As we age, the skin loses its elasticity and strength. Because of this, you may notice looser and drooping skin on your face and neck as the cartilage and skin change. Since aging is a natural process, many facial cosmetic treatments, like thread lifts, can help you achieve the look you desire. Continue reading to learn about thread lifts.
How Does it Work?
A thread lift is a nonsurgical procedure that helps lift sagging and aging skin and stimulates collagen production, giving your neck or face a more youthful appearance. By placing medical-grade threads under your skin, plastic surgeons pull the skin into its original position. These surgical threads will activate your body’s natural healing response and trigger an increased production of collagen.
Unlike facelifts, thread lifts are nonsurgical procedures that attain subtle changes. A thread lift is sometimes referred to as a lunchtime facelift because it’s a quick procedure that can be done with minimal downtime. You will notice a slight difference in the treated areas of the skin immediately and continue to see results develop over the course of a few weeks, including improvements in your skin’s firmness and tone. Although the thread lift results are less dramatic than a facelift, this procedure poses fewer risks and is quite affordable.
What Aging Signs Can a Thread Lift Help to Improve?
A thread lift can help address the following signs of aging:
- Drooping eyelids
- Marionette lines
- Jowls
- Sagging cheeks
- Loose neck skin
Apart from the neck and face, a thread lift can also prove effective on other body parts such as the buttocks, breasts, knees, and the back of your arms.
What Should You Expect During and After Your Thread Lift Procedure?
A thread lift is usually done under local anesthesia, and the entire process takes about 60 minutes, depending on how many threads are being inserted. The treated parts of the skin may be slightly swollen, sore, and red immediately after the procedure. However, prescription painkillers can be taken after the procedure, and a cold compress can be applied to reduce swelling.
You should avoid rubbing the treated area during the recovery process. It is also important not to use makeup on the treated area for several days and avoid facial moisturizer for a few weeks. The doctor may also advise you to sleep propped up during recovery.
Who Is a Great Candidate for a Thread Lift?
Like other treatments, thread lifts will help lift your skin, especially those with skin laxity or sagging skin. However, they will not fully restore skin volume as they help pick up the skin a bit. If you want more significant change, you can choose a combination of threads and fillers.
A thread lift is great for people with mild sagging skin and between the ages of 30 and 60. Older individuals with more skin sagging will achieve better results with surgical facelifts. For individuals who cannot undergo surgery for medical reasons such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, a thread lift procedure will still yield visible results.
Conclusion
Although a thread lift can offer an immediately lifted appearance, it is ideal for people who want to improve their appearance for a big event and not one looking for permanent results. The results are also subtle and temporary, lasting for one to three years. If you are happy with your results, you can undergo the procedure again. There are many other procedures that you can consider if you want permanent results. It is best to discuss your goals and desires with your plastic surgeon to determine whether thread lifts or other cosmetic procedures are most appropriate for you.