A thread lift in Islamabad with Dr. Umbreen Munir Minhas lifts mildly sagging cheeks, jowls and brows using dissolving threads placed under the skin through a few tiny entry points.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Umbreen Munir Minhas, MBBS, FCPS (Plastic Surgery). Last updated October 2026.
A thread lift, also written threadlift, uses medical sutures passed under the skin with a fine needle or cannula. Barbed threads hook the soft tissue and lift it, then dissolve over the following months.
As the threads dissolve, they trigger a healing response that builds some new collagen around them, which helps the skin feel firmer.
Soft tissue starting to gather along the jaw blurs the jawline. Threads pull it back up towards the cheek before the sagging becomes heavy.
Midface tissue slides down with age and deepens the fold beside the nose. Lifting the cheek pad can soften that fold without adding volume.
The outer end of the eyebrow drops first and makes the eyes look tired. A few threads can raise the tail slightly for a more open look.
Some people want a modest lift with local anesthesia and a short recovery. Threads fill the gap between injectables and a facelift.
Threads lift the cheek pad upwards and outwards. It suits a flattened cheek and a deepening fold beside the nose.
Threads lift soft early jowls back towards the ear. It suits mild jowling with skin that still has good bounce.
A few threads raise the outer brow tail slightly. It suits a mild drop that makes the upper eyelids look heavy.
Threads support mild looseness under the jaw. It suits early neck laxity without thick bands or heavy loose skin.
You see a lift straight away, slightly exaggerated at first while the tissue settles. It works for mild sagging, and the effect is softer than surgery. Photos below are shared with consent.
Dr. Umbreen lifts your skin gently with her fingers to show what threads can achieve. If the skin is too loose, she will say a facelift suits you better.
Stop aspirin, fish oil and alcohol for some days before to reduce bruising. Avoid dental treatment in the weeks around your appointment.
The entry points and thread paths are numbed with local anesthetic. Each thread is passed under the skin, the tissue is lifted, and the ends are trimmed.
Small dimples or tightness near the entry points are expected at first. You can usually go home straight away with simple aftercare advice.
| Time After Treatment | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Same day | Tightness, swelling and tender entry points. |
| 24 to 48 hours | Swelling and bruising are at their peak. |
| Week 1 | Most swelling settles and small puckers smooth out. |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | The face feels normal and the lift looks natural. |
| Long term | The threads dissolve and the lift slowly fades. |
Avoid wide yawning, chewing gum and facial massage for about 2 weeks, and sleep on your back so the threads are not pulled.
Side effects are common but usually minor. A 2025 meta-analysis found swelling in about 35% of patients, skin dimpling in 10% and numbness in 6%. People over 50 have a higher risk of dimpling and infection.
Threads cannot remove loose skin or lift heavy jowls and neck bands. For that degree of sagging, a facelift gives a stronger and longer result.
Your fee is confirmed after assessment, once the areas and number of threads are agreed. Ask for one written price before treatment.
| Factor | How It Affects Your Fee |
|---|---|
| Number of threads | More threads add to the total. |
| Thread type | Barbed threads cost more than smooth ones. |
| Areas | Midface and jaw together cost more than one area. |
| Add-ons | Filler or Botox in the same visit is extra. |
Thread lift cost in Pakistan is often quoted per thread, so ask how many threads your plan needs before comparing prices.
Thread lift is listed among her public services. As a plastic surgeon who understands surgical lifting too, she can tell you plainly if threads will help or if your skin needs a facelift instead.
Smooth threads have no hooks and mainly improve skin firmness, while barbed or cog threads grip tissue to lift it.
| Feature | Smooth Threads | Barbed Threads |
|---|---|---|
| Main aim | Firmer, smoother skin | Visible lift |
| Grips tissue? | No | Yes |
| Typical use | Fine lines, mild crepiness | Cheeks, jaw, brow tail |
| Number used | Many short threads | Fewer, longer threads |
| Swelling afterwards | Less | More |
Material matters too. Polydioxanone (PDO) dissolves in about 6 to 9 months, while poly-L-lactic acid and polycaprolactone threads last longer, up to 18 months and 2 to 3 years.
Dr. Umbreen sees patients privately at Omer Diagnostic & Specialist Clinics (ODC), 12-A, LG Floor, CBC Plaza, G-8 Markaz, Islamabad, Monday to Friday, 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Plan treatment well before a wedding or family event, and tell her about any filler or threads placed in your face before.
Choose a doctor who also understands surgical lifting, explains which thread material is used and turns you away if your skin is too loose for threads to help.
Local anesthetic numbs the area, so you feel pulling and pressure rather than sharp pain. The face can ache for a few days, eased by simple painkillers.
The visible lift is often strongest in the first months and fades as threads dissolve. One study found it was noticeably reduced by 6 months and largely gone by a year.
Yes. A thread that is visible, poking through or causing a pucker can usually be trimmed or pulled out through a small opening while it is still intact.
There is no fixed age. It suits people with early sagging and skin that still springs back well. Older skin with more laxity usually gains more from surgery.
Yes. Threads lift tissue but do not add volume, so filler is often used alongside to restore lost fullness in the cheeks. Dr. Umbreen plans the order of treatments.
Patient guides on thread lift and facial lifting from Dr. Umbreen’s blog.
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