Thread lifts, such as the Silhouette InstaLift and NovaThreads, represent a revolutionary approach to facial rejuvenation. These minimally invasive treatments promise more youthful, elevated facial contours without the extensive downtime of traditional surgery.
However, the success of your thread lift is not just about the procedure itself; it’s equally about how you prepare and how you care for your skin afterward. As you embark on your post-treatment phase, there are specific activities and habits you should avoid to maximize the benefits of your thread lift. But before we get into all that, let’s take a look at what each procedure is and how it works.
Understanding the Silhouette InstaLift®
The Silhouette InstaLift is a cutting-edge thread lift procedure that provides an immediate lifting effect with minimal downtime. This innovative technique uses absorbable suspension sutures to elevate sagging facial tissues. The sutures are made from poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), a biocompatible and biodegradable material, ensuring a natural integration with your body.
How Does It Work?
During the Silhouette InstaLift procedure, Dr. Smith strategically places specially designed threads with bidirectional cones under the skin. These cones grasp onto the underlying tissues, instantly lifting and repositioning the skin. As the sutures dissolve naturally over time, they stimulate collagen production, enhancing skin volume and elasticity. The result is a more youthful, refreshed appearance that evolves and improves over several months.
Ideal Candidates
Silhouette InstaLift may be ideal if you’re experiencing mild to moderate sagging in the mid-face, lower face and/or neck and want a non-surgical solution with lasting results. This thread lift is most suitable for those in their 30s through 70s who wish to avoid the risks and downtime associated with traditional facelift surgery.
In addition, a Silhouette InstaLift can be an effective procedure both before and after a facelift, particularly for addressing mid-face and lower-face concerns. Prior to a facelift, a thread lift can serve as a minimally invasive method to provide a subtle lift and rejuvenation, helping patients gauge the potential results of more extensive surgery. Post-facelift, it can be utilized for touch-ups or enhancements, addressing any areas that might need further refinement or that have developed new signs of aging over time.
People who have experienced significant weight loss, such as 60 pounds or greater, may not be ideal candidates for a thread lift.
Understanding Nova Volume and Lift
Nova Volume and Lift is a non-surgical thread lift that utilizes PDO (polydioxanone) threads called NovaThreads. These threads are also absorbable and widely used in medical applications, known for their safety and compatibility with the body. NovaThreads offer a versatile approach to facial rejuvenation, addressing areas like the neck, jawline and brows in addition to the mid-face.
How Does It Work?
The procedure involves Dr. Smith inserting the PDO threads beneath the skin using fine needles. Once in place, these threads create a supportive mesh that lifts and tightens sagging skin. Like Silhouette InstaLift, NovaThreads stimulate collagen production, providing a dual benefit of immediate lift and long-term rejuvenation. The PDO threads gradually dissolve, leaving behind a firmer and more youthful skin structure.
Ideal NovaThreads Candidates
NovaThreads are an excellent option if you want to combat the signs of aging without surgery. They are particularly effective for those who wish to improve their upper, middle or lower face and neck contours. The procedure is well-suited for individuals seeking subtle, natural-looking enhancement with minimal downtime.
Choosing the Right Procedure for Your Needs
Both Silhouette InstaLift and NovaThreads offer effective, minimally invasive solutions for facial rejuvenation. Each has unique features and benefits, catering to different needs and aesthetic goals.
Dr. Leslie Smith is the only board-certified surgeon in Minnesota who performs these minimally invasive procedures to lift the aging face or to combat facial changes due to weight loss or gain. For personalized advice on which thread lift option is best suited for you, schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Smith at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics.
Now that you’re familiar with the transformative potential of Silhouette InstaLift and NovaThreads, it’s crucial to understand how to care for your skin post-procedure. Ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of your thread lift involves not just the expertise of your aesthetic practitioner but also how you manage the recovery period.
Let’s explore the main practices you should avoid after your thread lift to maintain the integrity of the results and enjoy a smooth, rejuvenating journey to a more youthful appearance.
1. Avoid Sleeping on Your Stomach or Side
After a thread lift, adjusting your sleeping position is critical if you’re a side or stomach sleeper. Why? Sleeping on your stomach or side can apply direct pressure on the newly treated areas of your face. This undue pressure can misalign the threads, leading to uneven or less desirable results.
Focus on sleeping on your back with your upper body at a 45-degree angle for the initial 72 hours following your treatment. A back-sleeping position helps maintain the optimal placement of the threads, prompting them to settle correctly and work their magic efficiently. Elevating your upper body rather than lying down flat can help alleviate swelling.
To prevent turning on your side during the night, we recommend sleeping with pillows on either side of your head. In addition, consider getting a wedge pillow to help elevate your upper body comfortably while you sleep or rest.
How Long to Avoid This:
Aim to sleep on your back for three to five days post-treatment.
2. Say No to Makeup and Topical Chemical Lotions and Potions
After a thread lift, your skin needs time to heal and adapt to the changes. We recommend avoiding makeup immediately after unless absolutely necessary, but applying it within 24 hours is acceptable. We also advise you to avoid harsh products and topical lotions and oils, as they can introduce unwanted chemicals and irritants to sensitive areas, risking inflammation or infection. In addition, gently splash water on your face and pat it dry carefully after cleansing rather than rubbing your skin. These practices will give your skin a breather and allow it to recover unimpeded.
How Long to Avoid This:
Avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours and avoid topical products for about five days after your thread lift procedure.
3. Steer Clear of Alcohol Consumption Before Your Procedure
Alcohol can be a foe during your thread lift placement. Avoid drinking before your procedure to decrease bleeding and bruising.
How Long to Avoid This:
It’s wise to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after your treatment.
4. Keep Extreme Facial Expressions and Movements at Bay
Your face is a canvas of emotions, but we recommend avoiding extreme facial movements after a thread lift. Exaggerated expressions like wide smiles or frowns can strain the areas where threads are placed, affecting their positioning and the overall contouring effect.
In addition, we recommend avoiding sandwiches, chewing gum and chewy or crunchy foods for five to 10 days. It is suggested to eat soft foods, such as eggs, cottage cheese, soups, yogurt, soft chicken or fish during this time.
How Long to Avoid This:
Minimize extreme facial expressions and movements for the first week or two following your procedure.
5. Postpone Facials and Massages
Facials and massages, though relaxing, can exert excessive pressure on your face, disturbing the threads’ placement. Direct physical manipulation of the skin during these spa therapies can counteract the benefits of your thread lift.
How Long to Avoid This:
Wait at least four weeks before getting a facial or facial massage.
Elevate Your Beauty With a Thread Lift in Minneapolis
Your journey with a thread lift doesn’t end when you leave the clinic. The steps you take post-treatment are crucial in shaping the results. Avoiding these specific activities allows your skin and tissues the best environment to adapt to the changes, leading to a more effective and lasting youthful appearance. Remember, patience and careful aftercare are your allies in achieving the rejuvenated look you desire.
If you’re considering a thread lift or have more questions about post-treatment care, don’t hesitate to contact Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics for expert guidance and support. Call 952-460-1970 or complete our convenient online appointment request form now!
If you enjoy podcasts, follow Dr. Smith’s Beauty on the Brain podcast on Spotify. There you can find discussions on various thread techniques.