Mirror, mirror on the wall… why is my skin starting to fall? If you’ve noticed a little extra droop around your cheeks, jawline or neck, you’re not alone. Sagging skin is a universal struggle, thanks to the not-so-kind effects of aging. But before you blame it on just another birthday, let’s break down why gravity seems to be winning this battle—and what you can do to fight back.

Imagine your skin as a trampoline. When you’re younger, it’s tight, firm and bouncy—held together by collagen and elastin, 2 essential proteins that keep everything in place. But as we age, our skin slowly stops producing these proteins, causing it to lose its snap-back factor.

Gravity, of course, doesn’t help. Without enough collagen and elastin to hold things up, your skin starts to cave under the constant downward pull. But that’s not all—facial fat pads, which once gave you that youthful fullness, begin to shrink and shift, creating hollows and loose skin. Add in weakening muscles, hormonal changes (hello, menopause) sun exposure, smoking, poor diet and even weight fluctuations, and you’ve got the perfect storm for sagging skin.

So, what’s the fix? Skincare can only do so much, and a full-blown facelift feels a little extreme. Enter into the chat: Thread lifts. 

Think of thread lifts as the ultimate middle ground between fancy creams and full-on surgery. These tiny, dissolvable threads are placed under the skin to physically lift sagging areas while stimulating collagen production for longer-term firming effects. Unlike fillers, which restore volume but don’t actually lift, threads provide an instant tightening effect while continuing to improve skin texture over time.

Thread lifts are having a major moment and here are the reasons why: 

  • Instant results – no more waiting for collagen to boost up, sagging skin is tightened right away
  • No more overfilled look – subtle, natural results that don’t leave you looking puffy
  • Minimal downtime – thread lifts are dubbed the “lunchtime facelift” for a reason
  • Long lasting results for 1 to 2 years compared to Botox (3 to 6 months) and fillers (6 to 12 months)

Which thread lift is right for you? There are key differences in thread lifts based on a variety of factors. Let’s break them down:

PDO (Polydioxanone) Threads, also known as General Thread Lifts: 

  • Material – PDO, PLLA or PCL (Polycaprolactone)
  • Lifting mechanism – Barbed or smooth threads lift and stimulate collagen
  • Collagen Stimulation – Varies based on thread type, PDO=moderate, PLLA/PCL=stronger
  • Longevity – PDO (6 to 9 months), PLLA/PCL (12 to 24 months)
  • Best Suited For – Skin tightening, mild lifting
  • Immediate Results? – Yes, but may take weeks to fully develop

EuroThreads:

  • Material – PDO (Polydioxanone) or PLLA
  • Lifting mechanism – Barbs or smooth sutures hold and stimulate collagen
  • Collagen Stimulation – Moderate collagen stimulation
  • Longevity – 6 to 12 months
  • Best Suited For – General lifting in various areas
  • Immediate Results? – Yes, but improvement depends on thread type

Silhouette InstaLift: 

  • Material – PLLA (Polylactic Acid) with bidirectional cones
  • Lifting mechanism – Cones anchor the tissue for stronger mechanical lift
  • Collagen Stimulation – Strong collagen stimulation induction over time
  • Longevity – 12 to 24 months
  • Best Suited For – Lifting and volumizing cheeks, jowls and jawline
  • Immediate Results? – Yes, with continued improvement

Silhouette InstaLift has a unique advantage over thread lift options because of its PLLA material and cone technology, which provides both an immediate mechanical lift and long-term collagen regeneration. It’s best for patients looking for a noticeable lift with volume restoration in the mid-face and jawline. 

If you’ve been looking for a subtle yet effective way to refresh your look, thread lifts might just be the upgrade your skin has been waiting for. Ready to turn back time—without surgery? Threads are here to lift your spirits (and your skin)! Contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or WEBSITE today.