The tension threads or how to tackle wrinkles?

The tension threads or how to tackle wrinkles?

According to the French Association of Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine, "the lifting threads aim to restore tension to the sagging areas of the skin on the face and neck, and to support the sagging subcutaneous tissues." }

These are surgical threads that attach inside the skin to keep it taut. The result is completely natural with visible skin rejuvenation immediately.

Thread lifts, a technique less radical than a facelift.

When tempted by a facelift to combat skin aging, the idea of surgical intervention can be frightening. Tension threads may represent a less invasive and, above all, less definitive alternative. Indeed, the procedure does not require general anesthesia. Rather recommended around the age of 45, to combat sagging due to the years, tension threads are absorbable, and their effect lasts between 18 and 24 months.

They will create tension under the skin to combat sagging or "ptosis".

They are inserted through a needle hole at the level of the hypodermis (the deepest layer of the skin, subcutaneous) and are invisible after placement. The doctor or cosmetic surgeon may start with an injection of hyaluronic acid to add volume, then proceed under local anesthesia to tighten the face using the threads.

How to choose them?

There are different generations of tension wires in which one can easily get lost; it is important to choose high-quality ones:

• Polydioxanone (PDO)
• Polylactic (PLA)
• Polycaprolactone (PCL)

The main difference is durability and flexibility (from 6 to 24 months). They are all of equivalent quality.

The PCLs are nevertheless less comfortable but last longer.

And different families:

• Mono: there is a thread on the needle and it can be placed in any part of the facial skin. We can mention the PDO basic from Croma for example.
• Mono screw: it is a thread wrapped around the needle and is mainly used for wrinkles and fine lines.
• COG thread: these are notched threads that create a true lifting result (the most effective), such as the PDO Barb II from Croma.

At Croma :

All threads are collagen inductors: they help to tighten the tissues and give a more plump appearance to the skin. However, as we advance in complexity (more notches, for example), they will create a framework for collagen.

To insert these wires, you have different options:

• The sharp needles, especially used with Mono Thread, are easy to insert as they do not require other needles to make the hole, but they have the disadvantage of needing multiple holes.
• The cannulas that have a rounded tip, which are consequently more difficult to insert, and require a needle but are very flexible, thus very safe and practical as they avoid arteries, veins, etc. They are more commonly used with serrated wires.

Next, you will need to choose the gauges (needle diameters), keeping in mind that the smaller the number in front of the G, the larger the size; as well as the millimeters that represent the length of the needle. These parameters are chosen based on the selected thread, the area, and the size of the area. This is, of course, medical equipment and of high quality.

Other parameters to pay attention to are the size of the notches as well as their number; for example, Anchor wires have 42 notches of 0.8mm while Anchor Plus have 60 of 0.9mm, thus the latter will have a more pulling effect.

How to use a tension thread?

The tension threads can be used to achieve a lifting result without surgery, combat sagging or drooping due to the years, or even lift jowls, smooth the neck, or redefine the oval of the face.

Here in this before/after of Doctor Essayagh, we observe a visible rejuvenation and a more defined facial oval and chin.

But they can also be used to create a fox eyes look, as Kylie Jenner did for example, or even at the chin area. These are treatments that many patients request from their doctor.

In short, it is possible to use thread lifts on almost any part of the face, whether they are fine and simple ones that stimulate collagen or thicker and notched ones for truly lifting or pulling certain areas of the face. To facilitate application, there are special threads for certain areas such as, for example, the WHITE ROSE Nose correction thread lifts for nose corrections, which is particularly fine, perfect for narrow areas like the inside of the nostrils, and its length adapts perfectly to corrections:

• From the wing of the nose,
• The nasolabial fold;
• The back of the nose;
• The nasal lobule;
• On the sides.

To summarize,

For optimal results, this technique must be used multiple times; the tensor effect and collagen induction will be more effective. More lasting results can be observed when combined with hyaluronic acid injections, which may or may not add volume, but they will not be permanent either.

Some rare side effects may occur, such as mild edema in the days following the treatment.

If you notice any lasting side effects following the treatment, please consult your doctor.

Furthermore, regarding medical contraindications, only a doctor will be able to decide whether or not to proceed with these techniques, as it is necessary to avoid overly thin skin or excessively distended skin surfaces.

We remind you that any intervention (placement of threads or injections of hyaluronic acid) must be carried out by a professional in aesthetic medicine. If you would like to know more about hyaluronic acid, you will find our detailed guide here!