Thread Lifting

What is a Thread Lift?

A Thread Lift is a treatment which lifts and tightens sagging skin tissue. There are different types of thread lifts, using threads made of Soft Silicone, PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid) or Polydioxanone (PDO) on the market. We use what’s best suited for your treatment goals which could be any or a combination of products.

Once introduced, the threads produce 3 effects in the skin:

• Instant Skin Lifting through mechanical lifting effects
• Cellular Renewal and Regeneration, through collagen stimulation, and neovascularisation to improve skin texture, fine lines and elasticity
• Skin Tightening, by contracting fat and tissue

About 6-12 months after the procedure, the threads will disappear through simple hydrolysis (they are absorbable). The lifted facial contours will remain for about 3-6 months more, due to the cellular rejuvenation effects. Your skin cells are stimulated to produce new collagen, and new blood vessels to improve skin microcirculation. At the same time, the threads cause the fat tissue to contract, producing a skin tightening and facial slimming effect.

Is a Thread Lift Safe? What are the Possible Side Effects?

This treatment is surprisingly safe. Compared to fillers, the side effects are, in fact, much milder (fillers can even cause skin death and blindness). Because threads are inserted via needles and not surgery, and are absorbed in 6+ months, many of the side effects associated with older styles of thread lifting procedures, such as infection and thread breakage are also minimised.

How is a Thread Lift Done?

A Thread Lift is a minimally invasive procedure. After topical numbing and/or injection of local anesthesia, the threads are inserted via sharp or blunt tip needles (called cannulas) into different layers of the skin. Once inserted, the threads anchor the skin and lift it upwards with some purposeful placement and manipulation of the thread by the practitioner. The excess threads are then cut off very close to the skin whereby the thread disappears into the superficial dermis.
Depending on the areas treated, the procedure takes 30-60 minutes. There is some discomfort during the procedure, but because of the improved techniques, clients are experiencing less and less pain.

Is a Thread Lift Safe?  What are the Possible Side Effects?

This treatment is surprisingly safe. Compared to fillers, the side effects are, in fact, much milder than filler. Fillers come with the caution that they can cause skin necrosis aka skin death and/or blindness, which are rare but the most devastating adverse effects possible.  Because threads are inserted via needles and/or blunt cannulas and not surgery, and are absorbed in 6-12 months, many of the side effects associated with older thread lifting procedures, such as infection and thread breakage are also minimized.

Depending on the types of threads used and areas treated, bruising may or may not occur. Expect some mild swelling and soreness for 3 to 5 days after the procedure, and a sensation of tightness (mild) of up to 2 weeks. Temporary mild dimpling of the skin can also occur and resolves in a few days.

Some other side effects are related to the technique of insertion, and the types of threads used. These include surface depressions, thread migration and extrusion, facial asymmetry, prolonged pain, and prolonged dimpling. Not all threads are created equal, thankfully your practitioners’ training in the procedure will ensure a good thread choice and outcome with minimal side effects from your procedure.

Of course, with any and all procedures, there can be more serious side effects, though rarely they occur. These include infection, nerve damage, formation of nodules, and damage to the salivary ducts. The face has a very complex anatomical structure. Intimate anatanomical knowledge is required to perform a thread lift well, and to avoid serious side effects. The side effects are mostly manageable – removal of threads may be required in cases such as migration and extrusion. Our Nurse Practitioner is trained to treat you for the entire process regardless.

What Do I Need to Know: Before and After The Procedure?

Well there’s lots to plan here. That’s why you NEED a consultation. You might first want to think of all the facial treatments you want to have and plan them out accordingly. Certain treatments such as Botox, facials or radio frequency may need to wait weeks after, therefore it’s best to have certain treatments planned around thread lifting.

Like other treatments involving injections, avoid alcohol, supplements such as Vitamin E, Omega Fish oils, and/or gingko for 1-2 days before and 7 days after the procedure. Avoid going to the steam room, sauna, and engaging in heavy exercise such as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for a week or 2 after a Thread Lift. You are also discouraged from undergoing any dental treatment which requires you to open your mouth excessively for 2 weeks.

You will be advised to sleep on your back to allow the swelling to subside and to avoid the putting pressure on the face that might cause misalignment of the threads. There is an option of some simple taping on the face to ensure the best results. Or you may purchase a specially designed pillow for proper facial alignment, available at Awad Medical for additional purchase (we recommend these for everyone concerned about protecting their facial investment).

See below for information on 10 Things to Expect After a Thread Lift

What Areas Can Be Treated with a Thread Lift?

A thread lift is very versatile, allowing practically all areas of the face to be treated, including the:

• Undereye area
• Eyebrows (aka Fox eye or brow lift)
• Crow’s feet (wrinkles around eyes)
• Nose (nose slimming/lift)
• Cheeks
• Nasolabial folds
• Naso jugal folds/ Marionette lines
• Wrinkles around mouth
• Jaw line
• Jowls
• Neck lines
• Abdomen (skin laxity)
• Buttocks (Butt lift and cellulite)

Candidacy: Who is Suitable For a Thread Lift?

A Thread Lift is an effective non-surgical face-lifting treatment that is suitable for anyone looking to improve the appearance of sagging skin. This treatment is suitable for someone who is willing to undergo some injections, and who want to attain an immediate lift of the facial contours without undergoing a facelift surgery. It is best suited for men and women who are unwilling to tolerate the long downtime of a facelift surgery but want to look refresh and lifted – naturally. Normally between the age of 30-55 with skin in good condition. Not to thin skin, not too heavy works best.

Compared to non-invasive face lifting options like ultherapy for example, the thread lift works faster, and has more visible results. However, the procedures work even better when combined for synergistic results which your practitioner will discuss with you in your consultation.

What Results Can I Expect After the Treatment? How Long Do They Last?

Your skin is immediately lifted after a thread lifting procedure, as the threads provide support to lift skin to a new position. You may look slightly tighter than the final result, but in about 1 week, you will begin to look much more natural.

A “rejuvenated effect” will occur after about 6 weeks! You will notice better skin texture, firmer and smoother skin. Your practitioner may concentrate more on either skin rejuvenation, or skin lifting during your procedure. Depending on the technique and which is used, the results will vary from person to person.

In about 6-12 months after the treatment, the threads will have dissolved, but the results will still continue for many more months. Repeating the procedure 6 months after the first procedure, can allow for a long lasting result, of up to 3 years.

We know you’ll have lots of questions and will want to see before and after pics, which we will gladly do in your free consultation – book yourself online under “In person consultation with Nurse Practitioner” on our online booking site (under the booking tab). Alternatively, you can call 519-792-0306 to book a consultation. Please note we cannot give any estimates on this service over the phone, as there are many considerations for the treatment which need to be discussed with the Nurse Practitioner in person. 


Booked your Thread Lift? Or wondering what to expect if you do? 

At Awad Medical a thread lift is one of the newest services we offer. in 2021. Clients are excited about the opportunity to shave years off their faces, but they have many questions regarding what to expect. If you are considering this service for yourself, here are the top10 things to expect after treatment. Regardless, please book a free consultation to map out your plan. Especially if you love doing certain treatments - this one takes some advanced planning to ensure you get all the face treatments you want, on the proper order and properly spaced out!
 
10 Things to Expect After a Thread Lift

1. You Can’t Exercise After a PDO Thread Lift
Unfortunately, you must avoid exercising for seven days after your treatment. You can still walk at a moderate pace. However, you must avoid performing vigorous cardiovascular exercise or resistance training for 1-2 weeks. If you have any questions about what makes up moderate exercise, please discuss during your consultation or after your treatment.
 
2. You Can’t Take Certain Vitamins and Medications
In the seven days following your anti-aging treatment, you must stop taking any nutritional supplements or medications that can thin your blood. The most common blood-thinning medications include NSAIDs and MAOIs. Nutritional supplements you should stop taking include vitamins A, C and E, garlic supplements, Gingko Biloba and fish oil.
 
If you feel the need to take an NSAID outside of your practitioners’ advice, take half of a gram of Tylenol every six hours as necessary. Ibuprofen and naproxen, in particular, should be avoided. Such medications impede the collagen formation process significantly.
 
3. You Will Have a Follow-Up Appointment
Seven days after your thread lift, you will come in for a follow-up appointment. This is the perfect opportunity to ask us any further questions you have about your “recovery” process. It also gives us the opportunity to talk about maintenance or touch-up treatments if your results aren’t perfect.
 
4. You Can’t Consume Alcohol
Unfortunately, you can’t consume alcohol within seven days of your treatment. Alcohol elevates your blood pressure by flushing an excess of water and nutrients from your body. It is crucial that your body has enough water and nutrients to build up new collagen after your treatment.
 
5. You Must Avoid Walk-In Freezers and Saunas
During the 10 days after your anti-aging treatment, it is important to avoid changing your body temperature too much. A sauna may be relaxing, but you’ll have to wait 10 days after your treatment before you can enjoy one. Moreover, if you work regularly in a walk-in cooler or freezer, you will need to take 10 days off of work.
 
6. You Must Wait to Have Other Anti-Aging Treatments
After your threads, you have to wait for the treatment to take effect before you can receive other anti-aging treatments. If you are interested in platelet-rich plasma therapy, microneedling, or dermal fillers, we strongly recommend scheduling these treatments before your thread lift.
 
Moreover, you should definitely schedule certain anti-aging treatments before your thread lift. For instance, radiofrequency (RF) treatments, laser treatments, and IPL treatments must be scheduled for 10 weeks after your thread lift.
 
7.You Are Free to Wash Your Face After Treatment
You can wash your treatment site gently with a gentle cleanser starting on the day of your treatment. However, you must avoid rubbing or massaging your face for two weeks after treatment.
 
8.You May Need to Reschedule Dental Appointments
If you are having a dental procedure or routine cleaning performed, reschedule your appointment. It is important to not open your mouth too wide for three to four weeks after treatment. We strongly recommend that our clients do not attend a dental appointment within two weeks of your thread lift.
 
9. You Will Experience Long-Lasting Results
The results of your treatment will continue to improve for one to two months after treatment. Most of our clients find that their results improve for six weeks after treatment. Of course, this regards the skin rejuvenation effects. The skin lifting effects are fully visible immediately.
 
Between six and nine months after your treatment, your threads will dissolve. However, the results of your treatment will last around three years past this point. For even more dramatic results or longer-lasting results, some of our clients come in after their threads initially dissolve. If you come in for a touch-up treatment, your results can last up to four years.
 
10. You Can Extend the Results of Your Treatment
We strongly encourage our clients to care for the health of their skin. To extend the results of your treatment, drink between 64 and 128 ounces of water daily. The collagen and elastin that support the shape and texture of your skin require adequate hydration to remain healthy and strong. Moreover, you should stop smoking and wear sunscreen. Ensure your home care regimen matches your aesthetic goals, as treatments alone don’t keep your skin in too top shape.