Thread Lift Gone Wrong? Risks, Side Effects and How to Avoid Them

Most thread lift problems are minor and temporary. The most common issues are swelling, bruising, tenderness, a pulling feeling when you open your mouth wide, and small dimples or puckers in the skin, which usually settle within a few weeks. Less often, a thread can be felt or seen under the skin, work its way toward the surface, cause slight asymmetry or become infected. Serious complications such as nerve injury are rare. Because PDO threads dissolve over about six months, most problems are fixable: dimples often smooth with time, and a visible or uncomfortable thread can be adjusted, trimmed or removed. Choosing the right candidate, an experienced injector and following aftercare prevent most issues.

This guide explains what can go wrong with a thread lift, what is normal, what needs a call, how problems are fixed and how to lower your risk.

Normal after a thread lift, or a problem?

	Usually normal	Call us
Swelling and bruising	Settles within a few days	Getting worse after day 3, or one side hard and painful
Pulling or tightness	When you yawn, smile widely or chew, easing over 1 to 2 weeks	Sharp or worsening pain
Dimples or puckers	Small dents at entry points or along a thread, fading over weeks	Deep dimples still there after a few weeks
Asymmetry	Slight unevenness while swelling settles	Clear unevenness after 2 weeks
Feeling a thread	A faint firmness under the skin	A visible line, a thread poking through, or a lump
Skin	Mild redness at entry points	Spreading redness, heat, pus or fever

What can go wrong with a thread lift?

• Dimpling and puckeringThe most common issue. Skin catches on the barbs as it is lifted. It usually settles as swelling goes down and the tissue relaxes.
• AsymmetryOne side lifts more than the other, or swelling is uneven. Often settles; persistent asymmetry can be corrected.
• Visible or palpable threadsThreads placed too close to the surface, or in thin skin, can be seen or felt.
• Thread extrusionA thread end works its way out through the skin, usually near an entry point. It is trimmed or removed.
• InfectionRare, but needs prompt treatment, usually with antibiotics and sometimes removing the thread.
• Lumps or inflammationRarely, a delayed inflammatory reaction causes a firm lump weeks or months later.
• Nerve effectsTemporary numbness is common. Weakness of facial movement is rare and usually temporary.
• Disappointing liftToo little lift, or a lift that fades quickly, usually means the sagging was too advanced for threads.

How thread lift problems are fixed

Most problems can be improved because PDO threads are absorbable.

• Dimpling: often settles by itself; your provider may gently massage or release the skin.
• Visible, extruding or uncomfortable threads: the thread can be adjusted, trimmed at the entry point or removed through a small opening.
• Asymmetry: often improves as swelling settles; an extra thread or a little filler can balance the result.
• Infection: antibiotics, and removing the thread if needed.
• Time: the threads dissolve over about six months, so many minor issues fade with them.

How to avoid a thread lift gone wrong

Be the right candidate

Threads work best for mild to moderate sagging with reasonably good skin. Very thin skin, heavy jowls or a lot of loose skin raise the chance of visible threads, dimpling and a disappointing lift. In those cases, skin tightening, filler or surgery may suit you better; see sagging jowls treatments.

Choose an experienced medical injector

Most complications come down to depth, direction and the number of threads. Ask how many thread lifts your injector performs, which threads they use and what their follow-up plan is.

Follow your aftercare

• Avoid big facial movements such as wide yawning, and dental work, for the first couple of weeks.
• Do not massage or rub the area.
• Sleep on your back for the first few nights if you can.
• Skip strenuous exercise and saunas for a few days.
• Keep your follow-up appointment.

Thread lift at Glow Theory

We use PDO Max threads for lifting and SMUTH PDO threads for skin quality, numb the area with local anesthetic, and see you again at two weeks to check your result and how the threads have settled. See our PDO thread lift guide for how treatment works.

VIP members pay less. Your threads and price are confirmed before treatment.

Learn more about the PDO thread lift, or book a consultation at our studio on El Camino Real in South Carlsbad.