We all know about the facelift, but have you heard of its minimally invasive cousin, the thread lift? The thread lift is a non-surgical solution that helps you fight the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin around the face and body. Here’s what you should know about the thread lift, how it works and whether it’s worth it.

What is a Thread Lift?

A thread lift is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses a specially designed implant called a “thread” to tighten the skin, stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen, and lift the tissue in the treated area. At Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center of Texas, we use MEDiTHREAD polydioxanone (PDO) threads. The PDO material in which these threads are made produce the natural results of a surgical facelift, but harmlessly absorb and disappear in the body about six months following your procedure. Once the threads are introduced into your treated area, your contoured lift will remain for up to 15 months following your procedure.

Thread Lift vs. Facelift

A thread lift not only helps you avoid the surgery involved with a traditional facelift but also cuts out the extensive downtime and recovery period associated with that surgery as well. A thread lift avoids the incisions made through a traditional facelift as well, reducing your potential for scarring following your procedure. The thread lift is also more versatile than the traditional facelift. While a facelift only affects the lower two-thirds of the face, a thread lift can lift and tighten the skin around your entire face, your hands, your neck, your chest, your hips, your breast, your inner thighs, your buttocks, your armpits and your knees for the ultimate full-body experience.

Is a Thread Lift Painful?

In short, no. Our patients report feeling no pain during a thread lift. Prior to your treatment, Dr. Morrissey or Dr. Wilcox can also use a topical or local anesthetic to help make your treatment even more comfortable. The PDO threads are inserted into the skin using a thin, hollow needle called a cannula. Depending on the number of areas you’d like to be treated, the whole procedure has the potential to take as little as 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Following your procedure, you may experience mild swelling, bruising and soreness, but this typically resolves on its own within a week. The only other discomfort you may feel is a mild sensation of tightness for a week or two following your procedure, but this typically resolves on its own as well.

Is a Thread Lift Worth it?

For most patients, absolutely! A thread lift is a great non-surgical, temporary solution to fine lines, wrinkles and loose skin around the face and body. With this treatment, you are able to avoid general anesthesia, cutting, scarring and the extensive recovery associated with a traditional facelift. You also have the added benefit of being able to lift and tighten the skin around areas of the body outside of the face as well! While the effects don’t last quite as long as a surgical facelift, we guarantee the ease of the procedure coupled with your beautifully natural-looking results will make you fall in love with the PDO thread lift.

If you’re interested in getting more of your questions about the thread lift answered, call our office to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Morrissey or Dr. Wilcox today.