The thread lift is an effective non-surgical facelifting treatment for anyone looking to improve the appearance of sagging skin. It is suitable for men and women who are happy to undergo a few injections, and who want to attain a natural and immediate lift of the facial contours without having to tolerate the long downtime of facelift surgery.
In addition to a mechanical lift, threads also help to combat ageing by improving skin texture, fine lines, elasticity and skin tightening through the combined effects of increased cellular renewal, collagen stimulation, improved blood supply and contracting of the fat tissue.
Finer threads can be used for their rejuvenation properties alone by targeting problem areas and strengthening and improving the skin texture.
Thread lifts have been used in non-surgical facelifts for many years. Many materials have been used over this time, including gold, poly-L-lactic acid, polycaprolactone, poly-propylene, and it is the polydioxanone (PDO) that has emerged as one of the most popular today. PDO itself has been used in medicine for over 30 years in tissue engineering and surgery, and since the 1980s, it has been an integral part of cataract surgical procedures. It is used in hospitals on a daily basis as an absorbable suture and has a high safety rating with no concerns regarding allergic reactions or long-term complications.
Many of the PDO threads are manufactured in South Korea, where it is used extensively to achieve lifting in the face and body, and it is now one of the most commonly performed skin lifting procedures today.
The procedure is simple and takes 45-60 minutes depending on the number and type of threads used. After numbing with local anaesthesia, the PDO threads are inserted via blunt tip needles (called cannulas) into different layers of the skin. Once inserted, the threads anchor to the skin and lift it upwards. The excess threads are then cut off and the skin smoothed over so that they are not visible.
A PDO thread looks like a long suture or thread. There are many different designs, and the thread chosen will depend on the area treated and the desired result. Those that are used for lifting are barbed, making them ideal for gathering and elevating the skin. Smoother threads produce less of a lift but are excellent for collagen stimulation and skin tone.
Heavier threads physically pull the skin back producing a lift that can be seen immediately after the procedure. Finer threads are used to strategically target skin texture in common areas of weakness, helping to keep it strong, voluminous and supple. All threads, no matter what strength, will provide a gradual improvement in the skin tone and firmness as they stimulate the body to create collagen and active a “ healing response” when placed. These rejuvenation effects start to take effect after 1-2 months.
Long term studies are not available because PDO threads have not been used in aesthetic medicine for the length of time required for such analysis. However, short term studies show patient satisfaction times of 12-18 months. Fresh threads can be added within this time to allow for a longer-lasting result.
About 6 months after the procedure, the threads start to disappear as they naturally dissolve. However, the results remain in place due to the new collagen that is laid down where the threads have been placed.
This will differ depending on the number and type of threads used and the area treated. In general, it is best to expect some mild swelling and soreness for 3 to 5 days after treatment, and mild tightness for up to 2 weeks. Some patients will wish to take the rest off the day off, although most can return to work immediately.
The treatment is surprisingly safe, and in fact, the side effect is milder than those of fillers. Common side effects may include swelling, tenderness, bruising and temporary mild dimpling of the skin, all of which resolve over the next few days. Intimate anatomical knowledge and the use of blunt cannulas (as opposed to needles ) helps keep side effects to a minimum.
Thread lifts are performed after the local anaesthetic has been administered to the skin using fine needled injections and can be a little uncomfortable to start with. Once numbed, there is minimal discomfort, although you will be aware of some pressure whilst the threads are being placed.
Yes. It is not recommended for anyone who suffers from an autoimmune disease, has a bleeding disorder, is on anticoagulation therapy or has a history of keloid scarring. It is also not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.