Wrinkles and lines are natural results of aging. However, that doesn’t mean people have to accept them.
While it’s impossible to stop aging altogether, it is possible to use aesthetic treatments to reduce the appearance of aging on the skin and face. This is excellent news for anyone who wants to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while helping their skin look brighter and more youthful. Looking more youthful can help with self-confidence. In addition, studies have shown that people have more positive perceptions of people who look youthful versus those who show visible signs of aging.
The good news is that surgery is no longer a requirement for those who want to look younger. People can use non-invasive procedures to tighten and lift the skin.
Two popular outpatient anti-aging aesthetic treatments are dermal fillers and thread lifts. This article will describe each treatment and who should consider getting them. Spoiler: it is possible to get both types of treatments to achieve the natural, youthful look many people want.
What is a Thread Lift?
A thread lift is a procedure that uses temporary sutures to subtly “lift” the skin. It’s a popular alternative to a facelift, which is a more invasive surgical procedure. In contrast to a facelift, which surgically removes loose facial skin, a thread lift temporarily suspends the skin before disappearing entirely.
The result of a thread lift is a subtle but noticeable lift in the facial skin. A thread lift procedure is minimally invasive and helps tighten the skin. The face and neck will appear tighter and, therefore, more youthful after getting a thread lift.
In addition to making the skin appear tighter and more youthful, this procedure invokes the body’s natural healing response, releasing collagen to areas that have been treated. Collagen helps tissue stay strong and resilient. The human body naturally produces collagen, but its levels reduce through aging. In addition, pollution and other environmental exposures can damage collagen fibers, leading to additional wrinkles.
A thread lift can help keep skin looking youthful and taught after treatment by stimulating collagen production. In fact, the goal is for the body to be able to recreate the appearance of a thread lift on its own after the threads have dissolved.
Many people are turning to thread lifts instead of facelifts because they are less invasive and require less downtime. It is possible to return to work immediately after a thread lift (although many people choose to take the day off). In contrast, a facelift typically requires one or two weeks of recovery and healing.
At WAVE, we have optimized the typical Thread Lift Procedure with the Flash Lift. Our anti-aging specialists have improved the thread lift process by using technologically advanced threads made of polydioxanone (also known as PDO). These threads are expertly placed in the skin which provides a natural-looking, tightening, and lifting effect on the face.
Thread Lift Before and After Photos
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What Are PDO Threads?
The threads that are used to treat the face and neck are polydioxanone threads, also known as PDO threads.
PDO threads are placed using a cannula similar in size to an acupuncture needle. The cannula places the threads under the skin and in the facial tissue. Once the thread is in place, the cannula is removed, and the thread is tightened and stabilized. Threads help the skin regenerate and eventually dissolve.
Who Are Good Candidates for Thread Lifts?
Anyone who wants a more youthful appearance on their face and neck could be a good candidate for thread lifts, especially if they do not want to undergo a surgical procedure such as a facelift.
Because thread lifts boost the natural production of collagen, they are also a good solution for people looking for a more natural way to improve their appearance. The results can last as long as three years.
Thread lifts are typically recommended for people who are 55 and younger. People as young as 30 can get thread lifts to stimulate their body’s natural collagen production and ensure that they continue to have youthful-looking skin for decades to come.
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are another popular aesthetic treatment for anti-aging. They are less invasive than thread lifts. They add volume to targeted problem areas, making them much more specific than thread lifts, which target the entire face.
Dermal fillers can be used to target the lips, chin, or face to make them appear more voluminous and plumped. Many people use fillers to treat crow’s feet, smile lines, or forehead wrinkles.
A key benefit of dermal fillers is that the treatment is fast and requires no downtime. It’s possible to get fillers over a lunch break and be back to work on time. Therefore, fillers can be a convenient solution to soften the aging process.
Filler Before and After Photos
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Types of Dermal Fillers
The two most common types of dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite. They are both safe for most people, with results that last for a year or longer. They will require reinjection for people who want to continue enjoying their more voluminous and youthful appearance.
Hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm and Restylane) are filler injections most commonly used for wrinkles. The body naturally makes hyaluronic acid, so these fillers stimulate its natural production. Results can last as long as 12 months.
Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (Radiesse) are specifically designed to treat deep skin folds and wrinkles, along with adding volume to cheeks and contouring the jawline. Results can last up to three years when filling wrinkles or one year for contouring.
Who Are Good Candidates for Dermal Fillers?
Because they are non-invasive and temporary, dermal fillers can be used by people who want to look more youthful without undergoing a surgical procedure. People seeking dermal fillers should also be in good health and be committed to following a recommended regimen for keeping up with their skin health.
In some cases, people may decide to get both a thread lift and dermal fillers. These treatments are designed to serve distinct parts of the face and neck, so getting both done may be needed for a person to achieve the look they want and feel more confident.
Ready to Look More Youthful? Come to WAVE
The experts at Wave Plastic Surgery can help you determine if you should get threads, dermal fillers, or another treatment based on your specific needs and appearance.
Get in touch with us to learn more about all our treatment options and to schedule a consultation to talk more about your desired results.
