The Procedure

Before you have a thread-lift you will need to have a consultation with a surgeon to see if you are a suitable candidate. The consultation is your opportinity to ask any questions you might have about the procedure. It is also a good idea to ask the surgeon if you can see before and after pictures of the previous work so you can see what results they have achieved with other patients. The most important thing is to make an informed decision that you feel confident about.

During your consultation your surgeon should take a thorough medical history and give you a consent form to sign to make sure you fully understand the possible risks and complications. It is very important that you read this form carefully.

After examining you your surgeon will explain your options and recommend what type of thread-lift you may need to achieve the best result.

The thread-lift procedure can be performed to lift and support:

* Sagging eyebrows
* Asymmetric eyebrows
* Nasolabial folds
* Sagging cheeks
* The mid and lower face and neck

There are a variety of different types of thread-lift procedures currently available in the UK. These include the Contour Lift and the Feather Lift and Aptos Thread-lift.

Contour thread is made of clear polypropylene with barbs along the thread, which once in position are gently opened like an umbrella, which lifts and repositions the underlying sagging facial tissue to achieve a more youthful appearance. The Aptos thread has barbs along the entire length. These barbs are inserted under the skin to draw together the tissue and fill out and lift the sagging skin.

Thread-lift techniques and the number of threads used will vary depending on the type of threads being used. The thread-lift procedure normally only requires local anesthesia, although you may also be offered light sedation depending on the extent of the thread-lift surgery and your personal preference. The thread-lift operation normally takes 30 minutes to one hour to complete, depending on the number of threads to be used.

In general the threads are inserted via a very small incision behind the hairline so there are no visible scars. After making the incision the surgeon uses a thick, hollow needle to insert the thread under the facial skin, starting near the cheekbone. The other end of the thread is then tied to deeper internal facial structures. The thread is gently tugged and pulled upwards, tightening the loose skin and underlying tissues. The barbs on the threads lock into place upon insertion. The ends are sutured beneath the skin surface.

The threads remain under the skin to provide structure and support. You should not be able ro see or feel the threads once they are in place. The body then generates its own collagen to maintain the lifting effect.

The effects can be seen immediately after your thread-lift face-lift procedure.