LIFTING
Non surgical options by Threadlift
General information — it’s intended to help you think of questions before your consultation or revisit details afterward
Presentation by Dr Larissa Miller about threadlift procedures and combinaiton of treatments at CosDoc Conference in 2021.
Cases examples
These photographs represent typical results but not every patient will achieve the same results. Doctor (Dr Larissa Milller (MED001835740) Specialist General Practitioner, works closely with each patient to tailor an individualised plan
Cases above and below: Lifting
Skin Quality
Filler for central face deficient areas
Threadlift
Same day (on the background of regular treatments previously)
Case below: Lifting
Skin Quality and Threadlift.
Same day (on the background of regular treatments previously)
Lower face lift
Lower face is a tricky and difficult to correct area. To better address the area, cosmetic doctor will assess your individual situation. Commonly the excess tissues in the lower face are due to natural process of sliding down tissues from the upper face. So, lifting them back up, to the cheeks and temple area (where they naturally came from) would improve the lower face itself is the most common strategy.
Another option would be to consider addressing excess fat deposits on lower face, if necessary, which would release the weight of lower face, pulling down tissues and stretching the skin. By removing what is pulling down and not touching of what is pulling up, we are shifting face balance up and providing lifting effect. Itself it can satisfy cosmetic concerns, but, if further lifting required, also prepares face for lifting threads later.
Most thread lift today is non invasive, no cuts or scalpels used, only needles and cannulas.
Every person is unique, therefore strategy and types of precedures are discussed during counsultation.
Case below: How post Threadlift downtime looks like
Same day post threadlift – unmaskin underlying fibrosis and scars – dimples, folds, especially near ears. As threads are free floating and no stichers – this is temporary. If bothers you – we can release threads, but some lifting will be lost.
What are types of threads?
there are many different types exist, there are no “good” or “bad” – each is suitable for different concerns to address. Over years, modern cosmetic medicine accumilated so many types, that it makes our job easier to address each and every individual situation more precisely.
2 main types:
NON BARBED or mono – smooth, fine structure threads. Indications include skin tightening.
BARBED threads have small barbs or cogs on the thread, which allows to stimulate more collagen and fix up the lift. Indication include tissue repositioning (face lifting effect).
Materials also differ:
PDO – most commonly used, with a lot of years in medicine (heart and vascular surgery sutures) due to favourable safety profile
PLLA – the most potent for collagen stimulation and skin rejuvenation as well as lifting, lasts longer than PDO, but takes longer with swelling, discomfort and downtime. Most effective.
PCL – longest lasting with minimum discomfort, but softest in term of effect.
Vista Clinic Australia we prefer non surgical threads due to better safety profile and proven high efficacy.
Case above: Skin Quality as a lifting strategy and preparation to lifting procedures
1. Advanced protocols of RF needles, laser resurfacing, biorevitalisation, peelings, skincare
2. Filler lifting points and muscle relaxant in lifting technique
The procedures create more aesthetic appearence, but if would consider lifting (threadlift or facelift) – also prepares to further treatments.
Case above: Threadlift combined with skin quality and filler on same day
On a background of regular previous treatments.
Are threads for face safe cosmetic treatment?
Modern threads are different from previous generations of threads in terms of safety and efficiency. At VISTA Clinic Australia, we do not use permanent, or required stitchers, or cuts or any changes to anatomy threads, which caused problems in the past decades and have more side effects (if you prefer more definitive or significant changes – the most appropriate alternative would be a plastic surgery).
Most common side effects are mild swelling and local soreness, lasting few days, up to 2 weeks; (if it’s significant and it lasts longer than 4 weeks we usually review and it could be an underlying cause for this (like previous scar under skin or injury) bruising; rare infections, but our doctors at Melbourne clinic are very careful and religious with aseptic and antiseptic to ensure safety of our patients. We have number of SOPs to prevent complications and go way beyond minimum standards in minimizing infections at VISTA Clinic Australia. Initial assymetry, skin waved, dimples, over correction and lift are also temporary side effects and settle within 2 months, but can be also released by the doctor, as per patient’ wish. It’s not permanent or anyhow changing normal anatomy. The thread can also be removed. However, like any other medical procedure, threads can carry rare, but more permanent risks, therefore it’s important to let us know about your concerns (we have emergency phone 0434780777) in a timely manner and to follow up with after care advice and doctor’s recommendations.
VISTA Clinic Australia’ experienced doctor will discuss with you in details the PDO threadlift procedure, pros and cons, available alternatives, costs and you will have enough opportunity to ask questions. We always email Informed consent in the confirmation email of your appointment to ensure that you have sufficient time to read and, if any questions or concerns – to ask or cancel the procedure.
Cosmetic physicians at VISTA Clinic Australia Melbourne do not accept patients under 18 years old.
How to improve dimples after threadlift?
It is common to have dimples and, if it’s not improving after 2 months, it’s a good idea to return to the doctor for the dimple treatment. Doctor can do quite a few options to release it – usually it’s a pulling down and releasing the thread. In the meantime, try to “squeeze” you dimple by you fingers – 1 finger is on the dimple from the skin side, another – from inside your mouth. Once hold the “dimple” between your fingers, pull it down and towards to the mouth gently, then round massage movements and then pull down again. Such massage can release dimples in most cases.
Thinner and older skin – longer it takes for dimples to resolve, doctor may offer you skin booster (bio) injections, laser or other treatment based on your situation.
Usually 1st threadlift has the longest downtime as reveals underlying scars and fibrosis, which tends to improve with time after PDO threadlift (“microneedling from inside” effect).
Case above: Lower face definition
1. Skin Quality (RF needles, laser resurfacing, peelings, Vista and MAMI skincare)
2. Fat dissolving injections for under chin and lower face fat deposits removal
3. Fillers lifting points
4. Threadlift
12 months apart
The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. You will be given local anesthetic at the thread entry and, if required, exit sites. This makes the procedure relatively painless (still feeling movement and hear the procedure). After the procedure your face may feel tight for few hours or days. Bruising is variable but is best to allow a few days for this to settle. Prevention of bruising includes not to take blood thinning agents (eg aspirin, antiinflammatories fish oil, alpha omega acids), don’t drink alcohol and some supplements (fish oil, Omega, vitamin D etc) for at least 3 days before putting the threads in.
Initial assymtry, over correction, dimples, skin waves usually settle.
Potentially can experience discomfort, bruising, puckering, numbness temporarily. All of these would be expected to not last more than a few weeks at worst. Threads may also be easily removed as no cuts or stichers done, but lifting would be lost.
Case above: of Lifting and overall Improvement
1. Skin Quality regular treatments (lasers, Secret Duo, peelings, home care)
2. Fillers restoration over the course of few procedures to restore deficient areas with volume, including lifting points anatomically
3. Muscle relaxants full face to relax muscles pulling down with long term goal to “untrain” them.
4. Threadlift
11 months between before and after
Case above: Full face lifting and harmonisation
1. Skin Quality treatments (skincare, lasers, RF needles, peels, biorevitalisation)
2. Fillers over few times in lifting points, face deficiencies restoration.
3. Muscle relaxant injections
4. Threadlifts
Before and after – 12 months
How long does it lasts?
Depends… on the type of threads (less invasive tend to last less, but less side effects and downtime), on lifestyle – things like stress, smoking, poor diet, lack of sleep, genetics etc), general health (chronic and inflammatory conditions, genetics and how person maintains their health and beauty.
1st time PDO threadlift (cogs or barbed – small lifting hooks) tend to last not too long – in research by the manufacturer is was shown to be as short as only 6 or 8 months, up to a year. 2nd threadlift tend to last longer – around a year. Particularly bone structure and skin tightness are factors helping better lift and longevity.
PLA, PLLA, Aptos, non-dissolvable threads last longer as well as offer other skin benefits – but risk profile is higher – doctor will advise you on options, pros and cons and costs associated.
Case above: Lifting and Skin Quality
1. Skin quality (Peelings, Skincare Vista, MAMI)
2. Filler lifting points
3. Threadlift
Photos same say on the background of regular treatments.
Case above: Skin Tightening and Lifting
1. Skin Quality (RF needles, laser resurfacing, peeling, skincare Vista, MAMI)
2. Filler
3. Threadlift
4 months after photo
Case above: Threadlift same day
Example how thicker skin tend to produse less visible skin irregularities and less downtime.
Another prognostic factor is background of previous treatments
Upper face threadlift
Modern cosmetic medicine philosophy is to respect anatomy and natural processes in the body. To avoid unnecessary anatomy disturbance and to achieve natural results, cosmetic doctor is following the same path of lift as it was the anatomical sliding down of tissues.
Similar to how doctor stitches edges of the wound together by absorbable stichers, when the stitch is dissolved over time, but wound edges healed by attaching to each other. The thread will self dissolve over time, but the lifted tissues stay at the elevated position. Such technique also adds a little natural volume to upper face by repositioning up person’ own tissues.
However, the process of aging is still going on, therefore realistically the lifting effect usually not permanent.
The latest threads are designed to elevate tissues and promote collagen formation in the surrounding tissues. Over time and as the threads slowly dissolve, the developing collagen ensures long-term life of the surrounding tissues. These threads give a far more natural appearance than their predecessors.
The thread lift is suitable for both men and women. The threads can be used to lift the brow, the mid-face and jaw, and to remove jowls and sagging skin in the neck. The thread lift is performed in a day centre and does not require a general anaesthetic.
The threads work by having small barbs that support the tissues. The threads are anchored to the tough fibrous tissue that covers the bone. Three small needle holes are made on the R and L in the hair above the ear. These holes heal themselves without sutures. Through these holes the threads, which are in thin cannulas, are inserted under the skin to the areas requiring support. The needles first take a “bite” through the fibrous layer overlying the bone. The number of threads used depends on the areas to be supported and the mass of these tissues, but typically on each side of the face a pair of threads are used for the mid face, a pair for the jaw line and one pair for the brow. The threads themselves dissolve with time over around 6 months, but in this time have done their job of lifting and causing a fibrous reaction to cause a natural lift which lasts for 12 months
Contraindications
Main contraindication to treatment is allergy to PDO material (very rare). Very thin faced patients are more likely to show thread tension lines and patients with excessive fat or lax facial skin may have less than optimal lifting due to excess tissue. Patients on blood thinners or with clotting disorders are more likely to bruise. There are no contraindications to Xrays, CT, EMR scans, radio-surgical devices etc. or use of dermal fillers or botulinum toxin post treatment.
Case above: Lifting, skin quality, rejuventation.
Same day (on background of regular previously) of Biorevitalisation, peelings, filler and threadlift
Case above: Lifting and Overall Rejuvenation
1. Skin quality intensive (biorevitalisaiton, laser, peeling)
2. Threadlift
3. Filler lifting points
On the background of preivous regular care.
Disclaimer
All photos show case studies as cases examples for educational purposes, Every person is unique – individual plan will be determined during counsult. Doctor (Dr Larissa Milller (MED001835740) Specialist General Practitioner, works closely with each patient to tailor options, discuss pros and cos, treatment risks, alternatives. Cosmetic treatments usually involve a recovery period (significant swelling). Although in most cases, results can be achieved, but it doesn’t stop aging process and it’s like going to the gym – maintenance. An extensive range of further photos of results is available in the privacy of our clinic. Strictly for above 18 years old
