Save Face reports triple the number of complaints about thread lifts in 2022

The number of complaints about thread lifts tripled between 2021 and 2022, according to new data shared by Save Face.

Thread lifts are an increasingly popular procedure that involves inserting biodegradable suture threads precisely within the skin using a needle or cannula. The sutures stimulate the skin’s natural healing response, which increases collagen production, providing more skin lift, as well as diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.

However, in 2022, Save Face (the national register for accredited aesthetic practitioners) saw a 30% increase in thread lift complaints from the previous year, with a total of 118 complaints.

In particular, there are growing concerns about complaints linked to inadequately trained practitioners. Specifically, those attempting to imitate results, while also “undercutting costs, overlooking stringent safety protocols and covertly captivating patients into a false sense of security that can lead to serious complications.”

Thread lifts are widely considered to bridge the gap between non-invasive treatments and cosmetic surgery, so, a comprehensive knowledge of facial anatomy, contraindications and possible complications is fundamental.

By law in England, healthcare professionals must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide thread lifts as they are considered surgical interventions. However, this does not apply to non-medics who, in some instances, perform thread lifts unregulated. This has also been enabled by the rise of inadequate training courses that often claim practitioners will be able to start practising after just one day of training, or merely an online tutorial.

Inadequate training, inaccurate placement or incorrect thread selection can all lead to several risks associated with poor practice, including:

• Discomfort and pain
• Bruising, swelling and tenderness
• Blood vessel or salivary gland injury, hematoma and nerve damage
• Infection
• Facial asymmetry
• Protrusion, extrusion and migration of threads
• Dimpling and irregularities
• Thread migration

As a result, Save Face is coming together with the thread lift specialist and founder and clinical director of SAS Aesthetics, Dr Mahsa Saleki, for a new campaign.

The Thread Bare campaign is designed to support the safe practice of thread treatments and drive-up industry standards by raising awareness of the risks of improper thread lift procedures. It will also focus on educating the public on the importance of finding a regulated aesthetics practitioner.

“Every year we are receiving more complaints regarding thread lifts being administered by non-healthcare professionals,” reveals the founder and director of Save Face, Ashton Collins. “In 2022 we received 118 complaints which is a 30% increase from the previous year. As the treatment increases in popularity, we feel compelled to work with the industry and key thread practitioners like Dr Saleki to help educate the public and encourage consumers to do their due diligence and research before choosing a clinic or practitioner for this treatment. PDO thread treatment is an invasive one and requires a clinical Care Quality Commission (CQC) approved setting and a medically licensed practitioner. When in doubt, we urge consumers to check the CQC website for an approved facility and our Save Face register for an accredited, vetted practitioner.”

“As one of the first surgeons and cosmetics doctors to train and perfect safe PDO thread treatments in the UK on a wider scale, I feel passionate about putting my 10 years of knowledge and experience to good use,” further comments Dr Saleki. “Anything that supports the education, health and safety of consumers is a worthy cause to that I am keen to dedicate my time. With the steadily increasing popularity of thread-based treatments, it is time to give threads the same care, attention and airtime to their use in practice as other clinic-based treatments such as injectables. In the right hands, threads can be highly effective for medium to long-term lifting, contouring and anti-ageing benefits, but sadly, more and more, I am being consulted by both patients and practitioners to correct all manner of issues due to a lack of understanding, experience and training. We need to stomp out bad practice fast.” 

Visit Save Face: saveface.co.uk

Visit SAS Aesthetics: sas-aesthetics.co.uk