As we age our skin loses collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. The result is fine lines, wrinkles, and laxity or “loose skin.” Areas like the cheeks, eyebrows, jowls, and neck can be strongly affected by sagging skin. Loss of fat pad volume in the mid face further compounds the problem, leading to an overall worn and fatigued appearance to the face. While it might seem like sagging facial areas can only be treated by major, invasive surgeries, having a thread lift is a great alternative for those who aren’t ready to “go under the knife.” Because it’s noninvasive, the thread lift is also a great opportunity to maintain the results of a facelift or neck lift that may have diminished over time.

So, How Does a Thread Lift Work?

A thread lift procedure is performed by inserting state-of-the-art absorbable sutures under the skin using a fine needle or cannula. A thread lift can perform a wide variety of rejuvenation treatments:

• Lift sagging eyebrows
• Lift sagging skin on the cheeks
• Soften deep nasolabial folds (the furrows between the mouth and the nose)
• Lift sagging tissues around the jaws
• Lift sagging tissue on the neck and in some body areas as well

There are different types of absorbable threads used for the thread lift. All of the threads at Renew MediSpa are completely absorbable, and they’re composed of materials that stimulate collagen growth and skin healing. A thread lift requires no incisions, and there are no scars that develop afterwards.

Dr. Vuich has performed thread lifting for years and is now an instructor, teaching other providers how to perform this unique and transformative service for their clients. Each thread lift case is approached much like a “work of art” in progress. Depending on your needs, your goals, your budget and our expertise- we can begin with one region or do multiple regions at once.

Although not a surgical procedure, in expert hands and with the use of other complimentary procedures if needed, the results can appear similar to surgical results, as shown in the photo to the left.

Dr. Lisa Vuich and Nurse Practitioner Jeanne Goley both perform Thread Lifting at Renew MediSpa. We utilize what we consider to be the best designed materials available- MINT PDO threads and in some cases Silhouette Instalift .

The cost of the procedure will depend on how much is being done. Thread Lift of the Brows is $875, Cheeks is $1200, Larger areas can be $1800 to $3200.

PDO Threads

The thread lift results can be very long lasting. Overall, duration of effect will depend on many factors including

• the number and type of threads inserted
• the degree of laxity and collagen loss present
• the individual patient’s rate of collagen loss/aging- which is dependent on lifestyle, age and genetics

In general, you should expect to need to maintain your results in the same way that you maintain dermal filler and neurotoxin results, for example, with regular adjustments over time according to your aesthetic goals.

Using  threads doesn’t prevent a surgical option in the future, but it also can be a forerunner to other surgical and non-surgical techniques.

Is Thread Lifting Safe?

The original thread lift came out in the late ’90s and was performed up until the mid-2000s. The procedure fell out of favor due to inferior technology and complications. Newer technology utilizing absorbable PDO threads and Silhouette InstaLift^® PLLA sutures is much more advanced and is a very safe procedure when performed by an expert. The techniques now employed in placing newer threads or sutures leads to a more natural look, with gentle skin repositioning and ongoing collagen stimulation.

Does a Thread Lift Replace Dermal Fillers?

Thread lifts won’t be replacing dermal fillers, because they cannot volumize as much as dermal fillers can. Combination therapy utilizing appropriate thread numbers and types, along with volumizers if needed (dermal filler and/or Sculptra^®) and even PRP and energy based procedures as indicated represents the most advanced use of non surgical aesthetics and can take more than a decade off of the look of the face.

“Trying to lift ‘too much’ with volume is what creates those big, overblown, unnatural looking upper faces you may see around town or in the media.” says Dr. Vuich  Thread lifting give us the ability to reposition skin gently, without adding unwanted volume. Combined with the judicious use of dermal filler volume in areas such as the mid cheek for example, we are able to provide that immediate gratification of lift and volume along with ongoing collagen stimulation that can lead to improved results over time. When we want to take this to an even higher level, we add platelet rich plasma (PRP) to the mix for what we call the Idun Lift. It’s another way in non-surgical aesthetics that we utilize combinations of procedures to achieve maximum results, without a knife.”

Silhouette Instalift^® Sutures

The Silhouette InstaLift^® procedure is performed at our Windham center under local anesthesia.This means that small amounts of lidocaine are injected into the skin in the area to be treated, to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. The sutures are carefully inserted into the deeper layers of the skin (the target depth is roughly 5mm). Once those sutures are in place, Dr. Vuich can massage and lift the skin thanks to the bi-directional cones located along the suture. On average, this thread lift takes less than an hour to perform.

The Silhouette Instalift^® is a little different from the PDO thread technique. Although both use absorbable threads, Silhouette Instalift^® has absorbable trumpet-shaped cones configured to grab and engage tissue, allowing the sutures to create a lifting and volumizing effect. These bi-directional cones are designed specifically to latch on to tissue effectively.

Silhouette InstaLift’s sutures encourage the production of collagen, giving patients a one-two punch of rejuvenation: the mechanical lift from the suture and the restorative powers of PLLA- (poly-L lactic acid)-a potent collagen stimulating material which makes up about 87% of the suture’s structure.  PLLA is the same material that Sculptra^® aesthetic is composed of.

How Do I Decide Which Procedure Is Best?

Dr. Vuich will consult with you on which procedure will align best with your goals and expectations. At Renew MediSpa we understand that it can be very confusing when you look at all of the options available for facial rejuvenation. We are experts in helping you navigate your choices and make the best decision you can.  Some of the factors taken into consideration in selecting your best course of action include:

• Your personal preference and your past experience with procedures
• Your goals and expectations, which need to be realistic. We have some amazing procedures which can produce “near surgical” results, but we are not surgeons.
• Your anatomy and the degree of sun damage and/or age-related changes and volume loss that you have
• The body region of concern
• Your timetable- how quickly do you need to see improvement
• Your budget
• Any associates medical issues or restrictions you may have
• Your tolerance for “downtime”- things like swelling, bruising and soreness, for example

Recovery

Recovering from a full facelift surgery can take several months, while recovery from a thread lift can be much shorter. Side effects like swelling, bruising, and tenderness from the thread lift should dissipate after a week.

Dr. Vuich will provide complete post procedure instructions to make sure you have a successful recovery.