There are so many options when it comes to beauty procedures these days, it’s hard to know what all of them mean. So what exactly is a thread lift, and why is it a good choice for you? A thread lift is a type of facelift procedure that does not require surgery. It is a subtle procedure with visible results, which is described by Dr. Lily Talakoub and Dr. Naissan O. Wesley of Dermatology News as, “an easy, fast, in-office procedure in which a cone attachment or barbed or non-barbed suture thread is inserted via a cannula into the skin through a very small incision. The thread is essentially “hooked” to the skin and, with a minimal amount of tightening, the skin is lifted and the suture is cut at the insertion point. The sutures dissolve and, over time, produce scar tissue.”
The thread lift’s effectiveness relies on the impressive properties of our own skin. It triggers a healing process within the areas that have been subjected to the procedure, and the skin sends collagen to the area to help the area recover. Collagen is an important element because it is one of the best anti-aging proteins in our bodies. You can rely on collagen for the reduction of UV-induced skin aging and wrinkles, and an increase in elasticity and pigmentation evenness.
The thread lift has been endorsed by a variety of celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, but the question is whether or not it is right for you. Compared to a typical facelift that involves surgery, the recovery time for a thread lift is much shorter. It is minimally invasive, and the technology that trained professionals use for the procedure has developed quickly since the thread lift’s inception in the 1990’s to minimize side effects like scarring and splitting sutures. The newest technology threads, called NovaThreads and Silhouette Instalift, are the most highly developed technologies thus far and have received Food and Drug Administration clearance.
NovaThreads come in a variety of options, including the more lifting barbed sutures and the more collagen-stimulating smooth sutures. Smooth sutures can be strategically placed around the face in areas that commonly see the creation of wrinkles like between the brow and around the mouth. Barbed sutures are best for the lifting of jowls and cheeks. Silhouette Instalift sutures are more focused on being lifting than stimulating collagen and create longer-lasting results of one to three years. The NovaThread procedure can take from 30 to 45 minutes, and the Silhouette Instalift usually takes around 45. With either procedure the patient can return to work and regular life afterward, although there may be more soreness from the Silhouette Instalift procedure.
Thread lifts are procedures with short-term effects and low recovery periods, and because they are noninvasive they can be combined with other surgeries like fillers and skin resurfacing to give the face an even more youthful look. Book a consultation with the Absolute Smile team today to discuss how your skin can look it’s absolute best tomorrow.
