Can You Get a Breast Lift with Threads? Why Top Plastic Surgeons Say No

May 30, 2025

Can You Do a Breast Lift Using Threads?

As interest in non-surgical cosmetic procedures grows, many patients are exploring whether technologies like thread lifts can be used beyond the face, including on the breasts. A common question we hear is whether threads can be used to lift the breasts the same way they’re used to lift the face. Let’s break down the facts.

What Is a Thread Lift?

Thread lifts involve inserting dissolvable threads under the skin to provide a subtle lifting effect. These threads are made from the same material used in surgical sutures and are typically used on areas like the cheeks, jawline, or brow. The threads contain small barbs that anchor them under the skin, allowing them to reposition and support tissue. Over time, the threads dissolve naturally, leaving behind a modest collagen-boosting effect.

Thread lifts are ideal for facial rejuvenation because the treated areas typically involve small volumes of soft tissue and benefit from subtle contouring. They are minimally invasive, require little to no downtime, and offer temporary yet noticeable improvements in skin tightness and definition.

How Does a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Work?

A breast lift is a surgical procedure designed to raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the breast tissue and nipple-areolar complex. One of the most effective and commonly used techniques is the “lollipop” incision, which runs vertically from the base of the breast to the areola and circles around it.

This method allows the surgeon to lift the breast mound and recontour the shape with precision while minimizing scarring. The procedure is highly customizable and often performed in combination with breast augmentation or reduction to achieve the desired aesthetic.

Why Threads Are Not Suitable for Breast Lifts

While the idea of using threads for a breast lift is innovative, it is not currently viable or effective. Here’s why:

• Skin excision is required: One of the key components of a mastopexy is skin removal, which physically lifts the breast. Threads cannot remove skin, making it impossible to achieve comparable results.
• Gravity and mass: The breasts contain more volume and fat than facial tissue. This makes them significantly heavier, meaning a strong, structural lift is required to counteract gravity—something threads cannot provide.
• Direction of lift: In a surgical lift, the tissue is elevated from below. Threads would have to pull the tissue upward from above, opposing gravity rather than working with it.

For these reasons, there is no non-surgical equivalent to a breast lift that provides reliable, long-lasting, and significant elevation of the breasts.

Are There Any Alternatives?

While thread lifts are not a substitute for surgical breast lifts, there are other procedures that may complement or delay the need for mastopexy. For example:

• Breast augmentation with implants may provide a small lifting effect for mild ptosis.
• Skin tightening technologies (such as RF or ultrasound) can offer subtle firmness improvements, but do not significantly lift tissue.

These options may be appropriate for select candidates, but none replace the results of a surgical lift.

Why Surgery Is Still the Gold Standard

Although the idea of a non-surgical breast lift is appealing, current medical technology does not offer a thread-based or minimally invasive alternative that matches the effectiveness of surgery. For patients seeking real, lasting lift and reshaping of the breasts, mastopexy remains the safest and most effective option.

If you’re considering a breast lift or have questions about your options, a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons is the best place to start. We’ll help you understand what’s possible based on your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle.