The Ineffectiveness of Gold Thread Lifts: A Closer Look - 美容整形・美容外科｜船橋中央&青山セレスクリニック　美容整形・美容外科｜船橋中央&青山セレスクリニック

History of Gold Thread Lifts

Introduced decades ago, the origin of the gold thread lift (Golden Lift) remains somewhat unclear. Believed to have developed in Asia, it gained popularity, particularly in Japan and Korea. Initially a luxury treatment for the wealthy, it gradually found acceptance among a wider patient demographic.

Mechanism of Gold Thread Lifts

In a gold thread lift (Golden Lift), very fine threads of pure gold, each about 5-10 cm long, are inserted under the skin. Usually, 40-50 threads are used for the face and neck. Grouped with short thread lifts like shopping lifts and collagen lifts, gold is chosen for its stability and low allergy risk. The gold threads supposedly trigger an inflammatory response under the skin, stimulating new collagen production to enhance skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and contribute to overall rejuvenation.

Effects of Gold Thread Lifts

The primary benefits of gold thread lifts (Golden Lift) include skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, and overall skin quality improvement. As gold threads remain stable in the body for a long time, this treatment’s effects are often advertised as being longer-lasting than other thread lifts.

Risks of Gold Thread Lifts

Potential risks and side effects include inflammation, infection, thread exposure or migration, and excessive scar tissue formation. There’s also psychological resistance to having gold threads remain in the body.

Why Gold Threads are Ineffective

Despite the attention gold thread lifts (Golden Lift) have garnered in cosmetic medicine, common misconceptions about their effectiveness exist. Many clinics and doctors claim that gold threads continually generate collagen, but is this really the case?

●Body’s Reaction to Gold Threads: While stable, gold threads are essentially foreign objects in the body. Their insertion triggers inflammation and immune responses, leading to scar tissue formation around the threads. This scar tissue, primarily made of collagen, is often cited by clinics as “abundant collagen and elastin generation by fibroblasts,” which is essentially a normal bodily reaction to inflammation and not specific to gold threads.

●End of Collagen Production: Scar tissue eventually encapsulates, integrating the gold threads as part of the body. This natural response to coexist with foreign material ends the body’s reaction to the gold threads, halting further collagen production. Thus, the claim that gold threads continually stimulate collagen production is scientifically unfounded. Also, the advertised claim of restoring the normal turnover cycle of the skin seems dubious, with no supporting evidence.

●Comparison with Nylon Thread Lifts: Interestingly, gold threads (Golden Lift) undergo a similar process as traditional nylon thread lifts. Nylon threads also cause inflammation and subsequent scar tissue formation, followed by encapsulation. Thus, gold threads can be considered a type of non-absorbable thread, similar to nylon.

Debunking Common Myths about Gold Thread Lifts

Q: Why does skin rejuvenate with gold thread (Golden Lift) insertion?

A: Claims of rejuvenation due to collagen accumulation, new capillaries, and cell regeneration are false. There’s little to no rejuvenation effect.

Q: Is it safe to leave gold threads in the body?

A: Without infection, major issues are unlikely.

Q: Is the treatment painful, and will it leave scars or marks?

A: It can be painful with local anesthesia alone, but bearable with intravenous anesthesia. Needle marks usually disappear in 2-3 days.

Q: How much rejuvenation and how long does it last?

A: Gold thread (Golden Lift) effects last only a few months, similar to other thread lifts. Effects lasting over a year are unlikely, and claims of 10-15 years duration by some clinics are unfounded.

Q: How long does the treatment take?

A: Typically, a gold thread (Golden Lift) procedure takes about 30 minutes.

Q: What’s the difference between gold thread and thread lifts?

A: Thread lifts use notched or barbed threads for lifting, while gold thread (Golden Lift) aims to improve skin firmness, similar to shopping or collagen lifts.

Q: Can I undergo laser treatment after gold thread insertion?

A: IPL or laser treatments are probably safe about 2 months post-procedure.

Q: What about gold allergies?

A: Gold is less likely to cause allergies, but the possibility exists.

Q: How quickly do gold thread effects appear?

A: Effects of gold thread (Golden Lift) are said to appear around 3 months post-procedure, but they typically fade within a few months.

Q: When can I wear makeup after gold thread treatment?

A: Makeup is usually possible a day after the procedure.

Q: How much gold thread is used?

A: Typically, 4-5 meters of thread are inserted across the face and neck.

Q: Can gold thread be inserted anywhere on the body?

A: Gold thread can be implanted in almost any body part.

Q: Will it set off metal detectors at airports?

A: The total amount of gold thread is about the same as a gold tooth, so it’s unlikely to trigger metal detectors.

Q: Can I undergo CT or MRI scans with gold threads?

A: Generally yes, but the final decision rests with the medical facility conducting the scan.

Conclusion on Gold Thread Lifts

It’s evident that the marketing around gold thread lifts often borders on exaggeration. When considering cosmetic treatments, it’s crucial to establish clear criteria, consult thoroughly with trusted physicians, and make informed decisions based on accurate information. Additionally, exploring other treatments offering similar benefits to gold thread lifts is advisable for a comprehensive approach to treatment selection.

Written by Kenta Motogami, M.D.

Director of Funabashi Chuou Clinic (Chiba Pref. Japan) ana Aoyama Celes Clinic (Tokyo)

English is available at these clinics.

Articles in English

thread lift