Over time, the skin gets thinner and loses its elasticity due to a decline in collagen and elastin. Consequently, the skin becomes laxer, and wrinkles appear on your face. Undergoing surgery is usually not an option for most people regarding skin tightening. Fortunately, Freya’s Lair Medical Spa offers Albuquerque plastic surgery that includes minimally invasive procedures like PDO thread lifts to tighten your skin. If you are thinking about getting a thread lift, here are important things to know.
There are different sutures used in thread lifts
PDO threads are the most common type of sutures used in thread lift procedures, but two others are made from polylactic acid and polycaprolactone.
Polydioxanone (PDO) sutures have been the longest of the three since the 1980s. They are made from a colorless biocompatible material designed to break sow in your body after about six months. These threads provide a subtle lift but stimulate more collagen; results last about one to two years.
Sutures or threads made from polylactic acid are also biocompatible. These threads are interspersed with small cones and produce more lift than PDO threads. But unlike PDO threads, these stimulate less collagen production and remain in your body for 12 months. With Poly-l-lactic threads, results may last for up to three years.
These sutures in your skin cause fibroblasts to produce more collagen – a protein that gives your skin its structure and elasticity. A decline in collagen production is one of the main causes of aging skin.
Requires a short recovery time
Many prefer thread lifts to other skin-tightening procedures because of their short recovery time. You can resume most of your daily routine right after the procedure; most patients fully recover in less than two weeks. It is normal to have some swelling and bruising for the first 24 to 24 hours after a thread lift, but these side effects often subside with time. The discomfort or pain is also tolerable, meaning individuals rarely need strong painkillers.
As you recover, it is essential to avoid smoking, pursing your lips, drinking through a straw, visiting saunas, sleeping on your side, and doing intense exercise. When sleeping, prop your head on a pillow to avoid accidentally rolling onto your face.
You need to have realistic expectations
A thread lift is a good skin resurfacing treatment for people with mild to moderate skin laxity. The procedure offers a noticeable and naturally youthful look but does not transform our appearance. Although the results are visible, they aren’t as dramatic as those of a facelift. A facelift removes excess skin and tightens your muscles, while a thread lift will only lift your face by a few millimeters.
It is a safe procedure but has some side effects
A thread lift is a low-risk procedure since it is less invasive and does not interfere with the blood supply in the skin. Furthermore, the threads used in the procedure are safe since they are tested and approved by the FDA. However, a thread lift causes some side effects like swelling and bruising, but they usually resolve in no time. The surgeon can remove, replace, or adjust the sutures if the threads migrate or become visible.
If you have further questions about a thread lift, consult your specialist at Freya’s Lair Medical Spa.
