What is Nose Thread Lift?
A nose thread lift, also known as a thread lift nose job, is a nose reshaping procedure which involves the use of PDO threads designed to lift the tip of the nose. Many patients would like a subtle improvement in the appearance of their noses instead of a dramatic change. Patients who are already happy with the upper third of their nose and do not desire any change to the bone structure may be suitable for a nose tip lift with threads. In addition to lifting the nose, a thread lift nose job can help correct localised deformities affecting the tip and alter the nose length without the incisions or scars of traditional rhinoplasty surgery.
This procedure is easily carried out with a local anaesthetic as an outpatient. The procedure takes roughly 30 minutes to perform and involves little or no discomfort. A nose thread lift does not involve scarring and takes no more than 3 to 4 weeks for healing to occur. The procedure is ideal for people who want to alter the nasal tip position without a surgical rhinoplasty.
Various types of soft tissue lifting procedures using threads have been used in facial rejuvenation for many years for lifting droopy brows, sagging cheeks or ill-defined jawlines. The principal behind a nose lift with threads involved placing specialised barbed suture threads through tiny needlepoint holes. Correct orientation of the threads in a vertical direction helps to lift a droopy nose tip to a higher level. This involves the tiny barbs within the suture, lifting and anchoring the soft tissue.
A nose thread lift is an alternative non-invasive treatment to a non-surgical rhinoplasty, also known as a ‘liquid rhinoplasty’. Non-surgical rhinoplasty with nose filler involves using hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler to alter the size and shape of the nose without the need for PDO threads or rhinoplasty surgery. The use of soft tissue filler can help to precisely lift the tip of the nose according to a patient’s treatment goals. It should be borne in mind that non-surgical rhinoplasty is considered temporary in nature. The results of treatment last for up to 12 months on average. A nose thread lift produces longer-lasting results to improve a drooping nasal tip or an excessively long nasal bridge. By rotating the tip of the nose upwards, a long nasal bridge can effectively look shorter.
Rhinoplasty surgery is designed to alter the size and shape of the nose and can address both aesthetic and functional concerns in the same procedure. Surgical rhinoplasty is more invasive compared with non-surgical rhinoplasty with fillers and a nose thread lift. In many cases, a rhino-tip surgery, also known as tip plasty or “mini nose job”, can improve the tip of the nose by surgically manipulating the cartilage which forms the tip of the nose to produce an aesthetically desirable nasal tip. Your surgeon can advise you on the most appropriate treatment. However, many patients may wish to choose a less invasive alternative for shaping the nasal tip. The nose thread lift is more affordable and involves a much quicker recovery than tip plasty; however, the results are less predictable. Rhino-tip surgery takes about one hour to perform under a general anaesthetic and involves a quick recovery.
RELATED: What is a non-surgical nose job?
What are the benefits of a nose thread lift?
A nose tip lift with threads is an increasingly requested treatment for people who would like to improve the appearance of the tip of the nose. Reasons to have a nose tip lift include:
- The procedure takes no more than 30 minutes to carry out without any special preparation or aftercare required.
- Unlike rhinoplasty surgery, the risk of complications is much reduced.
- Patients can see an immediate improvement in the tip of the nose.
- Patients can return to their normal daily activities straight away.
- The procedure can be carried out easily with just a local anaesthetic, which is much safer than general anaesthesia.
RELATED: How to make your nose smaller
Nose Thread Lift vs Tip Plasty - Which is better?
Both nose thread lift and tip plasty have their own advantages and limitations, and which one is better would depend on the individual’s specific needs and goals.
A nose thread lift is a less invasive procedure than a tip plasty, and it can be performed in a shorter amount of time with less downtime. It may be a good option for individuals who are looking for a subtle improvement in the appearance of their nose, but who do not want to undergo surgery.
A tip plasty, on the other hand, can provide more dramatic results and can address a wider range of nasal tip concerns. It may be a better option for individuals who have more significant asymmetry, projection, or size issues with their nasal tip.
Here at the Centre for Surgery, we generally recommend tip plasty, also known as tip rhinoplasty. Tip plasty, as a surgical procedure, can provide more dramatic results and can address a wider range of nasal tip concerns than a nose thread lift. It is a more comprehensive approach to reshaping and refining the nasal tip and can address issues such as asymmetry, projection, size, and shape. In addition, the results of a tip plasty are typically long-lasting and can have a significant impact on the overall appearance of the nose.
What does a thread lift nose job involve?
The thread lift nose job procedure involves using PDO threads to lift a drooping nose tip. A procedure can also help to shorten an excessively long nose. A nose thread lift is a type of ‘profileplasty‘ procedure, as the effects of the procedure are most noticeable when a person is viewed from the side. It is a non-surgical procedure without the need for incisions or visible scars. Compared to a surgical rhinoplasty, the procedure does not involve breaking bones or applying nose splints for up to 2 weeks after the procedure.
Your doctor may be able to show you a 3-D reconstruction of how your nose could look after the procedure. It is important to note that this is only an approximation, and the actual results may differ from the predicted simulation results. The procedure involves making small needle-sized holes in the nasal tip using a specialised surgical needle. The PDO thread is then carefully inserted and oriented vertically to help lift the nasal tip before being anchored in place with very fine stitches. A useful analogy involves manipulating a broken bone into the correct position before being placed in a well-moulded plaster. The position of the nasal tip is maintained in its new position using specialised tape during the healing period. On average, the nose requires approximately 3 to 4 weeks to heal before it maintains its new enhanced shape. Our postoperative nurses will show you have to wear the recommended supportive tape to maintain the position of your nose tip lift. If you have any concerns about the tape peeling off, please book an appointment to see us, and we can adjust this for you. Most patients experience very little bruising and swelling after the nose thread lift procedure. Any mild discomfort is easily controlled with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. Getting the best results after a nose lift with threads involves following the post-operative care instructions to ensure your healing and recovery are as smooth as possible. This will help ensure the nose tip is maintained in its new lifted position.
What are the potential risks of a nose lift with threads?
Being a non-surgical procedure, the risks of treatment are much less compared with invasive rhinoplasty surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the risks of a nose thread lift at your consultation. The risks of treatment can be minimised by following the preoperative and post-operative care instructions in full. You should also stop smoking before the procedure to improve wound healing. Any medicines containing aspirin should be stopped to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Nose Tip Reshaping at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London. It is home to a specialist nose surgery unit with expertise in surgical and non-surgical rhinoplasty procedures, including the nose thread lift using specialised PDO threads and nose tip surgery. All of our nose procedures are carried out by specialist plastic surgeons, so you can be assured of receiving the very highest standards of medical care.
FAQs
-
Why is nose tip surgery preferred over nose threads?Nose tip surgery and nose threads are two different procedures that can be used to alter the shape and appearance of the nose tip. Nose tip surgery, also known as tip plasty, is a surgical procedure that involves making incisions and reshaping the underlying cartilage to achieve the desired look. Nose threads, on the other hand, are non-surgical and involve using threads made of polydioxanone (PDO) to lift and reshape the nose tip.
While nose threads can be effective in some cases, there are some key reasons why nose tip surgery may be preferred over nose threads:
More precise results: Nose tip surgery allows for more precise and comprehensive reshaping of the nose tip, as the surgeon can directly manipulate the underlying cartilage to achieve the desired look. In contrast, nose threads are limited in the types of changes they can make to the nose tip, and the results may be less predictable.
Longer-lasting results: Nose tip surgery provides longer-lasting results than nose threads, as the reshaping of the nose tip is achieved through the surgical alteration of the underlying cartilage. Nose threads, on the other hand, only provide temporary results, as the threads are eventually absorbed by the body.
Customisation: Nose tip surgery allows for a high degree of customization, as the surgeon can tailor the procedure to the individual's specific needs and goals. In contrast, nose threads are a more standardised procedure and may not be able to achieve the same level of customisation as nose tip surgery.
More dramatic changes: Nose tip surgery can be used to make more significant changes to the nose tip, such as reducing or increasing the size, improving the shape, or correcting asymmetry. Nose threads, on the other hand, are limited in the types of changes they can make and may not be as effective for more significant alterations. -
What is the minimum age for a nose thread lift?People who are considering having a nose suspension procedure should be at least 18 years old. By this time, the growth and development of the nose will have been completed.
-
When is it not advisable to have a nose tip lift?We would not recommend the nose thread lift procedure to those under the age of 18 as the nose is still undergoing active growth and development. Some people may have breathing difficulties caused by a deviated septum or may require more extensive nose reshaping. A surgical nose job would be the most appropriate treatment option in this case.
Nose thread lift results are much longer than non-surgical rhinoplasty with filler. If you would like to know how you could look after the nose tip procedure, we recommend having a liquid rhinoplasty as a tester first.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is a temporary procedure with results lasting up to 12 months. -
How should I prepare for the nose tip lift?Your surgeon will provide detailed preoperative instructions before the procedure, including stopping certain medications to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Aspirin or medicines containing aspirin are an example of medications which may cause bleeding.
You should also reduce your alcohol intake before the procedure and stop smoking as this can affect wound healing after the procedure and may affect the final results.
-
Is a nose thread lift painful?A nose thread lift does not involve surgically manipulating the nasal bones. The procedure takes no more than 30 minutes to carry out and involves an injection of local anaesthetic, which makes the procedure virtually painless.
-
Will my nasal bones need to be broken?A nose lift with threads does not involve breaking the nasal bones as is commonly included as part of surgical rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty surgery often requires repositioning of the nasal bones to reduce the width in the upper third of the nose. A surgical rhinoplasty involves altering the size and shape of the underlying bone and cartilage. A nose thread lift only involves altering the tip of the nose with barbed suture threads. This procedure does not involve breaking or removing bone or removal of any soft tissue. It simply involves the repositioning of existing soft tissue in the nasal tip.
-
Will need to wear a nasal splint after a nose thread lift?Your surgeon will apply specialised adhesive tape to maintain the lifted nose tip position for one week after the procedure.
You will not require to wear a specialised nasal splint as is commonly used after a surgical nose job. -
Will I have visible scarring after treatment?The procedure involves making tiny needle holes to permit access for the insertion of PDO threads. These tiny holes do not result in any visible scarring after a nose thread lift.
-
What are the post-procedure care instructions after a nose suspension?The specialised adhesive tape, which is applied after the procedure, should be kept in its position for one week to ensure the nose tip maintains its new lifted position. Patients should take care to avoid any knocks to the nose. Certain medications containing aspirin should be avoided including any allergic triggers, as this could cause the nose to become swollen.
-
How long does it take to recover after a nose tip lift?The recovery phase after a nose lift with threads is very straightforward. Other than the adhesive tape which is used to protect the lifted nose tip, patients should take care to avoid any excessive contact with the nose as this may lead to alteration of the desired position. You should avoid lifting heavy objects, including children and avoid strenuous exercise for the first two weeks after the procedure. Full recovery and final results are expected after approximately four weeks after a nose thread lift.
-
When can I expect to see results?The final results of a nose thread lift are visible immediately after the procedure.
The treatment results can last for 2 to 3 years in many cases. It is important to be exceptionally careful during the first two weeks after treatment. The threads used to support the tip of the nose are very delicate, and if they are traumatised, they could snap, leading to a drop in the tip of the nose. Further treatment may be needed to correct the position of the tip of the nose. After approximately four weeks, the position of the nose tip should be maintained in its new lifted position even if the threads which are used to lift the tip have separated. -
Is a nose thread lift permanent?A nose thread lift results last much longer than a non-surgical rhinoplasty with filler. The duration of the results depends on the individual patient, and your surgeon will be able to advise you on how long the results last at your consultation.
-
Will the nose tip droop after treatment?Once the nose tip has stabilised in its new position after four weeks, the position of the nose should not revert to its original droopy position. This is even if the PDO threads were to lose their integrity. If the PDO threads lose integrity during the first three weeks, the nose could return to its original shape. Further corrective treatment may be needed to lift the nasal tip. Patients should take great care to avoid any localised trauma to the nose during this early healing period and avoid any tasks involving your blood pressure rising such as lifting heavy weights or sexual intercourse.
