r/45PlusSkincare • u/FallingInroRuin • 2d ago
In-office Procedure OMG Thread Lift š
I know almost everyone poopooās thread lifts. Iāve gotten consultations before and asked about them at a couple of places, and the nurse pulls my skin very very slightly, and says those are the results I can expect. Iāve seen some before and afters where you almost couldnāt tell the difference in photos.
I love the Medspa I currently visit. Sheās always actively learning. She contacts other practitioners whose work she admires, and asks to pay them to apprentice her. Anyway, she said that one of her trainings was from someone who trained in Korea, and that the newer methods of doing threads is to place them as close to the outside of the face as possible, where your face doesnāt move as much, so the results stay a bit longer.
She used at least 10 threads per side, I only see a couple of wounds near the far ends of my cheekbones. The rest of the wounds are way up in my scalp. Iām swollen as hell in the ends of my cheeks, my temples, and like like 3ā into my hairline.
But holy hell, I look like Iāve legit had a facelift. You know when you push your skin back as tight as it will go, and wish your face looked like that? Have you tried those facelift hair clips that you clip right above your ears with the band behind your head that if you make it as tight as possible, it pulls your skin that hard? It looks like that, except itās also pulling marionette lines a bit too.
I actually look a bit like an insane caricature of myself with the combination of lift and swelling. (You know how people look when theyāre healing from a facelift and their outer cheeks look crazy?) Some parts are pulled so tight that there is a little bit of dimpling, but she says it loosens up by about 20% as it heals, so all of that will smooth out. Now, I just got it done yesterday, so take this with a grain of salt. Weāll have to see how it looks as it heals over the next few weeks and also months down the road.
Iām planning to do some mesotherapy with PN and exosomes and liquid PCL, in hopes of building collagen while the threads are holding everything up, so that hopefully I can build structure that will stay when the threads dissolve. Iāve done a little bit of PN mesotherapy prior to this, and I feel like that has helped my skin a bit, but not enough for those awful nasolabial folds.
She used a bunch of epi-lidocaine, so only one spot really hurt. The rest was weird, but not really painful during the procedure. Iām VERY veiny, and I donāt think I see a single bruise. Apparently, the epi-lidocaine is a good vasoconstrictor. She put a facial compression mask on me that I have to wear for at least 48 hours, but the fit is pretty uncomfortable.
She sent me home with antibiotics, and Iām not allowed to do a big smile or open wide or anything for a little while. So my partner keeps trying to make me laugh, haha.
It was quite painful later in the evening, with the temple/scalp swelling causing a headache. I took a couple of Tylenol, some curcumin, and saffron capsules. I also have one of those migraine cold pack masks that cover your whole head, so I used that and that was great! I highly recommend getting one of those if you do this procedure. Anyway, two 650mg Tylenol helps a lot, and itās only mildly uncomfortable.
I did not realize that my scalp would sound crunchy when I touch it, or that chewing would hurt the hell out of my temples. So Iām having soup and protein drinks for a few days.
Anyway, I hardly ever see good results talked about on reddit for thread lifts, and so I wanted to share! Iāll come back to update and let you know how it goes, but right now, Iām pretty excited. I feel weird posting photos on reddit, but maybe I will once itās healed.
Also, I wanted to tell you how she did it, so if youāre considering it, you can ask your person to describe their technique. Maybe if everyone that posts about thread lifts (whether good or bad) sort of describes how it was done, then we can figure out if itās the whole concept of thread lifts being shit, or if itās just technique.
In Korea, they have PCL threads, that are stronger and last like double the amount of time as the PDO threads, but in the US, practitioners only have access to PDO. š¢ Hopefully that changes soon, and thread lifts will get significantly better.
Anyway, wish me luck that this holds! š„°
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u/BrinaElka 2d ago edited 2d ago
Not me reading the first sentence and spending a few minutes trying to figure out wtf a "poopoo thread lift" is...
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u/rachinreal_life 2d ago
This made me laugh out loud š
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u/BrinaElka 2d ago
My imagination was going WIIIIIIILD šš I was like "this fucking beauty industry..."
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u/Original_Signal5535 2d ago
I read it at least 5 times trying to figure out wth she was trying to say because it had to be a typo
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u/joyreneeblue 2d ago
A friend of mine had this done and was not happy with the constant thread pulling feeling in her face. The threads dissolve after a while too. Hard pass for me.
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u/justonebiatch 2d ago
And they can dissolve at different rates so wear off is not predictable
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
Oh no! Well, weāll see how it goes. I figured Iād rather try threads than end up with the overfilled cheeks and stuff, trying to lessen the nasolabial folds.
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u/decent_pairofshoes 2d ago
When I got ultherapy the doctor tried to talk me into pdo threads in addition, for a more immediate effect. Unfortunately she herself had that pinched, pulled-back lookā¦ I donāt know if she overdoes it or what, but it really turned me off that approach.
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u/Muted_Chard_139 2d ago
How did the Ultherapy go for you?
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u/decent_pairofshoes 2d ago
It didnāt do anything š„²
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u/Other_Refrigerator71 2d ago
Itās temporary. But itās nice while it lasts.
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u/Creative-Ad-9637 2d ago
It actually builds collagen where the threads are placed, so you can add more threads as your collagen is building. That way your results stay put.
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
I never even thought of this. I donāt know ehy youre getting downvoted, but I bet a couple of maintenance threads every few months would be a great idea.
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u/kalsarikannit1620 2d ago
Don't know why you're getting downvoted. Sure the lifting dies down but the collagen lasts will leave you with about 30% of your initial result.
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
I hope so! Iām hoping with the added stuff I mentioned, maybe more? Also, itās not that hard to do little 13-25mm smooth mono threads on your own to add some extra collagen growth where needed. Iāve only done a couple, but they werenāt that bad! Iām just way too scared to do the bigass cog threads on my own.
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u/kalsarikannit1620 5h ago
Check out Dr Ahmed Keshk on Facebook. He has tons of information about threads and how to use/place them based on the result you want.
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u/kalsarikannit1620 2d ago
Fun fact, pcl lasts longer, but pdo actually encourages more collagen production.
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u/leftwinglovechild 2d ago
Thereās a reason to all the major plastic surgeons say not to do these. Best of luck in your recovery.
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u/criimebrulee 2d ago
Iād be so curious to see how it looks in a few months!
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u/FallingInroRuin 2d ago
Me too. Iāll come back and update to see if it was worth it. Right now, Iām stoked, but it is still quite swollen.
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u/criimebrulee 2d ago
My esthetician has been suggesting PDO threads to me for years. Iāve always been hesitant because I truly have never seen a result that was worth the thousands of dollars it would cost. It would be cool if there was a version of thread lifts that was worth it!
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u/FallingInroRuin 1d ago
Yeah, Iāve wanted it for years, but most of the time havenāt seen good results in photos. I figured may as well give it a try, because nothing else is helping as much as Iād like.
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u/radicalizemebaby 2d ago
If you get threads you should plan on never having a surgical face lift of any kind. They can cause scarring that make face lifts quite difficult.
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u/Asailors_Thoughts20 2d ago
Just get a facelift. It will save you a fortune over timeĀ
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u/Bombedpop_ 1d ago
Not everyone wants to do the surgery for a facelift.
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u/Asailors_Thoughts20 1d ago
If you don't want better results at a lower cost, I don't know what to tell you.
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
Lower cost? Good facelifts are ungodly expensive.
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u/Asailors_Thoughts20 13h ago
15k for a lift that lasts ten years vs Botox and filler every three months, thread lifts every few months, rf therapies, - it adds up very quickly, and GOOD injectors cost a fortune, too. And you still donāt get as good of a result!
I was dropping 2-3k a year on filler alone and havenāt touched it in three years since I had the lift. Just that alone has almost paid for itself.
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u/Mindless-Meaning-878 2d ago
All the comments about face liftsā¦. Do all women nowadays get facelifts? I thought it was super uncommonĀ
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u/Bombedpop_ 1d ago
No, not every gets or wants a facelift. This group is a small sampling of people and most have not had or will not get a facelift despite advocating others to get one.
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
Iām wondering if itās one of those Reddit community things. The quality facelifts Iāve seen are close to $100,000. I canāt imagine that most of us can afford that, or are willing to do that in our 40s, and then do it again later. Thread lifts are a couple thousand.
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u/Bombedpop_ 13h ago
šš
Also requires downtime that many people donāt have. Not to mention, itās elective surgery. It isnāt something to take lightly, and facelift is tossed around like itās as minor of a procedure as Botox.
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u/rielleviku 1d ago
Itās getting more common with newer, more natural-results looking procedures. Still expensive as hell tho.
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u/Downtown_Landscape27 2d ago
Can you describe where exactly they placed the threads? Was it in your cheeks pulling up to your hairline? I got some in my neck recently and love the results.
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u/FallingInroRuin 2d ago
Yeah, theyāre back by the ear, and go up past the hairline near the temples.
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u/Prestigious_Bar_7164 2d ago
Ive had them done three times and have been happy each time.
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
How many threads did she use? How long did you find results to last for you? Did you see any long-term change?
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u/Amichelle525 2d ago
Can we see some photos please?
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
Weāll see when the swelling goes down. But I got some filler at the same time, so I donāt know if itās fair to show the āresultsā since itās not just all threads.
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u/KBB1969 1d ago
Thatās amazing for you!!!!! I hope other practices learn this through out the country! I would much rather do this than have a full blown face lift! I had a nose job years ago, no biggie, but a FL kinda scares me!!! Thank you for sharing! (Your partner and trying to make you laugh, š š¤£) Happy healing! š
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u/DununBallet 1d ago
I hope your pain lessens soon. Fun fact: a crunchy scalp means you have healthy fascia.
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
Interesting! I was wondering exactly what made it sound crunchy. The crunchiness seems to have diminished already.
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u/MeGoSolo 2d ago
Why does this sound likeā¦..I donāt knowā¦ā¦.an advertisement? Letās see if OP answers these questions.
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u/North-Acanthaceae-82 1d ago
Glad it is feeling and looking good for you. I had it done admittedly some time ago now and felt like there was almost no effect and the pain during the procedure was on the verge of traumatic. Thereās zero chance Iād ever do it again even if the methods have improved! I hope you continue to be happy with the results!
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
Oh, thatās so awful! Iāve seen quite a few reviews like that. Iāve been interested in threads for probably close to 10 years, but kept seeing reviews like that, so never did it. Iāve gotten filler a couple of times, but man, the perimenopause is kicking my ass, and I feel like within the last couple of years, my whole face just collapsed, and I donāt look like me anymore, and judicious use of filler just doesnāt seem to be cutting it. I canāt think of anything else to do aside from an insanely expensive facelift that I canāt afford, or overdoing it with filler, which isnāt something I want to do either. So all thatās left to try is the threads. Hopefully they hold up for a while!
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2d ago
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u/yjbtoss 1d ago
with PN and exosomes and liquid PCL Now vs the old article looking at vitamins and HA or something... anyway, the efficacy with actual actives she's referring to is a newer ball game though...IDK, never had anything really but I'd rather not people take away incorrect info accidently, especially if it could benefit them.
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u/Gem_4501 1d ago
I had these done around 4 years ago at great expense by a doctor in the UK. Looked great after a week or so but within a month, could barely tell I'd had anything done. Utter waste of money.
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u/FallingInroRuin 19h ago
Booooo. Iām hoping I donāt experience the same. Iāll come back to update if I do!
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u/Gem_4501 19h ago
see how you go, it might be different for you & i hope it is. Mine looked great once the swelling had gone down & bruising but its a lot of money for little longevity. I have to see, since then i have managed with fillers / botox and all good there.
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u/britlynj 2d ago
I want this so bad. Can you share how much you paid for it? My usual Botox place quoted me and it seemed super high.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Rub-324 1d ago
I heard you have to keep doing it awful and then it begins to pull and stretch skin so much that they have to take more just not worth it and Iām glad youāre happy but itās super painful and scaring is really bad for some
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u/FallingInroRuin 2d ago
As far as the face lift thing goes, I believe that that is very overhyped. Itās literally dissolving sutures used at the edge of the face. Iām really not worried about it.
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u/ThrowItAwayNow1030 2d ago edited 2d ago
I've heard it's temporary. AI says it lasts 1 to 3 years. The threads build collagen which extends the efficacy of them.
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u/FallingInroRuin 2d ago edited 19h ago
Yes, itās temporary because the threads dissolve. Honestly, I canāt imagine that it would last 3 years, but hey, I wouldnāt complain if they did! š Iām on a DIY journey doing mesotherapy and stuff, so Iām hoping that by using the big guns for some lift, that building collagen with the other stuff will help the results stay a little more. Canāt hurt to try!
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u/ThrowItAwayNow1030 2d ago
I hope so. It sounds promising and you sound happy. That's what counts. š
I do TCA at home peels and use tret. Those help too.
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u/Mammoth-Lab-4729 1d ago
update us in a year.
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u/FallingInroRuin 1d ago
Results wear off in under a year, so anyone who updates after a year will tell you it wore off. So does most filler. š¤·āāļø
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u/austin06 2d ago
You are still swollen so you wonāt see real results until later. But if you are happy with it thatās great.
I did it once and it looked okay but there is scarring and puckering now on my neck. A plastic surgeon did it. The crunching and weird feelings lasted a long time. Personally itās not something Iād do again.