A Comprehensive History Of The Thread Lift Procedure

Thread lift:
Threads lift getting popular again, also known as “scar-less lift” or “puppet facelift”, its gaining attention and controversy to the same degree. Due to the recent media coverage, people might think that it is a new cosmetic procedure, but it has been around and evolving for a long period of time.

Thread lifts first originated in Europe using threads made up of nylon, gold, or tendons in the early 70s, these materials were followed by the use of prolene and the anti-ptosis barbed threads in the late 90s. With the turn of the millennia, new brands emerged and with them came the controversy behind the treatment. So what has lead to the sudden popularity and the media frenzy that has increased the promotion and marketing? The answer to this question is that we should thank Korea for the revival of thread lift procedure. The country which is rapidly growing as in influencer in the cosmetic industry started using PDO threads in place of all the priorly used materials. Due to the massive interest, researchers have made the threads better than before, but the controversy still remains attached to the procedure. Does the thread lift produce substantial and lasting results? Do the risks outweigh the benefits? And the most crucial debate: who should, and who should not perform the treatment?

What is thread lifting?
Thread lifting is the procedure in which different parts of the face and body are lifted using absorbable threads or sutures, manufactured from various compounds and polymers, without using a scalpel, making and an incision or excising the skin, as done in a classic surgical facelift. Threads are inserted into the skin with the help of needles or hollow cannulas and are anchored, pulled tight, or just weaved in a specific pattern. Thread lifts are also known as suture lifts or suspension face-lifts. It has become such a useful technique that it is has developed novel indication, some of which are not in the face. This method is now being used to lift the breasts, buttocks, knees, hands, and neck region. Similarly, the technique is also being used for non-cosmetic purposes, for example, raising the jowls and cheeks after the stroke.

Types of threads:
As mentioned above, the threads are inserted using a hollow cannula or a needle. Some types of threads require anchoring, others are free-floating and hitch themselves into the tissues after they are pulled taut. Other threads are laid in the form of a matrix in the scaffolding and lift the skin through collagen production. The threads can be divided into two primary kinds:

• Barbed include cogged, coned, or screwed threads
• Unbarbed include smooth threads
• The insertion of barbed, screwed, or coned threads require more skill and expertise than the smooth ones. The barbed threads are further sub-divided as follows:
• Uni-directional or bi-directional – the cogs are oriented in single or in the opposite directions, with a smooth patch in between that allows for a change of thread direction.
• Convergent or divergent threads, depending on whether the orientation of the strands are toward each other or facing away from each other.
• The anchoring ability of the threads depends on the shape of the barb, how much they stick out and the form they take.

Patient selection:
A with every cosmetic procedure, almost every doctor with the necessary knowledge can perform them, but every doctor cannot execute them well. It is the patient’s responsibility to choose the practitioner based on their credentials and the reviews of their patients. The cosmetic doctor who is appropriately trained to perform thread lift procedure from a well-known and authentic institute, who knows the type of thread perfect for the patient, and examines the anatomy concerning the patient’s expectations is a perfect choice. According to the experts, as much as doctor selection is vital to gain optimum results, patient’s selection is equally important. Some patients have either too-less to too much skin laxity, and that makes the procedure ineffective for them. Patients should also understand that tread lift is a non-surgical procedure and the results are subtle and natural, not dramatic like the surgical facelift. The ideal patient for the thread lift is aged between the 30s and late 40s.

Results:
Thread lift has been a target for controversy especially concerning its efficacy. People believe that the results and their longevity are satisfactory to poor. This is a purely subjective believe, if you are comparing its results it those of Botox and fillers, you’ll find that the effects of the thread lift last longer. However, as compared to the traditional lift, the results are not very dramatic as mentioned above.