There are many methods which can be used to combat the inevitable ageing process. Of course, nothing yet can halt the process, but methods to mask those changes are often sought after by those who aren’t comfortable living with their wrinkles yet.
As we get older, our skin begins to lose its natural elasticity, leading to many of the signs of aged skin. This includes wrinkles and sagging in places that used to be tight and smooth. This is usually around the face, arms, gut and legs.
There are a number of different anti-ageing and facial rejuvenation treatments available that a plastic surgeon can offer, and one of these is known as a thread lift.
Here’s everything you need to know about this procedure and whether it’s painful or not.
What Is A Face Lift?
We’ve all heard about many different anti-ageing treatments, from dermal fillers to facelifts, but some people don’t know about the different variations of facelift techniques available today.
The traditional facelift procedure involves quite intense surgical methods. Your surgeon would start by making incisions around your head, such as behind your ears, hairline, and underneath your chin, and then tightening the muscles and other supportive tissues around the face and neck.
The incisions are then closed up neatly, along with any loose or excess skin being surgically removed. This leaves the patient with tighter skin around the face, giving the appearance of youth. In some cases, a skilled surgeon can make their patient’s face look many years younger than they are.
What Is A Thread Lift?
There is a stark difference between a standard surgical facelift and a thread lift and the main difference in the level of invasiveness. Compared to a facelift, a facial or neck thread lift is much less invasive.
It involves the insertion of thin structures or threads into the dermal layer, lifting the skin and providing the face or neck with an improved structure.
It means that you don’t have to go “under the knife,” as they say, and instead, you’ll simply have to have a local anaesthetic to numb your face or neck, as well as perhaps a sedative to keep you comfortable and relaxed, and then your surgeon will complete the task.
It’s generally accepted, however, that the effects of a traditional facelift are going to last much longer, which is why they are still done today. However, the effects of a thread lift can still last for up to two years before needing to be done again.
Are There Any Risks?
As with any procedure, both medical or cosmetic, there are certain risks. Although it’s worth noting that a thread lift is still considered a low-risk one, you may still experience common side effects like bleeding, swollen facial muscles and skin, and bruising.
Of course, there is also the risk of infection too, which can be identified by certain symptoms such as a fever, persistent pain and headaches, and discharge from the thread lift area.
There are a number of things you should and shouldn’t do after a thread lift, and if you experience further complications or you notice certain areas becoming bulged or lumpy, then you’ll want to contact your surgeon as soon as possible or contact your local GP as soon as possible. An infection will likely require antibiotics to help your body fight it off.
Does It Hurt?
The main question when it comes to facelifts and thread lifts is, does it hurt? The answer isn’t exactly a simple one, however. At the end of the day, everyone has a different pain threshold.
Some may experience what they’d consider excruciating pain from certain procedures, whether it’s a simple mole removal or a full facelift. In contrast, someone else may find it to simply be a bit of discomfort.
Of course, this also depends on how well the procedure goes and a few other factors. However, a thread lift procedure is generally considered to give patients mild levels of discomfort and pain at most.
It’s also said to be far less painful than a traditional facelift and certain other procedures too. The pain and discomfort will also not last as long for a thread lift as they would for a facelift.
Who Can Have A Thread Lift?
Pretty much anybody can undergo a thread lift, both men and women if they’re over the age of 18. It’s very rare for a child to be accepted for cosmetic surgery, for example, unless there is some form of deformity that is impacting their physical or mental health.
However, that type of cosmetic surgery is likely to be more invasive than a simple thread lift. If you have some concern with the appearance of your face in regard to sagging or wrinkles, then a conversation with one of our team of experts will allow us to understand what procedure you’ll need for your specific situation.
You might not even require a thread lift, and your surgeon may instead suggest something else, such as a non-surgical jowl lift or anti-wrinkle injections.
How Does The Procedure Work?
The procedure itself is fairly straightforward. After your initial consultations and preparation, you’ll then be given a time and date for your procedure. On the day, you’ll be given medications for the procedure, which will include a localised anaesthetic to numb your face and allow you to remain awake for the procedure.
Your surgeon will then make tiny entry points for the threads, which can be one of three different types depending on what you need, and then those threads will be passed underneath the skin into position.
There is usually no pain at all during the procedure, and it usually takes around half an hour to an hour to complete.
What Is The Recovery Time?
Another critical difference between a facelift and a thread lift is the recovery time following the procedure. A traditional facelift will likely have you waiting weeks for a full recovery, whereas thread lifts can take around 48 hours for you to start feeling back to normal.
The bruising and scarring of a traditional facelift can be fairly intense to start with, whereas with thread lifts, you will hardly see any signs of the procedure except for your new and improved appearance.
If you’d like to find out more about these procedures and the other types of treatments we offer, you can contact our experts today to arrange a consultation or ask any questions you might have.
