Cosmetic pharmaceuticals have been a booming business. They have brought in billions of dollars in revenue for a while now. One of the contributing factors to this is the increase in our aging population. In the US, in 2019, about 16.5% were over 65 years, and the figure is rising with a possibility to reach 22% by 2050.
As we age, we develop wrinkles more, and we want a solution. One option that seems to be popular is a thread lift. Common thread lift body areas are; the aging face, neck, and upper chest. The focus of this treatment is to restore a youthful appearance by lifting the skin.
The thread lift procedure works to tighten skin and collagen, which results in firmer, more youthful-looking skin. It will also address the following: wrinkles around the mouth, wrinkles around the eyes, wrinkles below the eyes, and wrinkles between the eyebrows. Thread lift treatment is, therefore, an excellent option for those who want to address the main signs of aging on the face and neck.
This blog post will first outline what a thread lift procedure is and the common thread lift body areas.
What is a Thread Lift?
The Thread Lift, also known as the Lifting Thread, is a cosmetic procedure based on conventional plastic surgery techniques. It is a less invasive method of restoring your youthful look. Thread lifts can be combined with other cosmetic anesthetic procedures like Botox to attain your immediate results and your desired look.
Well, how is it done?
How to Perform a Thread Lift
Thread lift can be performed under local anesthesia. The dermatologist places threads into the skin under the upper layer of tissue, which is most often the muscle. These threads are then tightened using a small screw inserted through the skin. The purpose of the tightening is to expose new, healthy tissue for a younger appearance. After this, the incision is closed, and all of the threads are removed from the body.
As a result, the tissue is lifted to provide an appearance of less sagging skin. You’ll recover within a day or two to re-embark on your daily routine as usual. Remember, it’s also affordable than the traditional surgical facelifts and can be combined with other techniques for better outcomes.
Notably, a thread lift can often be reversed if desired, though it is most often meant to stay for about six months or so, depending on the thread type.
So how does a thread lift work?
How Thread Lifts Work
There are two primary ways thread lifts work. First, the plastic surgeon puts the threads under your skin within the tissue on either side of the wrinkle. After which, the threads are pulled taut. Finally, a small button is fixed at the insertion site to anchor the threads in place. Since threads are textured filaments, they grasp the base of your skin to place it in a position that gives you a lifted look immediately.
Secondly, threads are biocompatible with a natural healing factor. So, once inserted in your body, they’ll stimulate collagen production and hyaluronic acid at the targeted body area. But first what is collagen? Collagen is a natural protein that makes the skin have a plump look. Unfortunately, its production stops making your skin saggy and wrinkled as you age.
And that’s why people go for thread lifting to stimulate collagen production once more to make the skin plump and youthful.
Now you understand what a thread lift is, but what are the common thread lift body areas?
Common Thread Lift Body Areas
As you consider getting a thread lift treatment, ensure you get advice from an experienced doctor or plastic surgeon. You can use thread lifts for many different areas of the body to improve your appearance. Accordingly, threads are deemed suitable for the following parts of the body:
- nasal labial folds,
- chin,
- neck,
- jowls,
- Cheeks
- Nose
But could we first look at the types of threads?
There are three types of threads used to lift body areas. However, they differ in elasticity and the lasting period. We have PDO, PLA, and PCA. PDO threads have been on the market for a long time and hence are less elastic and can last only six to about eight months. PLLA threads, on the other hand, are a bit stronger and could last 12 months, while PCA can last up to 24 months.
The similarity between the three is that they are biocompatible and biodegradable. They dissolve into the skin after some time, and one can go for another treatment after that.
To understand more about thread lifts, let’s look at the PDO thread lift procedure.
PDO Thread Lift Procedure
As previously indicated, PDO threads are similar to all the others, with a dissimilarity only on longevity. So, the procedure is typically the same in all the others.
PDO threads are absorbable sutures that offer various body areas a safe, minimally invasive procedure. It stimulates the production of collagen that makes it tighter, evener, and fills the skin.
As mentioned before, PDO threads are in two types:
- Lifting threads help in saggy skin for an instant lift and keep the skin looking younger.
- Smooth threads encourage collagen production for skin tightening and increase blood flow to the targeted body area.
The good thing with all these threads is that they’re perfect for acne treatment and eliminating fine lines. Because once they are placed into the skin, they offer an immediate lift to areas surrounding them. They encourage collagen production to enhance skin texture, fine lines, and elastin function ability. Elastin is made of proteins and is a connective skin tissue.
Why are Threads the Best Option for Body Thread Lifting?
Thread lifting is a great way to lift loose skin around the jawline, neck, and nose. The threads allow for some movement and will not leave scars on the skin’s surface as older techniques do.
It is also a less invasive technique as the surgeon does not have to cut or remove any of the underlying tissue or muscle. The lack of scarring, along with better movement, makes thread lifting an attractive alternative to other more invasive techniques.
In addition, since threads work to tighten the skin and muscle as they are pulled, they give a refreshed and youthful appearance. For that reason, they help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, forehead lines, and crow feet because of the tightening of the skin.
And the beauty of it all is less downtime. You can embark on your usual duties almost immediately.
Thread lifting is a safe and effective treatment option. It is a quick and straightforward procedure that can be done in the office without discomfort.
So, thread lifts can benefit those who may not want to go through a surgical procedure. Or anyone who wants to keep the procedure as natural as possible. And even those who have had facial cosmetic surgery would like to hold off for a few months until the swelling and bruising go down.
Application of Thread Lifts on the Body Areas
As mentioned, threads are absorbed by the body within months while stimulating the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid for an enhanced youthful look. But you can have threads not only in the face but also other sagging body areas and acne treatment.
In the face, threads help in:
- Nasolabial lines /smile lines,
- brow lift,
- lip border,
- adds volume, lift and outline the cheeks,
- glabella lines,
- Smoker’s lines
- Jowls,
- Marionette lines.
In the legs, especially the thighs and knees, threads lift slack skin beyond the inner thighs and knees. Then again, threads outline, contour, and raise the chin in the neck. Also, they lift the neck and reduce the bands.
Furthermore, threads have been significant in breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and breast reduction. In fact, PDO threads have long been used in tightening and lifting breasts perfectly without any surgical procedures.
Besides being as an antiaging treatment, especially skin rejuvenation like wrinkle reduction, thread lifts are a perfect remedy for tightening saggy skin on the stomach and the back and treating cellulite and stretch marks.
Another thread lift body area is the upper arms. Thread lifts on arms are a great way to tighten the skin on the arms. They are usually done in conjunction with liposuction to remove excess fat.
Could Traditional Facelifts and Dermal Fillers be an Option?
Traditional facelifts are great as well. They also cover the hairline to the lower scalp and other body areas. However, they may be restricted to the face alone. And given that they’re entirely invasive involving surgeries, they aren’t a friendly option to many.
It’s good to note that facelifts are described as a surgical technique that “can be used to repair the skin and underlying tissues of the face.” Facelifts can be a “surgical option for those who have laughter lines around their mouths, jawline, and neck area.”
However, it is noted that a facelift is a “major surgical procedure” and is “not a cure-all” for a patient’s physical aging. On the other hand, Thread lifts are described as treatments that “use a natural protein called hyaluronan to add volume to the face temporarily.” It is noted that thread lifts are “a much less invasive.
Facelifts and thread lifts are both done in the doctor’s office, and this is where the similarities end. Facelifts need to be done under general anesthesia, and the doctor will use the lip to help pull your skin tighter. And since thread lifts are much less invasive, they can be done in the doctor’s office with only local anesthesia and dental injections.
Both procedures are great options for those who want to avoid surgery as they can provide dramatic yet natural-looking results.
So are facelifts alternatives to thread lifts the best option?
I bet you can now answer this.
What about dermal fillers? Are they a perfect alternative?
When we come to dermal fillers and thread lifts, they are two different rejuvenating aging skin. Although they both have their advantages and disadvantages, one method may be more suitable than the other according to their preference.
Dermal fillers can be used to restore volume in the face and to smooth out the appearance of wrinkles and lines. Dermal fillers are temporary and can last from one to five years. They also cause minimal downtime and can be easily removed with a chemical peel after they wear off.
Also, dermal fillers are usually injected directly into the skin through injections with a syringe. Still, this process can be painful and produces a lot of bruising and swelling or can lead to unwanted complications such as blood clotting, acne, and scarring. Thread lifts are minimally invasive procedures that use a thread to tighten the skin and stimulate collagen production for a youthful, more desired look.
Overall, dermal fillers focus on creating a more youthful appearance with just the right amount of correction, and they also last longer than thread lifts. On the other hand, Thread lifts last only a few months and require frequent checkups.
Conclusion
It is no secret that we lose volume and elasticity in our skin and tissues as we age. This contributes to the sagging and drooping of the skin and muscle tissues. And with this comes the loss of lip volume and the appearance that eyes are sinking into their sockets.
But it’s never too late. There are numerous options to rectify this. Thread lifts are a proven and certified method for skin enhancement. Common thread lift body areas have been mentioned with some advice for you to settle on the best. Remember, facelifts can be an alternative, but be ready for an invasive procedure if it’s your choice or you are a high pain threshold person. Well, you can try this service.
You can get exemplary services for thread lifting and dermal filling from Yastrid Medical Aesthetics. They manufacture and outsource unique yet affordable cosmetic products ranging from facelifts to the recent PCL threads to help you regain your youthful look back anytime!
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