How long do thread lifts last

It almost sounds too good to be true, but an easy, minimally invasive treatment now makes it possible to lift and tighten skin, achieving results similar to a surgical facelift. A PDO Thread Lift leaves the face firmer, tighter, and more youthful in appearance, and it offers results that can last 18 months or more. It’s one of the many innovative treatments offered at Kagan Institute, with locations in Los Angeles and Encino, CA.

As we age, the body’s collagen production slows down and facial volume begins to decline, contributing to wrinkling, sagging, and other signs of aging. This treatment, often referred to simply as a thread lift, can help address crepey skin, tighten up a jowl that’s begun to sag, or ease the look of lines and folds on the face. It offers a comprehensive rejuvenation of the face and can help you appear noticeably more rested and refreshed.

What Is a PDO Thread Lift?

This treatment involves placing threads beneath the skin that support the face from below, providing an immediate lift for loose skin. The threads, which are made of a material used in surgical sutures and are injected into place, also stimulate collagen production, which further plumps and smooths the skin in the coming weeks.

These threads are available in different shapes and textures, and they can be injected in different ways to achieve a patient’s desired outcome, whether it be more volume or lifted skin. After about six months, once they’ve done their work under the skin, the threads dissolve on their own.

How Long Does a PDO Thread Lift Last?

You’re probably wondering about the results that can be achieved with a thread lift. When will results appear and how long will they last? One of the great things about this treatment is that it offers some immediate lifting and support for the skin while also spurring long-term renewal through added collagen production.

That means you’ll notice some initial firming right away, with your results fully developing with six months. Results vary from patient to patient, but most enjoy their new look for as long as 18 months. You’ll also be able to schedule additional treatments to extend your new look.

How Does the Treatment Work?

When you come in for a thread lift treatment, we’ll begin by cleansing and numbing the treatment area. We also may lightly mark the area of concern so that we’ll have a reference point during your session. The threads are actually trails of polydioxanone, a suture material, which are created as the hypodermic needle slides along just under the surface of the skin. During your treatment, you’ll be reclined comfortably. And because the treatment area will have been numbed, you won’t feel any discomfort.

One of the things patients like about this treatment is the fact that it doesn’t involve a significant amount of downtime. You’ll be able to get right back to work after your treatment. The only real after-care requirement is that you refrain from manipulating or overstretching the treatment area for roughly two weeks after your appointment.

What Cosmetic Concerns Can This Treatment Address?

This treatment has been effectively performed all over the face and neck. Thread lifts can be used to lift the cheeks, ease the appearance of crow’s feet, tighten the jawline, resolve crepey skin in the neck, and soften the lines that form on either side of the mouth. Generally speaking, fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin can all be addressed with this treatment. This treatment is occasionally used elsewhere on the body, including on the thighs, abdomen, or upper arms.

Is There a Particular Age at Which Thread Lifts Are a Good Idea?

Because everyone ages at a different pace, there is no one age at which patients should consider this treatment. The right time to consider a thread lift is when you’re starting to see early signs of aging that you want to fight back against. Sometimes patients ask us if they should postpone treatment until they really need it. We usually recommend that if they’re interested in treatment, they go ahead and pursue it as soon as the signs of aging are developing. If you postpone treatment, you may find that a thread lift on its own won’t be enough on its own to resolve your concerns

Will My Threads Be Visible?

Once the results from your treatment have developed, your skin will look smoother, tighter, and more youthful, but the threads themselves will not be visible. Some patients, particularly those who have especially thin skin, can feel the threads if they press on the surface of the treatment area. But the threads dissolve over time, so even if you feel them early after your treatment, they won’t be there for long.

Are the Threads Safe?

The PDO Thread lift used today were approved by the FDA in 2018, and the polydioxanone they are made out of has been widely and safely used in cardiovascular surgery and other medical purposes for far longer. You can rest assured that thread lifts are a safe treatment option that is gentle on the skin.

Let’s Talk Threads

The threads are the reason this treatment is so versatile and successful. Thread lifts first became available in the 1990s, but those threads could only be pulled in one direction, which meant sometimes patients got results that looked too tight. Those threads were also designed to remain permanently in place, which sometimes proved problematic. Today’s dissolvable threads can be injected in a mesh-like pattern that offers a more natural, three-dimensional, lift. The growing sophistication of the threads themselves and how they’re designed has also led to better results.

The Importance of Texture

Today’s threads are available in different textures, which contributes to the treatment’s versatility. Straight, smooth threads, for example, can be injected in a cross-hatch or mesh-like design that can serve as a scaffolding of sorts for collagen to grow on. Other threads have barbs on them that can hook into loose skin from beneath, lifting it back into place. Screw-type threads are often turned to when patients want to increase volume in the face.

The Number of Threads

Different results can also be achieved by varying the number of threads used. In most cases, several threads are injected on each side of the face, but using more or fewer threads can alter the degree of lift or volume achieved.

Why Should I Consider a Thread Lift?

A Comprehensive Approach

Thread lift treatments are a great option for patients who aren’t just worried about a wrinkle or two. Instead, they want a more comprehensive lifting and rejuvenating of the face. Perhaps the face has begun to lose volume and definition, or maybe crepey skin is in need of tightening. Thread lifts can tackle all of these issues, offering patients multi-faceted benefits.

Gradual Results

A lot of our patients really like the fact that this treatment offers some immediate tightening right after treatment, with results continuing to improve over the next several months. This ensures that you never suddenly look like you have just had work done. Friends and family may notice that you’ve gradually started to look more rested and relaxed over a period of weeks, but they won’t be able to pinpoint exactly what’s different about you.

A Convenient, Non-Surgical Option

Lots of patients want to fight back against the early signs of aging, but not everyone is able to commit to the time and hassle of an involved surgical procedure. Thread lifts can be performed in a single in-office session. There’s no incision and no scarring. There’s also no recovery period, so you’ll be able to get right back to your regular schedule. And you won’t have to worry about coming back for maintenance or top-off appointments.

Customized Outcomes

A thread lift is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. The range of threads available, combined with the fact that they can be injected from different directions, means they can be used to address each patient’s unique cosmetic goals and concerns. This treatment can also be combined with other cosmetic services offered by our practice, including laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, and botulinum toxin injections.

Long-Lasting Results

Compared to other injectable cosmetic treatments, thread lifts stand out for their long-lasting results. Botulinum toxin injections, and many dermal fillers, generally offer results that last less than a year. Results vary among patients, but thread lifts often last 18 months or more.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

If you’re interested in pursuing this treatment, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Arkady Kagan. Dr. Kagan earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his medical degree from Ohio State University. He is a member of the California Society of Cosmetic Surgeons, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. During your consultation, he’ll talk with you about your health history and your cosmetic concerns and goals.

There are several signs you may be a particularly good PDO Thread Lift candidate:

You Are in Good Overall Health

The best patients are in good general health and don’t have diabetes or an autoimmune disease. Women who are pregnant or currently breastfeeding generally are not candidates for this treatment.

Your Skin Is in Good Shape

This versatile treatment is successful on all skin tones and types. It helps, though, if the skin in the treatment area is in good condition and free of irritation and inflammation.

You’re Realistic

One of the reasons patients seek out this treatment is that it’s a non-surgical option that involves no recovery time. And while patients are generally thrilled with their results, the outcome is usually more subtle than what can be achieved with a more invasive treatment. The best patients understand the treatment and are realistic about the outcomes it offers.

Can I Take Steps on My Own to Avoid Aging Skin?

There are steps you can take on your own to keep your skin as healthy and vibrant as possible. Maintaining a good at-home skincare routine that includes regular cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing is important. Staying well hydrated, protecting your skin from the sun, and eating a healthy diet that’s largely free of processed foods are also good steps to take. Refraining from smoking, which weakens the skin, can also really help. But to some extent, the signs of aging in the face can’t be completely avoided as collagen levels begin to decline. That’s why thread lifts are such a popular option.

Take the First Step Toward Younger Skin Today

If you’re ready to improve your appearance with tighter, smoother, younger-looking skin, a thread lift could be just what you’re looking for. This minimally invasive treatment can be used to lift, tighten, and build volume in the face, and the results will last for well over a year. Call the Kagan Institute in Los Angeles CA, and schedule a PDO Thread Lift consultation today.

Are thread lifts worth it?

The thread lift may do an excellent job of pulling the jawline, jowls and chin right back up close to the bone, instead of drooping. The thread lift creates a much more youthful-looking facial profile without the need for dramatic surgery, which for the cost, can be worth it for men and women alike.

What is the downside of a thread lift?

CONS OF THE THREAD LIFT: The thread lift is considered a minor surgery, and as such, once the skin is cut there is the risk of infection, bruising, temporary discomfort, rippling off the skin and temporary numbness.

How long do the results of a thread lift last?

Most thread lifts last 18 months or longer, and once the effects wear off, you can schedule another treatment to maintain beautiful, youthful skin.

What happens when thread lift wears off?

Answer: PDO Threads (NovaThreads) When the sutures begin to dissolve, it is likely you will notice the gradual return of sagging features. However, there is evidence to support that collagen is produced in the tissues surrounding the threads, which can lead to a longer lasting effect.