The ever-changing aesthetic industry seems to have hundreds of trends every year targeted toward new ways to look younger and prettier. The desire to meet new beauty standards is something that has always been around and will never seize to change. Fortunately, what is nice about new developmental technologies is that this somewhat, makes it more afford for some when compared to the traditional surgical facelifts.
While shadowing in a private dental office, I came across a procedure called "PDO thread lifts". PDO threads are polydioxanone threads (sutures), that have made its way from heart surgeries to facelifts. Facial lifting threads is increasing in popularity as it is minimally invasive, has minimized scarring, faster recovery, and fewer complications compared the standard surgery for face lifts (Anh et al., 2019). The procedure is relatively simple and can even be done by licensed non-medical professionals. Essentially, the barbed sutures serves as hooks; it is inserted into the subcutaneous fat with a hollow needle in the face and neck (Bertossi et al., 2018). It is then pulled back and the suture is cut, giving the face a lifted look. The suture is absorbable by the body therefore, the immune system is able to degrade it over a period of four to six months. Because the suture is a powerful collagen stimulant, this tightens and rejuvenates the skin.
As amazing as this sounds, it does come with complications especially if the procedure is done incorrectly. Common complications include thread extrusion, sensory abnormality, and dimpling. In severe cases, parotid gland injury (Bertossi et al., 2018). A seemingly minor procedure could lead to long term complications. This is something to consider before rushing to get that Kendell Jenner snatched look through a Groupon discount. As there is a growing popularity in facial injectables and rapid availability for patients, it is important to not get caught up in the latest trend without doing prior research and finding experts knowledgeable of the potential adverse effects.
References:
Ahn, Seung, Choi, Hwan & Jun MD, PhD. (2019). Complication After PDO Threads Lift. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 30, e467-e469. https://doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0000000000005644
Bertossi, D., Botti, G., Gualdi, A., Fundarò, P., Nocini, R., Pirayesh, A., & van der Lei, B. (2018). Effectiveness, Longevity, and Complications of Facelift by Barbed Suture Insertion. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(3), 241-247. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjy042
Super interesting post! The title really pulled me in because of its oddness, but I really enjoyed this and had no idea this was even an option. I think people should be careful like you said because if done wrong the complications would not be very good. Also, I don't think I would personally trust anyone but a surgeon to put a "barbed wire" into my skin, but that's just me! I also looked up how long it lasts and an article from the website American Society of Plastic Surgeons, stated that it lasts from 1-3 years whereas a typical facelift can last up to a decade. Even though it doesn't last as long as a traditional, I do agree with you that this is the more affordable option for people that want one!
ReplyDeleteKevin Tehrani, M. (2018, July 31). What you need to know about thread lifts. Retrieved from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-thread-lifts