Aptos Thread Lift in Burnaby: Non-Surgical Lifting That Actually Lasts
If you have been noticing sagging along your jawline, flattening cheeks, or early jowl formation — but you are nowhere near ready for a surgical facelift — the Aptos thread lift might be exactly the solution you have been searching for. It is one of the most exciting innovations in non-surgical aesthetics: real lifting, real collagen stimulation, and results that last one to two years, all with minimal downtime.
At SkinArtMD at Metrotown, our aesthetic physicians perform thread lift procedures using advanced Aptos thread technology, combining immediate structural support with long-term tissue rejuvenation. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is an Aptos Thread Lift?
An Aptos thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses specially designed absorbable threads to physically lift and reposition sagging facial tissue. The threads are inserted beneath the skin using fine cannulas or needles, creating an immediate lifting effect. But the real magic happens over the months that follow.
As the threads gradually dissolve, they trigger your body's natural wound-healing response, stimulating new collagen and elastin production around the thread tracks. This means that even after the threads themselves are gone, the structural support they built remains — in the form of your own revitalized tissue.
The Two Main Thread Types
PDO (Polydioxanone) Threads:
- The most widely used absorbable thread material globally
- Dissolves over approximately 6-8 months
- Stimulates Type I and Type III collagen production
- Available in smooth, twisted, and barbed configurations
- Excellent for skin tightening, fine line improvement, and moderate lifting
- Well-established safety profile with decades of use in surgical sutures
PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid) Threads:
- The same biocompatible material used in Sculptra injectable
- Dissolves over approximately 12-18 months
- Triggers a more robust and longer-lasting collagen response
- Ideal for patients who want maximum longevity from their thread lift
- Results can last 18-24 months or longer
- Particularly effective for patients with moderate volume loss alongside laxity
Thread Configurations
Not all threads are created equal. The Aptos system uses several configurations depending on your specific needs:
- Barbed threads (cog threads): Feature tiny directional barbs that grip tissue and create mechanical lift. These are the primary lifting threads used for jawline, midface, and neck rejuvenation.
- Smooth threads: Inserted in a mesh-like pattern to stimulate collagen over a broader area. Excellent for skin quality improvement on the cheeks, under-eyes, and neck.
- Twisted or spiral threads: Provide volumizing effects in areas that need subtle fullness alongside tightening.
What Can Thread Lifts Treat?
Thread lifts are remarkably versatile. At SkinArtMD, we use them to address:
- Sagging midface and cheeks: Restoring the youthful "apple cheek" contour
- Jowls and jawline laxity: Redefining the jawline without surgery
- Nasolabial folds: Reducing the depth of smile lines by lifting the overlying tissue
- Marionette lines: Lifting the corners of the mouth
- Neck laxity: Tightening early neck bands and loose skin
- Brow drooping: Creating a subtle, natural brow lift
- General skin laxity: Improving overall skin firmness and texture
Thread Lift vs. Dermal Fillers: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions we hear. Both treatments address facial aging, but they work in fundamentally different ways:
| Thread Lift | Dermal Fillers | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Physically lifts and repositions tissue | Adds volume to fill hollows and lines |
| Best for | Sagging, laxity, loss of definition | Volume loss, deep folds, contouring |
| Collagen benefit | Significant — stimulates new collagen over months | Minimal to moderate (depends on filler type) |
| Duration | 1-2 years (PDO) to 2+ years (PLLA) | 6-18 months (depending on filler) |
| Downtime | 3-7 days mild swelling/bruising | 1-3 days swelling/bruising |
| Natural look | Lifting without added volume | Adds volume — can look overfilled if overdone |
The ideal approach? Many patients benefit from combining both. Threads provide the structural lift, while fillers restore lost volume in specific areas. Your SkinArtMD physician will help you determine the right combination for your anatomy.
The SkinArtMD Thread Lift Experience
Consultation and Assessment
Every thread lift at SkinArtMD begins with a thorough consultation. Your physician will:
- Assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and degree of laxity
- Discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations
- Determine the optimal thread type, configuration, and placement strategy
- Review your medical history to ensure you are a suitable candidate
- Show you before-and-after photos of similar cases
The Procedure
Thread lifts are performed in our Burnaby clinic under local anesthesia. Here is what to expect:
- Marking: Your physician carefully maps the insertion points and lifting vectors on your face
- Anesthesia: Local anesthetic is injected to ensure complete comfort throughout the procedure
- Insertion: Threads are placed through tiny entry points using fine cannulas — no incisions, no scars
- Adjustment: Your physician gently adjusts the thread tension to create the desired lift while maintaining a natural, balanced appearance
- Completion: Entry points are closed with small adhesive strips — no stitches required
The entire procedure typically takes 45-90 minutes depending on the number of threads and areas treated.
What Results to Expect
Immediately after: You will see a noticeable lift right away. Some patients describe a slightly "over-lifted" appearance initially — this is intentional, as there is a small degree of settling in the first week.
Week 1-2: Swelling and mild bruising subside. The initial lifting effect settles into a natural-looking position. You may feel slight pulling or tightness — this is normal.
Month 1-3: Collagen production begins ramping up around the thread tracks. Skin quality starts improving noticeably — firmer, smoother, more luminous.
Month 3-6: The collagen-building phase is in full swing. Many patients report that their results actually look better at the 3-month mark than immediately after the procedure, as the new collagen adds natural volume and firmness.
Month 6-24: Threads gradually dissolve, but the collagen scaffold they stimulated remains. Results typically last 1-2 years for PDO threads and up to 2+ years for PLLA threads.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate?
The best candidates for thread lifts are typically:
- Age 30-65 with mild to moderate facial sagging
- Patients with reasonable skin elasticity (extremely thin or sun-damaged skin may not hold threads well)
- Those who want improvement but are not ready for surgical intervention
- People seeking a more natural alternative to large volumes of filler
- Patients who want collagen stimulation in addition to lifting
- Those with realistic expectations — thread lifts produce meaningful improvement, but they do not replicate a full surgical facelift
Who Should Consider Other Options?
Thread lifts may not be the best choice for:
- Severe sagging that truly requires surgical intervention
- Very thin skin with poor elasticity
- Active skin infections in the treatment area
- Patients on blood-thinning medications (may need to pause temporarily)
Recovery and Aftercare
One of the biggest advantages of thread lifts over surgery is the minimal recovery period:
Days 1-3:
- Mild to moderate swelling and possible bruising
- Avoid excessive facial movements (wide smiling, chewing hard foods)
- Sleep on your back with head elevated
- Apply cold compresses gently if needed
Days 3-7:
- Swelling continues to decrease
- You may return to work and normal activities (most patients feel comfortable by day 3-5)
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting
Weeks 2-4:
- Resume all normal activities including exercise
- Avoid facial massage or aggressive skincare for 4 weeks
- Attend your follow-up appointment for assessment
Long-term:
- Protect your investment with good skincare: SPF, retinoids, antioxidants
- Consider maintenance treatments (additional threads or complementary procedures) as recommended by your physician
- Results continue to improve as collagen builds over months
Combining Threads with Other Treatments
Thread lifts work beautifully as part of a comprehensive rejuvenation plan. At SkinArtMD, we often combine them with:
- Dermal fillers for volume restoration in areas where threads alone cannot add fullness (temples, under-eyes, lips)
- Sylfirm X RF microneedling for skin texture, pore size, and superficial tightening
- Sculptra for global collagen building that complements the thread-stimulated collagen
- Skin boosters for deep hydration and skin quality
- Neuromodulators (Botox/Dysport) to address dynamic wrinkles in the upper face
The sequencing and timing of combined treatments is important — your SkinArtMD physician will create a treatment timeline that optimizes results while allowing proper healing between procedures.
Why Choose SkinArtMD at Metrotown for Your Thread Lift?
Thread lifts are technique-dependent procedures — the skill and experience of your provider matters enormously. At SkinArtMD:
- Physician-performed: All thread lifts are performed by licensed medical professionals with advanced training in facial anatomy
- Customized approach: We do not offer a one-size-fits-all thread lift. Every treatment plan is tailored to your unique facial structure, skin quality, and goals
- Premium materials: We use only Health Canada-approved thread products from reputable manufacturers
- Comprehensive care: From initial consultation through follow-up, we are with you at every step
- Combined expertise: Our team can integrate thread lifts into a broader aesthetic plan that may include injectables, laser, and skin treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the thread lift hurt? A: With local anesthesia, most patients report feeling only mild pressure and pulling during the procedure. Discomfort is very manageable — most patients rate it around 3-4 out of 10.
Q: How long is the recovery? A: Most patients return to work within 3-5 days. Social downtime (when you might not want to attend events) is typically 5-7 days due to possible bruising and mild swelling.
Q: Can threads break or migrate? A: Modern Aptos threads are designed to stay in place once inserted. Complications like thread migration are very rare when the procedure is performed by an experienced practitioner. If a thread were to become displaced, it can usually be easily adjusted or removed.
Q: Will I look "pulled" or unnatural? A: When performed by a skilled physician, thread lifts produce a natural, refreshed appearance — not a "windswept" or pulled look. The key is conservative lifting that respects your natural facial proportions.
Q: Can I get a thread lift if I have had fillers? A: Yes. In fact, threads and fillers are often complementary. Your physician will assess whether any existing filler should be considered in your thread lift planning.
Q: How many threads will I need? A: This varies significantly depending on the areas treated and degree of laxity. A typical midface lift might use 4-8 threads per side, while a comprehensive face and neck treatment may use more. Your physician will recommend the appropriate number during your consultation.
Book Your Thread Lift Consultation
Curious whether an Aptos thread lift is right for you? Book a consultation at SkinArtMD at Metrotown. Our aesthetic physicians will assess your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and help you understand whether threads — alone or in combination with other treatments — can deliver the rejuvenation you are looking for.
No pressure, no upselling — just honest, expert guidance.
SkinArtMD at Metrotown — Modern aesthetic medicine in Burnaby, BC. Serving Burnaby, Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Metro Vancouver.
