Facial Threads

 

INTRODUCTION

Today, many women and men are seeking facial rejuvenation procedures at a younger age to help maintain their youthful appearance for longer. But they are eager to avoid the risks, recovery, and telltale signs of invasive surgery. Now there is a minimally invasive, short recovery technique that can shave years off your age – without major surgery or visible scars – the Threads facial rejuvenation procedure.

The use of Threads is an innovative facial rejuvenation procedure designed to gently elevate sagging brows, cheeks and jowls. Due to the unique design of the delicate filaments used in the procedure, the surrounding tissues act to hold them in place without the need for visible scars.

AREAS TO BE TREATED

The Threads facial rejuvenation procedure may be used for repositioning sagging cheeks, lifting droopy eyebrows, and elevating the jowls and neck areas. The plastic surgeon will customize the technique used based on your personal preferences, the quality and quantity of your skin, and your goals. 

ADVANTAGES

The Threads is a minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedure that offers acceptable results without visible scars, a long recovery, general anesthesia, or a hospital stay. Another key advantage is the minimal time required to perform the Threads It is also much more affordable than a surgical face or brow lift. Due to the subtle nature of the threads facial rejuvenation procedure, the results avoid a tight, operated, or over stretched look. 

DISADVANTAGES

The most important disadvantage of thread lifting is that the results do not last more than six months on average.

Disadvantages to a thread lift depend on which product is used. Sterile surgical technique, preoperative precautions to avoid unnecessary bleeding and hematoma formation, and prophylaxis against infection should be taken regardless of the type of thread lift procedure used. The threads can potentially break, migrate, and extrude through the skin. Although this is seen more frequently with Aptos threads, the potential for similar outcomes is present with Contour Threads. Extrusion of the free ends of the knot at the site of fascia tying is what more commonly occurs when Contour Threads are implanted. The extruded thread tips can be easily cut and shortened with minimal effort. Proponents and users of any of the thread lift techniques say these side effects will become less common as the sutures are improved and as studies determine the best ways to place them.

Skepticism

There is currently some skepticism about thread lifts. The main concerns are:

  1. The thread may be seen through the skin.
  2. The thread can extrude.
  3. It may last only 6 months.

Some of those who perform traditional invasive surgical face lifts with its high price tag have said that any new procedure like the thread lift should be predicated on a good 10 years’ worth of laboratory work with animal models and clinical studies before it is widely adopted. Proponents of the thread lift have remarked that the thread lift reminds them of how the technique of liposuction evolved. In the beginning, liposuction contradicted everything that was known and practiced about how to remove fat at the time and everyone was saying it was dangerous, nonsensical, and untested. But now it is one of the most popular cosmetic operations performed. Most consider thread lifts similarly and predict that the technique may turn out to be exactly the same as liposuction did: a good concept and procedure in evolution that will find its place in the armamentarium of many physicians.

IDEAL CANDIDATES

The best candidates tend to be women and men in their 40’s to 60’s who have minimal sagging of the brows, cheeks, jowls and neck.

TYPES OF THREAD LIFTS

·         PDO THREADS

·         COG WIRED THREADS

ANESTHESIA

The threads procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia in your doctor’s office or clinic on an outpatient basis. If desired, light twilight sedation may also be used. 

DURATION OF THE PROCEDURE

The actual length of the threads facial rejuvenation procedure varies and will depend on the number of filaments used by your doctor. A typical procedure takes about an hour to perform. 

THE PROCEDURE

Implantation and positioning of the threads is quick and takes approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the number of areas being treated and the type of threads used.

  • Barbed threads (COG THREADS)

Using a hollow guiding needle, such as a spinal needle, the barbed threads are inserted into the subcutaneous fat under the skin, through the small incision points made by the needle, which are about 1-2 millimetres in size, and along the contours that were previously marked on your face by your surgeon.

The needle containing the thread is then positioned to provide the required correction and removed. The microscopic cogs on the threads then attach to the underside of the skin and gently lift the skin and secure it in the desired position. The excess thread is trimmed so it does not appear above the skin surface.

The number of threads required is dependent on the number of areas being treated; such as brow lift, cheek or jowl lift or even neck lift. A full face thread lift requires approximately 18 barbed threads, although as not everyone will need a full face lift normally you would require about 2 for each brow, 3 for each cheek, 2 for each jaw line and 2 for each side of the neck. Once under the skin the threads are approximately 5 to 8 centimetres long, when cut to fit your facial contours.

  • Suspension or smooth threads

Suspension threads are inserted into the skin using a standard needle, but in order for them to sustain a lift they do need to be attached to the so called “anchoring point”. The anchoring points are stable points of the scalp or face, and they are different for the different areas of the face and body. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of the anatomy is essential in order to know which part would provide a good anchorage for the lift, and it is essential to avoid structures which are going to give way after a while or stretch and deform, therefore reducing the lifting effect. Hence, as far as a practitioner is concerned this is a more technically demanding procedure, requiring some basic surgical skill and knowledge of the anatomy.

RISKS

The risks of thread lifts are most often related to the expertise of your doctor. As with all procedures, minor side effects may include numbness, slight asymmetry, irregularities, infection, bruising, swelling, and tenderness. These will be explained in depth by your doctor in advance of undergoing the procedure. When performed correctly, the side effects are usually temporary and easily resolved. The procedure is entirely reversible and adjustable for up to one month after the procedure is done. 

RECOVERY

Your doctor will give you instructions to follow to minimize discomfort and speed up the healing process. Ice compresses are recommended for the first 24-48 hours. You will have some mild bruising and swelling that usually settles down quickly. Most patients can return to work or normal activities in less than a week. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for three weeks. 

RESULTS

The longevity of thread lifting depends on your age at the time of the procedure, the degree of sagging, the areas treated, the extent of the procedure, and the technique used. Over time, your facial areas will start to sag again. Many doctors report that results may last from two to four years. In most patients, additional filaments may be placed as needed to extend the results for even longer, and to keep up with the aging process. Most commonly the results last on an average 6 months.

OTHER PROCEDURES DONE AT THE SAME TIME

Many doctors have found that thread lifting may be performed as a complement to other cosmetic procedures, such as dermal fillers, Botox®, liposuction, chemical peels and laser resurfacing, to enhance the results and provide a longer lasting rejuvenation.