Would you like to lift and firm sagging facial skin without undergoing a surgical facelift? Are you ready to smooth away fine lines for a more youthful appearance? An injectable treatment known as a thread lift is a minimally invasive way to turn back the clock. Patients who have undergone this treatment at Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine in Dothan, AL rave about the natural, long-lasting results they’ve gotten.
About Thread Lifts
Thread lifts aren’t as well known as some other anti-aging treatments, but they’re quickly becoming one of the most popular options. These treatments involve the placement of dissolvable surgical sutures — also referred to as threads — beneath the skin to lift and tighten it.
Once the threads are in place, they also stimulate collagen production, causing the skin to become smoother and more youthful in appearance over time. This treatment can be used to address a range of aging concerns on the face and neck, including sagging jowls, creases, fine lines, and crepey skin. A thread lift is also a great way to restore volume and contour in an aging face.
What to Expect
This simple, in-office thread lift treatment usually takes no more than an hour to perform. We’ll first cleanse and numb the treatment area. We’ll also probably make a few light marks on your skin that will serve as reference points as your injections are performed. Your injection will take place using a hypodermic needle that has been filled with polydioxanone, the substance used in surgical sutures.
The needle will slide along just under the surface of your skin, leaving a trail of the synthetic material. That trail of material becomes a thread that remains in place for four to six months before dissolving. The entire treatment is usually much easier and faster than patients expect.
After their treatment, most patients are able to get right back to work. The threads that have been injected will also get right to work. They’ll provide an immediate lift to your skin while also serving as a type of scaffolding upon which additional collagen will grow on in the months to come. Your full results will develop within two to six months.
FAQ About Treatment
Is the Treatment Uncomfortable?
Because the surface of the skin will be numbed in advance, most patients don’t feel much discomfort during treatment. You may feel an initial pinch from the injection, but that prick will quickly pass. Many of our patients say the sensation associated with a thread injection is very similar to the pinch of other cosmetic injections, like botulinum toxin injections.
Will I Have to Take Any Special Precautions With the Injection Site?
You’ll be able to get right back to work, exercise, and the rest of your daily activities without having to worry much about the treatment site. The only thing that we ask is that patients not massage or overstretch the treatment area for 14 days.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
Patients who favor natural results often gravitate to thread treatments. Although you’ll notice an immediate improvement after your appointment, the best results will unfold over a period of months, so it will never appear as though you suddenly went and had work done.
The results will also be subtler and more natural than what is offered by plastic surgery. This is not the kind of treatment patients seek out if they’re in need of an immediate improvement before a special event, but it makes a great component in a long-term anti-aging plan. Most patients enjoy their results for a year or more.
About Those Threads
A lot of our patients are curious about the threads and want to know how many will be injected and how they will be placed. One of the great things about this treatment is that there are various types of threads available that can be injected in different ways to achieve customized results for each patient.
Barbed threads, which can hook into and lift the skin, are often used when patients are especially interested in lifting aging, crepey skin. For patients who want to develop volume in areas of the face that have begun to sag, threads that are screw-like in nature are often an option.
Smooth threads are also available, and these can be injected in a mesh-type pattern that can form a foundation for collagen development. It’s not uncommon for patients to have several threads injected on each side of their face, depending on their cosmetic goals.
Are the Threads Safe?
The threads that our practice works with, as well as all threads that are currently available for cosmetic purposes, are completely safe. This treatment was approved by the FDA in 2018 and has been widely used since.
The very first threads, which were used in the 1990s but have since been pulled from the market, were designed to be left permanently in place. But those threads weren’t as effective, and their results were less natural. Today’s threads have been completely revamped, are much more effective, and are a safe option for patients.
Is This Treatment for Me?
If you’re curious about this treatment and want to find out of it’s right for you, the best step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Thompson, our chief medical officer. Dr. Thompson earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. He completed his internship and residency in family medicine at Waterville Osteopathic Hospital in Waterville, Maine. Earlier in his career, he served as an emergency room physician and ran a successful family practice.
During your consultation, Dr. Thompson will talk with you about your medical history and your cosmetic concerns and goals. He’ll also evaluate your skin while determining if this treatment is a good option for you. There are several signs that you may be an ideal candidate for this treatment:
You’re Seeking an Alternative to a Facelift
Thread treatments are a popular option among patients who are interested in taking steps to lift, firm, and rejuvenate their face and neck, but who don’t wish to pursue surgery or aren’t surgical candidates. This treatment achieves some of the same results a facelift can achieve, but in a more subtle and natural way.
You Want a Treatment that Will Last
Thread treatment results often last a year or more, making them much more long-lasting than some other injectable cosmetic treatments. Patients can schedule follow-up treatments when their results begin to wear off if they wish.
You Don’t Want a One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Treatment
Whether you want to smooth over forehead furrows, lift a sagging jowl, or restore volume in cheeks that have begun to hollow out, a thread treatment can help. Because of the variety of thread styles available, this is a versatile treatment that can be customized to meet each patient’s individual needs and goals.
This treatment also offers a comprehensive rejuvenation of the face, meaning it won’t just patch over crepey skin or smooth a wrinkle or two. It can be used to help the overall face look younger and healthier, making it more than just another wrinkle-buster.
You’re in Good General Health
The best patients for this treatment are non-smokers who are in good general health. If you have diabetes or another underlying medical issue, be sure to mention it during your consultation. This treatment is also not recommended for those who are pregnant.
You’re Realistic
Most patients who have undergone this treatment enjoy terrific results, but the results are usually less dramatic than what can be obtained through plastic surgery. The best patients understand this treatment and are realistic about the expected results. Ideal patients are also cooperative about not massaging the treatment area immediately following their appointment.
Don’t Wait Any Longer
If signs of aging are making you look older than you are, but you’re not ready to undergo a surgical facelift, a thread treatment may be the perfect solution. This is a convenient, easy, in-office treatment that rejuvenates your face. In less than an hour, we can put you on track to achieve a younger, fresher look. Don’t wait any longer. Call the Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine in Dothan, AL and schedule a thread lift near me consultation today.