Aim of Thread Lifting

NON SURGICAL PDO Thread lifting is a procedure where specially designed or ordinary surgical sutures are passed  into the subcutaneous tissue to lift selected parts  of the face, neck and body.

Concept of Thread Lifting

Threads rely on trabecular connective tissue network that run between the SMAS and skin in order to elevate and  reposition fat pads affected by ptosis and tighten the skin

History of Thread Lifting

• 1956 Buttkewitz published correction of a “dropping  bucco-labial fold” with a stitch

1970’s Gold thread lifting- Europe: Use of 24 carat gold  threads 0.1mm in diameter to create a web under the skin.

1983 Mario Gonzales Ulloa   published “the aging face”  described technique of elevating tissues of   the face with  subcutaneous nylon thread stitches

•   1990 Marlene Sulamanidze developed the Aptos thread

1990’s Ciro Accardo Happy Lift  polycaprolactone  threads

• 2010 Korean Fine Contour Threads (FTC)  Polydioxinone (PDO) threads

• 2012 Sihouette soft lactide glycolide ( a mixture of  lactic and glycolic acid) threads

WHAT IS  PDO (Polydioxanone)

PDO ( POLYDIAXANONE ) Is a  colourless,  crystalline  biosynthetic  polymer

THEY ARE ABSORBALE SUTURES WHICH ARE Biocompatible , Safe,  Hydrolised and ,eliminated within 6 months

TYPES OF PDO THREADS

1.COG ( BARB)  THREADS – USED MAINLY FOR UPLIFTING

2. MONOFILAMENT (MESO THREADS )   – USED MAINLY FOR TIGHTENING EFFECT

HOW PDO THREADS WORK ( MECHANISM OF ACTION )

PDO THREADS COME ATTACHED EITHER TO A BLUNT NEEDLE OR CANNULA ,

WHEN THESE THREADS ARE INSERTED INTO THE DERMAL OR SUBCUTANEOUS LAYER OF THE SKIN A MECHANOTRANSDUCTION REACTION OCCURS .

WHAT IS MECHANOTRANSDUCTION

The ability of the cell to sense, process and respond to mechanical stimuli .An important regulator of physiological  function  regulating gene expression  protein synthesis  cell differentiation  tissue growth.

THERE IS Fibroblast proliferation  AND increase in  myofibrobast formation WITH  Angiogenesis leading to new capillary  formation.  Collagen matrix formation allows  merging with pre-existing collagen  fibres

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE THREADS ARE INSERTED

Two Stage Effect

• Immediate lifting effect de to the mechanical properties of the thread
• Secondary Vector of Pull”- Lifting effect due to  fibrosis formed by the thread

Mechanism of Action Summary

• Collagen created due to presence of foreign material
• Anchoring effect due to tissue adhesions around thread  Lifting effect
• Increase in blood flow and metabolism
• Lipolytic effect and cellulite reduction

Advantages OF THREADLIFTING PROCEDURE

• Scarless procedure
• Performed under local anaesthesia
• Little downtime
• Minimal discomfort
• Minimal complications
• Instant results  last upto 18 to 24 months
• Almost no side effects

 RIGHT PATIENTS FOR THREADLIFTING

• Young or mature patients who do not want or do  not need major surgery AND HAVE LOOSE OR SAGGY SKIN
• Results not as dramatic as surgical procedures  but   are good in selected cases
• Patients who only want maintenance of youth or  beauty by non-surgical means

AREAS WHERE PDO THREADLIFTING CAN BE DONE

BODY

What are the risks?

No procedure is without risk, but the level of risk is often down to the expertise and experience of the doctor carrying out your procedure. Thread Lifts can cause minor side effects such as infection, bruising, swelling, tenderness, numbness.

How long does a thread lift take?

A typical thread lift procedure takes as little as one hour, but it depends on the number of threads the doctor uses and the areas being treated.

What happens after the procedure?

After the procedure we will provide you with aftercare instructions to follow. Most patients experience some mild swelling and bruising, but this should settle quickly. Recovery time is usually less than one week, although strenuous exercise should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks.

How long do the results last?

A Thread Lift’s lasting power depends on the age of the patient at the time of procedure and how much sagging the thread lift has corrected. It should be noted that sagging will return over time, but many doctors report that the results last for about 2 years. To extend the results it is possible to have additional threads inserted and your doctor can advise you when this is required.

RESULTS