What are Aptos threads and where do they come from?
Aptos threads are barbed threads that the doctor inserts under the skin with a needle or a blunt cannula: the hooks lift and shift sagging tissue, and the thread material is meant to stimulate a repair reaction and collagen formation. The name is short for anti-ptosis, meaning against sagging. The method was developed in 1996 by Georgian plastic surgeon Marlen Sulamanidze, and the manufacturer is still based in Tbilisi today. Some lines are absorbable, some remain in the tissue permanently. The second of these described mechanisms, collagen formation, has so far only been studied in animal models.
The method was further developed by Sulamanidze's sons, also plastic surgeons. The team had been working on threads with protrusions since 1988. The first Aptos Suture thread, with notches and intended for wound closure, appeared in 1998. Later generations followed: the Aptos Thread 2G in 2002, and the Aptos Needle and the polypropylene Aptos Springs in 2003.
The manufacturer's Tbilisi address appears in documentation filed with the US FDA. The company announced plans to open its own factory in Tbilisi for December 2020; before that, the threads were sold with a Made in Germany label, which is why the brand is sometimes described as German. If the origin of the device matters to you, ask at the clinic to see the packaging and the label.
The method was further developed by Sulamanidze's sons, also plastic surgeons. The team had been working on threads with protrusions since 1988. The first Aptos Suture thread, with notches and intended for wound closure, appeared in 1998. Later generations followed: the Aptos Thread 2G in 2002, and the Aptos Needle and the polypropylene Aptos Springs in 2003.
The manufacturer's Tbilisi address appears in documentation filed with the US FDA. The company announced plans to open its own factory in Tbilisi for December 2020; before that, the threads were sold with a Made in Germany label, which is why the brand is sometimes described as German. If the origin of the device matters to you, ask at the clinic to see the packaging and the label.
What are they made of, and what thread lines exist?
The manufacturer offers three types of material, and the difference between them is essential.
• Absorbable P(LA/CL) threads: a copolymer of poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) P(LA/CL). The 75 to 25 ratio is given by distributors, not by the device documentation. Full breakdown of the material is described as taking around 9-12 months.
• Absorbable threads with hyaluronic acid P(LA/CL+HA): these have a coating of hyaluronic acid microparticles, which the manufacturer calls NAMICA technology.
• Polypropylene threads: these do not absorb at all and remain in the tissue permanently.
Across all lines, the hooks are formed on the surface of the thread, either bidirectional or multidirectional. The manufacturer catalogue does not include cone threads; that is a solution used by other brands.
The catalogue divides products into lifting threads, which reposition tissue, and revitalizing threads, without a suspension function. The first group includes, among others, Excellence Visage and the Light Lift Needle 2G and Light Lift Thread 2G. The second includes Nano Excellence, Nano Spring and Nano Vitis. Packages contain 2, 5, 10 or 15 threads, which translates directly into the price of the treatment.
In the European Union, lifting threads are medical devices subject to the MDR regulation, and a device authorized for sale carries a CE marking with the number of the notified body. In the United States the situation is different: the FDA has issued only one 510(k) clearance, number K192953 dated August 27, 2020, and it covered only polypropylene threads with an indication for approximating soft tissue. There is no aesthetic indication there, the decision was not based on a clinical study, and absorbable threads have no FDA clearance at all.
• Absorbable P(LA/CL) threads: a copolymer of poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) P(LA/CL). The 75 to 25 ratio is given by distributors, not by the device documentation. Full breakdown of the material is described as taking around 9-12 months.
• Absorbable threads with hyaluronic acid P(LA/CL+HA): these have a coating of hyaluronic acid microparticles, which the manufacturer calls NAMICA technology.
• Polypropylene threads: these do not absorb at all and remain in the tissue permanently.
Across all lines, the hooks are formed on the surface of the thread, either bidirectional or multidirectional. The manufacturer catalogue does not include cone threads; that is a solution used by other brands.
The catalogue divides products into lifting threads, which reposition tissue, and revitalizing threads, without a suspension function. The first group includes, among others, Excellence Visage and the Light Lift Needle 2G and Light Lift Thread 2G. The second includes Nano Excellence, Nano Spring and Nano Vitis. Packages contain 2, 5, 10 or 15 threads, which translates directly into the price of the treatment.
In the European Union, lifting threads are medical devices subject to the MDR regulation, and a device authorized for sale carries a CE marking with the number of the notified body. In the United States the situation is different: the FDA has issued only one 510(k) clearance, number K192953 dated August 27, 2020, and it covered only polypropylene threads with an indication for approximating soft tissue. There is no aesthetic indication there, the decision was not based on a clinical study, and absorbable threads have no FDA clearance at all.
How they work: tissue lifting and collagen stimulation
The described mechanism has two parts. The first is mechanical: the hooks grip the tissue and allow it to be lifted and shifted in the planned direction. This effect is visible immediately after the treatment. The second is biological: a reaction and connective tissue form around the thread, and as the material is absorbed, new collagen forms.
A review of the properties of the P(LA/CL) copolymer describes a layer of connective tissue around the thread visible by day 14, with its thickness increasing up to day 30. After the thread was absorbed, an increased thickness of the dermis was observed.
A caveat is needed here, one that is usually missing from descriptions of the treatment. Histological studies on Aptos threads have been carried out in animals. In a study on five pigs, conducted over 180 days, the density of type I collagen was higher than in the control throughout the observation period, and the thread variant with hyaluronic acid performed better than the variant without it. The study was funded by the manufacturer, and one of the co-authors works in its research and development department. In another study, on thirty rats, collagen formation was uneven and depended on the type of thread, and spring-structured threads caused a prolonged inflammatory reaction. There is no histological study in humans comparing Aptos threads with PDO threads.
A review of the properties of the P(LA/CL) copolymer describes a layer of connective tissue around the thread visible by day 14, with its thickness increasing up to day 30. After the thread was absorbed, an increased thickness of the dermis was observed.
A caveat is needed here, one that is usually missing from descriptions of the treatment. Histological studies on Aptos threads have been carried out in animals. In a study on five pigs, conducted over 180 days, the density of type I collagen was higher than in the control throughout the observation period, and the thread variant with hyaluronic acid performed better than the variant without it. The study was funded by the manufacturer, and one of the co-authors works in its research and development department. In another study, on thirty rats, collagen formation was uneven and depended on the type of thread, and spring-structured threads caused a prolonged inflammatory reaction. There is no histological study in humans comparing Aptos threads with PDO threads.
What does the scientific research show?
The literature on barbed threads is extensive, but methodologically weak. There is not a single randomized study comparing Aptos threads with other threads, with placebo, or with a surgical facelift. What we have are case series and retrospective analyses, largely co-authored by the creators of the method or funded by the manufacturer.
• A 2017 review: rated the evidence for thread lifting at level III at best. The authors described the effects as subtle and short-lived and stated directly that the method should not be presented as an alternative to a surgical facelift. In one of the analyzed studies, 117 patients maintained 70% of the initial correction for 12-24 months.
• A 2023 series of 553 patients: concerned nose correction with threads made of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. Satisfaction was 95% after six months and 62% after a year. This is the most concrete data on how the effect fades over time.
• A 2021 review of P(LA/CL) material: gives the durability of the clinical effect as 6-12 months. The author declared honoraria from the manufacturer of a different thread brand.
• A 2026 meta-analysis: covered 26 studies and 2827 patients, but concerned complications only. The authors did not assess patient satisfaction and could not run an analysis by thread material, because the data in the primary studies were insufficient.
Conclusion: the method has a documented but temporary effect, and complications have been counted, although defined very differently across studies; there are no rigorous comparisons with other methods.
• A 2017 review: rated the evidence for thread lifting at level III at best. The authors described the effects as subtle and short-lived and stated directly that the method should not be presented as an alternative to a surgical facelift. In one of the analyzed studies, 117 patients maintained 70% of the initial correction for 12-24 months.
• A 2023 series of 553 patients: concerned nose correction with threads made of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. Satisfaction was 95% after six months and 62% after a year. This is the most concrete data on how the effect fades over time.
• A 2021 review of P(LA/CL) material: gives the durability of the clinical effect as 6-12 months. The author declared honoraria from the manufacturer of a different thread brand.
• A 2026 meta-analysis: covered 26 studies and 2827 patients, but concerned complications only. The authors did not assess patient satisfaction and could not run an analysis by thread material, because the data in the primary studies were insufficient.
Conclusion: the method has a documented but temporary effect, and complications have been counted, although defined very differently across studies; there are no rigorous comparisons with other methods.
Who is this treatment for? Indications and contraindications
The method is intended for people with mild to moderate tissue laxity. A 2017 review lists significant photoaging and very deep wrinkles as a contraindication, because the thread does not remove excess skin.
Indications cited in practice include sagging cheek, jaw and chin tissue, nasolabial folds and marionette lines, facial skin laxity, asymmetric or drooping eyebrows, a drooping nasal tip, and protruding ears.
Contraindications that should be discussed with you before the treatment:
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Active infections: systemic infections as well as inflammatory skin conditions in the treatment area
• Clotting disorders: and anticoagulant treatment
• Cancer and diabetes: especially uncontrolled diabetes
• Allergy to the thread material
• Tendency to form keloid scars
• Unrealistic expectations: meaning expecting the result of surgery
It is worth knowing that there are no official guidelines from a Polish scientific society on qualification for thread treatment. This is clinical practice gathered from reviews and information provided by clinics, not a binding standard. This makes it all the more important to talk to a doctor who will examine your skin, assess the degree of laxity and tell you whether threads make sense in your case.
Indications cited in practice include sagging cheek, jaw and chin tissue, nasolabial folds and marionette lines, facial skin laxity, asymmetric or drooping eyebrows, a drooping nasal tip, and protruding ears.
Contraindications that should be discussed with you before the treatment:
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Active infections: systemic infections as well as inflammatory skin conditions in the treatment area
• Clotting disorders: and anticoagulant treatment
• Cancer and diabetes: especially uncontrolled diabetes
• Allergy to the thread material
• Tendency to form keloid scars
• Unrealistic expectations: meaning expecting the result of surgery
It is worth knowing that there are no official guidelines from a Polish scientific society on qualification for thread treatment. This is clinical practice gathered from reviews and information provided by clinics, not a binding standard. This makes it all the more important to talk to a doctor who will examine your skin, assess the degree of laxity and tell you whether threads make sense in your case.
Facial asymmetry correction and facial nerve palsy
This is a separate indication, in which threads are not used for rejuvenation but to even out the face after nerve damage.
The evidence here is modest, and it is worth knowing before you decide. A 2024 Polish systematic review covered 8 papers and a total of 144 patients aged 21-84, with varying causes and severity of palsy. Most showed improvement compared with the condition before treatment. However, the best-documented single study, on 50 patients, concerned polydioxanone (PDO) threads, not Aptos, so its results cannot be applied to a different material. For Aptos threads specifically in this indication, we have a single case report from 2024: a 23-year-old patient with chronic palsy, improved symmetry within 10 days, and full healing by day 14.
The most important caveat: the improvement applies to the appearance at rest. With strong facial expression, the face remains asymmetric, because the threads do not treat the nerve and do not restore muscle function. The authors of the case report make this point themselves and point to combining the treatment with botulinum toxin.
At SCS CLINIC, this area is led by Dr Adam Koziorowski; you can find details on the treatment page for facial asymmetry correction with Aptos threads.
The evidence here is modest, and it is worth knowing before you decide. A 2024 Polish systematic review covered 8 papers and a total of 144 patients aged 21-84, with varying causes and severity of palsy. Most showed improvement compared with the condition before treatment. However, the best-documented single study, on 50 patients, concerned polydioxanone (PDO) threads, not Aptos, so its results cannot be applied to a different material. For Aptos threads specifically in this indication, we have a single case report from 2024: a 23-year-old patient with chronic palsy, improved symmetry within 10 days, and full healing by day 14.
The most important caveat: the improvement applies to the appearance at rest. With strong facial expression, the face remains asymmetric, because the threads do not treat the nerve and do not restore muscle function. The authors of the case report make this point themselves and point to combining the treatment with botulinum toxin.
At SCS CLINIC, this area is led by Dr Adam Koziorowski; you can find details on the treatment page for facial asymmetry correction with Aptos threads.
What does the treatment look like step by step?
The process is consistent, regardless of the thread line chosen.
• Consultation and qualification: tissue assessment, medical history and a discussion of contraindications
• Marking the thread path: on the skin, followed by disinfection of the treatment area
• Local anaesthesia: usually with lidocaine and adrenaline
• Insertion of the threads: with a needle or a blunt cannula, through single punctures
• Repositioning tissue and checking symmetry: at the end of the treatment
The insertion method depends on the thread line. Excellence Visage, Nano Excellence, Nano Spring, Nano Vitis and Light Lift Linea are inserted with blunt cannulas and needles from 20G to 23G, while Light Lift Needle 2G and Light Lift Thread 2G use cutting or lancet needles.
How long does it take? The SCS CLINIC treatment pages give 60-90 minutes, while other clinics state 30-40 minutes for the whole face, up to an hour at most, and 10-15 minutes for a single zone. The difference comes from the scope of the treatment and from whether preparation time is included.
The number of threads depends on the treatment plan and the package size. In price lists you will see entries such as face with 10 threads, face with 7 threads, or cheekbone with 2 threads. The doctor decides on the number of threads after the qualification visit, not the patient when choosing a package.
• Consultation and qualification: tissue assessment, medical history and a discussion of contraindications
• Marking the thread path: on the skin, followed by disinfection of the treatment area
• Local anaesthesia: usually with lidocaine and adrenaline
• Insertion of the threads: with a needle or a blunt cannula, through single punctures
• Repositioning tissue and checking symmetry: at the end of the treatment
The insertion method depends on the thread line. Excellence Visage, Nano Excellence, Nano Spring, Nano Vitis and Light Lift Linea are inserted with blunt cannulas and needles from 20G to 23G, while Light Lift Needle 2G and Light Lift Thread 2G use cutting or lancet needles.
How long does it take? The SCS CLINIC treatment pages give 60-90 minutes, while other clinics state 30-40 minutes for the whole face, up to an hour at most, and 10-15 minutes for a single zone. The difference comes from the scope of the treatment and from whether preparation time is included.
The number of threads depends on the treatment plan and the package size. In price lists you will see entries such as face with 10 threads, face with 7 threads, or cheekbone with 2 threads. The doctor decides on the number of threads after the qualification visit, not the patient when choosing a package.
Recovery day by day
Let us start with a caveat: there is no single protocol after the treatment. Clinics give different timeframes, and descriptions of recovery range from practically none up to six weeks. Below is a cautious version, based on the recommendations that recur most often.
• Day 1: cold compresses, sleeping on your back, no pressure on the face. Swelling and a feeling of tightness are expected.
• Days 2-7: no make-up, sport or gym for the first 48 hours, and avoid intense exercise for two weeks; no hot meals or drinks for 2-3 days; a fresh pillowcase, and no touching or massaging the face.
• Week 2: no sauna, tanning bed or swimming pool, no facial massage or peels, no alcohol, and limit facial expression and prolonged talking. Avoid the sun and use sun protection.
• Week 4 and beyond: early symptoms, meaning swelling, bruising and pain, usually resolve by four weeks. If something persists longer, that is a signal for a check-up.
It is worth postponing a dental visit and other facial treatments, because wide open mouths and pressure on the tissue work against freshly placed threads. There is no specific timeframe in the literature, so agree one with your doctor.
When planning the treatment, leave yourself a time margin. Swelling affects around one third of patients, and bruising around one quarter, so a promise of returning to work the next day is a promise without support.
• Day 1: cold compresses, sleeping on your back, no pressure on the face. Swelling and a feeling of tightness are expected.
• Days 2-7: no make-up, sport or gym for the first 48 hours, and avoid intense exercise for two weeks; no hot meals or drinks for 2-3 days; a fresh pillowcase, and no touching or massaging the face.
• Week 2: no sauna, tanning bed or swimming pool, no facial massage or peels, no alcohol, and limit facial expression and prolonged talking. Avoid the sun and use sun protection.
• Week 4 and beyond: early symptoms, meaning swelling, bruising and pain, usually resolve by four weeks. If something persists longer, that is a signal for a check-up.
It is worth postponing a dental visit and other facial treatments, because wide open mouths and pressure on the tissue work against freshly placed threads. There is no specific timeframe in the literature, so agree one with your doctor.
When planning the treatment, leave yourself a time margin. Swelling affects around one third of patients, and bruising around one quarter, so a promise of returning to work the next day is a promise without support.
Results: when they appear and how long they last
Part of the effect is visible right away, because the thread physically shifts tissue. The rest builds up over the following weeks, as connective tissue forms around the thread. For the Nano Vitis thread, the manufacturer catalogue states that the coiled thread unwinds within 10-15 days, and the maximum effect appears after 1-1.5 months; this is a manufacturer claim, not the result of a clinical study.
Durability is the point where advertising most often diverges from the data. In studies the effect usually lasts 12-24 months, depending on the thread line, the treatment technique and the initial condition of the tissue, with an upper limit of around two years. Some reviews give a shorter figure: for P(LA/CL) material, 6-12 months. Patient satisfaction declines over time, as shown by the series of 553 treatments described above.
The picture is different for polypropylene threads, which do not absorb and remain in the tissue. However, the durability of the material does not mean the durability of the effect, because the tissue continues to age and sag.
The treatment can be repeated, and the doctor decides on the timing after assessing the tissue.
Durability is the point where advertising most often diverges from the data. In studies the effect usually lasts 12-24 months, depending on the thread line, the treatment technique and the initial condition of the tissue, with an upper limit of around two years. Some reviews give a shorter figure: for P(LA/CL) material, 6-12 months. Patient satisfaction declines over time, as shown by the series of 553 treatments described above.
The picture is different for polypropylene threads, which do not absorb and remain in the tissue. However, the durability of the material does not mean the durability of the effect, because the tissue continues to age and sag.
The treatment can be repeated, and the doctor decides on the timing after assessing the tissue.
Complications: common, rare and serious
The broadest data comes from a meta-analysis of 26 studies and 2827 patients from 2026. It concerns barbed threads in general, not Aptos specifically.
Common and transient
• Swelling: around 34% of patients
• Bruising and petechiae: around 26%
• Pain: around 11%
• A pulling sensation and numbness of the ear: around 7% and around 5% respectively
Less common, requiring a follow-up visit
• Visible or palpable threads: around 10%
• Skin dimpling and puckering: around 7%
• Paresthesia, meaning altered sensation: around 6%
• Thread extrusion: around 5%
• Infection: around 2%
Rare but serious
• Damage to branches of the facial nerve
• Damage to the capsule and duct of the parotid gland
• Damage to major blood vessels
Swelling, bruising and pain are early events that usually resolve within four weeks. Visible threads, skin dimpling and thread extrusion appear later and may require a corrective procedure. In the 2017 review, 11% of patients required thread removal.
When to contact your doctor: fever, worsening pain, redness and warmth of the skin, discharge from the puncture site, a thread breaking through the skin, a persistent dimple or a visible thread outline, numbness lasting more than a few weeks, and sudden facial asymmetry. Do not wait for your scheduled check-up for any of these.
The numbers vary considerably between studies. In a single-center study of 246 patients treated with Aptos Excellence Visage threads, inserted under ultrasound guidance, the rates were markedly lower: petechiae 2.0%, granulomas 1.6%, hematomas 0.8%, pain 4.1%, with no infections and no thread extrusions over 180 days.
Common and transient
• Swelling: around 34% of patients
• Bruising and petechiae: around 26%
• Pain: around 11%
• A pulling sensation and numbness of the ear: around 7% and around 5% respectively
Less common, requiring a follow-up visit
• Visible or palpable threads: around 10%
• Skin dimpling and puckering: around 7%
• Paresthesia, meaning altered sensation: around 6%
• Thread extrusion: around 5%
• Infection: around 2%
Rare but serious
• Damage to branches of the facial nerve
• Damage to the capsule and duct of the parotid gland
• Damage to major blood vessels
Swelling, bruising and pain are early events that usually resolve within four weeks. Visible threads, skin dimpling and thread extrusion appear later and may require a corrective procedure. In the 2017 review, 11% of patients required thread removal.
When to contact your doctor: fever, worsening pain, redness and warmth of the skin, discharge from the puncture site, a thread breaking through the skin, a persistent dimple or a visible thread outline, numbness lasting more than a few weeks, and sudden facial asymmetry. Do not wait for your scheduled check-up for any of these.
The numbers vary considerably between studies. In a single-center study of 246 patients treated with Aptos Excellence Visage threads, inserted under ultrasound guidance, the rates were markedly lower: petechiae 2.0%, granulomas 1.6%, hematomas 0.8%, pain 4.1%, with no infections and no thread extrusions over 180 days.
Aptos threads vs PDO, hyaluronic acid, biostimulators and surgical facelift
PDO threads. The difference is one of material and construction. Aptos in its absorbable versions is a P(LA/CL) copolymer, while Korean threads are most often PDO. PDO absorbs within around 4-8 months, P(LA/CL) within around 9-12 months. The number of threads used in a treatment also differs: in a Japanese analysis of 106,639 treatments from 2020-2024, an average of 10.52 threads were used with PDO and 6.57 with polycaprolactone. Which material gives a better result is not known: the 2026 meta-analysis could not compare materials, because the data were insufficient, and there is no randomized study.
Hyaluronic acid. A filler restores lost volume, while a thread shifts tissue. These are answers to two different problems, so asking which is better is the wrong question. The methods are sometimes combined, but the study of combined use covered 11 people, too few for conclusions.
Biostimulators and energy-based treatments. Collagen biostimulator, Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling and Fotona laser treatments improve skin quality and tone, but do not reposition tissue. No study has compared them directly with threads, so a claim that one of these methods is superior would be an overreach. In the study of 246 patients, energy-based treatments performed on the same day as the threads did not, however, increase the rate of complications.
Surgical facelift. The 2017 review states directly that threads should not be presented as an alternative to surgery, and that surgery remains the reference point in facial rejuvenation. Threads give a temporary effect and a smaller scale of change, but without an incision and without general anaesthesia; we describe the healing process above, because it is not symptom-free.
Hyaluronic acid. A filler restores lost volume, while a thread shifts tissue. These are answers to two different problems, so asking which is better is the wrong question. The methods are sometimes combined, but the study of combined use covered 11 people, too few for conclusions.
Biostimulators and energy-based treatments. Collagen biostimulator, Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling and Fotona laser treatments improve skin quality and tone, but do not reposition tissue. No study has compared them directly with threads, so a claim that one of these methods is superior would be an overreach. In the study of 246 patients, energy-based treatments performed on the same day as the threads did not, however, increase the rate of complications.
Surgical facelift. The 2017 review states directly that threads should not be presented as an alternative to surgery, and that surgery remains the reference point in facial rejuvenation. Threads give a temporary effect and a smaller scale of change, but without an incision and without general anaesthesia; we describe the healing process above, because it is not symptom-free.
How much do Aptos threads cost?
The price depends on the thread line, the number of threads and the treatment area, so the spread on the market is wide. According to price-comparison sites, an Aptos thread treatment costs, in Wrocław, from around 1,000 to 7,500 PLN, in Warsaw from 1,500 to 7,200 PLN, and in Krakow from 1,300 to 4,500 PLN.
A breakdown by line is more informative. Excellence Visage is around 4,500 PLN, the version with hyaluronic acid around 5,000 PLN, the version with the NAMICA coating around 5,500 PLN, Light Lift Needle 2G around 4,500 PLN, and the revitalizing Nano Excellence around 2,500 PLN.
Prices from different clinics compare poorly, because they cover different thread lines, different numbers of threads and a different scope of treatment; the figures above come from a single published price list. At SCS CLINIC, Aptos thread lifting is priced from 3,500 PLN, and the final amount depends on the line and number of threads set at the qualification visit; you will find the full list in the price list.
Finally: price should not be the first criterion for choosing. The treatment is performed with a medical device inserted under the skin, and the outcome is decided by qualification and technique, not by a discount.
A breakdown by line is more informative. Excellence Visage is around 4,500 PLN, the version with hyaluronic acid around 5,000 PLN, the version with the NAMICA coating around 5,500 PLN, Light Lift Needle 2G around 4,500 PLN, and the revitalizing Nano Excellence around 2,500 PLN.
Prices from different clinics compare poorly, because they cover different thread lines, different numbers of threads and a different scope of treatment; the figures above come from a single published price list. At SCS CLINIC, Aptos thread lifting is priced from 3,500 PLN, and the final amount depends on the line and number of threads set at the qualification visit; you will find the full list in the price list.
Finally: price should not be the first criterion for choosing. The treatment is performed with a medical device inserted under the skin, and the outcome is decided by qualification and technique, not by a discount.
What to check before the treatment: the product and the doctor
Threads are a medical device inserted under the skin, and the treatment is performed by a doctor. Before you book, go through this list.
• Name and thread line: ask for a specific name, for example Excellence Visage or Light Lift Needle 2G, not just the word threads. The line determines the material, technique and price.
• CE marking: the device should carry a CE mark, together with the number of the notified body.
• Packaging: sterile and intact, with a batch number, an expiry date and a single-use marking. Ask to see it before the treatment; a reputable clinic will not see this as a problem.
• Who performs the treatment: threads are inserted by a doctor. This is not a cosmetic procedure.
• Training: ask about completed Aptos technique courses and how often the doctor performs this treatment.
• Risk and alternatives: the consultation should cover the names of possible complications along with their frequency, and a proposal of a different solution to the same problem.
• A plan in case of complications: find out who will see you, and how quickly, if something concerns you after the treatment.
A clinic that answers these questions calmly and specifically gives you a solid basis for your decision.
• Name and thread line: ask for a specific name, for example Excellence Visage or Light Lift Needle 2G, not just the word threads. The line determines the material, technique and price.
• CE marking: the device should carry a CE mark, together with the number of the notified body.
• Packaging: sterile and intact, with a batch number, an expiry date and a single-use marking. Ask to see it before the treatment; a reputable clinic will not see this as a problem.
• Who performs the treatment: threads are inserted by a doctor. This is not a cosmetic procedure.
• Training: ask about completed Aptos technique courses and how often the doctor performs this treatment.
• Risk and alternatives: the consultation should cover the names of possible complications along with their frequency, and a proposal of a different solution to the same problem.
• A plan in case of complications: find out who will see you, and how quickly, if something concerns you after the treatment.
A clinic that answers these questions calmly and specifically gives you a solid basis for your decision.
Aptos threads at SCS CLINIC: Dr Adam Koziorowski
Thread treatments at the clinic are performed by Dr Adam Koziorowski. He specializes in Aptos lifting and revitalizing threads, in particular in facial asymmetry correction for patients with facial nerve palsy. According to information from the clinic, he is a graduate of Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University and of training abroad, including in Georgia, the birthplace of the method, as well as in France, Sweden and Ukraine. The clinic also states membership in The Aesthetic Multispecialty Society and the European Society for Lasers and Energy Based Devices, as well as participation in the congresses of the Polish Society of Aesthetic Dermatology and Anti-Aging (PTDEiAA) and in the AMWC congress in Monaco and IMCAS in Paris.
In November 2024, the Self-Care Spectrum clinic, now SCS CLINIC, was included in the Trusted Partner Clinics (Zaufane Gabinety Partnerskie) category, named specifically alongside Dr Olena Ivchenko and Dr Adam Koziorowski, next to ten other clinics from across Poland. The category was announced at the 10th Aesthetic Concept and Master of Aptos Conference in Warsaw, and the distinction was awarded by Aesthetic Concept, the distributor of the Aptos brand in Poland; a report on the conference was published by an industry portal.
The clinic offers Excellence Visage, Needle 2G, Nano Spring and Nano Uniqa M threads, as well as thread lifting, facial asymmetry correction and thread nose correction. You can book a consultation via Booksy.
In November 2024, the Self-Care Spectrum clinic, now SCS CLINIC, was included in the Trusted Partner Clinics (Zaufane Gabinety Partnerskie) category, named specifically alongside Dr Olena Ivchenko and Dr Adam Koziorowski, next to ten other clinics from across Poland. The category was announced at the 10th Aesthetic Concept and Master of Aptos Conference in Warsaw, and the distinction was awarded by Aesthetic Concept, the distributor of the Aptos brand in Poland; a report on the conference was published by an industry portal.
The clinic offers Excellence Visage, Needle 2G, Nano Spring and Nano Uniqa M threads, as well as thread lifting, facial asymmetry correction and thread nose correction. You can book a consultation via Booksy.
Sources
• Zhou X., Zhuang S., meta-analysis of thread lifting complications, Frontiers in Surgery, 2026: link
• Tavares J.P. et al., facial lifting with suspension threads, review, Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 2017: link
• Sulamanidze C., Lanfranchi L., Diaspro A., Thread Lifting of the Nose, series of 553 patients, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2023: link
• Wong V., properties of absorbable P(LA/CL) threads, review, Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021: link
• Winiarska N. et al., lifting threads in patients with facial nerve palsy, systematic review, Przegląd Dermatologiczny, 2024: link
• FDA, 510(k) clearance K192953 for Aptos polypropylene threads, official document, 2020: link
• Aptos, thread and method catalogue, manufacturer material: link
• Zatoka Piękna, report on the 10th Aesthetic Concept and Master of Aptos Conference 2024, industry portal, 2024: link
• Tavares J.P. et al., facial lifting with suspension threads, review, Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 2017: link
• Sulamanidze C., Lanfranchi L., Diaspro A., Thread Lifting of the Nose, series of 553 patients, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2023: link
• Wong V., properties of absorbable P(LA/CL) threads, review, Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021: link
• Winiarska N. et al., lifting threads in patients with facial nerve palsy, systematic review, Przegląd Dermatologiczny, 2024: link
• FDA, 510(k) clearance K192953 for Aptos polypropylene threads, official document, 2020: link
• Aptos, thread and method catalogue, manufacturer material: link
• Zatoka Piękna, report on the 10th Aesthetic Concept and Master of Aptos Conference 2024, industry portal, 2024: link
Frequently asked questions
Does the Aptos thread treatment hurt?
The threads are inserted under local anaesthesia, usually lidocaine with adrenaline, so during the treatment itself you mainly feel pressure. Post-treatment pain was reported by around 11% of patients in the 2026 meta-analysis; it is one of the early symptoms, which usually resolve within the first four weeks.
How long does the effect last?
In studies, usually 12-24 months, depending on the thread line, age and skin condition, with an upper limit of around two years. In the series of 553 patients, satisfaction dropped from 95% after six months to 62% after a year, so the effect fades gradually.
When can I go back to work?
There is no single protocol, and clinics give different timeframes. Swelling affects around 34% of patients, and bruising around 26%, so it is safer to plan a few days without important commitments and to expect early symptoms to pass within four weeks.
Can the threads become visible or shift?
Yes, and these are late events. The meta-analysis described visible or palpable threads in around 10% of patients, skin dimpling in 7%, and thread extrusion in 5%. Such symptoms require a follow-up visit, because some of them need a corrective procedure.
Aptos threads or PDO: what is the difference?
They differ in material, construction and absorption time: polydioxanone (PDO) absorbs within around 4-8 months, and the P(LA/CL) copolymer within around 9-12 months. Which material gives a better result is not known, because the 2026 meta-analysis did not have data for such a comparison.
Do the threads need to be removed?
Absorbable threads break down on their own, while polypropylene threads remain in the tissue permanently. Removal is sometimes necessary in cases of complications: in the 2017 review, this applied to 11% of patients.
Do Aptos threads help with asymmetry after facial nerve palsy?
A 2024 systematic review covered 8 papers and 144 patients, and most showed improvement. This applies to the appearance at rest: the threads do not treat the nerve and do not restore symmetry of facial expression, and the decision is made by the doctor after assessing the face and the course of the palsy.