How Aptos threads lift sagging jowls and cheeks, what results to expect, and whether a thread lift is right for you
Medically reviewed by Dr. Adriene Chee, Medical Director, Verve Clinic. Last updated: October 2026.
It usually starts at the jawline. The clean edge you used to have softens into jowls, your cheeks sit a little lower, and the lines around your mouth look deeper than they did a few years ago. Creams have not changed it, and you are not ready for surgery. An Aptos thread lift sits between the two: a real, visible lift, with no cuts and little time off.
What is an Aptos thread lift?
In short: An Aptos thread lift is a non-surgical facelift. A doctor places fine, dissolvable threads under the skin through a thin cannula. Tiny barbs on the threads lift sagging cheeks and jowls back into place, and as the threads dissolve, they stimulate new collagen. The lift is visible straight away and usually lasts 18 to 24 months.
An Aptos thread lift is known in Chinese as Aptos埋线. Aptos threads were developed in the 1990s by plastic surgeon Dr. Marlen Sulamanidze, and the company now sells its threads in more than 70 countries. Dr. Adriene Chee has performed over 300 Aptos thread lifts since 2019, and now treats patients at Verve Clinic in Petaling Jaya.
Below, we explain why the face sags, how Aptos threads work, how they compare with other options, what the research shows, and what to expect on the day.
Why do the jawline and cheeks start to sag?
Sagging is not only about skin. Several layers of the face change with age, and together they pull the cheeks and jawline downwards:
| What changes | What you notice |
|---|---|
| Collagen and elastin decline | Skin becomes thinner and less springy, and creases form more easily |
| Cheek fat pads slide down | Flatter cheeks, deeper smile lines and heavier jowls |
| Supporting ligaments loosen | The jawline loses its clean edge |
| Sun exposure | Faster breakdown of collagen, so laxity shows earlier |
| Weight changes | Loss of volume leaves skin with less support |
This is why a thread lift works on two levels: it repositions tissue that has moved, and it rebuilds some of the collagen that holds it in place.
How does an Aptos thread lift work?
Each Aptos thread carries tiny barbs along its length. Once the thread is placed under the skin, the barbs grip the soft tissue so the doctor can lift it into a higher position. At Verve, we use Aptos Excellence Visage HA threads, made of poly-L-lactic acid and caprolactone and enriched with hyaluronic acid. They work in three ways:
- Lift: the barbs reposition sagging cheeks and jowls, so the change is visible straight away.
- Rebuild: as the threads slowly dissolve, they stimulate new collagen around them, which firms the skin over the following months.
- Hydrate: the hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin, improving its texture and glow.
For the lower face, that means:
- a sharper, more defined jawline (V-line)
- less visible jowls
- lifted cheeks
- softer smile lines (nasolabial folds)
- firmer, smoother skin
Aptos threads vs other ways to lift the face
Aptos threads give a stronger and longer-lasting lift than PDO threads and energy-based devices, without the downtime of surgery. Here is how the main options compare:
| Option | How it works | Lift | Downtime | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDO threads | Polydioxanone threads that dissolve in about 6 months | Mild to moderate | A few days | Usually shorter than Aptos |
| Aptos Excellence Visage HA threads | Barbed threads lift tissue, then stimulate collagen and hydrate the skin | Moderate, visible straight away | Back to work the next day; any bruising settles in 1 to 2 weeks | Usually 18 to 24 months |
| HIFU | Focused ultrasound heats deep layers to tighten them; no needles | Mild tightening that builds over 2 to 3 months | None | Usually repeated yearly |
| Surgical facelift | Skin and deeper tissue are lifted and the excess removed | Strongest | 2 to 4 weeks | Many years |
A thread lift is not a replacement for surgery when skin is very loose. It works best for early to moderate sagging, and for people who want a natural result without an operation.
What does the research say?
Published studies show that Aptos threads produce a visible lift that lasts up to 2 years, with high patient satisfaction and mainly mild, short-lived side effects.
In a 2022 study of 357 patients in Archives of Plastic Surgery, scores on the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale improved from an average of 3.88 to 1.93 one month after an Aptos Excellence Visage lift, and were still 2.36 at 2 years, well below where patients started. Patients rated their satisfaction 4.86 out of 5 at one month and 4.10 out of 5 at two years. There were no serious complications. Bruising (in 40% of patients) and swelling (30%) settled within 2 weeks.
A 2025 study of the hyaluronic acid version followed 60 patients for 6 months. At 6 months, 85% were rated improved or very improved by the doctor, and patient satisfaction with the result scored 88 out of 100. Swelling, bruising and tightness were mild and resolved within 3 to 7 days.
This matches what Dr. Adriene Chee has seen across more than 300 Aptos thread lifts since 2019: a lift you can see as soon as you look in the mirror, firmer skin over the following months, and results that last well over a year.
What happens during an Aptos thread lift?
Your visit starts with a consultation and facial assessment. Your doctor looks at where your face has descended, marks the lifting lines, and checks your health and medications. If a thread lift suits you, treatment can usually be done the same day.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 60 to 90 minutes |
| Comfort | Local anaesthetic at each entry point; most patients feel pressure rather than pain |
| Downtime | Most patients return to work the next day; any bruising or swelling usually settles within 1 to 2 weeks and can be covered with makeup |
| When you see a change | Straight away, with further improvement over 1 to 6 months |
| How long it lasts | Usually 18 to 24 months |
| Sessions | One session; repeat when the effect starts to fade |
What to expect after treatment:
- Day 1: your face looks lifted, with some tightness and tenderness. You can go home straight after treatment.
- First week: mild swelling or bruising may appear and fade. Most patients are back at work the next day.
- Weeks 2 to 4: the lift settles and looks more natural as any swelling goes down.
- Months 1 to 6: new collagen forms, so the skin feels firmer and smoother.
- Months 18 to 24: the effect gradually fades, and you can plan your next treatment.
For the first 2 weeks, avoid facial massage, opening your mouth very wide, dental treatment and strenuous exercise, and sleep on your back for the first few nights. Your doctor will give you full aftercare instructions.
Is an Aptos thread lift safe?
In experienced medical hands, a thread lift is a low-risk treatment. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived:
- bruising, swelling or tenderness for up to 2 weeks
- a feeling of tightness when you smile or chew for the first days
- small dimples or slight unevenness, which usually settle on their own within days
Treatment is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection, or for some people with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners. Very heavy, loose skin may be better treated with surgery. We go through your health and medications at your consultation before any treatment.
What pairs well with an Aptos thread lift?
Threads reposition tissue. Other treatments tighten the skin or restore lost volume, so combining them often gives a more complete result:
| Treatment | What it adds |
|---|---|
| AestheFill | Stimulates collagen and restores gentle volume to flat cheeks and hollows |
| Fotona 4D | Laser tightening inside the mouth and on the skin surface for firmer skin |
| Matrix | Sublime radiofrequency for lifting, or Matrix RF microneedling to tighten skin and soften lines |
| HIFU | Deep ultrasound tightening to support the lift along the jawline and neck |
Your doctor will suggest a plan based on your face, your goals and your timeline.
Is an Aptos thread lift right for you?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- notice early jowls or a softer jawline
- feel your cheeks have dropped or your smile lines have deepened
- want a visible lift without surgery or a long recovery
- have mild to moderate sagging rather than very loose skin
- want results that last longer than a few months
A note from Dr. Adriene Chee: “Patients often tell me they look fresher, not done. A thread lift is not a surgical facelift, but for early jowls and a softening jawline, it gives a visible lift with very little time off. The key is careful planning: placing each thread along the right lifting line for your face.”
Frequently asked questions
What is an Aptos thread lift?
An Aptos thread lift is a non-surgical facelift. A doctor places fine, dissolvable threads with tiny barbs under the skin to lift sagging jowls and cheeks. As the threads dissolve, they stimulate new collagen, so the skin also becomes firmer over the following months.
What is Aptos埋线?
Aptos埋线 is the Chinese name for an Aptos thread lift: a non-surgical facelift that uses fine, dissolvable Aptos threads to lift sagging jowls and cheeks and stimulate new collagen.
How long does an Aptos thread lift last?
Results usually last 18 to 24 months. In a published study of 357 patients, the lift was still visible at 2 years in every patient.
When will I see results?
You see a lift straight away. The result settles and improves over 1 to 6 months as swelling goes down and new collagen forms.
Is an Aptos thread lift painful?
We numb each entry point with local anaesthetic, and the threads are placed with a blunt cannula. Most patients feel pressure and tugging rather than pain.
How much downtime is there?
Most patients return to work the next day. Any bruising or swelling usually settles within 1 to 2 weeks and can be covered with makeup.
What is the difference between Aptos and PDO threads?
PDO threads are made of polydioxanone and dissolve in about 6 months, so their lift is usually shorter-lived. Aptos Excellence Visage HA threads are made of poly-L-lactic acid and caprolactone with hyaluronic acid, and are designed for a stronger lift and longer-lasting collagen stimulation.
Aptos thread lift or HIFU: which is better for me?
It depends on your skin. HIFU tightens skin with focused ultrasound and suits mild laxity, with no needles and no downtime. An Aptos thread lift physically repositions sagging cheeks and jowls, so it gives a stronger, immediate lift for moderate sagging. Many patients combine the two for both lift and tighter skin.
Will it look natural?
Yes, when the threads are placed along the right lifting lines for your face. The aim is a fresher, more defined jawline and cheeks, not a pulled or tight look.
What happens when the threads dissolve?
The threads dissolve gradually and leave behind new collagen that supports the lifted tissue. When the effect starts to fade, you can repeat the treatment.
How many threads will I need?
It depends on how much your face has descended and which areas you want to treat. Your doctor plans the number and direction of threads at your consultation, so the lift looks natural and balanced.
What age is best for a thread lift?
We usually treat patients aged 30 and above, when early jowls and a softer jawline start to appear. Treating early sagging tends to give the most natural result, but suitability depends on your skin rather than your age alone.
Is an Aptos thread lift suitable for men?
Yes. We treat men who want a sharper jawline or less sagging around the jowls and cheeks. The threads are planned to keep a strong, masculine jawline rather than a softened one.
Who should not have a thread lift?
A thread lift is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection, or for some people with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners. Very heavy, loose skin may need surgery instead. Your doctor will check this at your consultation.
How much does an Aptos thread lift cost?
It depends on the areas treated and the number of threads you need, so we give a personalised quote after your assessment. WhatsApp us for a quote.
Ready for a sharper jawline? Start with a facial assessment
A single session can lift your jawline and cheeks and keep improving your skin for months. At Verve Clinic in Petaling Jaya, a doctor will assess your face, plan the lifting lines and follow up on your result. Many of our thread lift patients travel from Kuala Lumpur and Klang. WhatsApp us to arrange your assessment, or read more about our Aptos thread lift treatment.
About the author
Dr. Adriene Chee is the Medical Director of Verve Clinic in Petaling Jaya. She has been practising since 2015 and has performed over 300 Aptos thread lifts since 2019. Her qualifications include an MD from the National University of Malaysia (UKM), a Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology (Bangkok) and an LCP in Aesthetic Medicine. Meet our team.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Results vary from person to person. Please discuss the benefits and risks of any treatment with a qualified doctor.
