Drop Thread Gorgeous

If you have logged into any social media platform recently, there is no way you have missed the dominating trend of “thread lift” videos and before and after photos.

Most people are watching many of these innovative procedures in disbelief as this unconventional and novel treatment captivates their IG feed – AND climbs to the top of their cosmetic “wish list!”

But let me let you in on a little secret!  Prepare to be #shook. Although threads may have just recently started trending on Instagram and other platforms, thread lifts are actually NOT new to the medical aesthetic space. In fact, they have been around for decades. YASS. I said decades! I, personally, started using threads about 6 years ago & have witnessed a dramatic amount of traction in only the past 1-2 years. Now, the original technology & technique have been meticulously refined, progressively updated & undergone vast improvements in safety, longevity, and versatility of application to evolve into today’s technology which is far superior and what you (hopefully) are interested in learning more about!

So why are you JUST NOW curious about thread lifts? Well…

This recent resurgence of, and attention to, thread lifts probably can be (at least partly, if not entirely) due to the complete dependence on social platforms to satiate our obsession with immediate and dramatic results. This, paired with the growing demand for transformational procedures that require little to no downtime to achieve our desired (and filter-flawless) aesthetic outcome, have combined to create the perfect environment for thread lifts to be dominating the aesthetic world…and your screen!

When you see thread lifts, you may have noticed there are a wide variety of procedures that look notably different. Sometimes there will be countless dangling devices, and sometimes just a few. Sometimes there appears to be an immediate and obvious correction, and sometimes not.  Sometimes there will be long, uncut strings and sometimes the device disappears under the skin – absolutely incognito. So why is this? Now that I have your cosmetic curiosity peaked, you may find yourself on the brink of asking Dr. Google “what are thread lifts?” Well, no need! I am here to give you the clinically-proven & fully trusted low down on these procedures that lift up – just keep reading!

The first & most obvious question is – what exactly are “threads?” 

I like to categorize thread lifts into two main categories:

1. PDO “smooth” threads &
2. Suspensory (aka anchoring) threads.

These 2 categories help simplify the complexity of these procedures and what we’re trying to accomplish. Remember, there are always exceptions and nuances to generalizations – but, for the sake of clarity – let’s keep our convo more comprehensive to start!

Firstly, let’s discuss PDO smooth threads. These threads are usually the shorter, smaller threads that can be placed in higher quantities to stimulate collagen deposition and ultimately, restore volume loss. As we all know, new collagen formation, or collagenesis, can plump the dermal tissue to gradually smooth the skin’s surface & even help plump stubborn lines and wrinkles. These collagen inducing threads are incredibly versatile and can be placed just about anywhere (remember…we are broadly speaking here!) we have these textural concerns – and they are particularly helpful in areas that can be notoriously difficult to treat – like the neck, chest, brow and marionette lines. These threads need to be placed in higher quantities and more frequently. And although may not provide an immediate “lifted” result, the gradual changes we see with regular treatments are undeniable and absolutely, drop THREAD gorgeous! (If you know me, you know I HAD to go there…and if you don’t know me…we’ll, now you are well on your way!)

Now, what the heck are these things made out of that I will need to get placed in my face multiple times?

Great question! PDO is a medical abbreviation for polydiaxanone – an absorbable, synthetic fiber commonly utilized in suturing materials. PDO smooth threads can vary greatly in their size (length & diameter) and thus their longevity. Usually, not lasting longer than 3-6 months is an approximate (and generalized!) projection on how long the body will take to break them down and replace them with our very own, natural, plumping and smoothing collagen! These treatments require little to no downtime and are very comfortable and supplemental anesthesia with lidocaine can be used when necessary. The ease and comfort of placing smooth PDO threads make it an easy and “must have” addition to your regular botox or filler appointments.

So, now, I understand smooth PDO threads…what are suspensory or “anchoring” thread lifts? 

Well, welcome to the big leagues! To provide a frame of reference using an exercise analogy – if smooth PDO threads are your daily cardio – necessary for healthy maintenance to maintain our youthful buoyancy; then suspensory thread lifts are our (as the name might insinuate) our “heavy lifting” sessions. Designed to make big gains in a short period of time. Your “session” may be a bit longer & more involved – but your jaw-dropping and immediate results are undeniably well-worth it!

Suspensory threads are designed to dramatically lift, and contour areas with sagging skin & correct unwanted skin folds without surgery.  These threads are specifically engineered with an advanced barbed, ‘winged’ or cone-shaped suture technology that allows the thread to insert & anchor into the surrounding tissue. Then, when your expertly trained clinician applies tension to the suture, along the proper anatomical vectors – you will see an instant re-draping of tissue that will smooth unwanted sag in a single appointment!

Suspensory threads can be comprised of several types of materials: there can be a more fortified PDO (polydiaxanone) thread (the same material as the smooth threads, but much stronger), PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid) or PCL (Polycaprolactone) material – all of which are dissolvable suture materials, that offer a more long-lasting result than the previously discussed smooth PDO threads. Suspensory threads are truly “lifting” the tissue and have a longevity of 1-2 years – which is several times longer than the smaller, smooth, PDO threads. In addition to an immediate corrective result, these threads also stimulate collagen induction – sometimes even more so than the smooth PDO thread counterparts. So, you not only get a “wow!” reaction right after your procedure, your also see your result continuing to get better and better as your collagen induction response amplifies over the next 3, 6 and 12 months after your procedure!

Usually, because of the strength of these threads, only approximately 8-14 may be required for a full (non-surgical) face lift transformation! It is also possible to specifically target individual areas – like the brows, mid-face/cheeks, jawline, and/or neck.  When specific areas are targeted, sometimes only 4-6 threads may be necessary.  And because of their durable design, we also have amazing success in applying these anchoring threads to other areas on the body – everywhere from breast, knees, abdomen, arms…the possibilities are endless.

Awesome. Now that I am a thread expert, what does this mean for ME?

So, thread lift procedures are an amazing treatment option that help us combat the aging process by doing what many other procedures do & something we are all very familiar with – increasing our collagen reserves. However, thread lifts accomplish this in a very unique way that not only yields a dramatic result, but it also accomplishes this in a way that fundamentally ‘makes sense’ to patients. The concept is easily explainable and physically visible: the mechanical placement of a thread to re-drape and physically lift the tissue – I think this truly resonates with patients and enhances the allure of the procedure.

The applications of thread lifts are an complimentary addition to our established “go-to” cosmetic treatments like neurotoxins, fillers, and yes, even skin tightening. All of these treatments are targeting a different dynamic of the aging process that we battle every day – toxins target muscles, fillers replace volume loss, and skin tightening enhances the quality of our dermal tissues so that we can maximally utilize threads to their full potential.  I want my patients to view thread lifts as an innovative tool that expands our current treatment portfolio and elevates what we can accomplish – with no surgery and minimal to no down time.

I truly am truly energized and excited to be reintroducing these incredible treatments to my ‘treatment toolbox’ to ensure that my patients receive only the highest quality treatments that are effective and (of course!) expertly executed.  Patients are already adoring their new, uplifted results and I cannot wait to continue to provide patients (particularly my lovely ladies who have stubborn jowls/marionette lines, need an extra brow lift, want more jawline contour, and/or who desire a more sculpted, gravity-defying result!) with diverse and industry-leading, treatment options that are customized to fit their every need. Now, who wants to get lifted?!