Thread lifts are the popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure of a cosmetic surgeon. It has less recovery time and usually takes a few days for the full effects to occur, but most patients find they see a significant improvement in their appearance in a matter of days. However, it is essential to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor for thread lift aftercare.
You should identify what to expect, the dos and the don’ts, to ensure you preserve the new look. You might need to abstain from things that cause tension in the tissue, such as sleeping on your stomach for a few weeks. And there are lots of other things to do or not to do. Keep reading to find out 11 things to do after a thread lift.
11 Things of What to Do after a Thread Lift
Since PDO thread lifts are a popular type of threading, this discussion will be based on PDOs. And anyway, the side effects and aftercare are typically the same.
As mentioned, PDO thread lifts are one of the least invasive lifting procedures. It’s so minimally invasive that the only downtime from the process is from the injections of the numbing agents. It differs from other more invasive procedures like dermal fillers by Juvederm ultra, Restylane Lyft, Restylane silk, etc.
Commonly, after a thread lift, you will have a bit of swelling and bruising at the surgical site, but you can return to your daily activities in a matter of hours.
While a thread lift is a less invasive procedure, it does have a few drawbacks. The biggest of these drawbacks is that while you can return to your daily activities quickly, you can’t work out or do anything that might damage the tissue at the stitch site, such as scrubbing, eyebrow plucking, curling, etc.
Therefore, it’s important to avoid some activities after a thread lift. Nonetheless, what to do after a thread lift is similar to what not to do or avoid. You can apply some antibiotic cream and go for follow-up checkups after the treatment.
Here are a few more tips. Keep reading!
1. How do you sleep after a thread lift?
While waiting for the effects of thread lift, it’s recommended that sleeping sideways on the lifted side is avoided for at least two months. Sleeping sideways will cause tightening of the skin in the cheek, and it will result in little to no improvement in the appearance of the issue that was solved.
Also, for the sutures made under the chin, you risk pulling on the sutures or having pulled them by gravity if you sleep on the side. Sleeping on your side can also cause sagging of the breasts, resulting in a less natural-looking contour.
So, how do you sleep after a thread lift?
Sleep on your back, head upheld high, and on a pillow to avoid swelling.
A qualified and experienced plastic surgeon can also answer any other questions you may have. Feel free to ask them!
2. Exercising after a Thread Lift
You may be a gym maniac, you love vigorous exercising, weight lifting, and the likes, but unfortunately, you may try to avoid them until your doctor has given you the go-ahead. The best exercises you can pursue should be light, such as walking, and yoga but should be done a week later.
Yoga is performed with the head bowed below the heart level, yet your head must remain high. It is why you should resume it after a week or so.
Remember, you must continue to remain active after your thread lift treatment. Exercise helps you maintain your current shape and helps with the tightening of the skin. But, it’s vital to be mindful of how much time you are spending on any one of these activities.
3. Wearing Make-Up
Everyone loves to look good as it enhances our esteem and makes us confident. And wearing makeup enhances good looks. Although, do not wear makeup immediately after a thread lift. Two days after is, however, acceptable. In fact, it’ll hide any swelling and bruising remaining.
You may be wondering why you should avoid putting on makeup, and this is why. After a thread lift treatment, your skin is always susceptible, so any cosmetic may cause irritations.
In addition, it’s good to let your skin breathe by leaving the pores open; cosmetics may suffocate the skin. More so there’s pressure applied while makeup is being used and removed. Therefore, it’s good to avoid it so that no pressure is exerted on the treatment area.
4. Avoid Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol raises your blood pressure significantly, removing extra water and nutrients from your body. It leaves your body dehydrated, yet they are significant in building new collagen for the skin. Collagen is responsible for enhancing a youthful look.
In addition, this surgery is designed to provide you with a more youthful, lifted appearance. Alcohol can interfere with the lifting surgery and not provide you with the desired results. We recommend avoiding alcohol for at least one or two weeks following your surgery.
5. Avoid Massages and Rubs on Your Face.
Avoiding makeup is for almost similar reasons as to why you should avoid massages. Massages and facials exert pressure on the treatment area, disrupting the threads, causing them out of place. They may also result in swelling and bruising.
The chemical compound in facials, too, might be strong and irritating to the skin, given that thread lifts result in sensitive skin. So, you’ll have to avoid facials and facial massages for at least ten days after a thread lift.
You may also need to avoid rubbing your face as it also leads to applying pressure on the skin, affecting the treatment area’s healing process.
But, when can you start your skincare routine?
One of the most common questions people have about thread lifts is when they can start their skincare routine? Allowing your skin to recover after treatment entirely is the best opportunity for optimum results.
The healing process can take one or two weeks, depending on the severity of damage incurred. However, it is crucial to remember that this period is not interminable. While it is not recommended to start using facials until one week after treatment, it is acceptable to use any of the following products after one or two days; lotion and some basic wash.
But any scrubbing, tugging, or exfoliation must not be done. In fact, inquire from a medical aesthetician before using any topical medicines. Your doctor will explain what type of skincare you should be using or what kind of skincare you should avoid.
6. Avoid Exposure to Extreme High or Low Temperatures
After, for instance, your PDO thread treatment, avoid exposure to fluctuating temperatures. Take a break from the sauna for at least ten days to allow proper recovery time of the treatment area.
Avoid hot tubs, saunas, or steam rooms, as well as direct sunlight on the affected area. But, it is essential to start using sunscreen on your face before exposing it to the sun.
Well, I know these places—the saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms— are pretty relaxing but unfortunately not during the healing process.
Besides, if your work is in a cool place, you’ll as well have to avoid the area for ten days. All of these things can put tension on the skin and may slow down lifting it.
7. Avoid Other Anti-aging Treatments
Thread lifts are a great way to reduce acne scars, the appearance of wrinkles, cheek augmentation, facelift surgery, and firm the skin. However, they are always combined with other anti-aging treatments to achieve the best outcome. Yet, you shouldn’t mix the methods immediately after.
Not using other anti-aging treatments on top of a thread lift is manifold. First, any time one undergoes any form of surgery, the body goes through some form of irritation. If you are considering other treatments on top of your thread lift, there is an increased risk that the body will not deal with the added stress of more surgery.
Meanwhile, it will cost you more money as it would likely be more expensive combining other methods.
8. Keep off from Smoking
Imagine one in eight women smoke in the US, and about 19% of people globally smoke. As a result, it’s easy to find smokers, and this population can fall among those who want to undertake a thread lift.
Yet, smoking after a thread lift procedure may result in a loss of the fullness of your newly tightened skin from increased blood pressure. Regrettably, smoking has numerous chemical compounds, such as nicotine, that narrow the blood vessels. And that’s how it may hinder the flow of nutrients to the treatment area.
You will notice an increased laxity and additional sagging, and the source of this sag may be directly from smoking post-operation. Smoking after a thread lift is an easy way to negate why you underwent this type of procedure. So if you can’t wait for about two weeks before smoking, then have a chat with your plastic surgeon for appropriate directives.
9. When to Resume Work
You can resume work immediately after the thread lift or days after, depending on the nature of your job. If your job is less tedious, a day is enough to get back to doing. But if it’s hectic with lots of activities such as nursing, you may tend to take a week break or more time off.
10. Follow Up Appointments
Thread lifts are often done in one session for mild to moderate ptosis. However, if there is significant ptosis, you might require a follow-up treatment. Thread lifts are a relatively new technique, and the long-term effects are still unknown. And that’s why you need a follow-up treatment.
Though the results from a thread lift may vary from person to person, it is generally accepted that follow-up treatment is often needed. In some cases, the patient may only need a few follow-up treatments to get the desired results, while in others, it may require several treatments to get the desired look.
Mostly, checkups or follow-up appointments are made seven days after treatment.
11. Take Some Antibiotics
Antibiotics play an important role in curbing any further infections that might arise. Now, while you are keen on taking other medications, be also eager to take a total dose of antibiotics.
Remember, if you dread taking antibiotics, you aren’t the best fit to continue with thread lifting. And do not use other medications in the course of antibiotics.
How Do You Reduce Swelling After a Thread Lift?
Is there a way you can reduce the swelling after a thread lift? To reduce the swelling after a thread lift, you should keep your head elevated and apply cold packs. If the cold pack is not hard enough, you can put ice in a bag and hold it to your face.
You can also take ibuprofen to help reduce the inflammation. If needed, you can use a pillow to create space between your neck and head.
If your swelling persists, contact your doctor for further instructions.
Conclusion
Do your research on thread lift aftercare before your procedure is scheduled. You want to take the required steps to ensure the best results possible. That includes knowing how to take care of your skin, hair, teeth, and mouth.
It would be best not to do anything that could pull on your face for seven days after the procedure. It includes anything like playing sports or working out. You can decide if you want to stop smoking or drinking while healing.
Your surgeon will recommend the best course of action for you. Wear sunscreen while you heal. Sun can cause added damage to your skin while you are recovering. Take the prescribed antibiotics. It will help fight infection or reduce swelling and bruising.
Well, happy thread lifting!
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