Thread Face-Lifting

Non-surgical lifting of the sagging face.

Is it possible to have a face lifting procedure that is carried out without surgery, without cutting and stitching, without any tell-tale scars, and carried out in the doctor’s rooms in only 30-60 minutes under local anaesthetic?

Yes, now it is! This is the latest development in the push towards non-invasive procedures to lift facial sagging that develops as a result of loss of tissue support through ageing and sun damage

Before this exciting new development the only way to reverse the sag has been with surgery that leaves tell-tale scars, and a stretched look on the face which sometimes changes a person’s expression or ‘look’. Apart from the long recovery period required, surgical facelifting does not actually lift the tissues back where they were but rather some tissue is removed and the remaining skin is stretched out, causing areas such as the cheeks to become ‘flattened’, taking away the fullness of the cheeks which is a vital rejuvenating features of the face.

All this has changed now, for not only is this new procedure quicker, easier, and non-invasive but it also literally lifts the tissues back where they belong, giving a more natural younger look to the face.

How is it done?

This technique was pioneered by a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sulamanidze, in Moscow, Russia, who patented the first threads in 1999 as ‘APTOS’. Since then, other threads have come about with variations and improvements brought about by expanding experience. All these threads, however, are made from biocompatible non-dissolving suture material that has been in use in surgery for many decades, so its safety is assured. There is no risk of reaction, allergy, or rejection by the body. The sutures have numerous tiny notches cut along their length and these act as tiny barbs, or anchors, so that when inserted under the skin they anchor it along the length of suture threads where they are placed.

The suture threads are placed under the skin surface in a supporting sling fashion through a long hollow needle under local anaesthetic. First, the skin and tissues are elevated and positioned where they belong, and when the positioning is precise the needle is inserted under the skin. The thread is passed through the needle which is then removed leaving behind the thread that now anchors the tissues in their new position.

The only marks visible on the skin at the end of the procedure are the needle puncture marks, and these disappear over the next few days leaving behind no sign of the procedure.

Over time the body’s natural response forms an envelope of fibrous tissue around the threads and as this fibrous tissue firms up and contracts it further improves the lift.

The procedure is carried out in the doctor’s rooms under local anaesthesia and often some sedation is given. If so then the patients can not drive themselves home afterwards. The procedure takes 60 – 90 minutes to perform depending on how many areas need to be treated.

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