How painful is a thread lift?

A thread lift starts with numbing the areas where the threads will go, so the most distinct sensation during treatment is the sting of the anesthetic injection. As the threads pass through, it feels more like dull pressure and pulling than sharp pain. How much you feel varies from person to person.

When You Feel Discomfort

Discomfort during treatment doesn't come all at once; it comes at a few distinct moments.

• During the anesthetic injection: a sting as the needle goes in and a heavy feeling as the medication spreads
• When the threads are placed: the area is already numb, so the poking feeling fades, but you'll still feel pressure under the skin
• When the threads are pulled and anchored: a sensation of your cheeks or jawline being drawn upward
• After the anesthetic wears off: you may feel sore, or uncomfortable when opening your mouth wide, for a few hours to a few days

Lasting pain after treatment isn't common. In a study of 2,000 PDO thread lifts, post-treatment pain was recorded as a complication in 1.75% of cases. Tenderness when pressed is more common: in an analysis pooling 19 studies on dissolvable threads, tenderness made up about 10% of reported side effects. Most of these settle over time.

(Evidence: study of 2,000 cases 2026, review of 1,406 patients 2025)

Local Anesthesia

This is the most common approach for thread lifts. You stay awake, and anesthetic is injected only into the areas where threads will be placed.

• Anesthetic is injected first at the entry points where the threads go in
• It may also be spread thinly along the path the threads will take
• It's often mixed with an ingredient that reduces bleeding, to limit bleeding during treatment and bruising afterward

Where and how much anesthetic is injected can change how much you feel during treatment. One report found that injecting small amounts at set entry points helped reduce pain and swelling, but it's still a small observational study.

(Evidence: comparative study of 44 patients, 2026)

IV Sedation

If you're very anxious or threads are being placed in several areas, IV sedation may also be considered. You'll be asleep and remember little of the treatment, but there's more to prepare.

• You'll need to fast for a set time before treatment
• You can't drive yourself afterward
• Let us know in advance if you've recently had sedation elsewhere

Which anesthesia suits you is decided at your consultation, based on the treatment areas and your health.

What Affects How Much You Feel

There are reasons the same thread lift feels different from one person to the next.

• Number of threads and treatment area: the wider the area, the more spots need numbing
• Area: some parts of the face are more sensitive than others
• Thread thickness and insertion tool: it feels different depending on whether a blunt-tipped tube (cannula) or a needle is used
• How tense you are that day: when you're very tense, the same sensation feels stronger

Tell Us Before Anesthesia

For anesthesia to be safe, your doctor needs to know a few things in advance.

• Any past allergy to anesthetics or other medications
• Medications you're taking now, especially blood thinners
• Whether you're pregnant or could be pregnant
• Any past dizziness or discomfort after anesthesia

If pain gets steadily worse after treatment, the area feels hot, or your skin changes color, don't wait it out: contact the clinic right away. These are different from ordinary soreness.