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Home / Treatments / Thread Lifts

At Cosmedic Skin Clinic, we use both Silhouette Soft and PDO thread lifts depending on the treatment area and the desired results, both have their unique advantages and they can be used in combination. Why not book a free consultation with one of our practitioners to see what a thread lift could do for you?

Procedure Time Up to 1 hour
Pain Mild/Moderate Discomfort
Anaesthetic Various Options
Full Recovery 2-5 days
Results Duration 12-18 months
Risks Bruising, insufficient lifting, asymmetry
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At Cosmedic Skin Clinic, we are very experienced in the use of Silhouette Soft and PDO Threads. Dr Martyn King was an expert involved in the introduction of Silhouette Soft into the UK and he is also the lead trainer for V-Soft Lift and Esthetique PDO Threads. The choice between the threads used depends on the desired effects, the amount of lifting, the area of the face or body and each individual patient. This will all be discussed during your free consultation.

Silhouette Soft

Silhouette Soft is a fully absorbable bidirectional cone suture designed to reposition the tissue and volumes of the face and neck. The suture consists of a single strand of polylactic acid which has been used in medicine for many years and has a proven safety record. It is fully absorbable and the lifting effect can last up to 18 months. The thread lift will give an immediate lifting effect and as the suture is reabsorbed, it is replaced with the body’s own collagen to give longer lasting effects.

PDO Thread Lifts

PDO Thread Lifts are strands of polydioxanone which are placed into the skin using an ultra fine wall needle to lift, tighten, strengthen, rejuvenate and brighten the face and the body. PDO Thread Lifts can be straight or consist of springs, barbs, cogs or hooks to create amazing results. PDO stimulates collagen production, leading to long lasting and natural results and is completely resorbable by the body. The treatment is highly effective, virtually pain free and extremely safe with minimal downtime so why not rise and shine with a PDO Thread Lift?

What areas can be treated?

Silhouette Soft

Thread lifting can be used to lift and enhance the face and neck. The most common areas treated are the jawline and marionette lines (the downward line at the corners of the mouth), although the eyebrows, neck and cheeks are also often treated. Several threads may be used during the minor procedure to produce optimum results.

PDO Thread Lifts

PDO Thread Lifts can be used to lift and enhance the face and body.  The most common areas treated are the jawline and marionette lines (the downward line at the corners of the mouth), although the eyebrows, forehead, neck, cheeks and nasolabial folds are also often treated.  Body treatments include the décolletage, stretch marks, abdomen and buttock lifts. Several threads are used during the minor procedure to produce optimum results.

How does the treatment work?

Silhouette Soft

Before treatment, the face and neck are fully assessed so the optimum placement of threads can be determined. The points for the thread lift are then marked out on the skin. The procedure is carried out under aseptic conditions and local anaesthetic is injected into the entry and exit points of the suture to minimise any discomfort, no incision is required. The thread is inserted through the skin using a needle and when all threads are in the correct place, they are tightened and the end of the sutures are then trimmed to below skin level. The lifting effect is achieved by pulling the thread through the skin and the cones will travel easily in one direction but resist moving back into their original position creating a lift of the skin. As the thread is bidirectional, the opposite side of the thread will anchor the lift in place and help create further lifting.

Following treatment, the area may be a little reddened and sore, the lifting is most pronounced immediately after treatment and it is normal for the lifting effects to settle over several days to achieve the final result. There will be some puckering of the skin where the suture is introduced, this is normal and again will resolve over a few days.

PDO Thread Lifts

Prior to treatment, a full consultation, assessment and medical history will be taken to ensure that PDO Thread Lifts are suitable. The procedure is minimally invasive and there is virtually no downtime and little aftercare. It is performed using aseptic technique and anaesthetic may be used depending on the treatment area. PDO Threads are placed into the sub-dermal skin. They may be physically tightened or tension applied to create the desired   results. As well as this, PDO Thread Lifts stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin resulting in further lifting and improvements in skin texture and tone. Over several months, the PDO Thread is completely removed by hydrolysis within the body with no remaining  particles and no long-term unwanted effects.

Lifting is achieved by various mechanisms of action including barbs, cogs and hooks  within the PDO suture which attach to the sub-dermal tissue. The suture can then be tightened by applying tension or twisting to get the very best results. Rejuvenation and improvements in skin texture are also observed by the stimulation of fibroblasts in the area treated.

Is it safe and does it hurt?

Silhouette Soft

Silhouette Soft is a minimally invasive procedure, although there are still potential risks associated with the procedure. Clients may experience some discomfort during the procedure and afterwards, the practitioner will use appropriate anaesthetic to minimise discomfort and may recommend analgesia to be taken afterwards. The suture is applied through small puncture wounds in the skin which may take a few days to heal. Small scars, although unusual, may appear at the puncture sites. As with any procedure where the skin is breached, there is the risk of bruising, swelling and infection. Bruising is usually quite mild and confined to the injection sites, however it can sometimes be more significant. Swelling is common but usually settles within a few days or so. Bleeding may occur during the procedure and pressure may be applied to control this. Very rarely, bleeding may occur afterwards and result in a small lump (haematoma) under the skin which will resolve over a period of days/weeks. As the procedure is only minimally invasive, the risk of damage to deeper tissues, blood vessels or nerves is rare but dependent on the area being treatment.

Silhouette Soft is manufactured under stringent sterile conditions using polylactic acid which is fully absorbable and biocompatible and has been used for many years around the World including USA and Asia.

PDO Thread Lifts

PDO (polydioxanone) has been used for cutaneous and subcutaneous sutures in surgical procedures for more than 30 years and has an excellent safety profile. Its very high tensile strength, excellent pliability and ability to smoothly pass through tissue makes it the perfect thread for use in aesthetics. Ultra fine wall needles are used to apply the PDO Thread Lifts which produces minimal discomfort. The needles have a special coating which allows them to glide through the skin with less resistance. Although the procedure is relatively pain free, depending on the area being treated and the amount of PDO Threads that are required, topical anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic injection may be used to make the treatment more pleasant.

As with any procedure where the skin is breached, there is the risk of bruising, swelling and infection.  Bruising is usually quite mild and confined to the injection sites, however it can sometimes be more significant.  Swelling is usually minimal and if it occurs, will settle within a few days or so. Bleeding may occur during the procedure and pressure may be applied to control this. Very rarely, bleeding may occur afterwards and result in a small lump (haematoma) under the skin which will resolve over a period of days/weeks.  The procedure is only minimally invasive so the risk of damage to deeper tissues, blood vessels or nerves is rare but dependent on the area being treated.

Are there any side effects?

Silhouette Soft

Immediately after treatment there may be some swelling, redness, itching and tenderness. This is a normal result of the procedure and will settle. The swelling may remain for up to a few days, the other symptoms usually settle more quickly.

The risk of infection is low and minimised by the correct technique, however if the treated area becomes red or warm or tender, it is essential to contact the clinic to book a review appointment. Occasionally, as the lifting effect settles, the threads may be felt at the surface of the skin where they have been trimmed and further trimming will be required at the follow up appointment.

There can be bruising after the procedure and the risk of this is higher if aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen have been taken within the last two weeks. Bruising can be quite marked in some instances and the application of ice following treatment may reduce this.

There may be some dimpling of the skin where the sutures were inserted, this is normal and will resolve within several days. The cones may be felt in the skin and again this is a normal effect following treatment. The initial lifting effect will generally be more pronounced and will settle over a few days.

PDO Thread Lifts

Immediately after treatment there may be some swelling, redness, itching and tenderness.  This is a normal result of the procedure and will settle.  The swelling may remain for up to a few days, the other symptoms usually settle more quickly.

The risk of infection is low and minimised by the correct technique, however if the treated area becomes red or warm or tender, it is essential to contact the clinic to book a review appointment.  Occasionally, as the lifting effect settles, the threads may be felt at the    surface of the skin. If this occurs, contact the clinic as the ends of the PDO Thread may   require trimming.

There can be bruising after the procedure and the risk of this is higher if aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen have been taken within the last two weeks.  Bruising can be quite marked in some instances and the application of ice following treatment may reduce this.

There may be a little over-correction immediately after treatment although if this occurs, this will settle over the next few days to give the final results.

What can I expect after treatment?

Silhouette Soft

The effects are instant and typically last between 9 – 18 months, depending on the area treated, age, skin-type, lifestyle and facial volume. The suture is completely reabsorbed through the body’s natural processes.

PDO Thread Lifts

The effects are instant and typically last in excess of 12 months, depending on the area treated, age, skin-type, lifestyle and volume.  The suture is completely reabsorbed through the body’s natural processes.

Make-up to the treated area should be avoided for 24 hours as this may disturb the       treatment and increase the risk of infection.  Do not massage the area or disturb the area that has been treated.  Direct pressure should be avoided for 3 weeks and try to avoid sleeping on the face. Keep facial movements to a minimum for 3 weeks and this includes excessive chewing, talking and yawning.  Avoid drinking through a straw and smoking as much as possible.  Try to keep the face elevate by at least 30 degrees for the first 3 nights.

Aftercare Advice

Immediately after treatment there may be some swelling, redness, itching and tenderness. This is a normal result of the procedure and will settle. The swelling may remain for up to a few days, the other symptoms usually settle more quickly.

There can be bruising after the procedure and the risk of this is higher if you have used aspirin or anti- inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen within the last two weeks. Bruising can be quite marked in some instances and the application of ice following treatment may reduce this.

There may be some dimpling of the skin where the sutures were inserted, this is normal and will resolve within several days. You may also be able to feel the cones in the skin where they have lifted the skin, again this is normal and does not need any treatment. The initial lifting effect will generally be more pronounced and will settle over a few days.

Do not massage the area or disturb the area that has been treated. Avoid direct pressure on the face for 3 weeks, avoid sleeping on the face. Keep facial movements to a minimum for 3 weeks, this includes excessive chewing, talking and yawning. Avoid drinking through a straw and smoking. Try to keep the face elevate by at least 30 degrees for the first 3 nights.

Avoid applying make-up for 24 hours to the treated area as this may disturb the treatment and increase the risk of infection.

If you have had cold-sores in the past there is a risk that the needle punctures can cause another eruption – you may need some tablets or cream from the practitioner who treated you to prevent this. Please inform the practitioner if you have had cold-sores in the past.

The effects typically last between 9 – 18 months, depending on the area treated, age, skin-type, lifestyle and facial volume. The suture is completely reabsorbed through the body’s natural processes.

Quotes

“How amazing, my jowls have gone and I look and feel so much younger! I was quite nervous beforehand, but Martyn and Sharon were brilliant and made me feel at ease and comfortable. I would recommend this treatment to everyone.” Amanda, Mere Green.

Before & After Gallery
Price List
Treatment Name Price List
1 Pair of Silhouette Soft thread lifts £600
2 Pairs of Silhouette Soft thread lifts £1,000
3 Pairs of Silhouette Soft thread lifts £1,200
Dependent on number of PDO Thread Lifts and body area. From £250