Thread lift results not meeting expectations

Question

I originally hoped that thread lifting would transform my U-shaped face into a V-shape, reducing my nasolabial folds and the sagging of my cheeks. However, after the procedure, the jowls are still there, while my mid-face appears sunken. This has actually worsened the cheek hollows and made the asymmetry between both sides of my face even more pronounced.

During my follow-up visit, the doctor insisted that the lifting effect was achieved and that it simply didn't meet my personal expectations. Meanwhile, feedback from people around me has been consistent: they ask if I’ve lost weight because the cheek hollows are very obvious, making me look much older.

I would like to know if this is just my own perception, a gap in my understanding of how this thread lift works, or if the result is truly incorrect.

For this procedure, I had 8 threads of **Mint Lift** (神力拉提) and 1cc of **Ellansé** (洢蓮絲) injected into the apple cheeks.

Dr. Liu Ta-Ju · Accepted Answer

This situation does not necessarily mean a complete failure, but it also cannot be brushed off with the simple phrase, "It has a lifting effect, it just didn't meet expectations."

Because a face doesn't just become younger by being pulled upward.
If the direction of the lift, the fixation points, the original facial shape, fat distribution, the position of the apple cheeks, and the cause of the nasolabial folds are not evaluated together, it can sometimes amplify previously unnoticeable cheek hollows, jowls, or facial asymmetry.

Additionally, you had 1cc of **Ellansé** injected into your apple cheeks, which also needs to be evaluated in conjunction. **Ellansé** is not **Hyaluronic Acid (HA)**; it cannot be dissolved directly with hyaluronidase. Therefore, if there is any visual protrusion, indentation, displacement, or unnatural sensation, it requires a more precise assessment of its position and the tissue response.

I would advise you not to rush into adding more **Hyaluronic Acid (HA)** or performing further lifting procedures.
Often, when a face looks older, wider, or less smooth, it cannot be solved by "constantly adding more." On the contrary, you often need to start with subtraction.

At our clinic, when addressing this type of facial revision, we first look at several factors:

1. Whether the current indentation is a true volume loss or a visual indentation caused by the direction of the lift.
2. Whether the jowls are caused by fat, laxity, ligament tension, or changes in mid-face support.
3. Whether the **Ellansé** in the apple cheeks is in a natural position.
4. Whether the facial asymmetry was pre-existing or was amplified post-procedure.
5. Whether your face shape is actually suited for slimming, contouring, tightening, or if it requires localized revision.

If it is convenient, you are welcome to come in for an in-person assessment.
Based on your facial structure, palpation, dynamic expressions, and, if necessary, an **Ultrasound-guided** evaluation, I will help you determine whether this is a gap in expectations regarding the thread lift results or if there is a genuine issue with structural proportions.

You don't necessarily need to rush into treatment for this type of situation, but you must first clearly identify where the problem lies.
Truly good revision is not about filling the face back up, but about removing the unnatural elements and tidying up the area, allowing the face to become smooth, smaller, tighter, and natural once again.

yude519@gmail.com · Answer

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Thread lift results not meeting expectations

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