What to Know Before Your Thread Lift
If you’re considering a thread lift at Luminate Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you’re in great hands. I’ve performed countless thread lifts over the years and one thing I’ve learned—great results don’t just come from the threads themselves. They come from preparation, precision, and proper aftercare.
Below is exactly what I tell my patients before they come in for a thread lift. Whether we’re lifting the jawline, cheeks, or brows, these tips will help minimize bruising, support healing, and get you looking refreshed—fast.
What Is a Thread Lift, Exactly?
If you’re new here, a thread lift is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatment that uses dissolvable sutures (we use PDO or PLLA threads) to lift and tighten sagging skin. Think of it like a mini facelift—with no scalpels, no anesthesia, and little downtime.
Our clients love thread lifts for the cheeks, jowls, nasal folds, marionette lines, lower face, brows, and neck. And because we do them with natural positioning and regenerative techniques, your results look subtle, smooth, and elevated (not tight or overdone).
Before Your Thread Lift: What to Do (and Not Do)
We want your experience at Luminate to be smooth, so here’s your step-by-step checklist for what to avoid—and what to plan for—ahead of your appointment.
1. Pause Certain Medications & Supplements
To reduce the risk of bruising or bleeding:
- ❌ Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and NSAIDs for 10 days prior.
- ❌ Skip Vitamin E, fish oil, and green tea for 10 days before and after your treatment.
- ✅ Tylenol (acetaminophen) is okay to use if needed for pain.
- ⚠️ Taking blood thinners or anti-coagulants? Be sure to talk to us ahead of time so we can coordinate safely with your prescribing provider.
2. No Alcohol (Especially Red Wine)
- Avoid all alcohol for 48 hours before your appointment—and red wine for 4 full days to reduce the chance of bruising and swelling.
3. Light Meal, Less Caffeine
- Eat a light meal before you come in—we don’t want you on an empty stomach.
- Try to reduce caffeine intake that morning. We want you relaxed and your blood pressure nice and stable.
4. Skip the Smoke (Just for a Bit)
- Smoking impacts how you heal. We recommend no smoking for 2 days before and 2 days after the procedure.
- We may also recommend a high-dose Vitamin C supplement to support collagen and healing if you do smoke.
5. If You Get Cold Sores, Let Us Know
- If we’re treating the lip or mouth area and you’re prone to cold sores, ask us about a preventative antiviral prescription like Valtrex. Starting this 3 days before can prevent an outbreak.
6. Start Arnica Early
- We recommend starting Arnica tablets 3 days before your appointment to reduce swelling and bruising. Continue them for 7 days after your treatment for best results.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
The entire thread lift procedure typically takes 45–60 minutes, and you’ll be in a comfortable, relaxed setting. You’ll be numbed with local anesthetic, and we’ll go over everything again together in person—because patient education is one of our favorite things to do.
We’ll review your facial anatomy, lift points, goals, and create a personalized plan that works with your features—not against them.
Aftercare is Everything
I always tell my patients: You’ve invested in lifting—now let’s protect that lift! The days following your thread lift are just as important as the treatment itself.
👉 Read our full Thread Lift Aftercare Guide here.
It covers everything from how to sleep, what facial expressions to avoid, and what signs to watch for. You’ll also find tips for resuming skincare, workouts, and daily routines—because this is your life, not a lockdown.
Final Thoughts from Dr. Lucie
My goal with every thread lift is to restore—not reshape—your natural beauty. When placed correctly and combined with healthy skin and collagen support, threads are one of the most powerful tools we have in the aesthetic world.
If you’re looking for a thread lift in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we’d love to take care of you. Let’s lift, contour, and glow—together.
Have questions before your appointment? Call us anytime at 918-340-7090 or send us a DM on Instagram @LuminateClinic.