As we age, our facial skin sags and some of us lose eyebrow fullness. The skin loses collagen resulting in a loss of firmness and volume. Often the muscle tones and bulk. The forehead and eyebrow lose structural support and droop.
Many people in their 40s and 50s develop a well-defined horizontal crease across their foreheads – known as an 11’s line. They start appearing as sad, yet they are not. Besides, eyebrows appear nearer to the eyes, changing the facial look.
Fortunately, there’s a solution to your eyebrow problem, the thread lifting technique. And in fact, Hollywood is going crazy over it.
However, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there was a continuous decline of the people using it by 69%. That was between 2000 and 2019.
But the good news is that of late, thread lifts have gained the attention of many young women. They have ditched the traditional facelifts and other cosmetic surgical procedures such as Jeuveau and Botox. Moreover, most of them are impatient with repeat treatments that some surgical procedures require and love instant, lasting results.
So, would you want to learn more about a brow thread lift? Here’s something to ponder.
What is a Brow Thread Lift?
A brow thread lift is a non-surgical facelift designed to remove the signs of aging, such as brow lines, droopy eyebrows, loose or sagging skin on the forehead, and under-eye pouches. A brow thread lift usually takes about an hour.
It is a less invasive substitute to the traditional surgical brow lift. As such, you gain a youthful glow with no scars and little to no downtime.
This procedure is reasonably priced and does not require any downtime.
Ideal Candidates for Eye Brow Threading
Do you have drooping brows, a sad facial look, horizontal creases on the forehead, or deep furrows between the brows and heavy upper lids? Anyone with those features is an ideal candidate for eyebrow thread lifting.
Also, patients must have perfect skin laxity and genuine anticipations for the best outcomes.
Brow Thread Lifting Procedure
Before the thread lifting, there are three steps involved. First is consultation, second is preparation, and lastly, treatment.
Consultation
Consultation with a physician is essential before any treatment. So, it is essential to consult with an eye-brow thread lift specialist before the procedure. A physician can fill you in on any potential risks of threading, as well as side effects that may occur following the procedure.
This consultation session will allow you to ask any questions about the procedure. We want to ensure that you are well informed and confident in your decision to proceed with the procedure.
Discuss any worries or concerns that you may have, see the equipment used during the procedure, and see before and after photos of other patients.
Sometimes patients are apprehensive about having an eyebrow thread lift, but after the consultation process, they are confident in their decision.
Also, doctors will let you know of the achievable outcomes for you to have realistic expectations.
Preparation
The surgery can be performed inside the surgery suite, operating room, or the hospital. Most surgery suites are equipped with an operating table, surgical lights, and other supplies. Here’s here processes like chemical peels are done before treatment.
The surgeon cleanses the eyebrow area with a unique pre-threading cleanser. Then, they apply numbing cream or local anesthesia depending on the size of the area and how complicated the situation is. This step will help to lessen any pain due to the threading procedure.
You can then wait for about half an hour before the procedure begins. You are ready now to have your non-surgical brow lift.
Treatment
The process is simple and will take you not more than an hour. First, you’ll have to lie on your back with an elevated head facing up. The threading area is then marked.
The anesthetic doctor makes incisions on the brow area. Then, using a cannula or a hypodermic needle, they place threads underneath the skin.
After anchoring the threads in the skin, they are lifted to lift the eyebrow and for skin tightening. If the process requires fewer threads and isn’t complex, the procedure is fast while the vice versa is true.
After that, the cannula is withdrawn, and any extra threads are cut. And since it’s a less invasive process, you’ll embark on your usual duties soon after.
How does a Brow Thread Lift Work?
Eyebrow thread lift is a new and innovative procedure that has recently been gaining popularity. A brow thread lift is a quick and easy alternative to a surgical brow lift. It helps smooth out frown lines and furrows near the eyes. There are no cuts or incisions made to the skin in this procedure.
The process of a Brow Thread Lift is as follows:
First, two small incisions are made on the brow area and the threads inserted. After that, the threads work by mechanical lifting and regeneration.
Mechanical lifting: There’s an instant lift as the plastic surgeon injects threads. An instant process that happens when threads are placed and tightened, resulting in instant lift and firmness. And thus, there’s more eye-to-brow space.
Regeneration: The threads also work by stimulating collagen production and elastin that results in skin renewal, increased volume hence youthful skin and brows.
Does Brow Thread Lift Hurt?
After a brow thread lift, it’s common to have slight swelling and to have a bruise that fades after some days. But it’s something not to worry about. Remedies consist of some ibuprofen painkillers, or you can apply an ice-cold compress to prevent further swelling and bruising.
Well, after two weeks, you must be completely recovered. Meanwhile, you may be feeling rippling on the brows from attaching the threads. Well, it’s not something to fret about. It’ll capsize from 7 to 14 days.
Thread lifts can be a painless and cost-effective way to reduce wrinkles and combat the effects of aging. It is painless because there are no suture stitches like traditional brow lifts. This means that you can go about your day as usual.
Additionally, as the brow thread lifts are done through a smaller incision, the recovery time is much more limited.
How Much Does it Cost?
It costs approximately $1000 to $5000 to have an eyebrow PDO thread lift. However, several factors contribute to the amount. The geographical location, the expertise of the doctor, and how severe the condition is will determine how much to pay for your thread lift.
Remember, thread lifting is a medical aesthetic process that isn’t a part of insurance coverage. So, if you want it so bad, then you’ll have to get the total money first.
Results
If you enjoy the versatility of hair and want to maintain a youthful look, brow thread lifts may be a good choice. Dealing with frown lines and heavy-looking eyebrows can be a challenge for many people. However, if you’re looking for dramatic results with an injection-free facial lift, then a thread lift may be a good option for you.
There are many benefits to the procedure.
For one, threads are inserted and pulled up to create a more youthful brow through a small incision in the skin; this is a much faster process than the traditional way to cut and remove excess tissue.
And the threads stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which rejuvenates the skin to make you feel young.
While it’s not a permanent procedure, some tend to go back to the invasive ones when the targeted brow thread lifts do not provide required results though rarely.
Well, anyone with droopy eyebrows and saggy skin on the forehead can opt for thread lifts as their solution.
It is less invasive with a short downtime and satisfactory results.
How long does a Brow Thread Lift Last?
It depends. Thread lift is an alternative to other traditional facial rejuvenation methods, such as chemical peel or Botox. The procedure is also called “micro thread” because the threads are supposedly invisible to the naked eye.
Thread lifts are said to last 1-2 years, depending on the patient’s age and other factors, such as how soon after treatment they start to exercise, the type of threads used, or weight fluctuations.
For the type of threads, we have PDO, PLLA threads, and PCL threads. Though they are all biodegradable and biocompatible sutures, PDO threads are the most common type. In fact, there’s a MINT PDO thread, the latest invention in South Korea.
PDO is made from polydioxanone, a type of complex sugar used in pharmaceutical processes for its safety. Besides, it’s not allergic; it’s non-antigenic and is completely absorbable in the body. After three to six months through hydrolysis, the PDOs dissolve. And after 12 to 18 months, their effect is no longer felt.
PLLA threads last longer and PCL the longest. The former lasts two to three years or so, while PCL may last up to three years though not so common.
But the beauty of it is that you can have combined procedures like dermal fillers and Botox for it to last longer. Or you may have another threading after their effect is done. Well, what do you consider? It’s you to decide!
Side Effects and Complications
You must consult with your physician before undergoing an eyebrow thread lift. The procedure has potential risks that you need to understand before you proceed. The risks of an eyebrow thread lift are:
- Sensitivity to light
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Infection
- Migration of eyebrow threads.
- Protrusion of threads
- Slight discomfort and pain
- Asymmetry
- Allergies for anesthesia
It is important to note that any risks are temporary. The bleb may swell, discolor, and ooze or leak blood. This usually subsides within three to five days.
Aftercare
After a PDO brow lift, it’s advisable to follow the doctor’s guidelines to avoid infections or any other complications. Mostly you’ll be asked to:
- Avoid applying pressure on the brows. Pressure may be in the form of rubbing for a skincare routine or during makeup application. It’s good to keep off from such for about two weeks.
- Avoid exposure to extreme heat. Places like saunas or exposure to the sun may ruin your newly gained glow. So, avoid it for even a month for the best outcome.
- Vigorous exercising and yoga should be unheard of for two to three weeks. Exercises may strain your brows, while yoga may force you to face down, yet the face needs to be high and elevated to avoid thread extrusion and migration.
- Laser treatments also must be avoided as they may cause the threads to dissolve much faster.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol is something to ditch before and after the thread lifting procedure.
- Follow-up appointments must be adhered to. This is to rule out any form of complications or infections that may arise.
- Sleep facing up and not sideways. For proper healing, sleeping sideways may promote further swelling and bruising, and that’s why sleeping facing upwards with an elevated head makes it easier for healing.
Conclusion
As people age, it is common to see their eyebrows thinning out, becoming lighter in color. Certainly, eyebrows are one of the most important facial features and determine our appearance, age, and emotions.
Instead of having droopy eyebrows, a creased forehead, you can still look good and have the youthful glow as a brow thread lift comes in handy. When used correctly and appropriately, your forehead can look significantly younger.
Eyebrow thread lift is safe and can offer you a solution that will help you get the attractive appearance of your youth again. This article has reviewed how the procedure works, what to expect during the healing period, and some tips and tricks for getting the best results.
Besides, this procedure is considered the best alternative to Botox or the best procedure to rejuvenate your face because of its natural results and expeditious recovery period.
Be sure to visit a dermatologist or plastic surgeon in your area to determine if this popular procedure is best for you.