As we age there are many changes in the face. The effect of sun exposure changes the quality of the skin, the cheek area looses fullness, the brows move lower and the lower face and neck sag (called ptosis) creating deep folds in the cheek and the development of jowls and folds in the neck.
The trend in cosmetic medicine and surgery is for simpler treatments with less down time. Up until recently there was no simple solution to ptosis. The only solution was surgical face, neck and brow lifting techniques.
A few years ago the first reports of a technique called thread lifting emerged. The first technique was developed by Dr Sulamanidze and is known as APTOS threads or ‘Russian Threads'.
South African Surgeon Dr. Des Fernandez suggested a different approach during a visit to Australia in 2003. He described a technique using standard sutures, which could be placed in such a way as to elevate the tissues. They could be used anywhere on the face or neck.
We prefer the technique suggested by Dr Fernandez because of its universal application. It is more difficult to perform than APTOS but has superior ability to suspend and elevate the tissues.
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and sedation in our Clinic procedure room. Depending on the problem to be corrected a small incision is made behind the ear or behind the scalp hair-line and the threads placed using a hollow needle.
At completion the face is slightly swollen and may be bruised. There will be some needle marks on the face, which will disappear in a few days. The swelling will settle in about one week. The only downside with thread lifting is that there will be some folding of the skin in front of the ear or the scalp line which takes six to eight weeks to settle. This can be concealed by wearing the hair ‘down' around the ears.
There are few risks with this technique as there are no major incisions or cutting. The threads can be removed if necessary though this is very uncommon. Infection is a rare complication. Puckering of the skin at the site of a thread insertion can occur initially but usually settles without treatment. Unlike face lifting, nerve injury is very unlikely. Patients with very loose or very thin, fine skin are not suitable for this technique.
There are few risks with this technique as there are no major incisions or cutting. The threads can be removed if necessary though this is very uncommon. Infection is a rare complication. Puckering of the skin at the site of a thread insertion can occur initially but usually settles without treatment. Unlike face lifting, nerve injury is very unlikely. Patients with very loose or very thin, fine skin are not suitable for this technique.
The ideal candidate is someone with slight ptosis who does not want or need a full face lift. The procedure will last for many years and may be ‘topped up' by the insertion of additional threads if needed.
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