Dr. Serhan Derin, born in 1982, is a seasoned ENT specialist who graduated from Ankara University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Kocaeli University in 2010. Dr. Derin is a highly skilled surgeon specializing in functional and cosmetic nose surgeries, including Primary Rhinoplasty, Revision Rhinoplasty, Ethnic Rhinoplasty, Septoplasty, Septorhinoplasty, Nasal Valve Surgery, and Sinus Surgery.
Are you looking for a way to change the way your nose looks without undergoing surgery and a knife? Well, thread rhinoplasty might be the right option for you. Thread lift rhinoplasty is becoming a very popular cosmetic procedure and is widely done by many doctors all around the world. As the name suggests, this invasive procedure is a non surgical rhinoplasty with threads.
In this article, we will talk about this type of rhinoplasty with threads and discuss the details. If you are interested in knowing more about how to reshape your nose with strings and no cutting or incisions, don’t miss this article.
What does thread rhinoplasty refer to?
Thread rhinoplasty is a type of rhinoplasty that uses special threads or strings instead of surgical techniques to make changes to the nose. These strings are called PDO (polydioxanone) which are dissolvable and completely biocompatible. This rhinoplasty type is non-invasive and results are satisfactory.
So another question pops up here: Who is qualified to perform thread rhinoplasty?
A well-trained plastic surgeon or an ENT specialist is capable of performing this cosmetic procedure. We will explain more in the following paragraphs.
What can thread lift rhinoplasty change?
Thread lift procedure helps lift the tip of the nose or increase the nasal height to some extent. Another issue that a thread lift nose job can address is to even out the bridge of the nose, a small bump.
PDO threads are a good way to contour and reshape the nose when only minor alteration is needed. This nonsurgical rhinoplasty operation can hide small bumps on the nasal dorsum, but it can not do anything about a prominent bump on the nose. The best way to remove that is by surgery.
How does this nonsurgical nose job work?
This is a non-surgical rhinoplasty procedure that uses strings to improve the nasal shape. It requires no knife to cut the structures.
To perform this non-invasive technique the doctor applies local anesthesia to numb the area. Once it is numb, the doctor inserts the PDO strings under the skin into the tip and the nasal bridge in multiple directions for optimal outcomes (1). The number of threads used depends on the individual’s skin thickness, desired shape, and finally the doctor’s decision.
The whole non-surgical nose thread lift procedure lasts less than an hour. The results of this nose threading procedure can be seen immediately. That’s why it is also referred to as the lunchtime nose job
- 30-45 minutes
Thread lift rhinoplasty: The procedure explained
PDO is the most common and oldest type of suture used in thread rhinoplasty. There are two other less-frequently used sutures: PLA (polylactic acid) and PCA (polycaprolactone).
PDO threads stimulate collagen production in the nose. The outcome even continues to improve as the body builds more collagen. This provides more strength and stability for the nasal frame. It also helps fix the tip lift in its place.
However, the results last for up to 1.5 years as the strings are slowly absorbed by the body as time goes on. If you are satisfied with the results, you can repeat the process. In fact, If you want the results to last longer, you can strengthen the collagen production by repeating the procedure 9 months after the first time and continue to do so. This is because even after the absorption of the strings its effects continue to remain for some months.
How does thread rhinoplasty work compared to traditional rhinoplasty?
If you still doubt about undergoing a thread lift nose job or traditional rhinoplasty, a comparison between the two might help you make up your mind.
Traditional rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that can address almost every issue of the nose. Whereas, thread rhinoplasty is non-surgical and is capable of making a few limited changes. You can see the main differences between traditional and thread rhinoplasty in the table below.
| Thread lift rhinoplasty | Traditional rhinoplasty |
| No incisions | Incisions on or within the skin |
| Requires local anesthesia | Requires general anesthesia |
| Temporary results | Permanent results |
| No scars | Possibility of tissue scarring |
| No downtime after the procedure | 7-10 days recovery period |
| Ranges from $500 to $5,000 | Ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 |
Thread lift is a safe procedure that provides patients with a better appearance. The reversibility of the process makes it easy to get along with an unsatisfactory look. On the other hand, if the patient is pleased with the final this reversibility forces them to repeat the process. That is not the case with a traditional rhinoplasty. What you achieve will last forever.
Advantages of thread rhinoplasty
The many benefits of thread rhinoplasty place it among the popular procedures to improve cosmetic concerns of the nose. The advantages of string rhinoplasty are:
- The results are seen instantly
- Minimal to no bruising and swelling
- The procedure is fast and takes 30 to 45 minutes
- No downtime from normal activities
- Affordable prices
- No risk of blindness or skin necrosis unlike the liquid rhinoplasty procedure
- The results are not permanent if you are not pleased with them
- Increases collagen formation in the nose which helps with stability
Limitations of thread rhinoplasty
Just like every other cosmetic procedure, thread rhinoplasty has some limitations and disadvantages. By knowing them, you can decide on the best available option for you within realistic barriers. The limitations of thread lift nose job are:
- The results are not ever-lasting and need to be repeated regularly
- It cannot make huge changes
- The outcome might not meet the patient’s aesthetic goals
- Does not work well on thick skin
Alongside these limitations, patients may experience little bruising, pain, swelling, and discomfort.
What criteria should you meet before getting the procedure?
This type of rhinoplasty is a good option for those who are unhappy with their nose shape but want to make minor yet noticeable changes to their nose. Nose thread lifting rhinoplasty is for patients with minor deformities who do not want to undergo surgery and anesthesia. If you would like to make any of the following changes to your nose, the thread rhinoplasty is good for you:
- To hide a nasal hump
- Giving more height or volume to a flat nose bridge.
- To project an under-projected tip of the nose
- Giving a crooked and asymmetric nose a more balanced look
- To reduce the nostril size
- Lifting the nasal tip
- Helps with nasal valve collapse and the subsequent nasal obstruction
- Lift the bridge and improve nasal wall depression
Who can get it?
Thread lift rhinoplasty is a very common and popular cosmetic procedure in East Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, and Thailand. This type of rhinoplasty has satisfactory results on people with the oriental nose or Asian nose type. The reason for this is that it helps improve nasal height and the tip. They are among the most requested changes in these populations. Patients with wide noses are also among those who can benefit from this cosmetic procedure.
In addition to all these criteria, the person should give a complete medical history during the initial consultation to see if they are eligible to have a thread lift rhinoplasty. It is also better to quit or stop smoking at least two weeks before the procedure. It will help the result to appear faster and will reduce the risk of any complications smoking may cause.
Nose reshaping without surgery: What to expect
There are other non-surgical alternatives for thread lift nose jobs. Liquid rhinoplasty can be as effective and beneficial as thread rhinoplasty. Liquid nose job includes injecting dermal fillers or Botox for a better nose shape. Let us have a quick review of what to expect from these other nonsurgical rhinoplasty options.
The procedure
These procedures are not invasive and do not require general anesthesia. In the liquid nose job, the surgeon injects botox or dermal filler under the skin of the nose to make changes. The operation duration is short and is followed by minimal to no bruising and swelling. They will subside in less than a week.
After process
This type of nose reshaping nose job requires no nasal cast and taping. There will be no downtime from usual activities. The patient can get back to their normal routines such as work and normal daily activities. However, strenuous activity should be avoided for around two months.
Results
Usually, the outcome is satisfactory. Yet, the results are temporary and short-lived. Unlike thread lift rhinoplasty which lasts up to 2 years, injectable fillers last for 6 to 12 months. To maintain satisfactory outcomes, the procedure should be regularly repeated. Sometimes the doctor might suggest performing liquid rhinoplasty and thread lift nose job simultaneously for a better look. It can be done in one appointment. The patient can benefit from the reshaping effects of both procedures is evening out the crooked nose and lifting the tip.
Another thing to consider is non-surgical rhinoplasty procedures are able to give the illusion of a more symmetrical nose by camouflaging minor deformities, but nasal structures do not alter.
This has been our guide for thread lift nose jobs. We hope you have found the answers to your questions. If you seek further information, do not hesitate to contact us. We will reach back to you in no time to help you with the required pieces of information.
References:
(1) Lee HY, Yang HJ. Rhinoplasty with Barbed Threads. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2018 Nov 13;6(11):e1967. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001967. PMID: 30881784; PMCID: PMC6414097.
