What’s Thread Lift?
Thread lifting uses a series of microfilaments positioned at specific areas of the face to lift the eye brows, lift sagging skin over the cheeks, reduce nasolabial and marionette lines, define the jawline, reducing the roundness of the face and reduce double chins.
Strategic placement of the filament just underneath the skin in the direction of youthful vectors also help stimulate collagen and firm the skin.
We use PDO threads depending on the area of concern. PDO threads are made of polydioxanone and break down in about 6-8 months time. They are 100% bio-compatible and bio-absorbable material which has long been used in medical suturing. There are different types of filaments with different configurations depending on the end goal. Generally, these filaments have two modes of action:
1. A lifting action for immediate yet discreet results. This will improve over a period of 2-6 months as new collagen grows, giving further lift and tightening of the skin.
2. A rejuvenating action for gradual and natural results: re-absorption of the filament component helps skin boost its natural collagen, thus further redefining the features being treated.
The effects last between 15-18months (some people have reported lasting up to 3 years). This, of course, will vary depending on your age at the time of treatment, the quality of the skin, degree of sagging and the number of threads used.
WHAT’S THE DOWNTIME?
Depending on how many threads were used and the area treated, there will be swelling (with the worst in 2-3 days time) which settles by the end of the week.
Bruising, stinging or “pulling” pain or discomfort is normal. You can take paracetamol 500 mg 1-2 tablets 6-hourly as required. You are to avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medication such as Nurofen because inflammation is necessary to initiate the new collagen formation process. Nurofen and similar medication will suppress this process.
You will be required to take prophylactic antibiotics on the day of treatment and another dose in the next 2 days. This reduces the risk of infection.
Follow up review and photographs will be required 7 days, 1 month and 3 months post treatment. This is important to monitor progress and decide:
(a) Are any additional threads required to improve asymmetry or to enhance the effect?
(b) Do we need a maintenance thread treatment program to ensure long-term results?