Originating in the 1990s, the thread lifting has seen significant advancements in recent years due to technological innovations and changes in customer demands, and the types of facial threads become more diverse. Let’s explore together what new types of facial threads have emerged and its each functions. Then you could choose the right one easily with rich knowledge reservoir.
What Are Facial Threads?
Facial threads refer to the absorbable filaments used in thread lifts, which are put into the skin by needles to lift the sagging skin and make skin smooth as well. Its principle is that facial threads continuously interact with the skin and fascial layers, which reorganize stiffened or sagging muscle tissues. Meanwhile, the facial threads also keep producing collagen and make skin smooth and radiant. As a result, the procedure achieves a tightening and lifting effect on the skin.
Unlike surgical face-lifts, thread lifts have limited lifting effect, but own the advantages in low risk and short recovery. The facial threads gradually are absorbed in eight months-five years, so the effect of thread lifts is short-lived, lasting only eight months to five years.
There are various types of facial threads on the market nowadays. The article will introduce all of them from two perspectives—the materials and functions of the threads. Let’s continue.
Three Types of Facial Threads According to the Materials
PDO Threads
PDO threads, also known as Collagen threads, are made of PDO suture (Polydioxanone), initially used as a cardiac suture material for heart surgeries. In the field of aesthetic medicine, through a needle-like tube, the PDO thread is embedded into the skin to stimulate collagen production. This process allows the skin tissue to be repositioned, resulting in a radiant and rejuvenated appearance.
The PDO threads have a blue appearance and are relatively firm, compare to other materials of facial threads. After implantation, they can be fully degraded within the body without any side effects, making them very safe to use. Typically, PDO threads can last for about one year.
(Most of the information indicates that PDO threads can only maintain results for about six months. However, Yastrid’s PDO threads have been proven to achieve results lasting up to one year through practical experience. This conclusion is based on numerous customer feedbacks.)
PCL/ PCA Threads
PCL threads are composed of Poly Caprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable chemical substance. Compared to PDO threads, PCL threads take at least two to five years to dissolve. They have a softer texture, appear white in color, and most importantly, they also have a skin-whitening effect.
However, it is worth noting that PCL threads come at a higher price compared to PDO threads.
PLLA Threads
PLLA threads are bioresorbable threads extracted from Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), and in comparison to the previous two types, with main components—left-handed polylactic acid and collagen, PLLA threads can provide long-term stimulation for collagen production, resulting in a sustained improvement in skin wrinkles, depressions.
Eight Types of Facial Threads According to the Functions
Due to PLLA material being relatively harder, there are only three types of facial threads available (Mono threads, Screw threads, and Eye threads). The other two types of thread materials have the following eight types:
Mono Threads
The smooth thread is a thread without barbs, and its main function is to reduce wrinkles, tighten the skin, and rejuvenate the complexion. Smooth threads can be used on the forehead, cheeks, eyebrows, and wrinkles around the eyes, neck, abdomen, and legs.
Compared to cog threads, smooth threads primarily focus on skin tightening in the mentioned areas, with minimal lifting effects.
Screw Threads
A significant difference between screw threads and smooth threads is that the threads of the screw are attached to the needle in a spiral form. They are divided into screw threads, intensive threads, and double-twist threads. Screw threads’ effects are similar to smooth threads, primarily focused on skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.
For intensive threads, the threads are wound more densely around the needle. Double twist means two threads on the needles.
As the length and size of the threads are the same as smooth threads, the difference in effects between them is not significant. The key factor when purchasing these threads lies in the doctor’s experience and the treatment area. A lot of practitioners tend to prefer using screw threads. Screw threads are commonly used in areas of the face with sagging skin, drooping eyelids, thin lips, etc.
Eye Threads
It is evident that eye threads are specifically designed for use around the eyes, targeting fine lines, eye bags, tear troughs, and wrinkles between the eyebrows and eyes. Eye threads are characterized by their small needle size, and the threads are as fine as hair strands.
Due to the delicate nature of the eye area, eye threads use blunt tips to avoid piercing small blood vessels, reducing the risk of bruising and swelling.
Nose Threads
Nose threads are specifically designed for use on the nose, including lifting the nasal bridge and narrowing the nasal tip. Unlike cosmetic procedures that involve filling the nose with cartilage, the nose thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure. It only requires a small incision beneath the nasal tip to insert the nose threads, resulting in a noticeable sculpting effect.
What’s even more important is that the entire procedure takes only about half an hour with minimal side effects. Patients can resume their daily activities immediately without the need for a recovery period.
Muti Threads
Multi threads are composed of 8 to 10 smooth threads bundled together, and their effects are approximately ten times more powerful than one smooth thread. They are highly effective in filling facial depressions, such as tear troughs, nasolabial folds, and sunken temples, making these areas look fuller. Additionally, they can also be used as nose threads to shape the nose.
Cog Threads
Cog threads, also known as barbed threads, or facelift threads, are an enhancement of smooth threads with added barbs. Cog threads help create a framework within the skin to lift sagging skin. Cog threads can be further categorized based on the shape of their needle tips: cog R/w cannula and cog L cannula.
Compared to the wrinkle-reducing effects of smooth and screw threads, cog threads not only tighten the skin but also provide facial lifting and contouring. The lifting principle involves implanting cog threads into the subcutaneous musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) of the skin, utilizing the barbs to anchor the skin tissues, and then pulling the skin to achieve a facelift effect.
Using cog threads for lifting yields highly noticeable and immediate results, having minimal risks compared to surgical procedures. Cog threads are used widely in facial lifting procedures.
Cog threads can be applied to various facial areas such as double chins, cheeks, nose, brow lifting, nasolabial folds, jawline, and glabellar lines. They can also be used for lifting procedures on the chest and buttocks.
Press Cog Threads
Yastrid supplies rich types of press cog threads, such as fishbone threads, C-type, Z-type, and Y-type.
Press cog threads, also called molding cog threads, are manufactured using a machine with an engraving tool, while cog threads are cut by blades on the machine. Compared to cog threads, molding cog threads are superior. Since it is molded, the barbs on its body are more secure and can effectively anchor the skin tissue, resulting in a longer degradation time and more lasting effects than cog threads which we mentioned above.
Additionally, molding cog threads are USP3, which is thicker than cog threads, so their tensile strength is stronger, leading to a slightly better lifting effect.
Cog Mesh Threads
Cog mesh threads are combinations of mesh threads and barbed threads. The design of this type of thread is aimed at providing both facial lifting and filling effects simultaneously, making skin reduce wrinkles and improve sagging face at the same time.
PDO vs PCL threads
After knowing different types of facial threads, let’s explore the differences between them and choose the better one.
PDO Nose Threads VS PCL Nose Threads
Compared to PCL Nose threads, PDO threads are relatively firm and provide excellent shaping effects during nasal plasticity. Meanwhile, their drawback is that they can easily cause damage to the skin tissue, resulting in swelling and bruising. Besides, PDO threads may give a noticeable foreign body sensation, and the recovery period usually takes 7-10 days.
PCL Nose threads are softer, which may slightly compromise their shaping effectiveness. However, a greater quantity of 2-3 threads can be used in the procedure, and the big advantage is little foreign body sensation after the procedure, providing a comfortable feeling. They cause minimal damage to the skin tissue, and there’s little risk of bruising or swelling. Furthermore, people recover from the procedure within 2-3 days.
However, due to their softness, PCL Nose threads are not recommended for use in nasal columella procedures as they may not provide adequate support and make it difficult to achieve the desired shaping effect.
PDO Eye Threads VS PCL Eye Threads
PCL Eye threads are highly recommended due to their color—white. However, blue PDO eye threads make the areas appear dark when implanted in the eye regions. It would deepen dark circles, appearing lackluster and aged. Besides, PCL eye threads also have skin-whitening benefits.
PDO Cog Threads VS PCL Cog Threads
PDO cog threads are firm and have strong tensile strength, leading to excellent lifting effects. However, they can easily cause damage to the skin tissue, such as swelling, strong foreign body sensations, and other skin problems. It typically requires around 2 weeks for complete healing.
The extent of swelling and recovery time also depends on the number of threads used. The more threads used, the better the effect, but it may also lead to more severe swelling and longer recovery time.
On the other hand, PCL COG threads are softer and cause less damage to the skin tissue. After the procedure, there is minimal foreign body sensation, and the recovery is relatively fast, usually taking about 1 week. However, the drawback is that the lifting effect is not as strong as PDO. Nevertheless, this can be compensated for by using more threads, achieving the same effect.
Now, almost all types of facial threads are presented for you. But if you wanna pick up a suitable thread, you may need to get the differences between these threads and learn about how to choose the one. Let’s go on.
Ideal Areas of Different Types of Facial Threads
Different types of facial threads own their different functions, which means each suits different areas.
|
Areas |
Suitable Facial Threads |
Size of Threads |
Numbers needed |
|
Forehead |
Mono Threads
or Screw Threads |
29g 38mm
or 30g 38mm |
40pcs – 60pcs |
| Lips |
Mono Threads |
29g 38mm or 30g 38mm | 10-20pcs |
| Temple | Muti Threads
or Cog Mesh Threads |
19g 60mm, 21g 38mm, 23g 38mm |
2 – 4pcs for each side |
|
Cheek |
Mono Threads, Screw Threads, Cog Threads, Cog Molding Threads |
18g or 19g 100mm, 21g 100mm, or 70mm |
For Cog Threads,
3 – 5pcs for each side; For Mono or Screw, 20 -30pcs for each side |
| Chin | Mono Threads
or Screw Threads |
26g 50mm, 27g 50mm, 29g 50mm |
20-30pcs |
|
Jawline |
Mono Threads, Screw Threads， Cog R/ Cog L Threads |
27g 50mm,
29g 50mm or 38mm, 19g 70mm or 100mm, 21g 90mm, 18g 100mm |
For Mono/Screw Threads,30- 40pcs
For Cog Threads: 2pcs |
| Nose |
Nose threads |
19g 60mm,
19g 70mm |
10-15pcs |
| Eyebrow | Cog Threads | 19g 70mm, 21g 60mm, 21g 90mm | 3-4pcs each side |
| Eye |
Eye thread |
30g 25mm, 30g 38mm | 10pcs-20pcs each side |
| Neck | Mono/ Screw | 27g 50mm, 29g 38mm, 30g 38mm | 30-40pcs |
| Belly | Mono/ Screw | 27g 50mm, 29g 50mm | 180pcs-300pcs |
| Arms | Mono/ Screw | 27g 50mm, 29g 38mm, 30g 38mm | 40-60pcs |
| Breast |
Mono/ Screw |
29g 38mm, 30g 38mm | 40-60pcs each side |
| Buttocks |
Mono/ Screw |
27g 60mm,29g 60mm | 100pcs each side |
How to Choose the Right Facial Threads?
How to choose the right thread for the user from various types of facial threads? Three factors need to be considered.
Firstly, the patient’s own conditions, including age, skin condition, and treatment area, should be taken into account.
A video on YouTube will help you, watch
Secondly, a crucial consideration is what the user’s expectations are. Do they want to rejuvenate and tighten the skin, making it more radiant and firm? Or are they looking for visual lifting or filling effects? Or perhaps a combination of both? As mentioned earlier, reducing wrinkles and tightening the skin need smooth and screw threads, while lifting effects require cog threads or cog molding threads. Multi threads and mesh threads are used for filling effects. It’s worth noting that barbed threads, while providing lifting effects, also stimulate collagen production, resulting in smoother skin.
Lastly, the operator’s skills must be considered. For instance, treating the delicate eye area requires a highly skilled operator. Ultimately, choosing a reputable brand is important, as the threads will be implanted in the human body, and safety is of utmost importance. Moreover, the quality of the threads directly impacts the postoperative results, the duration of the effects, and whether the patient will have a pleasant thread lift experience.
Yastrid different types of facial threads have been receiving much recognition from our clients. We have always been committed to providing safe and high-quality products, safeguarding the beauty endeavors of customers worldwide. Welcome to consult any questions about each type of facial thread It’s our pleasure to assist you with your aesthetic career.
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