The threads are bio-stimulatory, and have barbed hooks to lift effectively, as well as stimulate collagen synthesis and tissue contraction to maintain and prolong the effect of the face thread lift even after the threads have dissolved.
Saggy cheeks. Droopy jowls. Is that a double chin you see?!
Facial sagging is a big tell tale sign of ageing. Gravity pulls at our facial tissues every day and this is made worse as our skin loosens with age. As such, facial sagging shows up as hollows, excessive fat and wrinkles at different areas, causing imbalance to our ideal facial contours.
Minimally invasive face lifting techniques like face threads have been steadily gaining widespread public acceptance due to heavy research over the years, improved thread material and mature techniques.
Whilst ageing may be inevitable, there are ways to slow down the process and luckily, medicine as a field has made great leaps and bounds in finding ways to combat the ageing process.
From lasers and energy devices such as HIFU, to injectables such as botox and fillers, much has been discovered to reverse the signs of ageing and innovations continue to be made daily to enable graceful ageing.
Thread lifting is a minimally invasive anti-ageing procedure that involves the insertion of absorbable threads via a cannula or needle into various areas of the face, chin or neck.
This helps restore our facial contours by lifting sagging tissues and repositioning facial volumes to achieve a more youthful look, depending on the type and number of threads used.
Threads come in different types and can be made of different materials. The more common brands of threads you will hear of in the market will be Aptos, Nfinders, Happy Lift, BB Lock and Silhouette Soft with various characteristics.
They can be broadly classified according to the materials it is made from and the type of characteristics it has.
Face threads (Mono, Twisted / Cogs) are usually made of PDO, PLLA or PCL material, and these material are used for stitching wounds in surgeries. PDO and PLLA material dissolves and are reabsorbed naturally in the body over time – approximately 12 months for PDO and up to 2 years for PLLA – leaving no residual material behind.
| Thread Types | |
|---|---|
| Mono Threads | Mono threads are thin monofilament (single stranded) threads with a smooth surface that is particularly useful for inducing skin tightening, volumizing and improving skin tone. |
| Twisted Threads | Twisted threads are one or more mono threads that have been twisted over the needle/cannula or over each other to provide more tension and a more volumising effect |
| Cog / Barbed Threads | Unlike mono threads, cog threads have barbs cut or punched into the threads to allow for a greater lifting effect. |
Aside from the different physical characteristics of each thread, there are three main types of material used in the construction of threads for thread lifts – mainly PDO threads (polydioxanone), PLLA threads(Poly L. Lactic Acid), and PCL threads (polycaprolactone).
They differ mainly in the amount of time they last before they are reabsorbed by the body. PDO threads lasts between 6 – 12 months, PLLA threads between 12 -18 months and PCL threads between 24 – 36 months.
The threads are bio-stimulatory, and have barbed hooks to lift effectively, as well as stimulate collagen synthesis and tissue contraction to maintain and prolong the effect of the face thread lift even after the threads have dissolved.
| Short Form | What is it | How long can it last? |
|---|---|---|
| PDO | Polydioxanone | 6 - 12 months |
| PLLA | Poly-L Lactic Acid | 12 - 18 months |
| PCL | Polycaprolactone | 24 - 36 months |
As a whole, the implanted threads act as a “reinforcement” material for your skin much akin to pillars within a building that allow for greater structural support and volume. The presence of the material of the threads within the skin also triggers the healing response of the skin and promotes the stimulation of collagen over the area, rejuvenating it. The procedure is a fuss-free day procedure that takes about an hour, inclusive of numbing time.
Before the procedure – patients considering thread lifts should ideally avoid smoking and alcohol for 1 week as they may interfere with the anaesthetic used. Certain medications such as aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen etc) should also be avoided as they may cause more bleeding during the procedure.
On the day of the procedure, a consultation would first be performed to assess each individual’s need and to ascertain the type and quantity of threads needed to achieve the desired results.
After careful planning, numbing cream and solution is used to numb the areas where the threads are placed.
The area to be treated is then cleaned and a thin needle or cannula is then used to insert the threads under the skin. After the desired amount of threads is inserted, the needles or cannulas are then removed leaving the thread firmly secured under the skin.
Once the procedure is completed, the treated area of skin is then cleaned and ice applied to minimise swelling and bruising before you leave.
Some effects such as lifting or contouring may be visible immediately after the procedure. However, full effects of the thread lift would usually take 3 months to show as the new collagen forms around the thread.
Apart from an immediate lift to sagging tissues, thread lifts also provide a stimulus for collagen regeneration over the treated areas. This ensures long lasting and natural results that continue to improve even months after the procedure. Additionally, the procedure may help with overall skin rejuvenation and improvement of skin texture issues such as wrinkles and even scarring!
Thread lifts are generally a safe procedure and side effects are mild and temporary. It is likely that one may feel a mild soreness during the recovery period, which usually takes 1 – 2 weeks.
Although considered to be minimally invasive, thread lifts, as with any other procedure can have side effects and include:
Most of these side effects can be prevented or minimised with the usage of the correct insertion techniques and appropriate aftercare.
Downtime is fairly minimal. Mild bruising may occur which is usually easily covered up by cosmetics, and typically lasts 4-7 days.
Face Thread Lift Aftercare and Precautions
Following the treatment, it is recommended to:
It is also recommended to avoid sleeping sideways, or face down – face up would be the best, and if possible, with a facial compression bandage for 1-2 weeks, so that the effects of the face lift would last well!
As with other minimally invasive aesthetic lifting devices, patients need to be carefully selected. Even though most people will benefit from the procedure, some may see less improvement with a thread lift procedure and instead, get better results from an Ultraformer HIFU or Thermage FLX.
A combination treatment plan with both heat energy treatments and a face threadlift is also possible.
A detailed consultation with the doctor communicating ideas and expectations is necessary for best possible outcome.
Make an appointment for a non-obligatory consult with one of our doctors and get professional advice on your suitability and how you can take years off your age!
