9 things you need to know before having a thread lift (or any cosmetic procedure)

by Mara Bontempo-Ross

Thread Lifts… Thread Face Lift…Contour Threads…Non-Surgical Lifts and Non-Surgical Facelifts. There are many names for a new rejuvenation procedure that’s being embraced by professionals who want to look like “the me I used to be”.
Thread lifts emerged because many people — men and women – would like to look younger, but don’t want the ‘stretched’ look of a traditional facelift. Instead, they want procedures that keep the natural contours of the face so that the results are subtle and natural-looking.

That leads friends and colleagues to observe that ‘you look great’, rather than ‘you’ve had work done’.

In a thread lift, medical-grade threads are literally inserted across the brow, checks, neck or other area to be lifted, and are gently drawn up to hold the area in place. This can be done under local anaesthetic, in as little as an hour (which is why early thread lift procedures were branded as the ‘lunchtime lift’ or ‘weekend lift’).

Thousands of thread lifts are performed each year in the United States (US plastic surgeons alone performed more than 5,000 thread lifts in 2006).
A new development in thread lifts is the use of absorbable threads, which break down in the body over time (and therefore don’t interfere with any procedures you may wish to undergo in the future.

This new category includes Promoitalia Revitalizing threads which have been available in Australia since 2009, and have been successfully used in many dozens of thread lift procedures.

As with any cosmetic procedure, though, there are factors that govern the success of thread lift procedures. Some of the most important factors are outlined below.Is this procedure right for me?

The best advice here is to discuss the procedure with your cosmetic surgeon, plastic surgeon or other qualified medical professional.

As a guide, the best candidates are aged between 30 and 55. That is, people who are typically mid-career or at the peak of their career, and want natural, subtle rejuvenation with a very short recovery period compared with traditional face lifts.
How can I be sure my doctor is qualified and experienced in this procedure?
Because any medical doctor can legally perform any type of medical procedure, it’s important that you are confident – well before the date of surgery – that your doctor is trained in the latest Thread Lift protocols and uses proven, medical-grade technologies.

For example: in order to perform the Revitalizing Thread Lift, Australian doctors undertake extensive training, are regularly briefed on best-practice protocols and use patented, TGA-listed threads that have been engineered for more effective and long-lasting results. (Visit MaraAesthetics.com for more information on doctors who have achieved certification on the Revitalizing Thread Lift procedure).

Do you mean that there’s a difference between the different threads on the market?

Absolutely!

To begin with, Promoitalia Revitalizing Threads are absorbed by the body over time, so that they don’t interfere with any future procedures you may wish to have done.

And on a technical level... thread lifts depend on the body recognising the threads as a ‘foreign material’, and generates collagen bundles – fibrosis – around them. This provides the scaffolding that keeps your face’s new structure in place. Most threads on the market are circular, with tiny cogs that sit – umbrella-like – to hold the skin firmly. The Promoitalia threads used in the Revitalizing Thread Lift are a patented, multi-sided shape with a higher density of cogs, precision cut into more complex shapes. These boost the fibrosis process – leading to a better outcome.

How will I look afterwards?

With a thread lift, you can anticipate improvement, not perfection. The best indicator of what you can expect from a thread lift is to look at photos of yourself from a few years ago. Post-procedure, that’s how you’re likely to look.

How long will I take to recover?

The short answer is ... not long.

With the Promoitalia Revitalizing Thread Lift, patients are not required to stay at home at all. In most cases, there is minimal bruising, swelling or discomfort – although ice packs are recommended for the first 24 – 48 hours.

You may have some bandages to keep your Thread Lift in place – however, you can quickly begin resuming everyday activities, taking care not to stress or exert pressure on treated areas for the first few days following the procedure. At around the three-week mark, patients can begin confidently resuming their usual activities.

Can I combine this procedure with others to achieve the look I want?
It is not uncommon to have this procedure combined with other cosmetic procedures such as Botulinum toxin to reduce facial muscle activity, Dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid or fat to enhance skin volume and laser therapy to improve skin texture and collagen formation.

In fact, Mara Aesthetics suggests the Revitalizing Thread Lift belongs in the hierarchy of anti-ageing procedures (see below) and adding to the pyramid’s base will support the results at every stage.

How many procedures will I need – and how many can I have?

In most cases, the results will be evident after just one thread lift procedure, in which a number of threads are inserted under the skin, in each area to be treated.
The procedure can, however, be repeated in the future if required. What are the risks?

As with any surgical procedure, there is the risk developing complications. Albeit rare, these include the development of blood clots. For this reason, it is extremely important to tell your plastic surgeon if you or any of your family members have a history of blood clots, if you are on any medications, or have any other medical conditions. How much will the procedure cost? There is an enormous variation in the cost of the Revitalizing Thread Lift, depending on factors including the number of threads your doctor will be using. There is a suggestion that the average cost of a procedure is $3,000 - $5,000 – significantly less than a full face lift.

The best advice is to conduct your research beforehand, and then talk with your doctor to work out realistic goals and a firm price – so that you know, before the event, what your investment is likely to be, and the result you’re likely to get.

Mara Bontempo-Ross is an accredited professional with more than two decade’s experience in the medical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. She is the founder of Mara Aesthetics, an Australian company dedicated to providing the highest quality, scientifically researched products, backed by accredited training to help Australian and New Zealand’s doctors achieve outstanding thread lift outcomes. For more information, see www.maraaesthetics.com