Hiko Nose Thread Lift: What You Need to Know
Until very recently, patients unhappy with their nose shape or profile had two options to change it.
One was traditional rhinoplasty, or plastic surgery of the nose — popularly known as a “nose job.” The other was dermal filler injections, which are minimally invasive and relatively low risk but tend to produce only subtle results that may only last six to nine months.
Now, there’s a third option. Like plastic surgery, its results are clear and longer-lasting (though not permanent); like dermal fillers, its risk profile is acceptable to patients nervous about going under the knife.
It’s the Hiko nose thread lift, and it’s taking the world of aesthetic medicine by storm.
What Is a Hiko Nose Thread Lift?
A Hiko nose thread lift is a quick, minimally invasive nose lift procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting.
Similar to other popular thread lift procedures, such as eye thread lifts, the procedure can be done during a standard office visit, and recovery time is minimal — which is why some call it the “lunchtime nose job.”
A Hiko thread lift uses surgical sutures — typically polydioxanone (PDO) — to change the shape of the nose. The threads are inserted into the tissues of the nose to achieve the patient’s ideal nose, such as:
- A slimmer nose
- A straighter or “stronger” nasal profile
- A more regular nose bridge and tip
- A sharper nose tip
- A higher nose bridge
The only real limitation is that Hiko threads lift the nose, so it’s difficult to achieve a flatter or rounder nose using this technique.
How Much Does a Hiko Nose Thread Lift Cost?
A Hiko nose thread lift costs anywhere from $250 to more than $1,000. Factors that may affect the procedure’s cost include:
- The size of the treatment area — the whole nose or just the tip
- How many sutures are required
- How dramatic the desired results are
- Whether the provider uses dermal fillers to further enhance results
What’s the Difference Between a Hiko Nose Thread Lift vs. Dermal Fillers?
A Hiko thread lift uses PDO threads (or another type of medical-grade dissolvable suture) to lift the nose and change its shape temporarily.
Dermal filler nose treatments temporarily add volume to the skin on and around the nose, reducing the appearance of fine lines and smoothing irregularities.
Hiko thread lifts are not necessarily safer than nose fillers. However, research into nose filler efficacy and safety is ongoing. There’s more evidence of the safety and efficacy of nose thread lifts at this point.
One final note: it’s common to use nose threads and fillers in the same procedure. The two techniques are often complementary, not either-or.
How Long Does a Hiko Nose Thread Lift Take?
The procedure itself can take as little as 20 minutes, though more complicated procedures can take as long as 60 minutes. A significant portion of the total treatment time is simply waiting for local anesthesia to take effect.
If time is of the essence, be sure to work with a provider who has completed advanced thread lift training. Less experienced providers may take longer to complete the procedure.
When to Expect Results and How Long They Last
Expect to see results from your Hiko thread lift the same day. They’ll continue to improve in the coming days as any swelling (a common post-procedure side effect) goes down.
Full results should last at least 12 months and possibly as long as two years. They’ll slowly dissipate as the sutures are absorbed by the body. Follow-up treatments are recommended every one to two years.
