A thread lift is a non-surgical treatment where fine, dissolvable PDO threads are placed under the skin to lift mildly sagging areas and encourage collagen. It suits people with early to moderate laxity who are not ready for surgery. At ZARA Aesthetic Medical Clinic, 304 Edgware Road, London W2, PDO Full face is £600 and Mono Thread is £250.
For adults aged 18 and over only, and we may ask for photo ID.
What is a PDO thread lift?
PDO stands for polydioxanone, a material that has long been used in dissolvable surgical stitches. In a PDO thread lift, very fine threads are inserted under the skin using a thin needle or blunt cannula. The body slowly breaks the threads down over a period of months.
Threads work in two broad ways. Some have tiny barbs or cogs that grip the tissue so it can be repositioned slightly upwards. Others are smooth and are placed mainly to prompt the skin to produce new collagen around them. Which type and how many are right for you is decided at consultation.
Mono threads and lifting threads: the difference
Our menu lists two options, and they are designed for different concerns. It helps to understand them before your consultation.
- Mono Thread (£250): smooth threads usually placed in a mesh pattern to support skin quality, fine lines and mild crepiness. They are not designed to lift.
- PDO Full face (£600): a full-face plan, typically involving threads chosen to give subtle lift to areas such as the jowls, cheeks or jawline. Exactly what is included is confirmed at consultation.
What a thread lift in London can help with
People usually ask about threads when they notice the lower face starting to soften. A thread lift can offer a modest, natural-looking lift, but it cannot match surgery for heavy sagging. We will give you a straight answer about what threads can and cannot do for your face.
- Early jowling and a softening jawline
- Mild drooping in the mid-face and cheeks
- Lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth that are partly caused by sagging
- Slight heaviness at the outer brows
- Loss of firmness and fine crepey lines, mainly with mono threads
Who is a good candidate, and who is not
Threads tend to suit adults with mild to moderate laxity and reasonable skin thickness, often from their mid-thirties onwards. If you have a lot of loose skin, threads may give a limited result, and a surgical opinion may be more appropriate. Sometimes volume loss is the main issue, in which case cheek filler might be a better first step.
A thread lift may not be suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection, have certain autoimmune or bleeding conditions, take blood-thinning medicines, tend to form raised scars, or have had recent dental or facial surgery. We will review your history in detail.
Your thread lift appointment, step by step
Appointments are booked as 40 minutes. Your thread lift starts with a consultation and medical assessment, and you are welcome to take time to think before booking treatment.
- We assess your face at rest and in movement, and discuss your concerns, health and medicines.
- Your practitioner explains which threads are proposed, where they would go and what result is realistic.
- Entry points are marked and the skin is thoroughly cleansed.
- Comfort options, such as numbing, are discussed and used where suitable.
- The threads are inserted through small entry points and positioned, then the ends are trimmed.
- We check the result with you and go through aftercare in detail.
Thread lift results and how long they last
With lifting threads, some change may be visible straight after treatment, but the face often looks tight or slightly uneven at first while swelling settles. The final look is usually clearer after a few weeks. Mono threads work more slowly, as collagen builds gradually over the following months.
PDO threads typically dissolve over around six months. The supporting effect often lasts somewhat longer, and many people see results for several months to around a year, but this varies from person to person. Results are not permanent, and repeat treatment may be discussed later.
Recovery, aftercare and side effects
Bruising, swelling, tenderness and a feeling of tightness are common for the first week or so. Some people notice small puckers or dimples, asymmetry or a thread that can be felt under the skin. Less commonly, a thread can work its way out, or infection can occur. We will discuss all possible side effects before you agree to treatment, and you should contact us promptly if anything concerns you.
- Avoid big facial movements, such as wide yawning or exaggerated expressions, for about two weeks
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised for the first few nights
- Do not massage or rub the face, and avoid facials for several weeks
- Skip saunas, steam rooms and hard exercise for around one to two weeks
- Postpone dental appointments for a couple of weeks if you can
Thread lift prices and finding us on Edgware Road
At ZARA, PDO Full face is £600 and Mono Thread is £250. All prices are per session, and your final plan and price are confirmed at consultation after your face has been assessed.
The clinic is at 304 Edgware Road, about 50 metres from the Bakerloo line entrance at Edgware Road station, with the Circle, District and Hammersmith and City station on Chapel Street a short two or three minutes away. Clients come from Mayfair and Notting Hill, each a walk of around 30 to 35 minutes or a short Tube ride, and from Little Venice just to the north west. We open Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 8pm and Sunday and bank holidays from 1pm to 5pm. Book your thread lift consultation.
Thread lift: your questions answered
Is a thread lift the same as a facelift?
No. A facelift is surgery that removes and repositions skin and tissue. A thread lift is non-surgical, gives a more modest lift and uses threads that dissolve over time.
How soon can I go out after a PDO thread lift?
Many people return to desk work within a few days, but bruising and swelling can last a week or longer. If you have a wedding or big event, allow several weeks.
Can threads be combined with fillers or anti-wrinkle treatment?
Sometimes, as part of a staged plan. Threads address mild sagging, while filler restores volume and anti-wrinkle injections relax movement. Your practitioner will advise on order and timing.
Will I be able to feel the threads?
You may feel some tightness or the threads themselves when touching the area for the first few weeks. This usually fades as swelling settles. Tell us if a thread feels prominent or a bump persists.
What is the difference between Mono Thread and PDO Full face?
Mono threads are smooth and aimed at skin quality rather than lift. PDO Full face is a broader plan designed to give subtle lift across the face. Your consultation will clarify which suits your concerns.
Can a thread lift be reversed?
PDO threads dissolve naturally over months. If there is a problem soon after treatment, a thread can sometimes be adjusted or removed, which your practitioner will explain at consultation.
Am I too young for a thread lift?
If you have little or no sagging, lifting threads are unlikely to add much. Mono threads or other skin treatments may be more suitable, and we will tell you honestly at your appointment.
