Commonly known as the liquid facelift, thread lifts have been rising in popularity in recent years. Many people want the benefits of a facelift, but don’t want to commit to the cost, risk, and downtime of a surgical procedure. In such cases, opting for a minimally invasive option like the PDO thread lift can give you many of the same results without the long recovery time.
At her practice in Columbia, Missouri, Dr. Bonnie Friehling can perform a PDO thread lift to give your face that subtle refreshment and youthful glow you long for.
Understanding thread lifts
Most people have heard of a facelift, and a thread lift delivers a similar result, but with a very different execution.
As we get older, our bodies naturally slow down and begin producing less collagen and elastin. This leads to volume loss, wrinkles, and sagging, especially in the face. While surface-level treatments like microneedling, dermabrasion, and anti-aging skincare can slow down this process, it’s inevitable.
A facelift works by pulling back the skin on your face to give you a tighter, more youthful complexion. However, many people want to avoid invasive plastic surgery.
A thread lift achieves similar results using thin, dissolvable sutures. These are injected into various points on your face, where the tiny barbs anchor themselves under your skin. When the thread is pulled taut, it tightens your skin and gives you a firmer appearance.
However, thread lifts don’t stop working there. As the threads dissolve, they trigger a healing response. This leads your body to produce new collagen and elastin, which restores volume and elasticity to your face.
How to tell if you’re a good candidate
It’s important to keep in mind that a thread lift is not a facelift. While thread lifts are often touted as a replacement for surgery, they don’t deliver the same, drastic results as the surgical procedure.
For those with mild sagging and wrinkles, a thread lift can do the job perfectly. However, older patients with notable volume loss and extremely sagging skin might be better off investing in an actual facelift. To determine if a PDO thread lift is right for you, talk to your aesthetician and establish realistic goals before receiving any kind of treatment.
What to expect from your PDO thread lift
The process of receiving a thread lift is simple. During the procedure, you recline in a chair while Dr. Friehling places the sutures. Once they’ve been tightened, she cuts the threads and makes sure your appearance looks natural.
You can expect an immediate lift in your features following the procedure, followed by continued improvements over the next few months. The dissolving sutures stimulate your skin and lead to further tightening and volume replacement as collagen and elastin production restart.
These results can last anywhere from 12-24 months, and you can receive another thread lift as soon as the previous sutures dissolve. You can also boost the effects of your thread lift using Botox®, dermal fillers, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
Thread lifts are ideal for those who don’t want to commit to surgery but still want to see how a facelift might look on them. To learn more about this procedure, schedule a consultation with Dr. Friehling. You can get in touch by calling 573-446-1200, or visit the contact page for more information.