Thread lift is a way of creating a more lifted effect by repositioning the volume of the face.
Some people are very heavy in the lower face, which may be a result of ageing or just a familial trait. Provided there is not too much excess skin, which would need to be removed in a surgical facelift, face threading can be used to reposition this volume higher on the face and more to the side.
During Thread Lift Treatment
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. Instead of large cuts, only very small nicks (so small that no sutures are required) are made to insert the threads. These nicks are usually at the hairline but may occasionally be in other areas.
The threads are made of polydioxanone (PDO) which is bioabsorbable over time. As it disappears, it lifts sagging soft skin tissue, stimulating your tissue to reinforce the area. Small barbs projecting from the threads catch and hold the tissue, anchoring it in its new position. Unlike in prior types of a thread face lift, these threads are tied in place so their positioning is secure.
Results Of Face Threading
Most cosmetic thread therapies are employed for the cheek area but other areas may also be treated. Duration of results will highly depend on the integrity of the tissue into which the threads are placed. Besides, the number of threads used will also determine the longevity of your thread lifting results. Few threads in poor tissue will definitely not give as long an effect as more threads in good quality tissue.
Most cheeks will need 6-8 threads per side, with results varying in duration from 6 months to 3 years. More threads may be added from time to time without necessarily doing the full procedure.
FAQs About Thread Lift
How is cosmetic facial threading different from surgical facelifts?
A thread lift is a minimally invasive way to reposition the volume of the face. Only tiny nicks are made in the skin, usually at the hairline, instead of large cuts as occurs with surgical facelifts.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic with no hospital stay expected. Barbed threads are tunnelled under the surface of the skin and these then hold the tissues in a more lifted position. These threads are tied in place but will dissolve over months. Once dissolved, they will be replaced by new natural tissue which has grown in response to the threads.
If more volume is required for the face, this may be added prior to facial threading or subsequently as needed.
Is recovery faster from a face threading than from a traditional facelift?
Yes. There may be some swelling and bruising after either procedure but the degree will generally be less with thread lifting. Some patients may be able to go straight back to work but we would normally recommend 5-7 quiet days afterwards, , although older patients with thinner skin will take longer to heal.
When will I completely recover? Can I go back to my daily activities, such as work or exercise right after the treatment?
Depending on exactly what is done and the absence/presence of bruising, many will return to normal activities quite quickly. However, we would recommend minimizing the extreme movement of the treatment area in the early days. We also suggest wearing a “headband” while at home and in bed in the initial healing period to promote faster recovery.
Am I a good candidate?
Those benefit most from the treatment who have good skin with mild to moderate heaviness in the area to be lifted. For patients with excessive loose skin in the cheek/jowl region, a surgical facelift might be more suitable for desired results.
What areas can be treated?
Thread lifting is most commonly employed for the cheek/jowl region. However, it might be also useful for some areas of the brow and neck with excessive skin. Other areas may also be treated but are probably best explained in a personal and confidential consultation to avoid any confusion.
What is recommended before and after a thread lift treatment?
It is best to avoid things that tend to increase bruising prior to the procedure. Such substances might include some analgesics, fish oil or anything that tends to be good for circulation or joints.
Afterwards, it is desirable to avoid excessive movements of the jaw such as the wide opening of the mouth. In the early recovery phase, a specific type of headband might be useful to promote faster rehabilitation. The headband generally goes under the chin, providing support and also reducing some swelling.
Is thread face lifting painful?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic so once this has worked, most people find the procedure quite comfortable. There is some sensation of pushing-pulling but it is not a painful discomfort.
Are there any side effects?
The most common side effects are swelling and bruising which will vary in degree from person to person. Other, less common, side effects may include infection, skin tethering, asymmetry or loss of effect.
Why choose Cosmetic Medicine Centre for thread face lift?
The Cosmetic Medicine Centre is renowned for producing natural results. We have a wide array of possible procedures targeting skin conditions you might have. You may be sure that the treatments recommended are truly suitable for you, rather than just the only thing we do.
