Thread Lift (PDO)
Get a modest lift with dissolvable PDO threads in Turkey — a subtle refresh, not a substitute for a surgical facelift.
- Starting from
- €800
- Typical stay
- 1-2 days
Prices are approximate and confirmed after a personal assessment.
Full specialty guide
A thread lift is a popular middle ground in Turkey for people who feel filler and Botox are not quite enough, but who are not ready for a surgical facelift. Clinics in Istanbul and Antalya offer it at a fraction of UK prices, often marketed as a 'lunchtime lift'. It can genuinely freshen a jawline or brow — but honest expectations matter, because a thread lift delivers a modest lift, not a surgical result.
What a thread lift is and how it works
A thread lift uses fine, absorbable sutures — most commonly PDO (polydioxanone), the same material used in surgical stitches — inserted under the skin through a needle or cannula. Threads with tiny cones or barbs grip the tissue and gently reposition it upward, giving an immediate lift. Over the following months the threads dissolve, but they leave behind a scaffold that stimulates your own collagen, so a subtle firming continues after the lift itself has faded.
Types of thread and what they do
| Thread type | Main purpose | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mono threads (smooth) | Skin tightening & collagen, no real lift | Fine crepey skin, overall quality |
| Cog / barbed threads | Actual lifting and repositioning | Jowls, brow, mid-face, neck |
| Screw / spiral threads | Volume and localised firmness | Hollow or lax spots |
| PLLA / PCL threads | Longer collagen stimulation | Those wanting a longer-lasting effect |
Most lifts combine thread types; the material (PDO, PLLA or PCL) affects how long the collagen effect lasts.
Who a thread lift suits
- People in their 30s to 50s with early sagging who want a subtle lift
- Those bothered by light jowls, a softening jawline or a drooping brow
- Patients wanting a quick, non-surgical option with local anaesthetic only
- Anyone not ready for, or wanting to delay, a surgical facelift
- Not suitable for significant skin laxity or heavy jowls — that usually needs surgery
- Not advised during pregnancy, with active infection, or with certain autoimmune or clotting conditions
The procedure, step by step
Consultation & planning
A doctor assesses your skin laxity and facial structure and, crucially, confirms whether threads or surgery is the honest option for you.
Local anaesthetic & marking
Entry points and lift vectors are marked, then local anaesthetic numbs the area so the procedure is comfortable.
Thread insertion
Threads are placed through a fine needle or cannula and gently drawn to lift the tissue along the planned vectors. This takes 30–60 minutes.
Adjustment & aftercare
The doctor smooths and trims the threads, checks symmetry and gives detailed aftercare for the first two weeks.
Recovery timeline
Days 0–2
Swelling & tightness
Expect swelling, some bruising and a tight, occasionally 'pulled' feeling. Sleep face-up and slightly elevated.
Days 3–7
Settling in
Avoid wide mouth movements, chewing tough food, dental work and facials; puckering usually smooths out this week.
Weeks 2–4
Looking natural
Bruising resolves and the lift looks more natural as tissues relax around the threads.
Months 2–3
Collagen effect
Your own collagen builds around the scaffold, adding a gradual firming as the threads dissolve.
Results and how long they last
The lift is visible straight away, then dips slightly as swelling settles before the collagen effect takes over. Being honest: results are temporary and modest. The threads themselves dissolve within about 6–9 months, while the collagen-driven firming typically lasts 12–18 months before gradually fading. A thread lift will not match the degree or longevity of a surgical facelift, and it is not a lifetime fix — think of it as a refresh you may choose to repeat.
Cost in Turkey and what is included
| Treatment | Typical price in Turkey | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brow or targeted single area | €800–€1,100 | Fewer threads |
| Lower face & jowls | €1,100–€1,600 | Most common request |
| Full face lift with threads | €1,600–€2,000 | More threads, longer session |
| Neck threads | €900–€1,400 | Often combined with lower face |
| Mono threads (skin quality) | Lower than a full lift | Tightening, not lifting |
Price depends mainly on the number and type of threads; ask how many threads and which material are included.
€800
Typical starting price
12–18 mo
How long the effect lasts
1–2 days
Suggested stay in Turkey
Choosing a clinic safely
- Choose a doctor experienced specifically in thread lifting — technique and vector planning make or break the result
- Ask how many threads, which type and which material (PDO, PLLA, PCL) are included in the quoted price
- Expect an honest opinion on whether you are actually a candidate — a good doctor will say if you need surgery instead
- Confirm the plan for managing puckering, visible threads or asymmetry if they occur
- Be cautious of clinics marketing it as a 'non-surgical facelift' with dramatic before/afters
- Check who provides aftercare and review once you are back home
Beware the 'non-surgical facelift' promise
The biggest red flag is a clinic selling a thread lift as an equal alternative to a facelift with dramatic results. Over-promising leads to disappointment and to over-threading, which can cause puckering, dimpling, visible or palpable threads, thread migration or asymmetry. On the wrong patient — someone with heavy sagging — threads simply cannot deliver, and a reputable doctor will tell you so rather than sell you the procedure.
Medical disclaimer
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Whether a thread lift suits you, which threads to use and how many depend on your skin, anatomy and goals, and can only be decided in a personal, in-person consultation with a qualified doctor.
A thread lift is a refresh, not a reset. When it is offered to the right person with realistic expectations, it works well — the trouble starts when it is sold as a facelift it was never designed to be.
— WhichClinic Medical Team
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