Thread Lift

As we age, the effects of gravity become more noticeable on our faces. The supporting tissue of the cheeks weakens and starts to sag, facial fat is lost, the jaw line that used to be firm and tight forms jowls at the edges of the mouth that drift down towards the chin, and the lower face and neck sags. This sagging or drooping action of the tissue is referred to by doctors as ptosis, (pronounced toe-sis).

Traditionally, this tendency for one’s face to start to go “South” would lead most people to a cosmetic surgeon in search of a surgical facelift; however, there is now a less invasive procedure available which can lift, contour and suspend the sagging tissues of the face and neck.

Thread Lift is a procedure which involves lifting different parts of the face without having to make surgical incisions, as with a conventional face lift; giving comparable results with greatly reduced down time. As this procedure doesn’t remove any excess skin, like in a surgical facelift, it is more suitable for younger people, generally 30 to 50 years old, who are looking to achieve moderate facial rejuvenation.

There are two main types of Thread Lift. The first type is using the so called “free floating cogged or barbed threads”, often also known as “APTOS® Threads” (meaning anti-ptosis), which do not need to be suspended in order to hold the lift, they are actually self supporting via the barbs; (just like hold-up stockings). The second type of threads are “smooth” so therefore in order to achieve a lift they do need to be anchored to part of the face or scalp, i.e. they need to be suspended; (just like a stocking that needs a suspender belt).

With APTOS® threads the principal is very simple, the threads are inserted through a needle and full correction of the area has to be achieved before the thread is positioned and then secured in place. After a satisfactory result is achieved then the ends of the thread are cut just under the skin surface and the thread remains permanently under the skin without being visible.

The second type of thread, the so called Suspension threads are just ordinary resorbable or non-resorbable threads, usually the same material used by doctors for “stitches”. These are inserted into the skin using a needle, but in order for them to sustain a lift they do need to be attached to the so called anchoring points. The anchoring points are stable points of the scalp or face which are different for the different areas of the face.

After treatment there could be bruising and slight swelling which usually settles in a few days. Most people find that they can go about their normal daily routine almost immediately. The results of the suspension lift are often considered to be more dramatic than those of the free floating barbed threads, and they are often longer lasting as the free floating threads have been known to slip.

Private costs for Thread Lift treatments vary depending on the area(s) being treated and can start from approximately £900+.

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