Skin laxity is caused by the loss of collagen, as well as the relaxation of the fat and fascia layers, which cannot support the skin tissue. Traditional facelift surgery has a long recovery time and may leave scars. As for non-invasive treatments such as radiofrequency and laser, they may not be able to significantly improve severe laxity. In the era of minimally invasive procedures, what methods can achieve surgical results but with greatly reduced recovery time? Thread lifting may be one of the methods.
So, what is thread lifting, and what is the principle behind it? The “thread” used in thread lifting is absorbable suture line, which is used in surgical operations. The suture line is made into different lengths and put into an injection needle or tube. The doctor then buries the suture line in the facial skin. The absorbable suture line can be decomposed and absorbed by the skin and does not remain in the body. There are generally three types of suture lines used in thread lifting: Polydioxanone (PDO), Polylactic acid, and Polyglycolic acid. In addition to the material of the suture line, the types of suture lines also have a significant impact on the effect. The types of suture lines can be divided into four categories: smooth thread, twisted thread, barbed thread, and cog thread. The physical properties of these types of suture lines are different, and the doctor chooses the type according to the situation.
Smooth thread refers to a simple “thread.” The suture line used in the surgery has various sizes to choose from, including length and thickness. Thicker suture lines are mostly used on the cheeks, while thinner suture lines are mostly used around the eyes (such as removing crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes). The number of suture lines used depends on the degree of laxity and the desired effect, and it can vary greatly, with an average of several dozen used.
Twisted thread is made in a spiral shape, and when it is implanted below the skin, it will maintain its original curl. In the dermis, twisted thread has a stronger fascial fixation effect than smooth thread. However, due to its spiral shape, the volume is larger than that of smooth thread. The doctor will bury it in a deeper position to avoid unevenness in the skin.