Cosmetica Med Spa in Boca Raton offers affordable, high-quality thread lifts, which are an outpatient alternative to traditional facelifts.
Rather than cutting the skin and surgically altering soft tissues underneath, a thread lift uses biocompatible, dissolvable threads to lift the skin and stimulate collagen production. While this option lasts for one to three years, rather than a decade like a traditional facelift, it is a subtle procedure that enhances, rather than changes, one’s appearance.
What Is a Thread Lift?
A thread lift is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that provides results similar to a facelift, but with a shorter recovery time. The procedure’s speed lends it the name lunchtime facelift, as the whole thing takes about an hour.
Thread lifts are also called a PDO lift or PDO threads, which is the name of the biocompatible, dissolvable material that the threads are made from.
Thread lifts rapidly lift and tighten the skin by contracting fat tissue, promoting collagen production, and stimulating vascular growth for better blood flow to your face. This enhances and improves your skin texture, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and tightens sagging skin that creates jowls or a double chin.
While the effects of a thread lift do not last as long as a traditional facelift, this is a great option for people in their mid-30s to mid-50s who are seeing the early signs of aging and want to slow the process down.
How the Thread Lift Procedure Works on Certain Facial Areas
The term thread lift is an apt description for this cosmetic procedure. A surgeon takes biocompatible, dissolvable threads and stitches up areas of skin to lift the face. This threading process also triggers a surge of collagen production in stitched areas, which keeps the skin tighter and more youthful for longer afterward.
All this in contrast to a traditional facelift, in which skin is removed and soft tissues underneath are manipulated to create a more youthful look. This type of facelift requires general anesthesia and a long recovery time.
Conversely, a thread lift takes about one hour, involves only local anesthesia, and requires a few days to a few weeks to see full results.
A thread lift treats various areas, including these:
- Cheeks
- Neck
- Under the eyes
- Skin around the mouth
- Sagging eyebrows
- Premature loosening of facial skin
At the start of your thread lift, your surgeon will mark places where the threads will go to lift your face. These areas will then receive local anesthetic, so you will be comfortable but conscious during the procedure.
Once the local anesthesia sets in, your doctor will insert the cannula, a long surgical needle with the PDO thread in it, and pass it underneath the surface of your skin. This thread will be pulled taut to literally lift the tissue. This process will be repeated up to 20 times, depending on how much lift you want. There is no cutting, stitching, or invasive surgery.
When the anesthesia wears off, you can safely drive yourself home and perform basic aftercare steps.
How Long Does a Thread Lift Last?
A thread lift lasts between one and three years, in contrast to a traditional facelift, which lasts up to 10 years. However, a facelift involves many more intensive, deep changes to your face and skin. A thread lift does not require intensive or invasive changes.
Though the results of a thread lift only last for up to three years, you will see progressive improvements in skin tone and texture for months after the initial procedure. The threads stimulate ongoing collagen production, which can keep your skin elastic and youthful.
There are many benefits of a thread lift.
- It is a quick outpatient procedure that takes about one hour.
- Threads are biocompatible and will dissolve, so there is no need to have them removed like old stitches.
- Recovery time is rapid, with most people returning to work the next day.
- It is more affordable, less invasive, and has a faster recovery time than a traditional facelift.
- It is a better facelift option for younger people who want small improvements.
Potential downsides typically involve expected outcomes.
- Thread lift results are subtle, while traditional facelift results are dramatic. If you want dramatic changes to your face, a thread lift will not provide these.
- If your surgeon uses straight or smooth sutures, results of the thread lift will not be as long-lasting.
- People with thin skin may find that the threads are visible until they dissolve.
What Does It Cost?
The prices of thread lifts vary depending on where you get the procedure done, the experience of your surgeon, how many areas you want targeted, and the type of thread lift you receive.
On average, thread lifts cost about $2,050 in the U.S., but they can range from as little as $50 to as much as $5,000.
At Cosmetica Medical Spa in Boca Raton, we ensure the best price for high-quality thread lifts, giving you long-lasting, beautiful results.
Recovery From a Thread Lift
After the procedure, you may receive a prescription for an antibiotic ointment to apply for a few days to the areas where your doctor inserted the threads. This reduces the risk of infection and promotes healing in those areas.
You are likely to experience some swelling around the threading sites or along the areas where the threads have been inserted. Apply a cold compress to ease swelling and pain. It should not last for more than a few days. If you experience mild pain, an over-the-counter painkiller can ease some of this, but most pain should subside quickly.
Common, temporary side effects of the thread lift procedure include the following:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort or mild pain
- Irritation or itching
These symptoms should clear up within a few days after the procedure. If they do not or they get worse, get in touch with your doctor immediately.
Possible Risks
There are some potential risks after a thread lift procedure, including these:
- Anesthesia side effects
- Trouble opening the mouth (typically temporary)
- Extrusion of the thread
- Infection
- Pain and nerve damage
- Sensitivity to bright lights or sunlight
- Unfavorable results
These outcomes are very rare, but you can ask your surgeon to assess your individual potential risks.
It is important to wear appropriate sun protection as you heal, especially in a sunny, warm place like Boca Raton. Sunblock, a sun hat, and UV-filtering sunglasses will all be important as you heal.
Thread Face Lifts at Cosmetica Med Spa
Cosmetica Med Spa in Boca Raton has some of Florida’s most skilled and experienced cosmetic specialists, including surgeons who specialize in thread lifts.
If you are entering middle age and want to slow the signs of aging you see in your face, a thread lift might be a great option for you. This quick procedure has a speedy postoperative recovery, and it costs about 40 percent of what a traditional facelift costs.
References
What You Need to Know About Thread Lifts. (July 2018). American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Use of Barbed Threads in Facial Rejuvenation. (October 2008). Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery.
Thread Lift: Minimally Invasive Procedure. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Thread Lift: What You Should Know. (July 2020). Real Self.
What Should I Expect During My Thread Lift Recovery? American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
What are the Risks of a Thread Lift? American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Commentary on: Effectiveness, Longevity, and Complications of Facelift by Barbed Suture Insertion. (February 2019). Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
