About
Conceptually, a thread lift is the suspension of sagging facial soft tissue via a thread inserted subcutaneously into the skin. It is an easy, fast, in-office procedure in which a barbed suture thread is inserted through a needle puncture in the skin using a cannula. The thread is essentially “hooked” to the skin; with minimal tightening, the skin is lifted, and the suture is cut at the insertion point. The sutures dissolve and, over time, produce scar tissue that forms a scaffold and lifts the skin.
The thread-lifts initially came into the market in the late 1990s, but were difficult to use, and the technology was not as advanced as what we have now. The newest technology threads – NovaThreads and the Silhouette Instalift – have recently received Food and Drug Administration clearance and grown in popularity because of their “lunchtime” appeal and their ease of use.
Until recently, the only way to address problems caused by facial skin laxity—such as jowls and drooping cheeks—was facelift surgery. After all, while skin resurfacing treatments can help to restore some degree of firmness, once loose skin is present, only a scalpel can truly remove it. However, while the approach of relying on injectable compounds and skin resurfacing until facelift surgery becomes necessary works for many patients, not everyone is willing or able to have surgery. If you're in this group, you'll be happy to know that a new procedure has been developed to fill the gap between noninvasive facial rejuvenation and facelift surgery: the "thread lift."
Primarily marketed for the neck, jowls, and lower face, these threads – available in various sizes, lengths, and diameters – can be used almost anywhere. The sutures dissolve over time and do not need any anchoring, making it a very simple in-office procedure.
The ideal thread lift candidate is usually in his or her late thirties to early sixties. Thread lifts yield more subtle results than facelifts; therefore, the procedure is not indicated for severe laxity and volume loss. The tissue is not released from its underlying attachments, and skin contraction and gravitational pull limit its extent of improvement and longevity. The ideal candidate is someone seeking gradual improvement, minimal downtime, and mild lifting.
When used in combination with Kybella to reduce jowl size, dermal fillers to restore volume loss, neuromodulators to soften fine lines, and PDO sutures to lift lax tissue, the results can be impressive. Over time and with repeated treatments, these modalities promote your natural healing processes, building scaffolding and collagen for a longer-lasting, natural-looking you.
Education
Side effects include mild procedural pain, swelling, bruising, and, rarely, suture granuloma formation. If not done properly, skin buckling can occur, and superficially placed sutures may be visible. It’s important to work with a provider who can perform sterile technique, has experience with PDO Thread Lifts, and has an advanced understanding of facial anatomy.
Similar to fillers that provide a “liquid face-lift,” the downtime is minimal. Bruising is rare on the face but more common on the forehead. Soreness, particularly in or near the hairline or jawline, is common and can last up to 2 weeks. Patients should refrain from heavy exercise and opening their mouths wide for biting and chewing for 5-7 days (such as eating a large apple). Minor dimpling on the skin can occur and usually resolves on its own.
Thread lifts are low-risk thanks to their noninvasive nature. There is virtually no risk of significant scarring, severe bruising, bleeding, or other complications after having a thread lift. In rare cases, patients may experience irritation, infection, or their sutures becoming visible under their skin. If this occurs, however, the sutures can be removed, and the patient's face will return to its prior state.
Pricing
Pricing requires an in-depth consultation and treatment plan.
Everyone receives a personal, customized approach to meet their aesthetic goals.