Thread Lifts in Mission Viejo

Although many skin-resurfacing treatments can help restore firmness, your options are more limited once your skin is loose. Until recently, the only way to address loose skin was a facelift. However, advances in surgical techniques have filled the gap between skin rejuvenation, cosmetic injectables, and more invasive surgical procedures like a facelift. Thread lifts, also known as V-lifts, can lift and tighten your skin while stimulating collagen production. To learn more about thread lifts in Mission Viejo, we encourage you to call our office and schedule a consultation with cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Lenore Sikorski.

What Is a Thread Lift, and What Can It Help?

A thread lift is an in-office procedure that uses temporary sutures to lift the skin. While a facelift surgically removes excess skin, the skin is pulled back slightly and lifted from the face during a thread lift. This helps combat the visible signs of aging by reducing lines and wrinkles and triggering the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin.

Collagen and elastin are protein molecules that support skin and provide elasticity. Collagen is also important in wound healing. However, as people age, their bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to reduced skin thickness, volume, and strength.

While the sutures are in place, the body continues to produce collagen, which thickens and helps hydrate the skin. This makes the skin appear more supple and naturally diminishes the signs of aging. However, unlike a facelift, the results are less dramatic and more subtle.

A thread lift can lift sagging of your cheeks and above your eyebrows, slim your nose, straighten your jowls and jawline, or lift loose skin on your upper neck.

Dr. Sikorski will use a thin cannula to insert the thread under the skin during the procedure. A topical anesthetic will help reduce your discomfort, and the procedure can take up to 45 minutes.

The results last one to two years, depending on the type of thread used and the area treated. Thread lifts in Mission Viejo have been used since the 1990s to address skin laxity, but changes in the materials have increased the procedure’s popularity in recent years.

What Are the Advantages of a Thread Lift Over a Facelift?

One of the biggest advantages of a thread lift is the shorter recovery time and lower cost. During a facelift, you are typically heavily sedated and have an extended recovery at home. Most people require help for the first three days. If you have small children or pets, you also likely need help with childcare and pet care.

Since a thread lift is minimally invasive, there are fewer risks during and after the procedure. Most people experience no scars, bleeding, or severe bruising. If you experience irritation from the sutures because of a previously unknown sensitivity to the suture material, Dr. Sikorski can remove them.

It is important to remember that neither a facelift nor a thread lift has permanent results. While a facelift typically lasts longer, neither procedure can slow the aging process.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Thread Lift?

A thread lift in Mission Viejo is typically best for people who neither expect nor want a dramatic result. After a facelift or neck lift, a thread lift can be used to refresh the results. Since thread lifts produce more subtle and natural-looking results than a facelift, they are typically best suited for people with mild to moderate signs of skin laxity.

The ideal candidate is typically in their late thirties to early fifties. However, older individuals who are unable to have surgery or do not want to facelift can also benefit from a thread lift.

Because the procedure is low risk, it is also a good option for people with underlying medical conditions who are not candidates for traditional facelifts, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery is typically simple and relatively quick. Immediately after the procedure, you can go home, and because you will only need a local anesthetic, you can drive yourself. You experience some bruising and swelling where the threads are inserted.

Depending on the type of threads used and where they were placed, you can use an ice pack or cold compress to help reduce your discomfort. You should avoid rubbing, touching, or washing your face for the first 24 hours. Do not use makeup for several days and sleep sitting up to reduce swelling.

Possible complications are minor and are often easily corrected. For example, if you have an allergic reaction to the threading material, the threads can be easily removed. The threads may migrate or move under the skin, creating a lumpy or bulging look. But again, the threads can be easily removed.

As with other procedures where there’s a break in the skin, there is a potential for infection. You should call us right away if you notice any discharge at the insertion site, have swelling for more than 48 hours, or develop persistent headaches and a fever.

Learn More About Thread Lifts in Mission Viejo

Anyone interested in thread lifts in Mission Viejo should call our office today and schedule a consultation. Generally, the earlier a thread lift can be performed, the better the results will be. Call us today to find out if a thread lift can help address your cosmetic concerns and give you the results you want.