Thread Lifting is one my favourite new treatments.

The thread lifting treatment originated from Korea where women prefer to do thread lifting instead of going down the surgical route.  They love it for the natural effect and long-term prevention of premature ageing.

My mentor Dr Jacque Otto saw how popular this treatment was in Asia and started treating celebrities, royalties and regular patients on his travels.  After seeing this treatment wasn’t readily available in the UK, he brought the technology back to UK and started training doctors like myself.  He also founded the medical supply company Neocosmedix which distributes the threads from Korea which is important to ensure quality and effectiveness.

It’s been around for more than 20 years now, where they first used gold threads to lift the face.  Since then, it’s had different names e.g. “Puppet Facelift” or “One Stitch Facelift” which you may have heard of.  Each use different types of threads and have different techniques.

So what is it?

Thread lifting uses a series of microfilaments positioned at specific areas of the face to lift the eye brows, lift sagging skin over the cheeks, reduce nasolabial and marionette lines, define the jawline, reducing the roundness of the face and reduce double chins.

Strategic placement of the filament just underneath the skin in the direction of youthful vectors also help stimulate collagen and firm the skin.

We use PDO threads depending on the area of concern.  PDO threads are made of polydiaxanone and breaks down in about 6-8 months time.  They are 100% bio-compatible and bio-absorbable material which has long been used in medical suturing.  There are different types of filaments with different configurations depending on the end goal.  Generally, these filaments have two mode of action:

1. A lifting action for immediate yet discreet results. This will improve over a period of 2-6 months as new collagen grows, giving further lift and tightening to the skin.

2. A rejuvenating action for gradual and natural results: re-absorption of the filament component helps skin boost its natural collagen, thus further redefining the features being treated.

The effects last between 15-18months (some people have reported lasting up to 3 years).  This of course will vary depending on your age at the time of treatment, the quality of the skin, degree of sagging and the number of threads used.

How is it carried out?

One of my patients, Leona kindly agreed to have her treatment filmed.  She had her eyes, lower face and neck lifted so it took a good 2 hours of treatment time. However, we’ve edited the video so it shows you an overview of the treatment in less than 5 minutes.

Leona has just turned 50 years old and she’s been with me for a few years having muscle relaxants, dermal fillers and PRP treatments to help her maintain her youthful features.  In her video below, she explains why she decided to go for thread lifting.

For her treatment, we also added PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma. Another favourite treatment of mine, PRP provides the growth factors that circulate the micro-filaments, enhancing the effects and improving the recovery time.  For this combination treatment, I call it the “Threads of Life” as it is bringing extra “life” and results to a very effective treatment.

Here are Leona’s before and after pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is her treatment video:

 

What’s the downtime?

Depending on how many threads were used and the area treated, there will be swelling (with the worst in 2-3 days time) which settles by the end of the week.

Bruising, stinging or “pulling” pain or discomfort is normal.  You can take paracetamol 500 mg 1-2 tablets 6-hourly as required. You are to 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.

You will be required to take prophylactic antibiotics on the day of treatment and another dose in the next 2 days. This reduces the risk of infection.

Follow up review and photographs will be required 7 days, 1 month and 3 months post treatment.  This is important to monitor progress and decide:

(a) Are any additional threads required to improve asymmetry or to enhance the effect?
(b) Do we need a maintenance thread treatment programme to ensure long-term results?

Below are some follow up pictures of Leona so you can see her progress.

 

Straight after treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plasters and antibiotic cream are used to cover areas where the entry point was made. Local anaesthetic and nerve blocks are used for pain relief.

 

One week post treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still slightly swollen but settling. Bruises almost all cleared. Leona went back to work the same week.

 

5 weeks post treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New collagen started to form and contract.  Unfortunately the 2D pictures do not allow you to touch and feel her skin.  Leona expressed more definition and firmness in her jawline and neck.

 

At this point, I would consider doing a few more thread treatments for her neck area though just to give it a more visible lift.

Looking fresh and rejuvenated. Lines soften and her face has more V-shape back.  We have discussed her progress and have planned a maintenance program for her to help her achieve more lift and definition in a gradual and progressive timeline.

I hope you found the treatment review useful.

If you’re interested to finding out more or to book a consultation to discuss your suitability, please contact my team on 0203 6338812 or email [email protected]

Any questions, let me know in the comment section below.

Warmest regards,