Eyebrow Thread Lift: What Should You Know?

Many still believe that only a scalpel can solve facial skin laxity and sagging. Fortunately, science and ever-evolving technology bring yet another solution —enter thread lifting. A non-surgical, minimally invasive, and non-disruptive procedure that helps draw the skin taut.

Be it the area around your eyes, cheeks, nose, mouth, jaw, or neck that is sagging, a thread lift contours them all. In this article, find everything you need to know about eyebrow thread lift including how it works, the procedure, recovery, cost, and side effects.

Brow Thread Lifting: Lifted Brows Without A Scalpel

Saggy and loosened skin add to the mid-life crisis for middle-aged women. Especially the skin around the eyes with loopy eyebrows and hooded eyelids. They make you appear tired and, of course, aged. It is common knowledge that several surgical procedures like nose thread lift, and fox eye thread lift help you lift your skin.

But what about those who are not willing or unable to go under the knife? For them, there is the much gentler option that is currently dominating mainstream popularity: non-surgical brow lift. In simple words, it belongs somewhere between facelift surgery and non-invasive facial rejuvenation.

What Is A Non-Surgical Brow Lift Or Thread Lift?

Originally labeled as the “lunchtime lift,” a thread lift claims to subtly lift and sculpt your face by using thin threads. These threads are made of polydioxanone and hence this procedure is also called PDO thread lift. The threads are typically covered in microscopic barbs that allow anchoring into the tissue, pulling it up, and securing it back in place.

In the case of thread lift for eyebrows, one pull of a string lifts your downward-facing eyebrows without the use of any injectables or fillers and leaves no incision or scar. It is by far the best alternative to a facelift as long as you have appropriately managed your expectations.

Together with lifting, an eyebrow thread lift stimulates collagen production to give your face a rejuvenated, youthful look. Now, how is that possible? Well, the threads activate your body’s natural healing response, causing collagen production. The result is a supple and lifted face.

How Exactly Does A Brow Thread Lift Work?

As mentioned, brow lift with threads works in two ways. Primarily, the lifting action occurs when dissolvable sutures thread underneath your skin which allows the doctors to lift your skin tight along underlying tissue and muscles. The bio-stimulating threads are placed in the mid-to-deep dermis tissue in a specific pattern. This particularly induces collagen by hiking fibroblast activity. Here comes the rejuvenation action. 

Although you are not injured by the absorbable threads, your body detects a suture material and triggers the body’s healing response, naturally increasing collagen production in the affected area. As a result, collagen fills gaps in your sagging skin, improves texture, and restores youthful skin. The secondary action occurs when the thread absorbs and collagen takes its place.

Ideal Candidates For A Brow Thread Lift

Not everyone is eligible or best suited for an eyebrow lift. Ideally, the best candidates would be those who:

• Are showing signs of early aging
• Do not have excessive sagging
• Have a tight temple region
• Have more down-turning outer brow frame 
• Are in their late 30s and early 50s
• Don’t want to have cosmetic surgery
• Had facelift like fox eye thread lift in the past and wish to restore the results
• Are looking for subtle improvement and not a dramatic impact
• Have highly sensitive skin 
• Could not have facelift due to medical reasons

Things To Know Before Eyebrow Lift

Although thread lift for eyebrows is a low-risk procedure, it may cause bleeding, bruising, swelling, or slight pain. You may leave the clinic with tape on your face to stabilize the areas. Plastic surgeons use local anesthesia, meaning you will be awake but not feel any pain.

Brow Thread Lift Procedure

This convenient option for tightening skin around the eyebrows includes the following steps:

1. You are required to arrive without food (minimum of 4 hours before the procedure), drinking large amounts of fluids, and makeup.
2. Disclose any medical conditions and allergies.
3. The cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon will analyze your skin and facial structure and discuss what to expect during a brow lift with threads(1).
4. During the detailed assessment, they mark the points for thread insertion as well as the direction of the lifts to your desired results. 
5. You will recline in the procedure room and your facial skin will be cleansed and disinfected. Alcohol and a topical local anesthetic will be applied to the skin as prepping.
6. A thin needle (or cannula) will be used to insert thin threads underneath your facial skin into the subcutaneous fat, allowing it to attach to the facial tissue.
7. They pull at the threads and the needle tightens the thread, in turn, lifts the eyebrows.
8. Then, the method of insertion will be removed and you are done. You may feel light tightening under the skin.

That’s pretty much it! It may take an hour at tops. 

Non-Surgical Brow Lift Recovery And Aftercare

Due to the nature of this thread lift procedure, the results will be instantly noticeable and recovery will be minimal. You won’t even need to stay in the hospital for recovery as there is no use of general anesthesia. While some may experience slight bruising or swelling (only for five days), you can always go back to work immediately after. You may resume your normal routine except for some aftercare tips to follow and keep in mind, such as:

• Apply a cold compress or ice pack cold compress
• Avoid washing your face for one whole day avoid touching your face
• Don’t rub your face vigorously 
• Skip daily moisturizer for the first few weeks
• Avoid intense workouts or exercising vigorously Intense workouts
• Avoid sleeping on your side in the initial weeks
• Prop your head up to avoid rolling over
• Avoid saunas or extreme heat
• Try not to use makeup for a week No makeup
• Minimize sun exposure Avoid sun exposure
• Don’t use any facial laser treatments

Benefits And Side Effects Of Thread Lift

The benefits of a thread lift for eyebrows are: 

While the benefits of a brow thread lift always weigh heavy, you should be aware of its potential minor, short-term side effects as well. They are:

Of all these complications, infection is the one side effect you should watch out for. If you experience anything severe, such as fever, headache that won’t go away, green, black, brown, or red discharge, or swelling that lasts longer than 48 hours, always go back to your doctor. Preferably the surgeon who carried out the procedure.

How Much Does A Thread Lift Cost?

It is a quick procedure and not expensive. Several factors determine a brow thread lift cost including where you live, how many years of experience your provider holds, the competition in the area, type, size, and number of threads inserted. Since they don’t use general anesthesia, you can save some money over that. Typically, a PDO thread lift cost starts from $1300.

Alternatives For Brow Lift

If you do not want to use threads (or go for a facelift), you can go for the following alternatives:

1. Anti-wrinkle injections (BOTOX): A temporary measure that may last 3-4 months.
2. Neogen Plasma: Uses plasma energy, derived from nitrogen gas, at varying depths to encourage skin tightening.
3. Ultraformer: Targetting the deep foundation layer of the skin, it delivers energy into the structural muscles and tissues where collagen is. The results may last 3-6 months.
4. Temsure Radio Frequency: Uses radio waves that heal the skin tissue gently to spark the production of new collagen. 

Eyebrow Thread Lift: Before And After

FAQs

Final Take

An eyebrow thread lift gives a lifted look instantly to those looking to lift eyebrows. It is quick, cost-effective, and provides a natural-looking result. The results will be temporary and subtle but the risks will be much lower. But if you are merely chasing Instagram aesthetics, it would best not to opt for a thread lift or any for that matter. Because recovering from a medical complication can get messy.