07/10/2025
In a recent study published in the Aesthetic Surgical Journal, researchers examined the effectiveness and complications of facelifts using barbed sutures. While the study involved 160 patients with a median age of around 50, the findings raise some interesting questions, especially for practitioners who specialize in thread lifts. The complication rates reported in the study, including a 6% infection rate and 9.4% erythema, appear significantly higher than what we see in our clinic, where we’ve successfully performed over 4,000 thread lifts with minimal complications. Additionally, the study suggests that barbed sutures may be best used in combination with a facelift, which seems to contradict the idea of thread lifts as a standalone, minimally invasive alternative. Ultimately, it’s crucial for patients to have realistic expectations and understand that a thread lift, especially when combined with other treatments like fillers, can deliver beautiful, natural results without the need for invasive surgery.
