Call it the new “Lunchtime Face threadlifts” – Face Thread Lifts are the latest dermatological treatment designed to instantly lift sagging skin and tissues without any incision, scars and pain. Fine, absorbable threads are strategically placed under the skin of your face and neck to lift your skin and tissues for a younger, sharper and more defined look. Face threadlifts can lift saggy cheeks and jowls to reduce nasolabial folds and marionette lines; define the jawline and sharpen the face for a slimmer and more youthful looking ‘V-shaped face’; and lift turkey necks and double chins.
What sets face threadlifts apart from all other forms of anti-aging and lifting dermatological and aesthetic treatments is the unique ability of the threads to lift, tighten and restore our youthful facial contours by two mechanisms for a sustained result:
1. Mechanical: The threads lift the skin and tissues for an immediate result and the cones or barbs anchor the threads in place
2. Biochemical: The threads stimulate the tissues of the face and neck to produce its own collagen so that the lift is sustained and long lasting.
As we age, our faces start to sag due to loss of collagen in and loss of structural support in our face and necks. Our foreheads, cheeks and jawlines sag downwards and this results in prominent nasolabial folds, marionette lines and loss of of our once defined facial contours and jawlines. Our necks are also not spared from aging and gravity; turkey necks, saggy skin and double chins are also common features as we age.
Besides the ability of face threadlifts to lift the face and neck by its unique dual mechanisms for longer lasting results; face threadlifts also have the additional benefit of giving a greater lift and more obvious results compared to the other non-invasive lifting options such as radiofrequency, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and the liquid facelift. The threads used in the face threadlift are biocompatible with our bodies and have a long history of being used in surgeries to stitch up organs. The threads dissolve naturally in our bodies over time while stimulating our skin and tissues to naturally produce more collagen to enhance the results of the face threadlift. In short, here are the areas where threadlift can help with: Face
Neck
What’s in a face threadlift? It can be confusing when you read about the different type soft face threadlift-Silhouette Soft Threadlift, Ultra V Face Threadlift, V Face Lifting, Happy Lift Threadlift etc. All these different types of face threadlift rely on the same two pronged mechanism of threadlifts to mechanically lift the face and neck and stimulate collagen growth. What differentiates these different types of face threadlifts are the (1) type of thread material and (2) type of thread (i.e. non barbed vs barbed vs cones) and their directions. (1)Thread materials The materials used in threads for face threadlift are generally:
(2) Types of thread
Silhouette Soft Threadlift is a US-FDA approved PLLA suture and consists of bi-directional cones to anchor the threads after lifting for additional stability and enhanced collagen formation. PLLA threads lasts for approximately 18 to 24 months. The Silhouette Soft Threadlift can be used in the face and neck and has the greatest lift and results compared to the other brands of threadlifts for the least amount of threads used. Usually, at least one pair of threads is required for a face threadlift.
The Korean Ultra V threadlift or V-face threadlift uses a combination of mono- and barbed threads made up of PDO. PDO threads last 6 to 12 months. Newer versions of threads for face threadlifts from Korea now also consist of PCL and PLLA threads. The threads can also be placed in both the face and neck. Usually, more than 20 threads are required for one side of the face.
Happy Lift™ threadlift from Italy and uses a combination of PCL and PLLA threads that consist of barbs to anchor the repositioned tissues. Happy Lift ™ threads has recently been relaunched in Singapore. The results should last from 2-4 years.
Different brands have their individual strengths - Silhouette Soft Threadlift, Korean Ultra V Threadlift or the Happy Lift ™. It is best to seek your doctor’s advise during the consultation to understand better. Some of the factors that affect the choice of face threadlift technique would be your age, degree of sagging and amount of facial fat. I'm one of the few doctors that have extensive experience and is well versed with all three major brands of face threadlifts - Silhouette Soft threadlift, Ultra V threadlift and Happy Lift ™ threadlift. I've been trained under Dr Kwon Han Jin, founder of the Korean Ultra V Threadlift techniques and threads and I have undergone multiple cadaveric dissection courses and advanced threadlift technique courses, especially for the Silhouette Soft threadlift. Besides regularly attending courses and workshop on the latest advancements in face threadlifts and anti-aging treatments in Singapore and abroad, I am also an expert in other non-surgical forms of lifting such as the ‘Liquid Facelift’; High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Radiofrequency; which can be combined with face threadlifts for synergistic results.
Step 1: Numbing cream is applied Step 2: Local anaesthesia is given Step 3: A small entry point is made using a fine needle Step 4: The thread is then inserted through the entry point The face threadlift takes approximately 30 minutes. Depending on the area treated and the severity of the sagging, more threads may be required
The face and neck threadlift is suitable for both males and females who have sagging or drooping of the face and neck. Younger patients who do not experience sagging but want a sharper facial profile and definition are also suitable for face and neck threadlifts.
You can see the lift and improvement in facial definition and contour immediately after the face or neck threadlift.
The longevity of the face and neck threadlift will depend on the material of the thread used. Typically, it should last 1-2 years.
The materials used for the threads used in face and neck threadlifts- PDO, PLLA, PCL- are biocompatible and naturally dissolve over time. These materials have a long history of being used in surgeries with proven long term safety profiles. As with all medical procedures, face threadlifts and neck threadlift should only be performed by doctors who are adequately trained and experienced with the procedures to ensure a patient’s safety.
Numbing cream and local anaesthesia are administered prior to the thread lifts, to keep discomfort to a minimum.
