Q. What are Threads?

A.  Contour Threads and Feather Aptos are polypropylene extrusions (clear, Contour Threads), (blue, FeatherLift) that have been developed with unidirectional (Contour Threads) or bidirectional (FeatherLift) barbs along their length. Curl Thread is a monofilament nylon (black or clear) or prolene (blue) regular suture thread. All threads are non absorbable and permanent.

Q. How do the threads work?

A.  These barbs, or cogs, grasp the adjacent flesh when inserted under the skin of the face and neck, allowing the operator to manipulate the thread to raise and tighten the area of skin into which the thread has been placed. 

Q.  Who is the best candidate?

A.  The best candidates for this procedure are both men and women with limited facial and neck droop; patients that would like more contour; and those who have already had a facelift. 

Q.  What areas of the body are contoured using threads?

A.  There is more than one thread application that can be performed to manipulate various areas of the face and neck, depending upon the extent and location of the required treatment. A combination of techniques can be beneficial. Volume to cheeks is added with Feather Lift. The brow, nasolabial folds, the marionettes and the neck are contoured using Contour Threads Lift. The cheeks and neck are slightly lifted with Curl Lift.

Q.  How long do the procedures take?

A. All the techniques are quick; the actual length of time will depend on the number of threads used. A full face procedure usually takes about 45-60 minutes to perform.

Q.  How long is the recovery time following thread treatments?

A.  Most recoveries last less than one week. Some patients are able to return to normal activities, including work, in one day after the Curl Lift and few days after  Contour Threads Lift and FeatheLift.

Q.  Is anesthesia required during these treatments?

A.  Local anesthesia is adequate in most cases during these procedures. Some patients require a mild sedative, usually because they are apprehensive.

Q.  What are the side effects and possible complications of these procedures?

A.  Complications and side effects are mild to none. Some discomfort, swelling and bruising may occur, but these side effects disappear quickly.    Polypropylene threads elicit a minimal reaction in tissue that is followed by a gradual encapsulation.  They are used in other surgical applications without any side effects. 

Q.  Do these procedures replace a surgical “face lift”?

A.  The results of these procedures are not as dramatic as a surgical traditional face lift procedure. They can be similar to a mini-face lift.  However, they give good results in selected cases with both young and mature patients who don’t want or require major surgery. Suture thread results can often rival those of a conventional mid-facelift in appropriately selected patients who do not have a lot of sagging or do not want to undergo traditional surgery.

Q.  How many treatments will I need?

A.  Usually only one procedure is needed to achieve the desired lifting or contouring effect. Threads can be added with time to defy the continuous aging process.

Q.  How long do the results last?

A.  Duration varies depending on the age of the patient at the time of the procedure, the degree of sagging, and the number of threads used.

Q.  What can I do to maintain the results?

A. Aftercare recommendations include the correct combination of creams and ointments and proper nutrition to maintain your results. Nutritional counseling and the correct products for your skin type are available through our offices.

Other treatments are also offered to complement your face lift with threads: PhotoFacial/FotoFacial Skin Rejuvenation, Luscious Lips, Restoration and Enhancement, Anti-Aging Treatments, Botox Injections, Restylane, Sculptra, Collagen, Cosmoplast Injections, Anti-Wrinkle Laser Treatment and Chemical Peels.