As we age, our faces lose the lifted, V-look of our youth. Our jawlines lose definition and the skin on our lower face may sag. There are many non-invasive treatments, such as dermal fillers, used to rejuvenate the lower face and help people regain a healthy and revitalized V-shape to their face. However, these are short-term solutions to long-term issues.
There are also more invasive options to recreate the face. Face lifts, a procedure that restructures the muscles and pulls back the skin of the face, may be inconvenient for a person with a busy lifestyle or health concerns.
Facelifts are invasive and require a more lengthy recovery. With the advancement of technology, plastic surgeons have developed a non-surgical alternative. NovaThread lifts are a procedure where delicate absorbable threads are used to re-suspend areas of the face that have begun to sag. These threads are temporary and dissolve over time. The predetermined areas are lifted and give the skin a tighter look. The threads lift the skin, smoothing the skin, returning volume to the upper face into a more youthful position, and are a great alternative to surgery or laser skin treatments.
Using the latest techniques and technology, Dr. Brown produces natural results with NovaThreads that consistently revive and balance the proportions of your face and revitalize the skin.
WHAT ARE NOVATHREADS?
A NovaThread lift is a process involving needles that are pre-loaded with a PDO (polydioxanone) thread, such as NovaThreads. PDO is a biocompatible material that was made to be safely absorbed by the body. NovaThreads are the number one absorbable PDO thread used around the world today.
These threads not only lift, they also promote the body’s production of collagen by invoking the body’s natural healing response. The body will focus on the areas of the face that contain the threads and try to heal that area. This will cause the body to produce high levels of collagen. Collagen is a protein that provides structure to the skin and functions as an important building block of healthy skin. As we age, our collagen depletes, and our skin begins to thin, wrinkle and form lines. These lines and wrinkles make people look aged or make their faces appear angry or tired.
NovaThread procedures are convenient, allowing patients to typically return to their work following the appointment. These threads are inserted under the skin to create a light lift and stimulate collagen production, causing the skin’s firmness and tone to improve with time. They remain in the skin for generally six months while they are slowly being absorbed and replaced with new collagen. The NovaThread lift produces results that last up to three years because of the body’s increased production of collagen and the repositioning of the skin back into a more youthful position.
Dr. Brown artistically creates natural and refreshed results that are tailored to his patient’s unique anatomy. Dr. Brown is certified, credible, well-accomplished in his work and was recently awarded for his excellence as an outstanding plastic surgeon by Castle Connolly. Above all, he cares about his patients and strives to build relationships with them. His passion for his work helps him strive to provide the best results that improve his patient’s self-image.
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CANDIDATES
An ideal candidate for a thread lift has:
- Healthy and realistic expectations regarding the results of their procedure
- Moderate elasticity remaining in their facial skin
- Wrinkles or lines
- Sagging skin
Thread lifts are a great option for both men and women. They are often performed on patients from their 30s to mid-50s and 60s. Older and younger patients are welcome to schedule a consultation to discuss this procedure’s benefits with Dr. Brown.
CONSULTATION
Before planning the thread lift procedure, patients will have a consultation with Dr. Brown to discuss why they are interested in a thread lift. They are encouraged to ask questions, voice concerns and learn about the risks, complications and results of a thread lift. During this time, the patient will also discuss what they hope to achieve from the procedure. Dr. Brown will then determine if the procedure is suited for the patient or provide recommendations on better alternative procedures.
During this time, the patient will need to inform Dr. Brown of their medical history. This includes past surgeries, current medications, allergies and medical conditions. It is important for Dr. Brown to understand the patient’s health to ensure their safety and health.
PREPARATION
A thread lift requires minimal preparation because of its non-invasive nature. Patients will need to stop smoking and taking blood thinning medications two weeks before the procedure to help promote a safe procedure and healthy recovery.
Patients will need to secure a time slot of about an hour. This is a relatively rapid procedure and is performed under local anesthesia, keeping the patient very comfortable while allowing them to drive afterwards.
The procedure may be completed during a lunch time and requires no-to-minimal downtime.
TECHNIQUES
A NovaThread procedure is quick and easy and is commonly applied to the cheek, jaw and neck areas but may be performed in other areas (brows and lips). Comfort is an important aspect to any procedure and Dr. Brown and his attentive staff strive to create a comfortable, peaceful and positive experience for each patient with minimal discomfort. Local anesthesia is applied to numb the areas about to be treated. Then a thin cannula is inserted under the skin to place the NovaThreads within or just under the dermal layer of the skin. The NovaThreads will remain under the skin, adding lift, support and structure. The NovaThread may lift, contour, volumize and stimulate collagen production. The process usually takes thirty to forty-five minutes depending on the number of threads used and areas treated.
Dr. Brown will expertly insert the threads into the predetermined areas of the face to correct skin laxity, wrinkles and lines. Dr. Brown works meticulously to provide natural, beautiful results for every patient.
BENEFITS
Benefits of thread lifts include:
- Correcting skin laxity in the mid-face, lower face and neck
- Lifting and smoothing skin
- Improving the contour of the jawline
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles in the lower portion of the face
- Adding collagen and thickening skin
- No scarring
This procedure is an excellent solution for patients who have relatively mild facial aging concerns, wish to avoid an invasive facial surgery, or do not have the spare time for the three-week recovery period that is often required. This allows for the thread lift to be very discreet.
Thread lifts may be used to correct many issues that form in the skin due to gravity, aging, exposure to the elements and heredity. Thread lifts are a reasonable alternative for patients who might potentially desire a facelift but cannot undergo surgery due to health complications such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Thread lifts do not create any scars, a common side effect of facial surgeries.
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POST-OPERATIVE CARE
Recovery from a thread lift is minimal. Some patients may experience soreness, redness and swelling. Most patients will return to their normal schedule immediately after treatment. There is seldom need for pain medication after a thread lift, but it is available if deemed necessary.
Thread lifts enable a convenient return to a normal routine. Therefore, this procedure is ideal for people with a busy lifestyle.
Patients should not rub their face aggressively while cleansing it or applying moisturizer for at least a week after their threads are injected. Propping the head up slightly while sleeping is also recommended so patients do not roll directly onto the side of their faces and apply pressure to the threads.
RESULTS
Results will vary for each patient since each treatment is tailored and some patients opt for complementary procedures. NovaThreads will be present under the skin for at least six months. After this initial period, they will begin to dissolve. The face will retain the results achieved by the threads for up to three years as a result of the skin’s repositioning and renewed production of collagen.
COMPLEMENTARY PROCEDURES
Thread lifts are low-risk and have a very short recovery time. They are the perfect procedure to combine with other non-surgical techniques. This may help to provide an encompassed and noticeable result to the face. Procedures that are commonly used in combination with a thread lift are neurotoxins and dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers are non-invasive solutions that decrease the appearance of wrinkles and lines as well as add volume to sunken facial features. Dr. Brown offers different types of dermal fillers that may be used on specific areas of the face, such as the brow, around the eyes and mouth, the cheek bones and the lips. Dermal filler treatments are completed in fifteen to thirty minutes. These treatments require no downtime to heal although swelling and redness may occur. The results should be instantly noticeable and last six months to two years.
By combining non-surgical anti-aging treatments, patients can achieve noticeable changes in their appearance without a lengthy recovery time.
COST
Costs will vary depending on the patient’s cosmetic goals. Dr. Brown will work with you to achieve a plan that fits well with your finances and gives you the results you desire. If you are interested in a thread lift, contact Dr. Brown today. He has locations in La Jolla and Carmel Valley. To schedule a consultation call (619) 461-1500.
Telephone No.619-461-1500