As we age, we see the effects of time on the face and neck: loss of facial volume, changes in skin texture, bone resorption (shrinkage), redistribution of fullness in the face, and a decrease in tissue elasticity. The cheek pads begin to sag downward, creating a flat facial appearance. As you look in the mirror you may begin to ask yourself if it’s time to consider a cosmetic surgery procedure, such as a facelift. You may not realize that there is a nonsurgical alternative to a facelift, which is a Thread Lift. If you don’t feel ready to have a facelift, then a thread lift treatment might be the best option for you.
What is a Thread Lift?
A thread lift uses dissolvable sutures that tighten and lift the skin on the face and neck. Both less invasive and less expensive than a surgical facelift, a thread lift also avoids general anesthesia and the procedure takes less time: approximately 45 minutes to an hour compared with 2-3 hours for a surgical facelift.
A thread lift actually promotes a natural increase in collagen production, as the threads are a foreign element unrecognized by your body, which prompts a wound-healing response that triggers elastin and collagen production. The production of these elements help your body to maintain the results of your thread lift.
What Material is Used in a Thread Lift?
The thread lifts used here at our Miami cosmetic surgery practice are called PDO thread lifts, which allows us to provide you with a more customized treatment, as they come in a variety of textures designed to address specific aging issues.
PDO stands for Polydioxanone, which is a durable and flexible absorbable polymer thread that comes in 3 textures. PDO threads have been in existence since the 1980s and are the oldest of the thread lift materials. The threads harmlessly break down in the body after about six months, by which time the body has triggered cells to produce more collagen and elastin to maintain the improvement provided by the PDO threads.
Patients who come to our Miami cosmetic surgery practice to address facial aging have been quite satisfied with the results from their thread lift.
Is a Thread Lift Right for You?
A thread lift is often chosen by people who want to turn back the clock on early facial aging and want to avoid general anesthesia, the longer recovery time and/or the cost of a surgical facelift. If you have an important event coming up (such as a wedding, birthday, graduation, etc.) which lowers your recovery time for a facelift, then a thread lift procedure can help you look and feel your best before the big event! It should be noted that patients with advanced facial aging including very loose and/or inelastic skin are often best treated with a surgical facelift. Candidates for this minimally invasive cosmetic procedure should be healthy nonsmokers with realistic expectations. Contact us today to schedule your thread lift consultation appointment at our Miami cosmetic surgery practice.
Your Thread Lift Consultation
With any cosmetic treatment, your consultation appointment is your opportunity to ask any questions about both a thread lift and the alternative of a surgical facelift. During your free Miami cosmetic consultation, we will also ask you questions about your general health, medications, and past medical history, and will examine your facial aging to suggest the best option for you.
The Thread Lift Procedure
After your provider marks the areas, local anesthesia will be injected into the face. Although you will feel no pain once the local anesthesia is in effect, the option of oral or IV sedation may be available if you feel a bit squeamish about this minimally invasive procedure. The threads are inserted through the use of a small cannula. Each thread is anchored in place before moving to the next thread.
Recovery from a Thread Lift
Average recovery time following a PDO thread lift is usually 24-36 hours of rest before returning to light activity, you should expect the most swelling and bruising during the first 24-48 hours. Strenuous exercise and lifting should be avoided for two to three weeks. Smoking is very strongly discouraged both before and after a thread lift. Applying ice packs (a bag of frozen peas is quite useful in this regard), elevating the head at night by sleeping in a recliner for a few days post-procedure, and taking Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain relievers has worked well for our Miami thread lift patients. It is normal to experience discomfort, swelling, and a feeling of tightness in the face. Bleeding or major discomfort, however, is not normal and should be followed by a call to our office at 786.713.1588.
Results of a Thread Lift
Once the swelling has dissipated, you will begin to see improvement, although complete results will develop over several months as the threads dissolve and the increased collagen improves the appearance of your skin. The subtle lift and rejuvenating results from your thread lift should remain for 1-3 years.
To learn more about a thread lift in Miami, please call A Solution For Beauty by Pierini at 786.713.1588 or complete this online form to schedule your FREE consultation today.