Most of us would rather not look like we’re “done.” On a good day, all we want is to look like ourselves. It’s the kind of day when you slept for eight hours, drank all your water, and maybe even remembered to put on sunscreen ten years ago.
That’s where the “20-minute facelift” comes in.
You may have seen or heard about the craze on social media, beauty blogs, or from that one friend who always looks too fresh to be using retinol.
What, though, is a 20-minute facelift? Is it magic? Is surgery going to happen? Is it real?
The name sounds like a trick, but the process isn’t at all that simple.
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What Does a 20-Minute Facelift Really Mean?
The 20-minute facelift, which is also known as a lunchtime lift or mini-thread lift, is a non-surgical way to improve your appearance. Dissolvable threads are put just under the skin’s surface to lift and tighten it.
These threads, which are usually made of polydioxanone (PDO), help the body make more collagen and give the skin a slight lift. Think of them as tiny interior scaffolding.
As the threads naturally fall out over time, your skin will keep making new collagen, which will keep things looking tighter and younger.
It really does take about 20 minutes. No general anesthesia, stitches, or time spent in bed for a long time. You walk in, walk out, and maybe have a late lunch afterward, based on how much pain you can handle.
That means it’s not a real facelift, right?
Not in the usual way, no. For the 20-minute facelift, no skin is cut, muscles are repositioned, or hours are spent in the operating room. A traditional facelift surgery is entirely unique. It looks worse, hurts more, and costs more.
But a 20-minute makeover can still produce pretty great outcomes, especially for the right people.
It’s best for:
- Sagging of the face, jawline, or neck that isn’t too bad
- Early signs of getting older (think 30s to 50s)
- People who want to look better but don’t want surgery, healing time, or lying down
But it won’t work as well as a full facelift for people whose skin is very loose or sagging. Threads can only do so much, no matter how well they are put.
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How Does it Work?
A tiny needle or cannula (which looks like a blunt-tipped stick) is used to put very fine threads under the skin.
Don’t worry, you won’t feel the little spikes or cones on these threads. They’re meant to catch on the bottom of the skin and gently lift tissue up. It’s like putting a coat hanger behind a wall and pulling it out from the inside.
Once it’s in place, your provider will carefully pull on the threads to lift areas that are sagging, which are usually the neck, chin, or cheeks. The ends will then be trimmed. Don’t sew. Don’t cut. The strategy requires some heavy work.
The threads will fall out in a few months, but your body will still be making collagen in the lifted areas. So the effect stays even after the threads are gone. That’s what makes it magic.
Who are the Candidates for a 20-minute Facelift?
Men and women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are joining the trend, particularly those who work in fields where appearance matters or who believe their outward appearance doesn’t reflect their inner energy.
It could be an actor, a real estate agent, a teacher, a boss, or anyone else. It’s for anyone who wants a quick, easy refresh. Those who are tired of overdoing it and wish to enhance their appearance can benefit from this.
Does it Hurt?
You can describe it as “bearable” hurt. After the procedure, your face will be bruised a little.
Pros and Cons of a 20-Minute Facelift
No method is perfect. Let’s talk about the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Very fast (20 to 40 minutes), really
- No cuts and no general anesthesia
- Not much downtime
- Lifting action right away, plus long-term collagen stimulation
- Results that are subtle and look natural
Cons
- Not permanent (most effects last 12 to 18 months)
- It is not recommended for skin that is very loose or very old. There is a small chance that the threads will show through, cause unevenness, or pucker (though such an effect is rare with skilled hands).
- It depends on your skin type, thickness, and how you live your life.
What Kind of Results Should You Really Expect?
Stop for a moment, clear your mind, and picture the best form of yourself.
The goal of a 20-minute facelift is to give you that kind of effect. You won’t look exactly like someone else when you leave, but small changes can be seen.
A cheek that is slightly droopy is pulled up. A softer chin makes the face look more defined. The lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth are called nasolabial folds. They start to look less noticeable.
The first lift can be seen right away after treatment. The real gain, on the other hand, comes slowly over time.
As the threads fall out, your skin starts to rebuild collagen in the areas that were treated. This improvement will make your skin look and feel better for a few months after the treatment.
Even though the threads are only brief, the effects can last up to 12 to 18 months if you get them touched up every so often.
It’s kind of like the regular care that a lot of people already get from neuromodulators or dermal fillers, but thread lifts give you a structural lift instead of just volume or wrinkle reduction.
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What Does the Recovery Look Like?
After a day or two, you can go back to their normal activities. You could have:
- Small lumps of swelling
- A little pain or tightness
- Tiny openings that are generally hidden in the hairline or mouth.
For about a week, refrain from intense workouts, facial massages, and big smiles (sorry, karaoke). Sleep on your back for a few nights.
Who Shouldn’t Get a 20-Minute Facelift?
- Your skin is very thin or easily broken.
- You have a lot of drooping skin that needs surgery.
- You have acne or an infection in the area that needs care.
- You take blood thinners or have a problem with bleeding
- A big, long-lasting change is what you want.
In those situations, there are better choices, like lasers, fillers, or surgery to lift the skin. The 20-minute move is great, but it doesn’t work for everyone.
How Much Does it Cost?
Prices change based on where you live, who you choose, and how many threads you need. But just to give you an idea:
A single area, like the middle of the face or the chin, costs between $800 and $1,500.
Thread lifts for a full facelift cost $2,000 to $4,000.
That costs a lot less than surgery for a facelift, which can cost $10,000 to $20,000 (not counting the cost of anesthesia, hospital fees, and time off work).
Most people think it’s worth the money because the effects last up to 18 months. This is especially true when you compare it to how much it costs to keep up fillers or skin-tightening treatments.
Is It Really Worth It?
That being said, it’s up to you.
Yes, if you want a quick and easy refresh that makes you look like you’ve been taking great care of yourself (even if you haven’t). You should think about getting the 20-minute fix.
It’s not a magic wand, and it won’t fix everything. But for the right person? It could change everything.
Talk to a qualified cosmetic surgeon with a lot of knowledge who works with threads. Someone who will tell you the truth about whether you’re a good fit or whether something else would work better.