Threadlifts
As we begin to age our tissues become weak, we lose
subcutaneous fat and the underlying support structure becomes lax and
begins to sag. Sagging is seen earliest around the cheeks, eyes, brows,
the jowls, and neck creating a longer and older-looking face, with
blurred or softened jaw lines.
The threadlift
procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes sutures to
mechanically lift the skin. The suture material (polypropylene) is FDA
approved and has been used in surgery for decades. It has been modified
by creating “cogs” or “barbs” on one side of the suture. These barbs
engage the soft tissue and create a lifting effect. Newer absorbable
threads have also been designed.
It is also known as
the Featherlift, Contour Lift, Aptos Lift, Happy Lift, and Suture
Suspension Face Lift, depending on the type of thread used.
Each thread may have
unidirectional or bidirectional barbs, cogs or cones, and each type of
thread has a specific indication and location that it can be used.
Areas that can be treated:
Face and Neck
The face is the most
common area of the body to be treated by threadlift among both men and
women. Not all patients are good candidates for threadlifts. The
individual areas that can be treated are the forehead, the eyebrows, the
cheeks, the jowls, and the midface. Threadlift can also be done for
sagging neck folds.
Buttocks
The shape of the
buttocks is formed by subcutaneous fat. The goal of threadlifts of the
buttocks is to correct a minimal sagging of the fat pads.
Breasts
In Females: Threadlift
of the female breast is done to correct early sagging of the breasts
with minimal pain, rapid recovery, quick return to normal activities,
and virtually no scarring. It is done in women who feel that their
breasts have begun to sag, usually after breastfeeding stops, or as age
advances, but who do not need or want to undergo a full breast lift
surgery. Threadlift of the breasts can even be done to reposition the
nipples.