SUSPENSION SUTURE
These include threads such as:
Anchor DX
What are they made from?
PDO Polydioxanone & PCL Polycaprolactone
How long do they last?
Approximately 12 to 18 months (ie the threads dissolve), however, their effects will last at least 6-12 months after the threads have dissolved.
What do they do?
These threads are used for lifting, tightening and re-draping the skin - think of it as a very subtle “facelift”, but without going under the knife (ie. no general anaesthetic, no cutting, no stitches, no removal of valuable skin tissue).
BARBED THREADS & ANCHOR THREADS
Anchor MAX is a newly developed long-lasting PDO and PCL thread that is produced by a PRESS SCULPTING METHOD without any heat treatment. These threads are nearly three times the strength of a regular anchor thread and they last nearly three times as long (ie 12-18 months).
What are they made from?
PDO Polydioxanone & PCL Polycaprolactone
How long do they last?
Approximately 3 to 6 months (ie the threads dissolve), however, their effects will last at least up to 3 months after the threads have dissolved. Three to four repeat treatments are necessary every four months to get maximum results.
What do they do?
These threads are used for lifting and tightening the skin. These threads are for targeting particular areas where sagging has started to occur (eg Jowls that have started to show signs of sagging). Anchor threads are much thicker and stronger than barbed threads. Anchor threads are press sculpted, whilst the thinner barbed threads are cut into the thread (creating barbs) which have much less tensile strength. The Anchor threads grip and lift more than barbed threads do, so barbed threads are usually selected for thinner, lighter, and milder sagging, while anchors are chosen for more severe sagging.
MONOFILAMENTS
What are they made from?
PDO Polydioxanone
How long do they last?
Approximately 3 to 6 months (ie the threads dissolve), however, their effects will last at least up to 3 months after the threads have dissolved. Three to four repeat treatments are necessary every 4 months to get maximum results.
What do they do?
These threads are used for strengthening the skin (ie they do NOT lift or tighten). These threads are for targeting particular areas where the skin is thinning and weakening. They can also be used to stimulate circulation and collagen production in areas where the skin has started showing signs of ageing. They can also reduce a mild fat pocket e.g. mild foible chin after 3 to 4 treatments. Essentially, they dramatically improve the skin’s condition, but they are not indicated for severe sagging, or areas that require a lot of lifting and tightening.
SPECIALITY THREADS
These specialised PDO threads include:
Peako threads (commonly used for “non-surgical nose jobs”).
Spring threads, Screw threads, and Spiral threads (commonly inserted into areas where the skin needs strengthening, but the area is quite active in terms of movement, so a straight monofilament may not be the best choice for such an area).
What to bear in mind when considering threads or thread lift treatments:
It is vital to choose the correct type of thread for the condition/concern you are trying to treat. You cannot use a monofilament thread and expect the skin to lift, if you want to lift, you need suspension sutures or possibly anchors or barbed threads.
The better prepared the skin is with treatments that encourage collagen and elastin production, the better your thread lift result will be.
You do not have to do all the threads you need in one treatment. The upside of having threads is that you can keep adding more threads as needed over time. It is absolutely possible to insert multiple threads over 3-4 appointments should you wish to do so.
Not all conditions can be treated with threads, if the sagging is too severe and there has been too much volume loss in the skin, then threads are not the answer, you will most likely require a combination of treatments, filler, and threads.
Please note:
You will need treatments to prep the skin and encourage increased skin cell turnover, increased collagen and elastin production and increased healing.
Adding filler will put back lost volume.
Threads are then done for the lifting, firming and strengthening of the skin.
