Speakers - CARWC2025

Abstract

Introduction: Gold threads have been a cornerstone of esthetic surgery since the early 1990s. Manufactured in Spain, these threads consist of 99.99% pure gold (5/0) with a diameter of 0.1 mm, intertwined with a polyglycolic thread. Over the years, their effectiveness has been a topic of discussion, which this study seeks to explore further.

Patients and Methods: From 1996 to 2024, gold thread implantation was performed on 11,062 patients across four clinics in Moscow. For this study, we analyzed 492 patients who underwent facial gold thread implantation. Among them, 86% were women aged 30–60, 11% were women aged 20–30, and 3% were men aged 25–60. Our methodology included a comparative analysis of pre- and post-procedure photo collages, coupled with patient satisfaction evaluations using the Patient Satisfaction Scale (PSS).

Results: The study demonstrated a high success rate of 91% one year post-procedure, with minimal complications. Patient satisfaction was consistently high, scoring an average of 4.8 out of 5 at one month, 4.7 at six months, and 4.6 at one year post-procedure.

Discussion: Gold thread implantation is a minimally invasive, effective procedure for facial rejuvenation characterized by a high safety profile. Histological studies confirm its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production, promote angiogenesis, and enhance skin hydration, elasticity, and tone. Precise placement in the subcutaneous layer is key to achieving optimal results.

Conclusions: Gold threads strengthen the connective tissue framework, improve skin nourishment, and offer long-term rejuvenation by delaying facial and neck soft tissue ptosis. This technique is compatible with subsequent surgical and cosmetic procedures, including hardware-based treatments, and remains a valuable option for patients seeking minimally invasive esthetic enhancement.