Face threading: Procedure, Cost and Aftercare

With scientists and doctors making headways in dermatology and cosmetology it has become easier for people to look and stay younger longer. In the past few years, modern medicine has introduced new procedures and techniques that can help reverse the signs of aging. Where once anti-aging creams and serums were the raves, now surgical procedures such as facelifts, fillers, lasers, and Botox have saturated the market offering consumers an array of procedures to choose from. One such procedure that has recently attracted the attention of the rich and famous in the world is Face threading.

While face threading has been around in Europe since the 1990s, it was never such a popular facelift procedure as it is now. This is primarily because in the nighties the process itself was not as advanced and dissolvable threads were not available in the market. The manual nature of the procedure, therefore, made it risky. Today, face threading provides an alternative to many men and women who are looking to reverse the signs of aging through less invasive means. The procedure of face threading is fairly simple and is especially great for younger adults who are in the initial stages of skin aging.  

The video below will give you an insight into how it's actually done! Not for the faint-hearted although it's not as bad as we thought it would be.

Face threading is basically a non-surgical facelift that helps reverse aging effects by a minimally invasive procedure. The procedure basically involves putting tiny threads under your skin to make it lift and to tighten it from problems areas.

A thread is basically inserted into the skin to lift the ptosis facial soft tissue. A cannula is used to insert either a cone attachment, barbed or non-barbed suture into the skin through a series of small incisions. The thread under the skin is basically hooked to the skin and tightened to give it a slight lift. After that, it is cut at the insertion point and left to heal. Nowadays, dissolvable sutures Like the Nova Threads and Silhouette Instalift are used for the procedure. The dissolvable threads with polydioxanone help stimulate collagen production in the skin and also help it get thicker and firmer. It can take up to 6 months for the sutures to dissolve completely.

While procedures, facelift, and face threading help reduce the signs of aging, a facelift is a surgical procedure and more invasive than face threading. In the facelift procedure, excess skin is removed from the lower part of the face and the midface to give the skin a tightened and more firm look. People who have a sagging jowl, banding on the neck, shallow mid face with less volume often opt for facelifts for immediate and noticeable results that make them look younger instantly. A facelift can target any of your specific problem areas whether it’s the jowl or the neck or the face and it rejuvenates the skin and reduces fine lines.  

While comparing the two procedures, a facelift is definitely more appropriate for people who have deep lines, deep creases and their skin lacks visible laxity and inelasticity in the jowl, face and neck area. Patients who are older and have these signs of aging on their face are more suited for a facelift rather than a face threading. 

Face threading, on the other hand, is more appropriate for patients who are relatively younger and have just started experiencing the onset of aging or skin laxity. It is ideal for patients who want to control their signs of aging before they worsen with time. However, not all patients qualify for a face threading. Patients who have thin skin or bruise and scar easily should not opt for face threading as it can potentially damage their skin and leave scars.

Many patients who have undergone surgical procedures such as a facelift, laser surgery, and facial fillers are often recommended to opt for face threading post-surgery. This is because face threading can help them prolong and sustain the positive effects of their facelift on the skin and can help control further skin laxity. 

The best way to assess whether thread facelifts are actually as effective as they seem is by evaluating their benefits with their side effects. Here are some benefits and side effects of face threading: 

One of the biggest advantages of face threading which attracts the majority of the patients to this procedure is its cost-effectiveness. Unlike other facelift procedures, face threading is simple, quick and cheaper than any other facelift procedure. It costs only half of what a traditional facelift surgery would cost and this cost can be further reduced or increased depending on the threads used in each procedure. Patients who show minimal signs of aging and require lesser threads are the ones that are most attracted to this procedure because it allows them to reverse aging without spending too much. 

What appeals most to patients who want signs of aging reversed through face threading is the simplicity of the procedure. The thread facelift can be conducted easily through an appointment at your cosmetologists’ clinic. It is a one sitting procedure, meaning you just need to take out a couple of hours on any day of the week to just go and get the procedure done. The procedure is relatively simple and does not require much time. Unlike other procedures that take not only time but also have long recovery periods, face threading is a more time-effective option for those with a busy schedule.

One reason that many people are instantly attracted to face threading for a facelift rather than the traditional facelift, or Botox or facial fillers is that it is not an invasive procedure. Meaning it doesn’t require a lot of cutting and removing of the skin and only requires small incisions wherever necessary. This makes face threading a less scary option for most patients who often hesitate when they think of a facelift surgery. Moreover, the recovery period for this surgery is between one to two weeks only, making it a more suitable option.

A disadvantage or a side effect that may cause patients to think twice before getting face threading done is the danger of scars being formed post procedure. While scarring is inevitable in most procedures and surgeries, people opt for face threading due to its relative ease and therefore the fear of scarring often makes them rethink their decision. While these scars do heal and fade away over time, in some patients they can take much longer to go away. This is primarily because patients with thinner skin often get deeper scars after the procedure. 

The biggest issue or side effect of face threading is that after a while the skin goes back to its natural form. Face threading is much like getting fish hooks under your skin to give it a lift. Once those threads dissolve the facial tissue with time goes back to its original place. This means after 6 to 8 months a patient must go for another session of the face thread lift if they want to sustain the results and their look. This is why most patients who want a more permanent fix to fine lines and deep creases opt for facelift surgery rather than face threading. 

There are certain things you must take care of before getting a face threading procedure. You must consult a trained and qualified dermatologist or a cosmetologist before even considering the procedure. Every patient is different and every person has different levels of aging and scarring on their face, therefore, it is imperative that you get a consultation before booking a face threading session. This will allow you to assess if you qualify for a face threading lift or not. The doctor may advise another procedure depending on the thickness of your skin, depth of your lines/creases and elasticity of your skin.  

Once you have gotten a face threading facelift it is important that you take care of your skin. During the recovery period which may last from one to two weeks, you must take care not to make too many facial movements and even chewing food must be done without opening the mouth too much. Moreover, it is recommended that after the procedure you do not indulge in any rigorous activity or exercise that may cause your face to sweat or can potentially dislodge your threads from their place. Apart from that, remember to stay hydrated, eat healthily and to keep your skin moisturized and clean all the time.

In conclusion, face threading provides a good alternative to facelift surgeries and procedures which are more painful and take longer to heal. It is especially a great solution for people who are just experiencing the onset of aging and want to reduce and potentially prevent those effects. Its ability to stimulate collagen production can deliver excellent results for younger patients. However, for patients with much severe skin laxity and loose skin, surgical procedures are definitely a better and longer lasting fix than the face threading. For best results, a combination of facelift surgery along with face threading will help you look more youthful and fresh.