treatments because it is reputed to be quicker and less penetrating than a conventional facelift, while yielding similar results. Although it’s a popular procedure for the face, it is still quite uncommon to resort to a thread-lift to firm up the stomach or any other part of the body. Since a thread-lift does nothing more than stretch the skin, it cannot be used to treat other signs of ageing like liver spots or pigmentation, but for improving the appearance of flabby parts of the body it is definitely something to be considered.
HOW RECENT IS THE IDEA OF USING A THREAD-LIFT TO TREAT SAGGING STOMACHS?
The thread-lift has been used to treat various parts of the body for as long as people have been getting facelifts, but it has never been as popular as the latter treatment. This is largely because we pay more attention to the face, because it’s what we and everybody else notices first. Another reason is probably that many of us don’t expose our stomach often enough to actually see the need to improve its appearance. But, just like a facelift, a thread-lift can be used to immediately restore a sagging chest or stomach to its original form. The cheeks of the buttocks can also be lifted to a firm, rounded and irresistible shape. In fact, thread-lifts have been around for a long time, not just to lift sagging chests, stomachs and buttocks but also to correct the shape of breasts, because it is far less invasive than the silicone option.
WHEN SHOULD A THREAD-LIFT BE CHOSEN OVER THERMO THERAPY, RADIO FREQUENCY, ULTRASOUND OR OTHER OPTIONS?
A thread-lift is less invasive and less traumatising on the body because no scars are left on the skin after the operation and long rehabilitation periods aren’t needed. Immediately after the procedure you can return to your normal daily activities, including going to work. The treatment here is so easy that it could even be done over lunch!
But getting back to that question … machines using radio frequency and thermage work very well in reducing cellulite, something which a thread-lift doesn’t treat, so a thread-lift doesn’t necessarily have to be chosen over other options and it may even be better to do it in combination with one or more of those treatments for best results, depending on each person’s skin.
DO MEN GET THREAD-LIFTS?
Sure, they do. And it’s not just men who have sagging skin due to speedy weight-loss programmes who come in for thread-lifts, but also men who want body-sculpting or to add definition to their muscles. This treatment won’t help you lose weight, but if you do manage to lose weight and you feel you’ve also lost definition, a thread-lift will assist you in firming up.
HOW IS THE PROCEDURE DONE?
Just like the name suggests, this procedure involves the use of threads to lift the skin. A dermatologist or surgeon will use thin needles to make tiny incisions along the hairline and insert threads under the skin. The exact placement of the threads varies from patient to patient. Over time the body produces collagen around the barbs, helping support the new elevated position of the skin. A good feature of this treatment is that it is reversible, although it is unlikely that you’ll wish to do so.
IS IT A ONCE-OFF TREATMENT OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE REPEATED?
For younger people, one thread-lift may solve the problem. For others, if done professionally, the effect could last for a few years, depending on a person’s age and the elasticity of his/her skin _ after which the process will need to be repeated. With age and over time, the elasticity of one’s tissue will gradually decrease and the procedure may need to be repeated more frequently.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE-EFFECTS
Usually it is a safe and effective treatment that offers subtle, natural-looking results. The incisions are small and there is no interruption of the blood supply to the skin. However, if not well done, there can be complications. Common issues involve the sutures, which are made of polypropylene, being felt or seen. The procedure may cause headaches or a prickling sensation under the skin. In extreme cases, the threads can break or stick out of the skin. But this happens very rarely and is usually the worst that things can get.
CAN WOMEN GET A THREAD-LIFT IF THEY’RE PLANNING TO HAVE A BABY AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE?
This procedure doesn’t affect your hormones or your reproductive system, so it shouldn’t cause any problems. But in order to get the best possible guidance, do mention the possibility of a future pregnancy to your doctor while discussing whether or not to have a thread-lift.
