Thread Face Lift

What is a Thread Face Lift?

A thread face lift is an ideal solution for women experiencing early signs of aging and would like to have a face lift without having to undergo any surgical procedure. This method can help tighten minor facial sagging of jowls, chin and neck, giving the patient a more youthful look. Since it does not involve any surgical procedure, it is considered as a convenient and safer option to facial enhancements.

This state-of-the-art facelift procedure can be performed even without anesthesia in just 1 to 2 hours. Patients will be able to see the change on treated areas almost immediately; and because no anesthesia is needed, patients are awake during the procedure. The patient can even check on the results while the surgeon works.

A thread face lift is the answer to those who would like to improve the appearance of their face but may not afford or cannot commit to the long recovery time needed in any traditional face lift procedure. It is also often termed as “lunchtime lift” or “weekend lift” since it can be performed in only about an hour.

Who Should Consider A Thread Face Lift

As people grow old, they start to experience minor signs of aging. Facial tissues grow weak and start to lose facial fat on the cheek, the jowls, neck, eyebrows and some areas around the eyes. This results to a less youthful look. A thread facelift is not ideal for everyone. Only those who have relatively minimal signs of aging are ideal candidates.

They are usually young to middle-age patients between 35 and 45 years old. Other ideal candidates for a thread face lift include younger people who have sagging skin caused by weakened muscles, and those who have undergone failed facelift or neck lift procedures. Physicians also combine thread face lifts with other procedures like neck lifts, chin augmentation and brow lifts. A thread lift is not advisable to people who have excess skin sagging or are over 60 years of age. A traditional plastic surgery may be a better option for them.

Cost Of Thread Face Lift

In most cases, a thread lift procedure does not require anesthesia. Therefore, it is expected to be less expensive than other conventional face lift procedures. Its cost is dependent on the number of threads used during the procedure, the expertise of the surgeon, and the extent of the procedure. A thread lift can cost as much as $1,500 to $4,500, which is about half the price of a traditional face lift.

Like most cosmetic procedures, it is considered as non-compulsory so the cost is not covered by most insurance carriers. Fortunately, there are independent financial institutions offering loans and other payment plans. Some surgeons offer direct payment plans to patients as well. The cost of a thread face lift is not heavy on the pocket and the results it brings are worthy of high praise. Being affordable and risk free make this procedure popular with people who want to delay the appearance of minor aging.

Thread Lift Procedure Overview

Before a thread facelift, the patient may be prescribed with antibiotics, and is no longer allowed to eat nor drink after midnight before the thread lift procedure. During the procedure, a threaded needle is inserted to lift the subcutaneous tissues, which are suspended using the thread. The results of this procedure vary depending on the skill of the surgeon. Over the years, there have been several techniques that were developed to produce a less invasive and more effective result.

There are two types of thread lift procedures, the contour thread face lift and the Aptos thread lift. With regard to the design, which is mainly the difference between the two, a contour thread facelift is unidirectional while an Aptos thread face lift is bidirectional. The contour thread lift uses unique contour threads made of polypropylene. These threads are not absorb-able and can greatly help produce a more youthful looking appearance.

Possible Risks And Complications

There are very few thread lift side effects and complications associated with this type of surgery. The most possible minor complication that a thread lift patient may encounter is the numbness in the treated area. This is normal and is most likely to subside within weeks of the procedure. Infection may also occur, however this rarely happens because there is very minimal bleeding during the operation. In case infection does develop, the surgeon will treat it with antibiotics. It is also possible that scar tissues may form.

One of the major risks in thread lift surgery is an unbalanced facial appearance as a result of the procedure. Fortunately, it can still be corrected as the plastic surgeon can have the tension of the thread adjusted until there is an improvement in the structure of the face. A thread face lift is relatively new and there have been ongoing studies focusing on developing several techniques to create more significant results. Some surgeons continue to dedicate their time for the improvement of this procedure.

Thread Face Lift Recovery Period

Although there are less risks and complications involved in this procedure, patients are still provided with postoperative measures that they must follow to prevent any occurrence during the thread lift recovery period. Proper medications will be prescribed by the surgeon, such as acetaminophen, to manage pain while ibuprofen must be avoided to limit bruising. Patients who have just undergone thread face lift surgery are also advised to take only soft foods for a week or so, and their head must be elevated during the first day to reduce swelling. The day after the procedure, patients can already perform light activities. They can also expect full recovery after 7 days.

To achieve the best results, a person who wants to undergo a thread face lift surgery must have enough knowledge of the procedure, its costs and the expected results. An experienced surgeon can help decide on this matter.