Treatments › Thread Lifting › Face
Non-Surgical Face Lifting with Threads
Thread lifting for the face uses absorbable threads inserted beneath the skin to mechanically reposition sagging tissue — cheeks, jawline, jowls, neck, brow — and stimulate collagen production simultaneously. You see an immediate lift. Over the following months, new collagen forms around the thread scaffold. Results last 12–18 months. No surgery, no general anaesthesia, minimal downtime.
Facial thread lifting is the primary non-surgical option for patients whose concern is tissue sagging — not just volume loss. It addresses the mid-face descent, jawline softening, jowling, and early neck laxity that dermal fillers alone cannot correct. Dr Azra Vaziri is an Aptos Threads International Certified Trainer — one of a limited number of practitioners worldwide authorised to train other physicians in thread techniques.
Treatments available at Dr Azra’s clinics at Prof Sakla Spanish Eye Clinic in Dubai (Sheikh Zayed Road) and Louvre Medical Clinic in Abu Dhabi. For thread lifting across body areas, see our body thread lift page. For the full hub overview, see thread lifting in Dubai.
Aptos Certified Trainer: Dr Azra is one of a limited number of practitioners worldwide authorised by Aptos International to train other physicians in thread lifting. This means your treatment is performed at the same standard used to teach the technique — not just practise it.
What Is a Thread Lift for the Face
A facial thread lift uses fine absorbable threads — made from materials such as polylactic acid (PLLA) or polydioxanone (PDO) — that are inserted through tiny entry points into the subdermal tissue. The threads either have barbs or cones that grip the tissue and hold it in a repositioned, lifted position, or they are smooth and act purely as a collagen-stimulating scaffold.
Unlike dermal fillers that add volume, or biostimulators that stimulate collagen without mechanical lift, threads physically reposition tissue that has descended — making them the correct treatment when sagging, not volume loss, is the primary concern. For patients wondering which applies to them, see our guide on thread lift vs filler.
The threads dissolve gradually over 6–12 months. During this time, the collagen stimulated around the thread scaffold continues building. Once the threads are gone, the new collagen remains — maintaining structural support and skin quality improvement for 12–18 months from treatment.
Thread Types for Face Lifting
Different thread types serve different purposes. Dr Azra selects the appropriate thread based on your anatomy, degree of laxity, and treatment goals — often combining types within one session.
Filling Threads
Aptos Excellence series
Smooth or lightly textured absorbable threads placed in a grid pattern beneath the skin. Act as a collagen-stimulating scaffold — improving skin texture, firmness, and overall quality across a treatment zone. No mechanical repositioning. Ideal for early laxity where skin quality is the primary concern rather than structural descent.
Lifting Threads
Aptos Thread / PDO cog threads
Bidirectional barbed or cog threads that physically grip and reposition sagging tissue. The most commonly requested thread lift — used for cheek and mid-face lifting, jawline definition, jowl correction, and neck tightening. Immediate lift is visible the same day. Collagen stimulation continues building for months. This is what most patients mean when they ask for a “thread lift.”
Namica Threads
Aptos Namica system
A premium Aptos thread with a spring-coil design that distributes lifting force more evenly across a wider tissue zone — reducing the risk of puckering and improving lift longevity. Best suited to patients with more significant facial descent or those wanting maximum durability from their thread lift. Dr Azra is among the few practitioners in the UAE trained specifically in Namica technique.
Thread type selection is determined at consultation — not before. Dr Azra assesses your facial anatomy, degree of laxity, skin quality, and goals before recommending a protocol. Many treatments combine thread types, or pair threads with fillers and biostimulators for comprehensive results. See our full thread lift pricing page →
Facial Thread Lift Treatment Areas
Thread lifting can be applied to any area of the face where tissue descent is the primary concern. The most commonly treated zones at Dr Azra’s clinics:
Cheeks & Mid-Face
Lifts descended mid-face fat pads back to their original position — restoring cheekbone definition and correcting the hollow under-eye appearance caused by cheek descent rather than volume loss.
Jawline & Jowls
Redefines the jawline by repositioning jowl tissue upward and back. One of the most requested thread procedures — patients with good skin quality but a soft, undefined jaw are ideal candidates. Often combined with masseter Botox for jawline slimming.
Neck & Nefertiti Lift
Thread lifting combined with the Nefertiti lift technique addresses platysmal banding, early neck laxity, and the descent of lower face and neck tissue. Produces a lifted, defined jaw-to-neck contour.
Brow Lift
Non-surgical brow repositioning — lifting descended brow tissue to open the eye area and reduce the heavy, hooded appearance. Often combined with brow Botox for maximum effect.
Lower Face
Addresses marionette lines, corner of mouth descent, and lower cheek sagging. Frequently combined with targeted fillers for a full lower face rejuvenation — lift the structure with threads, restore volume with filler.
Nasolabial Folds
Deep smile lines caused by descended cheek tissue can be significantly improved by lifting the tissue rather than filling the fold. Thread lifting addresses the structural cause; filler addresses residual line depth.
Thread Lift Results — What to Expect
Thread lift results develop in two phases — immediate mechanical repositioning, then progressive biological collagen building. Understanding both prevents unrealistic expectations.
Day of Treatment
Immediate mechanical lift visible. Mild swelling is normal — your face may look slightly more lifted than the final settled result. Most patients are presentable within 24–48 hours.
Week 1–2
Swelling resolves. You settle into your baseline lifted position. Any surface dimpling at entry points smooths out. Follow-up review at 2 weeks for assessment.
Month 1–3
Collagen stimulation phase. Fibroblasts activate around the thread scaffold. Skin feels firmer and more structured. The lift looks increasingly natural as swelling is fully resolved.
Month 3–6
Peak collagen maturation. Skin feels its firmest and most defined. Many patients say this is when they look their best — not from the threads themselves, but from the new collagen they triggered.
Month 6–18
Threads fully absorbed. Results maintained by your own collagen. Lift gradually softens — not suddenly disappears. Most patients schedule next session around month 12–15.
Annual Maintenance
A single session per year maintains your result. With each cycle, accumulated collagen means patients often need fewer threads to sustain the same outcome.
* Per UAE medical advertising regulations, clinical before-and-after photographs are shared during in-clinic consultation. Dr Azra documents all treatments with standardised photography for progress review.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Face Thread Lifting
- Adults with mild to moderate facial skin laxity
- Soft or undefined jawline with early jowling
- Mid-face descent creating hollow under-eye appearance
- Descended brow creating heavy, tired look
- Early neck laxity or platysmal changes
- Patients seeking non-surgical facelift alternatives
- Good skin quality — threads work best when skin is not severely lax
- Patients wanting immediate visible lift with limited downtime
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active skin infection at the planned treatment site
- Significant tissue descent — surgical facelift more appropriate
- Severely lax or thin skin with poor elasticity
- Autoimmune or healing disorders
- Anticoagulant therapy or high bleeding risk
A consultation with Dr Azra determines suitability based on individual assessment. Read about when a doctor should say no to treatment →
Treatment Care Guidelines
- Avoid blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil) for 1 week
- Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before
- Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin
- Inform Dr Azra of all medications, allergies, and medical history
- No strenuous exercise for 24 hours before
- Allow 7–10 days before any important social events
- Avoid excessive facial movements for 2–3 days
- Sleep on your back for the first week
- No pressure, rubbing, or massage on treated areas
- Avoid heat (sauna, steam, intense exercise) for 1 week
- No dental appointments for 2 weeks
- Use gentle skincare only — no active ingredients for 1 week
- Follow-up review at 2–4 weeks
Why Patients Choose Dr Azra for Thread Lifting
Dr Azra Vaziri is an Aptos Threads International Certified Trainer — one of a limited number of practitioners worldwide authorised by Aptos to train other physicians in thread lifting — making her one of the most qualified thread lift doctors in Dubai. Her approach prioritises honest candidacy assessment — she recommends threads only when tissue laxity, not volume loss, is the primary concern. Read about when a doctor should say no to treatment →
Aptos Certified Trainer
Authorised to train other physicians in thread lifting
20+ Years Experience
Practising since 2004, DHA & DOH licensed
IMCAS Paris Speaker
International aesthetic conference presenter
AAAM Certified
American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine
Diagnostic-First
Recommends threads only when laxity — not volume — is the cause
2 Clinics in UAE
Dubai (Sheikh Zayed Rd) & Abu Dhabi (Louvre Medical)
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-Surgical Facelift
Skin Tightening
Thread Lift — Body
Dermal Fillers
Profhilo
Biostimulators
Nefertiti Lift
RF Microneedling
Thread Lift Pricing
Browse all treatments under All Treatments and Face Treatments.
Threads Compared with Other Treatments
Thread Lift vs Filler
Threads provide mechanical lift for sagging tissue. Dermal fillers add volume for contour and line correction. Different purposes, often combined for comprehensive results. Full comparison →
Thread Lift vs Facelift
Thread lifting suits mild to moderate laxity with minimal downtime. Surgical facelifts deliver more significant correction for advanced tissue descent. Understanding the difference helps patients choose correctly. Full comparison →
Threads vs Biostimulators
Threads lift tissue mechanically. Biostimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse stimulate collagen without mechanical lift. Threads are preferred when sagging — not just volume loss — is the concern. Both can be combined.
All Non-Surgical Facelift Options
Thread lifting is one component of a non-surgical facelift plan. Combined with fillers, biostimulators, and skin tightening treatments for comprehensive rejuvenation. All options →
Book A Consultation With Dr Azra
Patients seeking personalized aesthetic assessment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi can contact Dr Azra for consultation regarding PRP, exosome therapy, and regenerative skin treatment planning.
Dr Azra Vaziri is a DHA and DOH licensed aesthetic physician practicing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with over 20 years of experience in aesthetic medicine, injectables, thread lifting, and non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
