As you age, your facial skin changes as it begins to sag and wrinkle. Procedures such as thread lifts and dermal fillers can help maintain youthful facial features. These, in the right hands, can be incredibly effective tools to refresh your look. By lifting sagging skin or revolumizing where bone and fat loss have occurred over the years, a good practitioner can make you look healthier and years younger.
That said, the procedure of choice will depend on your expected results and requires a thorough evaluation of your individual facial anatomy and skin. Here's a breakdown of both techniques to help you make the best decision for you.
Thread Lift
This minimally invasive procedure uses mostly barbed polydioxanone (PDO) threads (there are other threads available too) under the skin surface to lift tissue on the neck and face. They work to reposition tissues and, in the process, tighten the skin in common problematic areas like the jawline, nasolabial folds, marionettes, and under the chin. However, Just about any area on the face and body can be treated with threads with varying degrees of success including the brows, arms, buttocks, loose abdominal skin and even the breasts.
When used in the appropriate candidate with proper technique, this procedure provides mild to moderate lift, achieved with barbs that are attached to the threads and activated upon placement. These barbs act as lifting hooks that reposition tissue at a higher place, creating not only lift, but also contour and definition by putting the fat pockets of the face closer to their original anatomical position. Over the next 2-3 months, the threads are absorbed into the skin, and the body will build a collagen scaffolding around them that will maintain the results for the next year or so. Typically, the more threads we place, and the better "vector" design, the more lift you can get. A way to simulate at home (though the real experience will be different) and get a rough idea of what a jawline thread lift might look like, place your fingers on the cheek bone area and lift diagonally up with light strength. Now remember, your fingers are not threads, this is just a rough estimation! Once you do that you will understand why this treatment is called the lunchtime facelift. It's a relatively comfortable and quick treatment and the results are amazing without surgery or downtime!
Dermal Fillers
Fillers work best for replacing volume loss in areas such as the cheeks, chin, jawline, temples, or lips. They help give you a plumper, well-sculpted look. Along with neuromodulators (Botox or Dysport), revolumizing the face with dermal fillers should always be considered especially in the volume depleted, aging face. While threads do stimulate collagen production and are a wonderful option to reposition and lift sagging issue, they are of limited value in replacing significant volume loss that is typically seen in your 40s and beyond. By replacing lost volume with dermal fillers, not only we can bring back youthful facial features such as naturally contoured cheeks and defined jawline, but if done expertly, we can also create a good amount of lifting of sagging tissue.
Once the face has retained its youthful volume and proportions, the threads can really shine and lift sagging tissue beyond what's possible with fillers alone. This is especially important in the slightly older age group, when continually chasing a "tight and lifted" look with fillers alone, can result in over injected, featureless, and puffy faces also known as the "pillow face". This is what thread lifting is really supposed to do: take your results to the next level after having replaced lost volume and addressed underlying skin quality issues with skin care, and possibly chemical peels and lasers. However, younger patients with decent volume but early signs of sagging skin are an exception to this rule: we can often create a nice contouring and lifting effect with just a few barbed threads and bypass fillers altogether.
These treatments can be performed over time and can give very satisfying results. However, it is important to choose an experienced and well-versed practitioner not just to be safe, but to achieve optimum results! Deep understanding of anatomy, proportions and expert techniques is required to layer these treatments sequentially and appropriately for each patient to yield their own unique desirable outcome. Many injectors follow a cookie cutter approach, repeating the same injection or treatment points and the same product everyone. No two individuals are the same, and nor should be their treatment approach. Make sure to understand your injectors experience, look at their results before you sign up. Sometimes the best deals don’t turn out to be deals at all. And, since there is no cookie cutter approach, the best way to understand which procedure to choose and at what order is to come in for a complimentary consultation. There we can discuss goals together, budget, and optimal approach.
To learn more about what we offer at Vboutique you can call or text (561)357-2020 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Meet Dr. Vanden Bosch!
Dr. V - Neda Vanden Bosch is the primary cosmetic physician at VBoutique. She is an accomplished physician with extensive training and experience with dermal fillers, collagen stimulators, laser and radiofrequency treatment, as well as skin care. Dr. V is licensed in 10 states. She is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.
Dr. V combines her artistry and deep understanding of facial aging with expert technique, and a variety of cutting edge laser devices to craft individual treatment plans for facial rejuvenation and body contouring. She also has exclusive access to the latest and most innovative aesthetic treatments available in the United States.
She is a highly-trained physician and sought after injector of dermal fillers and neurotoxins. With 10 years of experience in aesthetic medicine, she is a faculty member of the prestigious Galderma Injection Training Network (GAIN) and trains physicians how to perform cosmetic procedures. Dr. V was recently named to Galderma's Top 100 Injectors.
Dr. V has treated thousands of patients with injectables and has numerous of hours of experience perfecting specialized injection placement to correct facial volume loss and facial asymmetries. Preciseness with a woman's deft touch means the best and longest lasting results from volume replacement treatments.
Merz Aesthetics recognizes her as a highly regarded "Elite Provider" of Radiesse and Belotero dermal fillers, as well as neuromodulators. Dr. V is a participating physician in Allergan's Brilliant Distinctions Program for its Botox, Juvederm and Latisse products, and Galderma’s “Aspire Rewards” Program.
Most recently, Dr. V was named a "Top Doctor" by online, aesthetic and cosmetic treatment community Realself.com. This recognition is awarded to less than 10% of doctors on the website.
The VBoutique Philosophy
The VBoutique Aesthetics & Wellness approach is natural with a gentle restoration to a youthful look, but it’s also warm, capturing the essence of who you are – unveiling your own beauty.
It takes years to truly comprehend the face as a whole, how bone, fat and muscle function and change together as we age.
The first step to treatment is consultation, a frank discussion with you. Our goal is for you to feel empowered with a clear understanding of what is actually happening to your face, body or both.
With minimally-invasive procedures, there is less down time and lower cost. Today, we have numerous tools at our disposal. We can make people look and feel years younger without looking fake or different, often in a single session. It boosts confidence and optimism. It can be life-changing.
Our business grows through recognition of our work. People see their friends and love their look, and then they come see us. Our patients look like themselves, only more youthful and well rested. It's fresh and natural. There are no exaggerated features.
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