Thread Lift - Face / Neck

Thread Lift - Face / Neck Adelaide
A Thread Lift – Face / Neck involves the precise insertion of fine, bio-compatible, absorbable threads (sutures) beneath the skin using needles or cannulas. These threads, which often have small barbs or cones, are inserted into the subcutaneous tissue and then gently tightened to provide mechanical tension and structural support to the skin. The threads aim to achieve a temporary lifting and repositioning of sagging facial tissues in the mid-face, jawline, and/or neck. Over time, the threads dissolve, with the objective being that the resulting collagen stimulation provides sustained, but not permanent, contour improvement. Understanding the temporary results and invasive nature of a Thread Lift – Face / Neck is the necessary first step toward selecting effective management.
A Thread Lift – Face / Neck is classified as a higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedure due to its invasive nature and the potential for serious complications. This treatment is not medically necessary as skin laxity poses no threat to physical health; the procedure is entirely elective for cosmetic reasons. Risks associated with a Thread Lift – Face / Neck include: temporary swelling, bruising, and discomfort; more specific risks include thread migration or extrusion (threads poking through the skin), dimpling or puckering, infection, temporary nerve damage leading to facial weakness, and, rarely, permanent scarring or vascular complications. These potential complications and risks are integral to the decision-making process for your Thread Lift – Face / Neck and will be fully detailed during your mandatory consultation.
All higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including all forms of Thread Lift – Face / Neck, are performed exclusively by a registered health practitioner, as our practice adheres strictly to the professional standards and guidelines set by the National Boards and Ahpra. This commitment means the practitioner’s primary duty is always to the patient, ensuring all decisions regarding your treatment are based on clinical necessity, not financial gain. Furthermore, every procedure will be performed by a practitioner possessing the appropriate qualifications, education, and competence relevant to the specific treatment being offered. We are obligated to provide you with clear, accurate, and objective information about the treatment, including the potential for complications. Finally, our practitioners are committed to proactively managing any potential conflict between the desire for financial return and their ethical and professional duty to provide the best and safest possible care for every patient.
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Who We Are
Our Clinicians
Dr. Rahma Targett
Registered Medical Practitioner (General Registration)
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Dr. Targett is the founder of ACM and is committed to providing responsible cosmetic care.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Thread Lift – Face / Neck is classified as a higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedure because it is invasive, involving the insertion of a foreign body (threads) deep into the tissue. This creates risks of infection, hematoma, nerve injury, and the potential for threads to migrate or extrude. Due to these potential complications, the procedure requires assessment and administration by a registered health practitioner, as mandated by Ahpra guidelines.
No, we cannot guarantee results equivalent to a surgical facelift. Ahpra guidelines prohibit us from creating unreasonable expectations regarding outcomes. The Thread Lift – Face / Neck aims to improve mild to moderate laxity but is temporary. Your clinical results depend on individual anatomy, skin quality, and adherence to aftercare. The final, realistic outcome will be discussed thoroughly during your mandatory consultation.
Yes, you should realistically expect a period of recovery or downtime. Since a Thread Lift – Face / Neck involves placing multiple threads, swelling, tenderness, and bruising, potentially including temporary skin dimpling or bunching, are common. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions to manage your recovery, which is a crucial part of the process and must not be minimised as a “quick” or painless fix.
Yes, a comprehensive consultation is essential and mandatory. It allows our registered health practitioner to assess your suitability for a Thread Lift – Face / Neck, discuss the thread placement plan, and detail all potential risks and realistic expectations. Following the consultation for this higher risk cosmetic procedure, we offer a cooling-off period before you can consent to the actual treatment, ensuring you have adequate time to make a fully informed decision.
We prioritise your post-procedure safety. If you experience unexpected side effects or complications (such as thread extrusion, signs of infection, or new muscle weakness), you must contact us immediately; you will be provided with a direct, accessible contact number for your treating practitioner or the clinic. Immediate follow-up and management of complications are part of our commitment to your clinical care and professional duty of care.
A neck thread lift can be used to address mild to moderate skin laxity in the neck and submental (under-chin) area. Common concerns include sagging along the jawline that extends into the neck, visible neck bands, and a loss of definition in the neck profile. The absorbable threads provide temporary mechanical support to reposition drooping tissue and may stimulate collagen production over time. However, a neck thread lift is not suitable for all degrees of neck laxity. Individuals with significant skin excess or advanced sagging may require alternative approaches, which will be discussed during your mandatory consultation with our registered health practitioner at our Adelaide clinic.
The threads used in a neck thread lift are absorbable and typically dissolve over a period of several months. The visible lifting effect and any collagen response may be noticeable for approximately 12 to 18 months in many cases, though individual results vary depending on factors such as skin quality, age, and lifestyle. Results are temporary and not permanent. A follow-up consultation allows your practitioner to assess the outcome and discuss whether a repeat procedure may be appropriate once the initial effects have diminished.
While the technique uses the same type of absorbable threads, a neck thread lift targets different anatomical structures. The neck area has thinner skin and different tissue planes compared to the mid-face, and thread placement must account for the specific anatomy of the platysma muscle and cervical nerves. The practitioner assesses each area independently during your consultation to determine suitability and develop a tailored treatment plan. Some individuals may benefit from treating both the lower face and neck in the same session, while others may only require one area. Your registered health practitioner at Advanced Cosmetic Medicine in Adelaide will discuss the most appropriate approach for your concerns.
A thread lift may be appropriate for adults experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity in the face, jawline or neck who are looking for a non-surgical option. Suitable candidates typically have enough skin quality and tissue thickness to support the threads effectively. Individuals with significant skin excess or advanced sagging may not achieve a meaningful result from threads alone and could require alternative approaches. Medical history, current medications, skin condition and realistic expectations all factor into the assessment. A mandatory consultation with a registered health practitioner at our Adelaide clinic determines whether a thread lift is appropriate and safe for your individual circumstances.
The duration of a thread lift procedure varies depending on the number of threads placed and the areas being treated. A face and neck thread lift typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes. The session length is determined by clinical need rather than convenience, and the practitioner will not rush the process. You should also allow time for the pre-procedure preparation and post-treatment instructions on the day. Your practitioner at Advanced Cosmetic Medicine in Adelaide will provide an estimated timeframe during your consultation based on your individual treatment plan.