Thread Lifts

Thread Lifts

Why have a thread lift with Face Matters?

Although facelifts continue to be a popular cosmetic surgical procedure, more and more of us are looking for treatments that can lift and rejuvenate the face without invasive incisions and non-reversible surgery. A thread lift is one such treatment.

With a thread lift, we use special threads or sutures and cones – made from the same material as surgical sutures – to raise your face at targeted points and stimulate ongoing collagen and elastin production to make your skin look and feel firmer. This is an ideal treatment if you’re in your mid-thirties to fifties and have mild to moderate sagging that’s making your face look older than you feel.

Silhouette Soft Thread Lifts, which can only be administered by doctors and dentists, are also available at Face Matters (see below to find out more).

  • Creates a gentle, rejuvenating lift
  • Natural-looking results
  • Low invasiveness, minimal complications & minimal discomfort when compared to facelift surgery
  • Smooths wrinkles & tightens your skin, defines jaw lines
  • Ideally used in combination with dermal fillers
  • Advice that’s unique to you & your needs

Thread Lifts

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Natural-looking results

See how thread lifts have helped some of our existing patients to achieve a visible and natural-looking facelift without the need for surgery.

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FAQs

How does a thread lift work?

During a thread lift procedure, we introduce a special thread weave made from polydioxanone (PDO) or poly-l-lactic acid (Silhouette Soft) along pre-determined areas of your face, either just below the surface of your skin or within a deeper layer, depending on the results we want to achieve; we do this using a cannula or micro-needle into the required area.

The properties within the threads stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin, creating a youthful lift from within your skin.

Are there different types of thread lifts?

Yes. Here at Face Matters, we offer a choice of thread lifts. Dr Tschoepe has been trained in all types and will be able to talk you through the different pros and cons of each system to help you decide on the best thread lift for your needs.
As an overview:

  • PDO thread lift stimulates Type 3 collagen and elastin production; the PDO threads consist of one (monofilament) or two twisted solid fibre (mono spiral, double spiral and hooks which dissolve in the tissue after approximately six to eight months.

  • Honey Derma PDO Threads stimulate the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid – which are vital for creating youthful-looking skin – while relaxing the muscles and tendons that may be pulling down your skin.

  • Silhouette Soft® uses Poly Lactic Acid surgical strands with molded bi-directional cones of bioabsorbable material (Lactiide/Glycolyde) to create lift and stimulate ongoing Type 1 (mature) collagen production.

  • 5-point lift where we insert five PDO threads on each side of your face to refine your jawline, lift your cheeks, tighten your neck, and reduce the lines around your eyes, nose and mouth.

What is a PDO thread lift?

With a PDO thread lift, we introduce PDO threads along carefully targeted points of your face. PDO is a strong synthetic fibre consisting of one (monofilament) or two twisted solid fibre (mono spiral, double spiral hooks) threads, which dissolve in your skin tissue in approximately six to eight months. PDO has been used extensively for several decades in surgical implants and sutures. It causes a very mild reaction during absorption and minimal acute inflammatory reaction.

What areas can be treated?

With a PDO or Silhouette Soft thread lift, we can improve the appearance of a number of lines, wrinkles and issues, including:

  • Lifting and refining your lower face and jawline
  • Minimising the depth of marionette lines from the corners of your mouth to your chin
  • Adding definition to your mid-face and cheek areas
  • Improving the appearance of a deep nasolabial fold
  • Achieving an eyebrow lift
  • Tightening the under-eye area
  • Improving crows’ feet and smoker’s lines
  • Firming up a double chin
  • Rejuvenating your skin
  • Narrowing the pores
  • Increasing your skin volume
  • Minimising skin furrows on the neck and cleavage
  • Tightening lose skin on the buttocks, belly, arms and legs

What happens during the treatment?

During your initial consultation, we will talk to you in depth about what you would like your thread lift to achieve, as well as what you can realistically expect from the procedure. It is important that we assess your suitability and discuss any alternative treatment options so that you can make an informed decision.

When you come in to the clinic for this treatment, we will cleanse your face before applying an anaesthetic cream to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Careful measurements will be made and Dr Tschoepe will then place a series of needles and threads/cones into your subcutaneous tissue, depending on the type of lift you decide to have.
Once each thread or suture has been applied, Dr Tschoepe will perform slight compression of your skin tissue to reshape it by hand and achieve the desired lifting effect. The non-inserted ends of the sutures are then cut off.

The threads and/or cones will be placed at specific points on your face to give you the most effective skin tightening for your unique case.

When should I see results and how long will they last?

You should be able to see immediate changes to your appearance after a thread lift. Keep in mind, however, that new collagen production starts to be visible after six weeks, and that it can take eight to 12 weeks to really appreciate the full effect of your treatment.

The results of a thread lift last for approximately 12 months and longer two years.

Are thread lifts safe?

The side effects and risks associated with thread lifts are minimal and rare, but they can include:

  • An allergic reaction to the anaesthetic.
  • A risk of small haematomas or seromas (collections of blood under the skin) occurring.
  • Mild infection at the site of the thread insertion, although every precaution is taken to prevent this.
  • Dislodging of the thread may occur (usually with free floating threads) resulting in a lopsided or crooked result (asymmetry).

In the case of barbed threads, the thread end may work its way out of the entrance to the skin; this is remedied by simply trimming the protruding end. Do not attempt to re-insert the thread yourself, as could result in an infection.
It is possible for your skin to develop a pucker, which we can remedy by lightly massaging the area. Do not attempt to do this yourself.

In a very small number of individuals, the threads do not work as satisfactorily or for as long as usual.

Although rare, as the threads are placed deep into the skin’s underlying tissue, it is occasionally possible for patients to either see or feel the barbed threads on the face, resulting in a tell-tale line (sometimes blue); in this case, we would remove and replace them.

Scarring from the insertion of the needle is minimal but is nonetheless possible, particularly if you have dark coloured skin. Wearing a high factor sunblock will help prevent scarring.

Because with a thread lift there is no removal of redundant skin, in contrast to a surgical facelift, there may be slight imperfections in the achieved results depending on your skin laxity; i.e. slight rippling or bunching of the skin post-lift. This can settle with time and is usually hidden into the hairline, the neck or behind the ears where it is not going to be noticed.

Contraindications to treatment include but are not limited to autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, breastfeeding, malignant neoplasms, fever, severe somatic diseases, neurological damage, haemophilia, inflammatory diseases in the treatment area, or if you have a tendency to form keloid or hypertrophic scarring.

Choosing an experienced practitioner like Dr. Tschoepe who has a proven history of successful treatments is important to minimise the risk of side effects.

What should I do immediately following my treatment?

Your aftercare instructions will depend on the type of thread lift you have. We will give you detailed information and recommendations to follow after your treatment to help you achieve the best results with minimal downtime.

What is a Silhouette Soft Thread Lift?

A Silhouette Soft Thread Lift differs from other thread lifts treatments because we introduce tiny sutures and bidirectional resorbable cones into your skin to achieve both lifting and rejuvenation.

Each cone provides an anchorage point in your skin’s subcutaneous tissue where fresh collagen begins to grow in response to the presence of a foreign body. This creates solid support for your facial soft tissues, which continues long after the cones break down and dissolve.

Unlike other thread lifts, the presence of the cones and sutures stimulates your body to produce both Type 3 and Type 1 collagen – the latter is the strong and mature collagen found in the connective tissues of the human body, whereas Type 3 collagen tends to be more widely associated with trauma. The unique cone technology ensures that the sutures remain in place, preventing any risks of migration; it also compresses the tissue and lifts the skin for instant yet discreet results.