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Here at Centre for Surgery, we’re all about keeping up with the latest advances in science and medical treatments. Our team is packed with skilled professionals – from top-tier surgeons and doctors to masterful aesthetics practitioners. We’re always chasing the next big thing in our field. But it’s not just about staying up-to-date – we’re also focused on making sure that the treatments we offer have solid scientific backing and can deliver real results. It’s not just a game to us.
Let’s talk about thread lifts. You might remember hearing about them a few years back, especially if you follow Gwyneth Paltrow. Yes, her again! She’s often first to promote new treatments, and this one was no different. When she first started talking about thread lifts, there was a lot of doubt. The press, beauty bloggers and even medical professionals all had their questions. They were worried about possible side effects, such as scarring and sutures that could split. Many wondered if thread lifts were genuinely a good solution.
Fast forward to today, and things look a lot different. Thanks to further research and improved treatment methods, we’ve seen that thread lifts can be a safe and highly effective procedure. What’s particularly great about thread lifts is their versatility. They can be used for everything from lifting saggy skin to reshaping the eyes, brow, jaw and more. One of our in-house experts, Dr Vourvachis, is famous for his incredible work with thread lifts. The results have been truly impressive. But we’ll share more on that in a bit.
RELATED: Benefits of a Thread Lift
In the past, when we wanted to achieve a non-surgical lift, we often turned to dermal fillers. And in some situations, fillers are still an excellent choice, especially for patients who want to lift their skin and also tackle the natural loss of facial volume that comes with age.
So, what’s the big picture? Does this mean thread lifts are always the best option? Are we ready to leave behind facial fillers, our tried-and-true allies for so many years? Could we really be that heartless?
Absolutely not! The world isn’t that black and white. The best treatment for you depends on your individual needs and goals. Here’s what you need to know about the different options available to you.
Thread Lifting Explained
A thread lift is a type of procedure that’s quite simple and doesn’t involve major surgery. It involves the use of what are called PDO threads or Aptos threads, which are inserted under the skin to lift the tissues in the face and neck. At the Centre for Surgery, we often use PDO threads in some of our procedures. They’re great because they naturally dissolve in the body after about 6 to 9 months. This is a significant improvement over the type of procedure that was initially promoted by Gwyneth Paltrow, which used permanent sutures that could pose a higher risk of infection – definitely not what we’re aiming for!
The way it works is that these threads are very carefully placed under the skin. They are then strategically moved around to lift the skin and create the desired appearance or shape. Once the threads have done their job of lifting, your body’s natural healing process takes over. This process stimulates the production of collagen, a protein that helps to maintain the skin’s firmness and elasticity. This collagen production continues for up to a year after the treatment. You’ll notice an immediate difference in your appearance after the thread lift procedure, but the full effects will become more evident 4 to 6 weeks later, once the new collagen starts to work its magic.
What’s really neat is that even after the threads have dissolved, the results stick around. This is because your body continues to produce collagen and fibrotic tissue, helping you to keep that lifted look without any further effort. Isn’t science wonderful?
Thread lifts are often used to counteract sagging in the middle of the face, particularly around the lines that run from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds); lift the brow; reduce drooping eyelids; define the jawline or reduce sagging in the lower face; tighten the neck; create a more almond-shaped eye; and achieve a “lip flip” look. These are just a few examples of what thread lifts can do, but the procedure is incredibly versatile. If you’re worried about sagging or want a lift in an area that we haven’t mentioned here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a chat.
RELATED: Morpheus8 vs Thread Lift – Which One Is Right For Me?
What Can You Expect from Thread Lift Results?
In simple terms, the results can be genuinely stunning. And what’s really fantastic is how natural they look. Let’s delve into a few examples to give you a clearer idea of what we mean.
Consider a patient who wanted to make her nasolabial folds, the lines from her nose to the corners of her mouth, less noticeable and lighten up the lower part of her face. This lady already had excellent skin and striking bone structure. She also wanted to highlight her cheekbones even more. Dr Vourvachis was able to meet her needs, and the result was simply beautiful. What’s even more exciting is that her transformation was achieved with a thread lift, all in a single day. And her appearance will continue to get better in the upcoming weeks.
Let’s look at another example. The patient below had her thread lift a week ago, focusing on her cheek and jaw areas. The main concern was the marionette lines around her mouth. You might observe a bit of bruising on one side of her face, but that’s completely normal after a thread lift and something Dr Vourvachis will explain during your consultation. Just like our previous example, her results will get even better as her body produces more collagen. But even now, you can already see a significant improvement in the areas she was worried about – they look much smoother.
These examples serve to illustrate the potential of thread lifts. While the procedure is minimally invasive, the impact on your appearance can be substantial, giving a natural, fresher and more youthful look.
What About Dermal Fillers?
We certainly hold a special place for dermal fillers due to their multiple benefits. Dermal fillers are brilliant at replenishing volume. So, if age has taken a toll on your facial fullness, or if you want to enhance certain areas like your lips, cheeks or chin for a more defined and contoured look, fillers can be the perfect solution. Much like thread lifts, fillers too can stimulate the production of collagen, and the effects can last for a year or even longer.
However, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental difference: facial fillers are primarily designed to fill. Yes, we can employ them to lift the skin in certain areas and soften the appearance of wrinkles. But when we try to use fillers to provide a lifting effect, it’s important to proceed cautiously, or we might end up with an unnatural, overfilled look. So, if you’re someone seeking a significant lifting effect, relying solely on fillers might not give you the outcome you’re looking for without possibly introducing some undesirable side effects.
Conversely, while thread lifts are perfect for providing lift, they can’t restore volume like dermal fillers. They’re excellent at lifting sagging skin and reducing lines and wrinkles, but they don’t have the capacity to soften and add plumpness to the skin in the way fillers can.
Let’s consider these dermal filler results, for instance. Observe how the patient’s skin appears fuller, softer and more rejuvenated in the areas where she received filler injections. That’s one of the impressive effects that facial fillers can achieve.
Combining Thread Lifts and Filler for Optimal Results
Thread lifts and fillers, though different, can beautifully complement each other when used in tandem to address a variety of aesthetic concerns. At Centre for Surgery, we strongly advocate for a holistic approach to beauty treatments, as combining these methods often yields the most impressive results.
In our experience, it’s unusual for individuals over the age of 50 to benefit from a single type of intervention. More often than not, it’s a blend of treatments that delivers the desired outcomes. This is precisely why our team at Centre for Surgery is such a valuable asset to our patients. With a wide array of expertise and a wealth of experience, they’re adept at creating a fully bespoke treatment plan tailored to each individual. These plans leverage a broad spectrum of options, including both time-tested methods and the latest innovations in the field.
So whether you’re considering thread lifts, fillers, or a combination of the two, trust in our team to create a strategic, comprehensive treatment plan that caters to your unique needs and aspirations. We’re here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals with a blend of the best treatments that the world of cosmetic surgery has to offer.
Choose Centre for Surgery for Your Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
At Centre for Surgery, we’re passionate about helping you feel confident and radiant in your own skin. If you’re considering non-surgical cosmetic treatments, we’re confident we’re the right choice for you, and here’s why:
- Expert Team: Our highly skilled team of surgeons, doctors, and aesthetic practitioners are all leaders in their respective fields, continually staying ahead of the latest innovations and developments in non-surgical treatments.
- Tailored Treatments: We believe that every patient is unique, which is why we offer a comprehensive range of treatments and a bespoke approach, carefully tailoring each treatment to your specific needs and desired outcomes.
- Evidence-Based Treatments: We’re committed to offering treatments backed by robust scientific research, ensuring that every treatment we offer is safe, effective, and capable of delivering excellent results.
- Natural Results: Our main objective is to enhance your natural beauty using non-surgical treatments, ensuring that you’ll still look like yourself, only more refreshed and vibrant.
- Post-Treatment Care: We understand that post-treatment care is just as important as the treatment itself, so we provide ongoing care and support to make sure you’re comfortable and satisfied with your results.
- Patient Education: We aim to provide a fully transparent service, explaining every step of the procedure during your consultation, and answering any questions you might have to ensure you’re fully informed and comfortable.
In essence, Centre for Surgery combines medical expertise, personalised care, and the latest non-surgical treatments to help you achieve your aesthetic goals in a safe and welcoming environment. Why not contact us today to discuss your needs and see how we can help you?
