Getting older can make some people feel alienated from their appearance. But did you know you can correct loose, sagging skin without any invasive procedures? At RefineU MedSpa in Oklahoma City, OK, we know that thread face lift are revolutionary treatments that can refine your appearance without any surgical techniques. Learn more about this treatment and how it can rejuvenate your appearance before you schedule your consultation appointment.
How Effective Is a Thread Face Lift?
A thread face lift is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive skin tightening treatment that is used to correct the appearance of sagging skin, particularly on the mid and lower face. This treatment is an excellent option if you want to rejuvenate your appearance without an extensive recovery time.
So, how effective is this treatment? On average, most patients can expect to take several years off the face. In fact, many patients regard a thread lift as a better treatment than a traditional facelift. This treatment can produce results that can last for one to three years at a time.
How Does This Treatment Work?
There are several different thread treatments, including NovaThreads PDO thread lift, MINT PDO thread lift, and Silhouette InstaLift thread lift. PDO threads are by far the most common type of thread lift treatment to restore the appearance of the face. These threads are typically used to rejuvenate the skin on the mid-face, or the zone between the chin and the cheeks. The mid-face includes areas of concern like nasolabial folds, hollow cheeks, sagging jowls, chin wrinkles, and loose skin beneath the chin.
PDO stands for polydioxanone, a biocompatible substance that breaks down and is eventually absorbed by the body. Used for cardiovascular surgery, PDO threads are known to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin, which helps the skin return to a tighter, more youthful state.
Your Skin and PDO Threads
This treatment can benefit your appearance in two ways. The first is that PDO threads will physically lift your skin into a tighter position when the threads are inserted into the sub-dermal layers of the skin. The physical lift will reduce sagging skin and help you achieve a younger appearance.
But the true magic of this treatment works beneath the sub-dermal layers of the skin. As your body breaks the PDO thread down, the polydioxanone stimulates the production of skin-supporting proteins like collagen in the skin. The more collagen your skin produces, the smoother and more youthful-looking your skin will appear.
Consultation
The very first step of your treatment will be a consultation where we can ensure a thread face lift is appropriate for your appearance concerns. We will evaluate your skin, discuss your aesthetic concerns, and go over your desired results. Factors such as your health history, supplements and medications, and previous cosmetic treatments you have tried will also be considered when we determine whether or not this treatment is right for you.
Pre-Treatment
There are a number of pre-treatment instructions you will need to follow before your appointment. These instructions will ensure that your treatment goes smoothly and that your results will develop as desired. Most of these instructions should be followed for at least seven days before your appointment and may include:
- Avoid using retinol products
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol use
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and NSAIDs
- Stay hydrated
- Wear sunscreen
This list is not a comprehensive list of the instructions you will be given before your schedule. Based on your health and lifestyle, you may be asked to take certain other measures to prepare for your treatment, such as reducing sodium consumption.
Treatment
Overall, the steps for your treatment are very simple, First, we will clean your skin to reduce dirt and oil, and then we will apply a local numbing cream to the intended treatment areas. While the numbing cream takes effect, a temporary pen will be used to mark the strategic areas of the skin where the threads will be used.
Once your skin is pulled prepped, one of our skin experts will use a thin, hollow cannula to insert PDO threads directly into the lower layers of the skin. The thread will latch onto loose skin tissue and pull the skin taut as the needle is removed. Overall, you can expect your treatment to take about one hour to complete.
Post-Treatment
After your treatment is complete, we will cleanse your skin to remove the temporary pen and go over your recovery guidelines. It’s important to follow these guidelines so your results will develop as desired. Usually, you will need to follow these guidelines for at least 24 to 72 hours. Some of your post-treatment instructions may include:
- Don’t use make-up for 24 hours
- Avoid excessive chewing, such as gum
- Avoid excessive heat, sweating, and hot water.
- Keep your head elevated
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption
- Avoid vigorous exercise
- Avoid direct sun exposure and wear sunscreen
- Eat soft foods or follow a liquid diet
- Avoid NSAIDs and blood-thinning supplements
- Don’t rub or scrub your face
We may also advise you on how to use cold compresses during the first one to three days of your treatment. Complying with these instructions will help the results of your treatment develop more quickly. Most people will not need to return for a follow-up appointment.
Your Recovery
Your recovery period will last for about two weeks. Although you will only need to follow your post-treatment instructions for one to two days, it’s still important to treat your skin kindly during the first two weeks after your treatment.
You will be able to go back to work and most normal daily activities as soon as you feel comfortable. However, you should avoid overtaxing your facial muscles and try to keep your head elevated at all times, especially when you sleep.
When Will You See Results?
Most of the time, you can see the results of your treatment during the first week of your treatment. As your skin recovers, you will notice that wrinkles are disappearing and that your skin looks tighter and more youthful. Your results will continue to improve for the next month after your treatment as collagen production in the sub-dermal layers of the skin increases.
How Long Do Results Last?
Most patients can expect results to last for one to three years. This is almost comparable to a traditional facelift, which can produce results that last for about five years at a time. However, because a PDO thread face lift is a non-invasive treatment, the fact that the results can last for more than two years makes it a much better option than a dermal filler or other non-surgical treatment. That said, some people who only have mild age-related concerns may have results that last a bit longer than three years.
Can You Extend Your Results?
The most common factors that affect the longevity of your treatment are your age and your metabolism. For example, people who work out a lot or have a high metabolism may not have results that last as long as people who lead a more sedate lifestyle. However, there are still a few things you can do that may help your results last longer.
Supporting healthy collagen production is the best way to maintain long-lasting results. You can do this by using collagen-based anti-aging products, stopping smoking, limiting stress, or using other collagen-boosting aesthetic treatments. Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and wearing sunscreen in the day can also protect your collagen production.
Is This Treatment Safe?
Yes, a thread face lift is completely safe. Each of the PDO thread brands that are used for these treatments has been approved by the FDA as safe treatments for the correction of skin laxity, sagging skin, and wrinkles. To gain FDA approval, all products must pass rigorous clinical testing and trials. Furthermore, PDO threads have been safely used in medical settings, such as for closing sutures for cardiovascular surgery, for several years. Most people won’t need to think twice about using PDO threads.
Look Younger With Thread Face Lift
If you want to rewind the clock and avoid painful, invasive surgery at the same time, then you may want to consider PDO thread lift treatments. PDO threads can effectively lift the skin and enhance your appearance without using any surgical or invasive techniques. This treatment is an ideal option for most people who have moderate signs of visible aging, such as sagging skin. If you believe this treatment may be right for you, please contact RefineU MedSpa in Oklahoma CIty, OK today to schedule your consultation appointment.
