A thread lift is a minimally invasive cosmetic enhancement procedure that uses special modified suture threads that lifts sagging skin on the face and neck. A thread lift may be a substitute for a facelift. Patients who started to notice sagging face can attain excellent results and prevent a more facial rejuvenation procedure in later years. The biggest advantage of a thread lift is it can provide similar results to a traditional facelift, absence of visible scars and with minimal to no downtown. A thread lift can also benefit to those older patients as long as their skin is not excessively lax.
It is common to combine a thread lift with other non-invasive procedures like laser treatments, anti-wrinkle injections and facial peel to provide you with a beautiful skin and a more youthful appearance.
Ideal Candidate
Thread lift is ideal to you if you wish to correct droopiness of brows, cheeks, laugh-lines, jowls and neck. Usually those people at 30s to 50s experiencing mild to moderate sagging of the face. And also those people over 50s as long as their skin is not overly lax.
How does it work?
A thread lift is a non-invasive procedure and is usually performed under local anesthesia. However, some patients prefer to have the procedure under light sedation.
The thread lift procedure involves creating small incisions in designated locations mostly in the hairline. Suture materials have been specifically modified to have a hook-like effect and inserting a threaded needle in deep tissues to anchor both ends and to lift the tissues into desired location on brow, cheek, jowl and neck. The excess thread is trimmed so it does not appear above the skin surface.
As of now, surgeons use dissolvable sutures that disappear over a few months. A thread lift procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours or depending on areas of treatment. The number of threads used in the procedure depends on the patients need but usually it ranges from 2-20 threads.
Possible Risks and Complications
Bruising and swelling may occur immediately after the procedure but may resolve on its own. Severe swelling should be reported immediately to the surgeon. In rare case, infection may occur, however the surgeon will prescribe antibiotics and numbness or lack of sensitivity that usually disappear within weeks. Breaking of sutures in some cases, the thread can be removed and insert a new thread.
Recovery Period
There will be some level of discomfort, bruising and swelling in the area of treatment that usually subsides gradually. It is recommended to avoid forceful facial rubbing and excessive movement of the face and neck and also to sleep on your back. After 2-3 weeks, there are no restrictions because the lift has put in place with its own tissues.
How long the results last?
Although the aging process continues but most people will have acceptable results for 3 to 5 years without any adjuvant treatments. But, the rate of aging also depends on the lifestyle habits of the patient such as heredity, sun exposure and smoking.