Can you reshape your nose without surgery? Understanding the thread-based nose lift

If you weren't born with the chiseled features of a marble Michelangelo masterpiece, rhinoplasty can help. However, traditional rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, typically requires invasive surgery and a recovery period. During the process, you may feel less like a masterpiece and more like hiding out and wearing a mask, a la Phantom of the Opera.

What if there were a way to reshape the contours of your nose with a minimally invasive procedure? Enter the thread-based nose lift. Touted as a nonsurgical procedure that can refine the nose's appearance, the thread-based nose lift can lift the nose while helping some patients achieve a more youthful appearance.

Patients eager to elevate their profile without surgery may already want to jump on the nose lift bandwagon. Still, before you schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, it pays to learn what the thread-based nose lift can and can't achieve.

What is a thread-based nose lift?

For most patients looking to resculpt the shape of their nose, the primary option has been rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that alters the size and shape of the nose, involving the reshaping or repositioning of nasal bones and cartilage.

Nose jobs can help address unwanted humps, lumps or hooks, and they can also help correct issues that cause breathing difficulties, such as a deviated septum. A thread-based nose lift gives a different outcome.

"A thread-based nose lift uses dissolvable sutures – commonly made of polydioxanone (PDO) – to lift, contour or refine the shape of the nose without invasive surgery," said Ahmand Ahmadi, MD. "The threads are inserted under the skin with a cannula or needle, then tightened to create lift and definition."

The result is a minimally invasive option that can help lift and slightly reshape the nose with limited downtime and recovery for the patient. As the threads dissolve, they may trigger the body's inflammatory response, stimulating more collagen production in the area. This reaction can also help support the new shape or position of the nose.

Dr. Ahmadi said that patients can expect some swelling, redness and tenderness at the entry points for a few days after the procedure. Some bruising is also normal, but mild compared to surgery. You won't have to wait long to get back into action.

"Most patients return to normal activity in one to three days," said Dr. Ahmadi.

He also cautions patients to avoid rubbing their nose and not to wear glasses that press on the bridge of the nose for one to two weeks.

But there are limits. Don't expect a thread-based nose lift to correct significant structural features of the nose. Realistically, Dr. Ahmadi said patients can expect subtle and temporary improvements.

"This is not a substitute for surgical rhinoplasty," said Dr. Ahmadi. "It won't reduce hump size, narrow wide bones or permanently reshape cartilage."

You shouldn't expect permanent results, unlike surgical rhinoplasty.

"Results would last about six months, like any other PDO thread," said Kristy Hamilton, MD.

Thread-based nose lift vs rhinoplasty

Dr. Ahmadi offered a helpful list to help patients understand when they are a good candidate for a thread-based nose lift and when traditional rhinoplasty is a better option.

Good candidates typically include:

• Patients seeking subtle improvements in nasal tip projection, bridge definition or overall contour
• Those with mild drooping of the nasal tip (ptosis)
• Patients who want refinement without undergoing full rhinoplasty
• Individuals without major structural or functional nasal issues (like severe deviation, breathing problems or large humps)
• Patients looking for minimal downtime and reversible results

Dr. Ahmadi also added that patients with these features or concerns are often better candidates for surgical rhinoplasty:

• Significant structural issues (large dorsal hump, crooked nose, bulbous tip, wide nasal bones)
• Functional problems (airway obstruction, deviated septum)
• Desire for permanent and more dramatic results
• Corrective cases where prior nose work requires structural cartilage grafting or revision
• History of trauma

"For the selected patient, the surgeon can achieve good results, albeit temporary," said Dr. Ahmadi. "But one must remember that just like CoolSculpting was not the replacement for abdominoplasty, nose thread lift will not replace rhinoplasty."

Another consideration is the potential risks associated with a thread-based nose lift.

"Threads can have complications like extrusion (eroding through the skin), tracks of scar tissue formation around them (billed as collagen induction) and infection," said Dr. Hamilton.

A nonsurgical option may sound ideal, but patients should evaluate whether a thread-based nose lift can achieve the aesthetic results they seek. Results are only temporary for subtle adjustments, not dramatic or permanent reshaping. A plastic surgeon can help you understand which option can offer you the opportunity to achieve a profile that will rival any Renaissance statue, minus the sculptor's hammer and chisel.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.