Thread Lift In Sawbridgeworth

There are two main types of threads or sutures used:

Free floating cogged or barbed threads

Free floating cogged or barbed threads do not need to be suspended in order to hold the lift; they are actually self-supporting, just like hold-up stockings.

They are divided into different categories depending on the direction of their cogs/barbs:

Convergent or divergent threads, depending on whether the cogs are orientated towards each other or in opposite directions from each other from the middle.

Uni-directional or bi-directional threads, depending on whether the cogs are orientated in only one direction, or in opposite directions.

APTOS® Thread

This type of suture has become commonly known under the trade name “APTOS® Thread Lift” because, as mentioned above, they were the very first cogged thread to be developed.

APTOS® threads are made of a non-absorbable monofilament material (a single strand of fibre) called polypropylene, which has been used for surgical sutures (stitches) for many years. They are designed with bi-directional cogs or barbs that go outwards from the middle of the thread and point inwards towards the middle (convergent), so that as they are inserted under the skin the cogs anchor and hold the lift.
 
There are other brands of barbed sutures available with the differing characteristics described above.

Suspension or smooth threads

In order to achieve a lift with a smooth thread it does need to be anchored to a stable structure of the face or scalp, i.e. it needs to be suspended, just like a stocking that needs a suspender belt. They are just ordinary resorbable or non-resorbable threads, usually made from prolene or nylon, as used for suturing (stitches) in operations.

Your first discussion with a surgeon should set out what you expect from a thread lift and how you would like to look afterwards.

Careful discussions regarding the reasons for wanting a thread lift and your suitability for this type of surgery are very important at this stage. Make sure that you obtain as much information as is possible to help you to make a fully informed choice. The sagging of tissue of your face is then carefully assessed by your surgeon to determine which areas of your face and/or neck are to be treated.

It may be that a thread lift is not the most suitable procedure for you, or that you may need further cosmetic help in addition to the threads in order to achieve the results that you desire.

A medical history should also be taken, to ensure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t have this procedure. You would normally be asked to sign a consent form at this time which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with a thread lift.

The surgeon may also wish to write to your G.P. giving details of the procedure, so that if there are any problems associated with it in the short or long-term, your doctor is aware of the procedure and can help you to recover.

Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner, as a “before and after” comparison at a later date. You will most likely be marked with a special pen prior to the treatment, whilst standing up (to get the full effects of gravity), and the pre-operative photographs taken both without the markings and with, in order to facilitate a retrieval of the threads in case that became necessary in the future.

Anaesthesia

This procedure is usually performed using a local anaesthetic, and you may also be given sedation via an intravenous drip to make you drowsy, so that you remain awake but feel very little discomfort during the operation.

The procedure

Implantation and positioning of the threads is quick and takes approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the number of areas being treated and the type of threads used.

Free floating barbed threads

Using a hollow guiding needle, such as a spinal needle, the barbed threads are inserted into the subcutaneous fat under the skin, through the small incision points made by the needle, which are about 1-2 millimetres in size, and along the contours that were previously marked on your face by your surgeon.

The needle containing the thread is then positioned to provide the required correction and removed. The microscopic cogs on the threads then attach to the underside of the skin and gently lift the skin and secure it in the desired position. The excess thread is trimmed so it does not appear above the skin surface.

The number of threads required is dependent on the number of areas being treated; such as brow lift, cheek or jowl lift or even neck lift. A full face thread lift requires approximately 18 barbed threads, although as not everyone will need a full face lift normally you would require about 2 for each brow, 3 for each cheek, 2 for each jaw line and 2 for each side of the neck. Once under the skin the threads are approximately 5 to 8 centimetres long, when cut to fit your facial contours.

Suspension or smooth threads

Suspension threads are inserted into the skin using a standard needle, but in order for them to sustain a lift they do need to be attached to the so called “anchoring point”. The anchoring points are stable points of the scalp or face, and they are different for the different areas of the face and body. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of the anatomy is essential in order to know which part would provide a good anchorage for the lift, and it is essential to avoid structures which are going to give way after a while or stretch and deform, therefore reducing the lifting effect. Hence, as far as a practitioner is concerned this is a more technically demanding procedure, requiring some basic surgical skill and knowledge of the anatomy.

Results

One treatment per area is usually all that is required to achieve the desired effect, often with immediate visible results, even more so after about 3 - 4 weeks. However, the results continue to improve over a 3 - 6 month period as your own collagen begins to grow around the threads aiding the lifting effect.

The effects of a thread lift using barbed threads are said to last up to five years.

However it is noted by some experts that the results of the suspension lift are more dramatic than those of the free floating barbed threads, and that they are longer lasting. Whilst the free floating threads have been known to slip and not hold the lift as well, the suspension threads are said to hold the lift for much longer. In the case of non-resorbable sutures this could be for many years until the suture loses its strength. In the case of resorbable sutures usually, after the suture is resorbed into the skin the so called vector of pull is formed, which is really fibrotic (scar) tissue that maintains the lift long after the suture has been reabsorbed.

Although not as invasive as other lifting procedures, the area treated will often be sore with some swelling or puffiness for a few days, with possibly bruising which will last about a week.

Side effects and risks are minimal and rare but may include:

An allergic reaction to the anaesthetic.

A risk of small haematomas or seromas (collections of blood under the skin) occurring.

Mild infection at the site of the thread insertion, although every precaution is taken to prevent this.

In the case of barbed threads, the thread end may work its way out of the entrance to the skin; this is remedied by your doctor simply trimming the protruding end. Do not attempt to re-insert the thread yourself, as this may possibly result in an infection.

Patients may develop a pucker, this can again be remedied by your doctor lightly massaging the area. Do not attempt to do this yourself.

In a very small number of individuals, the threads do not work as satisfactorily or for as long as usual.

Dislodging of the thread may occur (usually with free floating threads) resulting in a lopsided or crooked result (asymmetry).

Although rare, as the threads are placed deep into the skin’s underlying tissue, it is occasionally possible for patients to either see or feel the barbed threads on the face, resulting in a telltale line (sometimes blue); in this case your doctor will remove and replace them.

Scarring from the insertion of the needle is minimal but is nonetheless possible, particularly in patients with dark coloured skin, and all patients are advised to wear full sun block on their face to avoid direct sunlight exposure on the areas which may scar.

Because with a thread lift there is no removal of redundant skin, as with a surgical facelift, there may be slight imperfections in the achieved results depending on your skin laxity; i.e. slight rippling or bunching of the skin post lift. This can settle with time and is usually hidden into the hairline, the neck or behind the ears by the practitioner, where it is not usually going to be noticed.

Most people can have this procedure as long as they are generally in good health. It is also vital that you are realistic about what you expect from a thread lift.

In cases of serious loss in the elasticity of the skin a traditional mid-face, face or brow lift operation may be recommended in order to achieve a better result than that possible with the use of threads.

If you are prone to keloid (red, angry, raised) scars, or have a history of problems with wound healing your surgeon may not recommend this procedure or may caution you that scars could be raised and very visible.

It is highly unlikely that anyone considering a thread lift would be able to access this free of charge on the National Health Service.

However we would always recommend that you visit your General Practitioner before embarking upon a cosmetic procedure involving surgery. As well as their advice and guidance they may also be able to refer you to a local surgeon for a consultation.

The NHS has set out the following guidelines on how to get cosmetic surgery through the NHS:

"To qualify for surgery on the NHS you must meet specific criteria as set out by your local health authority. The NHS will not pay for surgery for cosmetic reasons alone. Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery to correct, or improve, congenital abnormalities and injuries will usually be carried out free of charge.

NHS reconstructive surgery is performed by plastic surgeons who have had extensive training and belong to the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Surgeons who carry out cosmetic surgery through the NHS also belong to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

To receive cosmetic surgery from the NHS, you will normally need a referral from your GP. You will have a consultation with a plastic surgeon and an assessment by a psychiatrist, or psychologist. It will then be decided whether there is enough social, psychological, or physical benefit to be gained to justify surgery."

Facial Lifting with threads is a quick, minimally invasive option for those people where gravity has started to take hold of their face and the skin has started to sag; but who as yet are not good candidates for a surgical facelift, which removes large areas of excessive skin, fat and tissue. Using a needle and either barbed or smooth sutures your clinician can tighten and lift the skin on your cheeks, brows, jaw line and neck without the need to cut your skin.

This procedure does not produce changes as drastic as the traditional facelift and is not permanent, lasting a few years; therefore, it is best suited to younger patients (generally 30 to 50 years old) who require only moderate facial rejuvenation.