- Can the threads be removed if there is a problem?
- Would a facelift suit my degree of sagging better?
- Which medicines and dressings will I need afterwards?
- Whom do I contact once I am home?
What shapes your plan and quote
Prices are not published. Your written plan, given after examination, states what is included.
- The areas treated
- The number and type of threads
- Medicines and aftercare items
- Any combined treatment, such as fillers
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a thread lift last?
It varies. The Cleveland Clinic quotes one to three years, but a systematic review found only a short-lived lift in most studies, and pooled data show satisfaction falling from 98% just after treatment to 88% at six months. Treat a longer effect as a bonus.
Is a thread lift painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic, so you should feel little during treatment, though you stay awake. Afterwards, soreness and tenderness are common for a few days and pain relief may be needed. Sometimes, pain persists for longer than expected.
What is the recovery like?
Most people return to work quickly, but swelling and bruising can last up to five days. Do not wash your face for 24 hours, sleep with your head raised, and wait a few days for make-up and two weeks for strenuous exercise.
What are the side effects?
In pooled studies, swelling affected about 35% of patients, skin dimpling 10%, numbness or tingling 6% and a visible or palpable thread 4%, while infection and extrusion each affected about 2%. Numbness and extrusion were more frequent with non-absorbable threads.
Can you feel the threads?
Sometimes. A thread that can be seen or felt under the skin was reported in about 4% of cases in pooled studies. Tell Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker if you notice one; it can then be assessed and, if needed, removed.
Can a thread lift be reversed?
Threads can be removed if you are unhappy with the result or a problem develops. Absorbable threads also dissolve on their own over time, whereas non-absorbable threads stay unless removed, one more reason to know the type before your treatment.
Thread lift or facelift?
A thread lift gives a subtle, temporary lift with a short recovery. A facelift repositions deeper tissues and removes loose skin, for a stronger and longer-lasting result with a longer recovery. With marked sagging, surgery is usually the better choice.
Thread lift or fillers?
They do different jobs: threads lift tissue, while fillers replace lost volume. They are often planned together when a face shows both sagging and volume loss. Dr. İlker can explain which one, or which combination, would suit your own face.
What is a 'French' thread lift?
It is not a standard medical term. Dr. İlker's own pages use the name for a non-absorbable elastic thread anchored above the ear; other clinics may mean something different, so always ask for the product's name and whether it dissolves.
How long should I stay in Istanbul for a thread lift?
Plan a few days rather than one. Swelling and bruising can last up to five days, and staying nearby means any early concern can be checked before you travel. Your written plan confirms the dates before you book your flights.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
A conversation, at your pace.
Threads or surgery: which suits you?
Send your questions. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker can explain what threads can realistically do for you, and when surgery makes more sense.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
Thank you — your question has reached the clinic.
The team will reply using the contact details you gave. If you would like to talk sooner, continue on WhatsApp — your request is already written for you.
Continue on WhatsApp