This is my last blog sharing my personal experience with thread lift treatment. You can read the other 2 here:-

“My personal experience having thread lift treatment as a patient“

 “Was my Thread Lift treatment worth it” 

In this blog, I wanted to share with you my recovery process after my treatment. There is a post-procedure advice sheet I give to patients which I will share below after my own personal experience.

STRAIGHT AFTER THE TREATMENT

My face felt a little numb from the local anaesthetic. It was also slightly swollen and red (before and after pictures below).

Straight after treatment.

We are advised not to make extreme facial expressions and movements for the first 2 weeks to avoid the tiny cones being dislodged from the tissues which gives the initial mechanical lift. So I was super careful not to smile or open my mouth too much.

I was still able to talk and even went back to work seeing my own patients that same afternoon.

FIRST 24-48 HOURS

Once the anaesthetic wore off, it did feel strange.

If you looked at me, you wouldn’t really suspect anything (unless you’re my husband). Inside, I felt my face was very sore and swollen. I could still talk but it was difficult for me to open my mouth wide to eat. Small bites. Laughing was painful as I could feel the threads pulling on my face.

I had to be super gentle with my skin when I washed it and applied my creams. Gentle pats were fine but NO pressing, sweeping, rubbing or wiping. EEKS!! That was very tender!!

I didn’t have any bruises but had a couple of more swollen areas on my right side. There was mild skin irregularity on my right cheek too. It wasn’t obvious, just under certain lights.

I don’t know how I managed but the following day after my treatment, we had a team photoshoot and filming to do for a new website. You can see from my pictures I can still smile but just not what I’m used to. My colleagues were very naughty and made me laugh which I had to cup my face so I didn’t laugh too much. I did feel twinges in specific areas where the cones were anchored. When the video comes out, I will share with you so you can see how my face moves a day after my treatment.  The video actually came out better than I expected.

NEXT 2 WEEKS

The entry points by my hairline scabbed over and healed well. The swelling settled and the skin irregularity resolved.

By day 3-4, the pain was much less. I could also gently wash my face.

I was able to open my mouth wider little by little. By the end of week 1, I could give a pretty good smile but I was still cautious but by the end of 2 weeks, I was able to smile and laugh as normal.

2 weeks after treatment

To ensure you achieve the best results after your treatment and to ensure maximum comfort, here are some important post treatment recommendations to follow:-

• Apply a cold pack immediately after the procedure if required
• Take analgesia e.g. paracetamol in case of pain. Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the first 48 hours. In the event of persisting pain, please contact your doctor or clinic
• Mineral make-up may be applied gently after 24 hours.
• Sleep face up, elevated on pillows (3-5 nights)
• Wash, shave and dry face gently without rubbing (5 days)
• Avoid over-exposure to direct sunlight and do not use tanning beds (2 weeks)
• Avoid sports, in particular high impact sorts e.g. running (2 weeks)
• Avoid excessive facial movements (2 weeks)
• Do not use saunas or Turkish baths (3 weeks)
• Avoid dental surgery (3 weeks)
• Avoid facial massages and facial aesthetic treatments (4 weeks)
• Do not open mouth too wide for 3-4 weeks (avoid dental treatment for 2 weeks if possible)
• A stinging or “pulling” pain or discomfort is normal. Take paracetamol 500 mg 1-2 tablets 6-hourly as required. Avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medication such as Nurofen, because inflammation is necessary to initiate the new collagen formation process. Nurofen and similar medication will suppress this process.
• Avoid alcohol and anti-coagulant medicine (aspirin, unless prescribed for medical indications) for 7 days.
• Avoid blood ‘thinning’ vitamins C & E for 7 days.
• Avoid temperature extremes such as sauna or very cold climate for 10 days.
• Avoid physical exercise for 7 days post procedure.
• Avoid having Radio Frequency (RF) or any heat producing device (laser, IPL, etc.) treatments of the thread treated areas for at least 10 weeks.
• Anti-inflammatory medication may be taking after 7 days.
• Stinging or “Pulling” pain discomfort is normal, this will subside over a 2 week period.
• Combination with other procedures from 14 days onwards: PRP, Derma Roller, fillers.
• Follow up photography at 1 month post treatment. Note: treatment of untreated areas may be initiated at any time.
• End-point follow-up appointment at 3 months post treatment: (a) are any additional threads required to improve asymmetry or to enhance the effect?

SUMMARY

So in summary, there is a 2 week downtime period but very doable. The more threads you have, the more swollen and tender it will be. The risk of bruising will also be higher. If you have threads around your cheek area or close to your mouth, you will feel more pull when you smile or laugh.

You will see immediate results after the treatment but the best results actually happen in 6 – 12 weeks time when new collagen is laid and contracts to create a further lift :). You can have more threads at any time once the initial swelling has subside.

We can also speed up the recovery process and enhance the results by injecting PRP (platelet rich plasma – what we use in the Vampire Facial) into the facial tissues. The PRP has loads of growth factors which improve skin density, skin texture, blood circulation and skin immunity.

I hope you found this blog useful. If you have any questions, please do leave a comment below. Otherwise you can also connect with me via social media to ask me your questions directly.

Look forward to connecting with you.

Until next time, here’s to your best self.