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Contour Threads™ facelift an alternative to surgery
2006-01-16
Dear Dr.Prabhu: Mother Nature is catching up to me.When I look at myself in the mirror I look tired,lines are forming around the corners of my mouth and my skin is starting to sag around my eyes and neck.Is there something I can do about this without resorting to undergoing a surgical facelift?
Answer: Modern facelift techniques have evolved significantly over the past decade.
Surgical facelift operations now remove excess skin,laxity of facial muscle and excess fat.
To accomplish this,incisions are made along the natural creases of the temple, continuing
around the ear and behind it.The surgeon will then access the muscle and connective tissues beneath the skin and make the appropriate manipulations.
The surgeon will then close the incision site with sutures and will bandage the patient’s face.
This whole procedure can take anywhere from two to six hours.
Recovery time after a facelift lasts about two to three weeks.
There is,however,a new non-surgical procedure that can take years off your face.
It is called the Contour Threads™ facelift.
Question: How does this differ from the traditional facelift?
Answer: The Contour Threads™ facelift is a safe, conservative and effective procedure.
Using specially designed sutures the surgeon is able to shift sagging tissues in an upward
direction producing a relaxed, fresh appearance which preserving and enhancing the natural contours of your face.
While this procedure does not replace a conventional facelift,it offers patients an innovative,minimally intrusive approach.
Question: How do these special sutures work?
Answer: Unlike conventional sutures which are smooth, these special sutures have tiny cogs. Once inserted under the skin the surrounding tissues act to hold the threads in place without the need for visible scars.
The threads are inserted through a tiny incision and create a firm hold by means of the cogs being fixated to tissue as they are softly contoured into place producing the desired effect.
Once in position,your body generates new collagen bundles that surround each thread to maintain the lifting effect.
Question: What areas can be treated with this procedure?
Answer: This procedure is effective in repositioning sagging cheeks, jowls and neck; lifting sagging eyebrows and adjusting asymmetric brows or face.
Question: How long does the procedure take and what is the time required for recovery?
Answer: The procedure is quick and usually performed under local anaesthesia. A typical procedure usually takes about 60 minutes to perform.
In most cases there is minimal discomfort, bruising and swelling. Patients can usually return to work or normal activities in a few days to one week.
Question: How many treatments will I need?
Usually only one procedure is needed to achieve the desired lifting effect.
Question: Will this treatment prevent me from having a full surgical facelift at a later Date?
Answer: No it won’t. This procedure will not interfere with obtaining a traditional facelift, browlift or neck procedure when you are ready.
Question: Can I combine this procedure with other cosmetic procedures?
Answer: It is not uncommon to have this procedure combined with either Botox to reduce facial muscle activity,dermal fillers to enhance volume or laser therapy to improve skin texture.
Dr Vilas Prabhu is the medical director of Aesthetic Solutions in Kelowna.
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