Contour ThreadLift™ — Alabama Plastic Surgery
Have
you ever looked in the mirror and lifted up the
skin on your face and wished it would stay there?
Now
there is an innovative, minimally invasive
rejuvenation technique that makes it possible in less then an hour ... and no one has to know you've
had anything done!
Introducing the ...
Contour ThreadLift™

Download Contour ThreadLift Consent Forms (PDF)
The Beauty of Contour Threads
As the aging process begins, your tissue thins because collagen and elastin fibers break down. The resulting
changes are seen as sagging, deep creases, folds and wrinkles that usually begin to appear in your thirties.
In general, the best candidates for a Contour ThreadLift includes both women and men in their thirties to
their sixties who want a more dramatic and long lasting effect than fillers and botulinum toxin or other
treatments can provide, but do not want a full face lift or brow lift procedure.
A Contour ThreadLift with patented Contour Threads is a safe and effective procedure that offers subtle,
natural-looking results. This technique allows the physician to produce a relaxed, refreshed appearance while
preserving and enhancing the natural contours of your face. Contour ThreadLift does not replace a conventional
facelift; rather it offers patients an innovative, minimally invasive approach to achieving facelift-like
results.
What areas can be treated with a Contour ThreadLift?
In properly selected patients, the Contour ThreadLift can be used to:
- Lift sagging eyebrows
- Adjust asymmetric brows
- Reposition sagging cheeks
- Lift drooping soft tissues of the mid and lower face
- Smooth out premature skin aging
What are Contour Threads?
Contour Threads are the first non-absorbable barbed sutures cleared for marketing by the FDA for lifting
the sagging contours of the brow, midface and neck areas. Unlike conventional sutures, which are smooth,
Contour Threads have tiny barbs or cogs and are made of clear polypropylene, so they are not visible under
fair or thin skin. Polypropylene is a material that has been safely used in the body for many years in medical
devices.
How do they work?
The physician makes a tiny incision or puncture in the temporal area and the Contour Threads are inserted
under the skin. The tiny barbs on each thread open in an umbrella-like fashion to form a support structure
that gently lifts sagging tissues of the brow, face and neck. Once in position, your body generates new collagen
bundles that encapsulate each thread to help maintain the elevation or lifting effect. The exact placement
of the threads will vary from patient to patient.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure is quick and usually performed under local anesthesia, and if desired, light intravenous sedation.
The actual length of time will depend on the total number of threads used. On average a typical procedure
takes approximately 60 minutes. In most cases, four threads is the minimum needed to address moderate sagging
of one facial area.
How long is the recovery?
Patients can usually return to normal activities or to work within a few days to one week. In most cases,
there is minimal discomfort, bruising and swelling. Concealing makeup may be worn the next day.
How many treatments will I need?
Usually only one procedure is needed to achieve the desired lifting effect.
How long will the results last?
Physicians' experiences have shown that duration varies from three to five years or more, depending on the
age of the patient at the time of the procedure, the degree of sagging and the number of threads used. Over
time, the threads can be gently tightened for added support or additional threads may be added as needed.
Are there any side effects?
When performed by a certified, experienced physician, the Contour ThreadLift is very safe and complications
are very rare. Minor complications may include swelling, bruising, thread rupture, skin irregularities, asymmetries,
puckering and infection. In some cases, patients may feel some tightness or pulling or may be able to feel
the threads. Since this technique is entirely reversible, unwanted effects are usually easily corrected under
local anesthesia.
Can a Contour ThreadLift be combined with botulinum toxin, fillers, peels or other cosmetic
procedures?
This procedure is an ideal complement to other facial rejuvenation techniques. It is not uncommon to have
a Contour ThreadLift combined with botulinum toxin to reduce facial muscle activity, dermal fillers to enhance
volume, or peels and laser therapy to improve skin texture. Chin augmentation and liposuction of the neck
are some of the other procedures that can be done in conjunction with a Contour ThreadLift.
Will I still be able to have a face lift or a brow lift at another time?
Yes. Developed by a board certified plastic surgeon, the unique design of Contour Threads makes it simple
for your physician to perform a traditional face lift, brow lift or neck procedure when you are ready.
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If you would like to find out more about Contour ThreadLifts from our Birmingham, Alabama cosmetic surgeons, feel free to contact us today.