As we age, our facial skin loses fat and the supporting structure weakens can lead to sagging skin and a less defined contour. A thread lift, often referred to as a “lunch hour lift,” offers a safe and minimally invasive alternative to traditional facelift surgery. This procedure can effectively reduce sagging around the jawline, cheeks, and neck, lift drooping eyebrows, and diminish deep nasolabial folds. It provides subtle, modest enhancements rather than dramatic changes, with less recovery time and immediate results.
Understanding Thread Lift
A thread lift is a cosmetic procedure designed to treat minor facial and neck sagging, giving a refreshed and youthful appearance. It can target the mid-face, lower face, neck, or brow. This minimally invasive method lifts sagging skin, with virtually invisible scarring since the threads are hidden within the skin once knotted. Often, a thread lift is combined with other non-invasive treatments like laser therapy, anti-wrinkle injections, and facial peels to improve skin texture further. Liposuction might also be performed simultaneously to enhance facial contours.
Popular Thread Lift Techniques
Several thread lift techniques exist, but the Contour thread lift and Aptos thread lift treatment are the most popular:
Contour Thread Lift:
Utilizes unidirectional, non-absorbable clear polypropylene threads, fixed in the area of initial access. The threads are guided along designated contour lines, improving precision. Incisions are made above the hairline to lift and tighten sagging skin.
Aptos Thread Lift:
Uses bi-directional barbed polypropylene threads. These threads have barbs pointing outwards from the mid-thread, allowing secure insertion and lift under the skin.
Types of Threads
Barbed Threads (Free Cogged):
These self-supporting sutures do not require suspension and are widely used for their hold-up mechanism.
Suspension Threads (Smooth Threads):
These need to be attached to a stable facial or scalp structure, suitable for patients with mild to moderate sagging. Made from nylon or prolene, they can be either resorbable or non-resorbable.
Reasons to Consider a Thread Lift
You might opt for a thread lift for several reasons:
- To address early aging signs like sagging skin.
- To enhance facial features lost due to premature sagging.
- For moderate sagging that doesn’t warrant a traditional facelift or neck lift.
- Limited time or financial resources for facelift surgery.
- To avoid potential scarring from a traditional facelift.
- To rejuvenate the effects of a previous facelift.
- For young patients experiencing brow or cheek sagging due to muscle weakening.
Ideal candidates for a thread lift include:
- Individuals with minimal aging signs needing a subtle lift.
- Those with realistic expectations and a positive outlook.
- Non-smokers.
- Individuals aged 30 to 60 with good skin tone and not excessively lax skin.
- Healthy patients without a history of poor wound healing or keloid scars.
Before undergoing a thread lift, you should:
- Undergo health evaluation and lab tests.
- Avoid medications that increase bleeding risk a week prior.
- Refrain from wearing makeup on the surgery day.
- Fast from midnight before the surgery.
- Consult your doctor if you feel unwell the day before.
- Stop smoking 14 days before the procedure.
- Avoid suntanning.
- Take pre-surgery photographs for comparison.
The Procedure
Performed under local anesthesia, a thread lift can take between 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the treated areas and thread types used.
Smooth Threads:
Inserted using a standard needle, requiring attachment to anchoring points.
Barbed Threads:
Inserted with a spindle needle through small incisions, typically behind the hairline or ear, to lift and secure the skin.
Techniques Used
Closed Technique:
Molding soft tissue over sutures until the desired position is achieved.
Open Technique:
Creating a raw surface under the skin to maintain the lift.
Combination Technique:
Using sutures at multiple tissue levels for secure suspension.
Post-Procedure Expectations and Care
Results are immediate, but you may experience some swelling, bruising, or discomfort, which typically subsides in a few days. Tightness or difficulty in mouth movement may occur briefly. Compared to traditional facelifts, thread lifts involve less postoperative bruising and swelling. Recovery time is minimal, usually within a week. Here are some post-surgery care tips:
- Eat soft foods for a week to ten days.
- Avoid makeup for 2-3 days.
- Do not rub your face during recovery.
- Avoid heavy lifting and exertion for at least two weeks.
- Sleep with your head elevated.
- Refrain from washing or touching your face for 12 hours post-surgery.
- Avoid extensive facial movements for the first few days.
- Avoid chewing gum for two weeks.
- Do not massage your face for 3-4 weeks.
- Apply ice regularly to reduce swelling.
- Keep the incision clean as per your surgeon’s instructions.
Conclusion
A thread lift offers a minimally invasive solution for those seeking anti-aging treatments to counteract early signs of aging. Get a personalised thread lift skin treatment from Dr.Venus skin and hair clinic. With immediate results, minimal downtime, and the ability to combine with other cosmetic procedures, it’s an attractive option for many individuals looking to rejuvenate their appearance.