Thread Lift
A thread lift is a nonsurgical technique used to lift the sagging skin of the face. Thread facelifts may sometimes be considered non surgical, because they are done under local anesthetic in an office setting in less than an hour. The non-surgical facelift generally will work best on those with a minimal to moderate amount sagging or loose skin. Thread lift can be referred to by different names such as the feather lift, soft lift or the curl lift.
The procedure uses clear threads with barbs on the ends that are inserted under the skin through several small incisions, to gently lift even moderately sagging skin and muscle. The threads are then secured to a stationary point on the scalp resulting in a firmer more youthful look.
Through this procedure a surgeon can lift the areas of the brows, cheeks, and jowls. Treatment will also soften the look of the nasolabial folds (creases from the nose to the mouth) and marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth to the chin). Candidates who respond best are young and middle aged who are not yet ready for major surgery, and those who have had a previous face lift and just need to be ”freshened up”. Because of the limited invasiveness of thread lifts, they are done under local anesthetic, have minimal downtime, minimal discomfort and minimal side effects; they are often referred to as the lunchtime face lift. An additional benefit is an almost immediate result with minimal scarring. Should the patient not be happy with the results, the physician can add additional threads for an increased lift or the threads can be removed.
Thread lift results can be compared to those of a mini facelift. If used in conjunction with BOTOX® and dermal fillers an excellent result can be achieved with a quick recovery time. It has been reported thread lifts can last up to 5 years. The cost is usually per thread, $300-$350 and a minimum of 4 threads are needed, although reports reveal an average of 12-14 threads are generally used. While this can lift the sagging skin, thread lifts will not give the dramatic results seen by a traditional facelift. As with any procedure, you should discuss your options and realistic expectations with your certified physician. |
