Lip threading is also known as lip thread lifting. This non-surgical procedure uses tiny dissolvable threads to smooth fine lines around the mouth and increase collagen production.
Unlike lip fillers, which add volume to your lips, lip threading adds curvature and definition, mainly in the cupid arch area of your upper lip.
Lip threading appeals to the public who want a usual look rather than the plump, meaty look that lip fillers offer.
This procedure is different from minimally invasive barbed stretches that perform around the jaw, double chin, and other areas of the face and body. It is also different from lip lift surgery, a minimally invasive procedure to shorten the nose and upper lip space.
Lip threading to consider safe when performed by a certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who is well trained in this non-surgical procedure.
Table of Contents
Upper Lip Threading Procedure
A lip lift takes about 30 minutes: 15 minutes to numb the area and 15 minutes for the procedure itself.
- Your plastic surgeon or dermatologist will create a small puncture hole in the corner of your mouth that is flush with your lip line.
- Your doctor will insert the thread using a cannula (a thin tube) prepackaged with a thin line. The cable can also be prepackaged in a needle with a point, eliminating the need to create a punch hole.
- The threads used for this procedure vary in size, from dental floss to human hair; they can also be “smooth” or “twisted.”
- Once inserted, the cannula or needle gently pushes towards Cupid’s bow, where it usually stops.
- Your doctor will then repeat this process on the other side of your upper lip.
- After each suture is in place, surgical scissors cut off the end with an excess suture at the insertion site.
- Then the end of each wire is manipulated into the hole so that it is not visible.
The process repeats on your lower lip: your doctor will advance the wire to the center of your lower lip and repeat on the opposite side.
Suppose you want more height or bulk, more threads to add. It complete by inserting an already thread cannula through the initial puncture site or by additional punctures with sharp needles that are pre-assemble with cables.
The look you want and the type of yarn used will determine whether you will perform this procedure once or twice over a few months.
Advantages Of The Lip Thread
Threading the lips gives a more natural look compared to the pout and plump effect achieved with the fillers.
This non-surgical procedure also stimulates collagen production around the lip area, which can reduce wrinkles in the future.
Is It Safe To Put On The Lips?
As with most cosmetic procedures, the safety of a lip lift is prime determine by your provider’s expertise. For this cause, it is crucial that you only use a certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist with experience in lip threading.
If the procedure to not performed correctly, your lips may appear crooked. You may also see visible threads after the process is complete. Scars can also be the result.
The most common side effects of lip threading include:
- a momentary pulling or tugging while smiling, eating, or talking
- slight swelling or bruising
- slight asymmetry due to swelling, which should subside within two week
How Lip Threading Works at a Biological Level
Lip threading relies on biostimulatory effects rather than volumization. The threads—commonly made from materials such as polydioxanone (PDO), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), or polycaprolactone (PCL)—are inserted into the dermal or subdermal layer. Once placed:
- They create a mechanical lifting effect by repositioning tissue
- They trigger a controlled inflammatory response, which stimulates fibroblasts
- Fibroblasts produce collagen (Type I and III) and elastin
- Over time, the threads dissolve, but the collagen scaffold remains, improving firmness and texture
This dual mechanism explains why results often improve gradually over several weeks.
Types of Threads Used in Lip Threading
- PDO Threads (Polydioxanone)
- Most commonly used
- Dissolve within 4–6 months
- Suitable for subtle enhancement
- PLLA Threads (Poly-L-Lactic Acid)
- Longer-lasting collagen stimulation
- Gradual improvement over time
- Dissolve in 12–18 months
- PCL Threads (Polycaprolactone)
- Longest-lasting option
- Stronger lifting effect
- Can last up to 2 years
- Thread Designs
- Smooth threads: Improve texture and fine lines
- Twisted threads: Add mild structure
- Barbed threads: Rarely used in lips; more common in jawline lifting
Ideal Candidates for Lip Threading
Lip threading is not universally suitable. Ideal candidates include:
- Individuals aged 25–50 with early signs of aging
- People with thin lips seeking definition (not volume)
- Patients with vertical lip lines (smoker’s lines)
- Those wanting subtle enhancement without fillers
- Individuals avoiding hyaluronic acid-based treatments
Not suitable for:
- Severe skin laxity
- Very thin or damaged lip tissue
- Active infections (e.g., herpes simplex outbreaks)
- Bleeding disorders
Pre-Procedure Guidelines
Before undergoing lip threading, practitioners typically recommend:
- Avoid blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E) for 5–7 days
- Refrain from alcohol 24–48 hours prior
- Stay hydrated and maintain good lip health
- Inform the provider about allergies or prior cosmetic treatments
- Antiviral medication may be prescribed for patients prone to cold sores
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery Timeline
Immediately After (0–48 hours):
- Mild swelling, tenderness, tightness
- Avoid excessive lip movement (talking, smiling widely)
- Apply cold compress intermittently
First Week:
- Avoid makeup on lips for 24 hours
- Sleep on your back to prevent displacement
- No strenuous exercise or heat exposure
Weeks 2–4:
- Swelling subsides
- Initial results visible
- Collagen production begins
1–3 Months:
- Optimal results develop
- Skin appears firmer and smoother
Longevity of Results
- Immediate lift effect: visible instantly
- Collagen stimulation: continues for 2–3 months
- Overall results last:
- PDO: 6–9 months
- PLLA/PCL: 12–24 months
Maintenance sessions may be required once or twice a year depending on individual goals.
Lip Thread vs Other Lip Enhancement Procedures
| Feature | Lip Threading | Lip Fillers | Surgical Lip Lift |
| Purpose | Definition & lift | Volume | Structural change |
| Invasiveness | Minimally invasive | Non-surgical | Surgical |
| Downtime | 2–5 days | 1–3 days | 1–2 weeks |
| Longevity | 6–18 months | 6–12 months | Permanent |
| Cost | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Result Type | Natural contour | Plump/full | Dramatic |
Cost of Lip Threading (Global & India-Specific)
India (Average Pricing):
- ₹15,000 – ₹35,000 per session (basic PDO threads)
- ₹30,000 – ₹60,000 for advanced thread materials or multiple threads
International Pricing:
- USA: $500 – $1,500 per session
- UK: £400 – £1,200
- Australia: AUD 700 – AUD 2,000
Factors Affecting Cost:
- Number of threads used
- Type of material (PDO vs PCL)
- Clinic reputation and location
- Experience of practitioner
- Combination treatments (e.g., threads + fillers)
Combination Treatments
Lip threading is often combined with:
- Lip fillers (for volume + definition)
- Botox lip flip (to enhance upper lip visibility)
- Laser resurfacing (for wrinkles around lips)
- Chemical peels (to improve skin texture)
These combinations can produce more comprehensive aesthetic outcomes. (American Board of Cosmetic Surgery)
Potential Complications and Management
Although rare, complications may include:
- Thread migration
- Nodules or lump formation
- Asymmetry
- Infection
- Extrusion (threads becoming visible)
Management strategies:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Manual adjustment or removal of threads
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Follow-up corrective procedures
Regulatory and Safety Considerations
- Threads must be FDA-approved (USA) or CDSCO-approved (India)
- Clinics should follow strict aseptic protocols
- Practitioners must have certification in aesthetic medicine or dermatology
Unregulated or low-quality threads significantly increase complication risks.
Trends and Innovations in Lip Threading
- Micro-threading techniques for ultra-subtle results
- Hybrid procedures combining threads with regenerative medicine
- Use of bioactive threads infused with growth factors
- Increasing demand for “natural aesthetic” procedures over volumizing treatments
Psychological and Aesthetic Considerations
Patients increasingly prefer lip threading due to:
- Desire for natural-looking enhancement
- Avoidance of “overfilled” lips
- Reversible and low-commitment nature
- Minimal downtime compared to surgery
However, realistic expectations are critical—lip threading enhances shape, not size.
What Are The Side Effects Of Lip Thread Lifting?
Side effects of lip facelifts can include bruising and swelling. In rare cases, the threads on the lips may move or become visible. However, your doctor can quickly resolve these problems. (WebMD)
Other Risks When Lifting Ropes Are:
- Anesthesia problems
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Threads through the skin (extrusion)
- infection
- pains
- Sensitivity to sunlight or other bright light
- Results that are not what you wanted
Conclusion
Lip threading to done to give your lips more definition than fullness. It also helps in removing fine shape and wrinkles around the mouth.
This non-surgical procedure provides contouring, primarily in the area of the Cupid’s arch.
Lip application considered a safe procedure provid by an experienced and certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.