Thread lifts are an innovative non-surgical alternative to traditional facelifts. But you might be wondering if they’re worth the hype? Let’s dive into what thread lifts are, your top options, and what to expect. Also, how to combine aesthetic treatments to tailor your results and rejuvenate your skin—taking years off your appearance!
What Are Thread Lifts?
Facial threads are ultra-thin surgical sutures strategically placed underneath the deep layers of the skin. They’re thinner than a strand of hair, so you won’t feel a thing once they’re in place.
Unlike a standard suture, coned or barbed sutures are used to deliver an instant lifting effect. The threads painlessly pull the skin upward or in the desired direction to address the skin laxity that accompanies aging.
Threads can be used on:
- Nasal labial folds
- Drooping jowls
- Marionette lines
- Overall signs of aging on the cheeks and chin
- In some instances, on the arms, legs, and abdomen
What Is The Difference Between PDO and PLLA Threads?
Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa offers MINT PDO thread lifts and Silhouette Instalift PPLA threads. The primary differences between these advanced technologies are outlined below. You can utilize threads solo or combined with other aesthetic treatments. We’ll also advise if threads aren’t right for you and provide you with tailored alternatives.
- PDO facelift: We offer the MINT polydioxanone (PDO) thread. These biodegradable threads contain pain-free barbs that hook to deep skin tissues, aiding in the lift. Once inserted underneath the skin, they activate a mild trauma response. This prompts your body to produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. You’ll walk out the door with an instant lift. You can expect gradual plumping, improved skin structure, and skin hydration over the next 3 months.
- PLLA facelift: We offer Silhouette Instalift Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) threads. These threads are made from a synthetic, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer. Silhouette Instalift threads contain miniature bidirectional cones that aid in lifting and tightening. In addition to lifting, PLLA is a collagen stimulator. You’ll walk out of the door with an instant lift. Expect added volume and skin brightening over the next 6 to 12 weeks.
What Is the Primary Difference Between PDO and PLLA Thread Lifts?
In addition to the difference between suture materials, structure, and shape, there are a few defining differences between PDO and PLLA facial threading. No need to determine which option is right for you, as we’ll help you narrow down your options.
- PDO threads are made from polydioxanone, a material often utilized for soft tissue surgical sutures. While both threads are safely absorbed by the body, PLLA is more effective at stimulating collagen production.
- PDO threads contain tiny barbs, while PLLA contains bidirectional cones. While neither is visible once threaded underneath the skin, the cones target deep tissue layers.
- PDO repositions the skin, while PLLA lifts the underlying layers where sagging occurs.
- PDO can be used on more areas of the body, while PLLA is ideal for the mid-lower face. Some patients use a mix of both for different areas of the body.
- You will enjoy the anti-aging benefits of a PDO lift for at least 12 months, while a PLLA lift lasts for 18 to 24 months.
- Patient needs vary, but the bidirectional cones typically require fewer threads than a barbed lift.
How Collagen Boosts Your Thread Lift?
Collagen production gradually begins to decline in your 20s. By your mid to late 40s, you may notice an increase in your visible signs of aging. This includes fine lines, skin laxity, and wrinkles. In addition to the natural aging process, environmental factors like UV exposure, pollution, and lifestyle choices can accelerate collagen loss. There are a variety of aesthetic treatments that stimulate collagen production, including thread lifts.
Boosting collagen production can:
- Restore Elasticity and Firmness—collagen plays a key role in skin elasticity and firmness. By stimulating collagen production, the skin becomes more resilient and less prone to sagging. The result is a firmer and more lifted appearance.
- Smooth Fine Lines and Wrinkles—collagen doesn’t eliminate your fine lines and wrinkles, but it can lift and smooth to minimize their appearance for a more youthful complexion.
- Enhance Hydration—boosting collagen levels, your skin's ability to retain water improves, resulting in a more hydrated and plump appearance.
- Improve Skin Texture—collagen contributes to the overall texture of your skin. It aids in evening out skin tone, reducing pore size, smoothing, and rejuvenating your appearance.
How Much Lift Do Thread Lifts Provide?
In terms of lifting, expect your results to be superior to fillers, but less intense than a surgical facelift. In terms of numbers, you’ll enjoy a few millimeters of lift. This may not sound like much, but when skin is lax, it can be a defining difference. Add to that a boost in collagen production, and the antiaging effects can take years off your appearance.
View our Before and After gallery for yourself!
Benefits of Thread Lifts
- Non-surgical
- Relatively painless
- No time off of work required
- Less expensive than surgery
- Results are more natural than surgery
- Improves facial volume
- Improves skin texture
- May provide mild contouring
- Slowly dissolves over time
Who Is an Ideal Thread Lift Candidate?
Thread lifts are considered safe and effective for most. Skin laxity must be mild to moderate to be eligible for threads. Threads won’t provide lift in areas with excessive fat, deep wrinkles, or accelerated skin sagging.
You may be eligible for this non-surgical facelift if you:
- Have mild to moderate signs of laxity, sagging, and signs of aging.
- Want the effects of a facelift without going under the knife.
- Desire subtle but noticeable and natural anti-aging results.
- Still want to look like yourself after the procedure is complete.
- Are looking for a fast, relatively painless anti-aging option.
- Want a procedure that delivers long-lasting results.
- Require minimal downtime and disruption to your schedule.
You may not be eligible if you have:
- More than moderate signs of aging.
- A high percentage of fat in the treatment area.
- An allergy or sensitivity to plastic biomaterials.
- Very thin or very heavy soft tissue.
Can You Combine Thread Lifts With Other Aesthetic Treatments?
Yes, we can work with you to map out a tailored range of aesthetic treatments. The most popular option is combining thread lifts with dermal fillers. We suggest threads first, then fillers. Once the desired lift is achieved, fillers are used to contour, enhance, and balance.
Another option is to begin with a series of skin tightening treatments, such as Morpheus8 or a Forma Facial. These revolutionary treatments are more effective on advanced skin laxity and sagging and can also be utilized for mild to moderate signs of aging. The results can be so impressive that you may not need threads afterward!
If you still want threads or filler, we’ll advise on your treatment schedule.
Forma Facial
The Forma Skin Tightening Facial is an advanced skincare treatment that utilizes pain-free radio frequency to promote the regrowth of collagen. We’ll advise on how to space threads and dermal fillers after your Forma treatment schedule.
Forma can be used to tighten:
- Nasolabial folds
- Crow’s feet
- Jowls
- Neck
- Forehead
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines radiofrequency and microneedling technology to contour, tighten, and resurface skin. Unlike some aesthetic treatments, Morpheus8 can be used on the face and body. Morpheus8 must be done before threads as it can dissolve your threads. For your comfort, we can use Pro-Nox during your treatment. Pro-Nox wears off fast, so you can still drive yourself home. We’ll advise on how to space threads and dermal fillers after your Morpheus8 treatment schedule.
Morpheus8 can be used to tighten the:
- Face
- Jaw
- Neck
- Arms
- Abdomen
- Back
- Labia
- Legs
- Hands, feet, & armpits to treat hyperhidrosis
How Long Do Facial Threads Last?
Facial rejuvenation threads gradually dissolve, but the lift lasts. Expect your PDO lift to last for at least 12 months and your PLLA lift to last for 18 to 24 months.
What Is The Recovery Time of Facial Threads?
Often referred to as the “lunchtime facial” your MINT or Silhouette Instalift treatment will take between 70 to 90 minutes. Most clients don’t need to take any time off work. The exception is clients whose professions entail strenuous physical activity. If your line of work is strenuous, try to schedule your treatment on a 3-day weekend to take 24 to 48 hours off work. Even without a strenuous profession or strenuous upcoming activities, many patients schedule threads on Friday or Saturday to give themselves the weekend to rest.
Expect mild bruising and swelling that should dissipate within 24 to 48 hours. Tenderness will ease significantly over the first 48 hours and fade within 1 to 2 weeks.
Want to Learn More About Thread Lifts?
You deserve to look as good as you feel! While we can’t stop the natural aging process, we may be able to reverse or slow the visible signs of aging. There are a variety of ways we can lift, smooth, hydrate, and rejuvenate your skin. From fine lines to wrinkles, crepey skin, hyperpigmentation, and more.
Reach out to Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa to discuss your aesthetic options. During your consultation, we’ll assess if you’re an ideal candidate for thread lifts. If you aren’t we’ll share the top alternatives for your aesthetic objectives.
We have 3 locations in Phoenix, Glendale, and Tempe.
