Noticing fine lines where there used to be smooth skin? Feeling like your cheeks aren’t as perky as they used to be? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to turn to surgery to do something about it.
Today, more and more women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are choosing non-surgical treatments that offer natural-looking, subtle results with minimal downtime. Two standout options? Ellansé and Thread Lifts.
We’ve compared Ellansé with other dermal fillers before, but how does it stand up against thread lifts? Both are designed to lift, firm, and rejuvenate, but they work in very different ways. So which one is right for you? Whether you’re looking to restore lost volume, tighten sagging skin, or just feel more confident in your own skin, we’ll break down everything you need to know—clearly, honestly, and with your lifestyle in mind.
What is Ellansé?
Ellansé is a unique dermal filler that not only provides immediate volume but also stimulates your body’s natural collagen production. Made from polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable material, Ellansé offers results that can last from 18 months up to 3 years, depending on the specific product variant used .
This treatment is particularly effective for areas like the cheeks, temples, jawline, and nasolabial folds. The procedure involves injecting the filler into targeted areas, with the option of using an anesthetic cream or local anesthetic injection to ensure comfort during the process
What Is a Thread Lift?
A thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses dissolvable threads to lift and tighten sagging skin without surgery. These threads, often made from materials like PDO, PLLA, or PCL, are inserted under the skin using a cannula and then gently pulled to reposition and anchor the tissue.
Thread lifts are commonly used to address sagging in the lower face, jowls, neck, and brows. The results are immediate, with continued improvement as the threads stimulate collagen production over time. Depending on the type of threads used, the effects can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months
Side-by-Side Comparison: Ellansé vs Thread Lift
| Feature | Ellansé | Thread Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Type | Collagen-stimulating filler | Lifting threads |
| Key Benefit | Volume restoration + collagen | Skin lifting + collagen |
| Areas Best For | Mid-face, temples, jawline | Lower face, jowls, neck |
| Results Duration | 18 months to 3 years | 12 to 24 months |
| Downtime | Mild swelling or bruising | Mild swelling, bruising, mild soreness |
| Pain Level | Low (numbing used) | Low to moderate (local anesthesia) |
| Ideal For | Volume loss, deep lines | Skin sagging, loose jowls |
How to Know Which One Suits You
Choosing between Ellansé and a thread lift depends on your specific concerns and desired outcomes.
Volume Loss: If your primary concern is restoring volume to areas like the cheeks or temples, Ellansé may be more suitable.
Skin Laxity: If you’re looking to lift and tighten sagging skin, particularly in the lower face or neck, a thread lift might be the better option.
In some cases, combining both treatments can provide optimal results, addressing both volume loss and skin laxity simultaneously.
Related: We have a guide on choosing the right kind of dermal filler based on skin type.
Can You Combine Ellansé and Thread Lifts? Absolutely — and Here's Why It Works
If you’re torn between choosing Ellansé or a thread lift, here’s some good news: you don’t always have to choose. In fact, many aesthetic doctors now recommend combining the two for a more complete facial rejuvenation — especially when it comes to stimulating collagen.
So why does this combo work so well?
Different Tools, Same Mission: Collagen Regeneration
Both Ellansé and thread lifts fall into the category of collagen-stimulating treatments. But they approach it in different ways.
According to a February 2024 study, Ellansé leads to a statistically significant increase in Type I collagen, the kind responsible for firm, youthful-looking skin.
Thread lifts, particularly those using PDO (polydioxanone), PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), or PCL threads, physically lift sagging tissue while also stimulating a collagen response along the thread’s path. As the threads dissolve over 6–9 months, your body replaces them with a collagen scaffold that helps support the skin naturally.
When combined, these two treatments amplify each other’s strengths:
- Threads create an internal support structure and address sagging.
- Ellansé restores lost volume and improves skin thickness.
Together, they boost collagen production more broadly and deeply than either could alone.
Skin Rejuvenation, Layer by Layer
Think of it like this: if your face were a building, threads would be the scaffolding that lifts the structure into place, while Ellansé would fill in the worn-out walls with fresh, firm support.
This layered approach means you’re not just chasing short-term results. You’re encouraging long-term skin regeneration. Patients who undergo combination treatments often report firmer, more lifted features — not just for a few months, but for up to 2–3 years, depending on individual metabolism and the products used.
Doctors may choose to place threads first to lift and reposition the tissue. A few weeks later, once swelling has subsided, Ellansé is injected strategically to restore midface volume, soften nasolabial folds, or improve jawline definition. Alternatively, some practitioners perform both in a single session, depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals.
A 2011 review in Journal of Drugs in Dermatology highlighted that combining collagen-inducing treatments tends to offer greater patient satisfaction and longer-lasting results — with lower risk than more invasive procedures.
Our Patient’s Results
Aesthetic Clinic in Penang
Choose Ellanse or Thread Lifts with A Klinik Signature
Choosing between Ellansé and Thread Lifts isn’t just about which one works “better.” It’s about finding the right fit for your goals, your skin, and your comfort level.
If you’re looking for a collagen-boosting solution with long-term results, Ellansé might be your go-to. Prefer an instant lift with minimal downtime? Thread lifts could be the quicker fix you’re after.
Either way, these treatments offer real, noticeable results—without the risks or recovery time of surgery.
Still not sure which one’s right for you? Come talk to our aesthetic doctors at A Klinik. We’ll help you build a personalized plan that matches your unique needs—so you can age on your own terms.
