Thread Lifting: Complications and Management

Thread lifting encompasses a range of techniques that involve the insertion of absorbable or non-absorbable sutures to achieve facial rejuvenation and recontouring. This method is gaining renewed international popularity as a sought-after procedure for those seeking minimally invasive options for aesthetic enhancements. Absorbable threads, particularly those equipped with cogs, barbs, or cones, are the primary types of sutures utilized in thread lifting. These specialized threads are designed to provide optimal lift and support for the tissue, making them a popular choice among practitioners for achieving the desired aesthetic outcomes. While the procedure is generally safe for rejuvenation purposes, it is not without potential complications. These complications primarily arise from the technical execution of the procedure and, occasionally, patient-specific factors. Pain, swelling, and bruising are expected sequelae of this procedure. Complications can include infection, nerve injury, temporary facial stiffness, hair loss, skin dimpling, post-inflammatory hypo or hyperpigmentation, keloid formation, facial asymmetry, thread extrusion, thread visibility, thread migration, transient paresthesias, and change in facial expressions. Most are self-limiting and can be easily treated. However, surgical treatment and suture removal are sometimes necessary, and practitioners should have the knowledge and expertise to address these complications effectively.