Building Collagen & Creating Lift
A thread lift is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedure that passes suture-like threads beneath the surface of your skin, lifting the tissue. The procedure is minimally invasive and there are no incisions involved. The threads may have tiny barbs or cones that help grip the tissue under skin. When appropriately positioned, they give your face a more lifted, toned appearance, especially around the lower face and jowls.
The procedure has been dubbed a “lunchtime lift” because it’s quick, with minimal downtime, especially compared to a surgical facelift. It may also be referred to as a PDO thread lift (for polydioxanone, a dissolvable material also used in sutures) or a “micro-suspension lift.” It’s also sometimes called a sugar lift, since the threads are made from long chains of a polysaccharide, a sugar.
“PDO” threads are absorbed over the first six months and trigger a boost in your natural collagen production that can improve your skin’s firmness for up to a year.
The lift provided by threads made from poly-l-lactic acid (Silhouette Instalift) may last up to 2 years.
Can be used to treat these conditions:
Fine Lines & Wrinkles, Sagging Skin
Smoothing Threads:
Smooth PDO threads that are loaded into acupuncture sized sharp or blunted needles (cannulas). These very thin, non-textured PDO threads are about the caliber of a human hair and are laced under the skin surface in rows or lattices to fit the treatment area. The can be used virtually anywhere on the face and body to reinforce skin integrity, stimulate collagen and help tighten and remodel the surface texture. PDO threads gradually breakdown into carbon dioxide and water in the skin in a process called hydrolysis, stimulating collagen production in the process. Results are seen gradually over the course of weeks and can last up to a year.
Lifting Threads:
Lifting threads are used to reposition, lift, and secure skin in a more desirable contour. These threads are designed and engineered to be self-anchoring and the process requires no incisions or knot tying. Depending on the type of thread, the tissue engagement is achieved with texture built into the surface of the thread (laser cut or molded) to create a velcro-like effect that grips on the tissues and holds the lift in place. PLLA threads use a series of tiny cones beaded onto the thread to achieve the same effect. The procedure is performed using local anesthesia with minimal downtime. Results are seen immediately and may last up to 12 months for PDO threads and 24 months for PLLA threads.
Lifting threads are used in conjunction with neurotoxins, fillers and most energy-based device treatments and offer the benefit of promoting lift without risking over-filling a face that already has adequate volume but still needs lift.
Lifting threads can be used on the following areas:
- Cheeks
- Jawline
- Neck
- Eyebrows
- Nose
- Body