Introduction:
Aging is an ongoing process. As people age, their facial support structure weakens, and they lose facial fat, leading to an older-looking face. The areas that get affected generally include the cheeks, the eyebrows, and the other areas around the eyes, the jaws, and the neck. This is because aging causes the thinning of connective tissue in the skin.
The elastic fibers in the skin undergo breakdown. The loss of facial elasticity leads to the departure of certain face-shaping supports. The face begins to sag and wrinkle. For these types of facial breakdowns, a thread lift may be a better alternative than more invasive procedures to correct problems in older people’s faces. Thread lifts emerged recently, and many people prefer this procedure because it is simple, cost-effective, and less time-consuming.
What Is Thread Lift?
A thread lift is a procedure where temporary sutures are used to produce a visible but subtle “lift” in the skin. In this procedure, instead of surgically removing the loose facial skin of the patient, the surgeon simply suspends it by stitching up sections of it. This slightly pulls the skin back tightens it, and lifts the face.
The thread lift also provokes the body's healing response by causing large surges of collagen in treated areas. Collagen synthesis occurs around the used threads, forming an integral support structure for the facial tissue. Collagen is essential to the aging process. The body gradually produces less collagen with age, leading to an 80 % reduction in skin thickness by age 70. Infusing fresh collagen into the facial skin while signs of skin laxity are mild can help reduce looseness and keep it from worsening.
A thread lift is an excellent and highly effective cosmetic procedure for lifting and tightening sagging skin tissue. It will also help in redefining facial contours as per individual desires. The effect of skin tissue lifting can last for up to two to three years. The best cosmetic effects will be seen after six months of the procedure, as collagen will have formed around the threads by then.
How Long Does Facial Thread Lift Last?
Facial thread lift lasts for about one to three years. After that, the threads are dissolved in the skin, but the face looks youthful even after the dissolved threads. A facial thread lift is a temporary procedure. A new and fresh treatment used for some surgeries and gynecological disorders is called polydioxanone (PDO) thread lift. This procedure is followed if patients are not ready for a facial thread lift. It also lasts for one to three years. PDO thread lifts are placed under a layer of subcutaneous tissue.
What Are the Areas That Can Be Treated with Thread Lifting?
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Forehead (brow lifting).
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Jawline.
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Upper and lower cheeks.
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Neck.
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Nasolabial folds.
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Sagging mouth.
How Does a Facial Thread Lift Work?
Thread Lifting Method:
The product used for thread therapy is a fine needle, which may be more than a 21 gauge needle affixed to the absorbable thread. The needle used in this process is inserted into the subcutaneous layer of the skin, and when this is taken out, the threads get implanted in the skin. It requires the insertion of dozens of needles into the subcutaneous layer of skin with absorbable threads.
These threads activate their natural regenerative process through mechanical wound healing and tissue contraction stimulation. The thread, which has recently become trending, is polydioxanone (PDO). It is clinically proven and made up of bio-compatible material already widely used in different types of medical suturing. The popularity of this thread can be attributed to the safety of polydioxanone, its ease of insertion, excellent results with minor side effects, and very few known complications.
Procedure:
2% Xylocaine is injected into the treatment area locally, or topical EMLA cream can also be used (an eutectic mixture of local anesthetics). The PDO thread will then be introduced into the deeper tissues with the help of a cannula or micro-needle in the required area. The total time taken for this procedure is around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment required. The treated person will be able to fully resume his everyday routine and social commitments within a few days.
What Are the Advantages of Facial Thread Lifting?
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Thread lifting is very effective in strengthening the contour of the face for facial contouring. It also corrects the roundness of the face, lifts already-sagged skin in the cheeks, jaws, and neck, and produces an excellent eyebrow lift.
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Recovery from the thread lift procedure is comparatively easy.
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For skin rejuvenation, it enhances skin tone and tightens the pores.
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If it is given with micro-needling, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), laser, fillers, Botox (botulinum toxin), and chemical peel, then it will produce great results.
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Polydioxanone threads are 100 % bio-compatible, cause no scarring, and have minimal risk.
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Collagen induction leads to tightening and lifting of the skin.
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Thread lifts are easier to perform than facelift surgery and are affordable.
What Are the Side Effects of Facial Thread Lifting?
Although the facial thread lift procedure is considered safe, it does have some side effects and complications.
Some minor side effects following a thread lift include:
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Swelling.
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Bleeding.
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Bruising.
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Minimal pain at the thread injection site.
The possible complications are minor and can be corrected easily. There is a 15 to 20% chance of complications following the thread lift procedure.
Some of them include:
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Infection at the thread injection site.
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Visible pulling or dimpling at the site of thread injection.
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Pain under the skin because the thread is too tight or awkwardly placed.
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Allergic reaction to the threading material.
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Bleeding.
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Migration of the threads causes the skin to bulge or look lumpy.
Of all the complications, infection is the one to watch out for carefully. Consult the doctor immediately if one notices black, brown, green, or red discharge at the procedure site, swelling for more than 48 hours, fever, and constant headaches.
Conclusion:
Facial skin changes are a part of getting old. Skin loses its strength and elasticity over time. Facial thread lift is a procedure to make a face look younger by putting fibers under the skin to pull it back. People often consider it less expensive than plastic surgery and has less recovery time. However, there is some risk of complications, so it is important to choose a qualified surgeon to perform the procedure.
