Thread Lift™

A thread lift is a less invasive and less expensive alternative to a standard facelift that can be performed on patients with sagging in the cheeks, brow and lower face as a result of early signs of aging. This procedure offers subtle results and is most commonly performed on patients who don’t have the time, money or need for a full facelift, and are between the ages of 35 and 45, although nearly anyone can undergo this procedure. A thread lift involves only minimal downtime and is performed in your doctor’s office in about an hour.

The thread lift procedure involves inserting a threaded needle into the skin to lift the subcutaneous tissue and maintain a lifted appearance of the face. The thread will then encourage collagen production in key areas to restore a youthful and refreshed appearance. This procedure is most commonly performed to lift and support sagging eyebrows, nasolabial folds, sagging cheeks and the mid and lower face and neck, and can also be combined with other procedures for maximum results.

Procedure

There are two types of thread lift procedures currently approved by the FDA. The Contour Threadlift uses unidirectional threads that allow your doctor to grasp a certain area of the face and suspend it for a younger appearance. A Featherlift uses bidirectional threads that are inserted under the skin to grab tissue and fill sagging areas.

During the thread lift procedure, your doctor will make several small incisions whose location will depend on the type of procedure being performed. Once the incisions have been made, the thread will be inserted under the skin with a thick, hollow needle. The thread is tied to the internal facial structures and then gently pulled to tighten the skin and underlying tissues. The barbs on the thread lock into place to maintain the results of the procedure, and the ends are then sutured underneath the surface of the skin.

This procedure is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The entire thread lift procedure takes about one hour to perform. Patients can return home immediately after the procedure, but will need someone to drive them home since the effects of the anesthesia will still be present.

Results and Recovery

After the thread lift procedure, patients may experience swelling, bruising and discomfort for several days. These symptoms can be relieved through pain medication and rest. You may require assistance with daily activities for the first 24 hours after your procedure. Patients should eat only soft foods for seven days and keep their head elevated as often as possible. Most patients can return to work and other regular activities within seven days, although exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for three weeks.

The results of the thread lift are visible immediately after the procedure, and will last for several years. Patients enjoy a subtle improvement to the overall appearance of their face after the thread lift procedure. Scarring is minimal after this procedure since the incisions are conspicuously placed to minimize exposure. Patients can repeat the thread lift procedure if they desire if the treated area is once again affected by the effects of aging. Some patients may choose to undergo a facelift or other procedure once the results of the thread lift begin to fade.

Risks and Complications

Although a thread lift is considered to be a generally safe procedure for most patients, there are certain risks and complications associated with any type of procedure. Some of these risks may include infection, numbness, lack of sensitivity, unbalanced appearance and a lack of improvement. Most of these side effects are not serious and will either go away on their own or can be corrected through additional treatment.

As the thread lift procedure is relatively new, techniques are likely to continue being developed and these risks are likely to decrease. Patients can also reduce their risk by choosing an experienced doctor to perform their procedure, and by adhering to their doctor’s instructions before and after the procedure.

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