Silhouette Lift

The Silhouette Lift is one of the newest methods of facelift, using FDA-approved absorbable Silhouette sutures. The special design of small biodegradable cones on the thread provides very tight adhesion and suspension over loose tissues. The material of cones, poly L-lactic acid, absorbed by body within half a year, will also stimulate collagens to regenerate to improve elasticity and texture of skin, reaching a double result of lifting and regenerating.  This effective and long lasting method is independently used for patients with mild to moderate face sagging, and can also create a V-shaped youth effect for the face, lasting for 3~5 years on average.

The procedure is performed by inserting the suture 1.5cm in to the scalp skin with a fine needle, holding the sutures in place with resorbable cones oriented in opposite directions.  Three to four threads can be applied to each side of the cheek, depending on the level of sagging and once the pulling directions and strengths are confirmed to be symmetrical, the procedures is completed by closing the small insertion point.  The application of this procedure is very flexible; it can be independently used for regional adjustments on places just as the eyebrows, nasolabial folds, corner of the mouth, or jaw line.  The results are quite effective in improving patient’s skin elasticity and flattening wrinkles.

It can also provide an overall lifting of the whole face, offering a more effective, cheaper alternative compared with a facelift surgery or other anti-aging aesthetic treatments such as Thermage or Ultherapy. Nevertheless, the higher level of sagging, the more number of threads needed, thus patients of older age may not be suitable for such type of mildly invasive procedure.  It’s important that each individual’s skin conditions and indications are carefully evaluated before adopting this method and get maximum results.

Surgical conditions

Duration

0hr
  • Type of anesthesia: IV sedation + local anesthesia
  • Type of incision: An incision of approximately 1.5 cm in the scalp within the hairline. Approximately 3–4 needle holes on the cheek
  • Recovery: 3–5 days
  • Removal of sutures: 7–10 days

General instructions

No food and water on the day of surgery

0hr
  • Drastic mouth-opening gestures and squeezing of face is prohibited within one month after
    the procedure.
  • Smoking, alcohol consumption, or irritating food should be avoided for 2 months postoperatively.
  • Facial massage or irritation should be avoided for 3 months postoperatively.
  • Filler or fat injection in the facial area where the thread is embedded should be avoided for 6 months postoperatively.

Ideal candidates

  • Mild sagging for young or middle aged patients.
  • Patients with mild to moderate cheek or nasolabial fold sagging.
  • Patients unsatisfied with non-surgical Ulthera or Thermage therapy.
  • Patients who have previously undergone a facelift without an obvious result.
  • Patients with premature skin laxity due to facial bone reduction.
  • Patients unable to accept a traditional facelift such as SMAS or MACS lift.
  • Patients desiring youth-V-shaped face.

Potential complications

  • Incomplete correction
  • Temporary facial stiffness or numbness
  • Temporary sunken needle hole on the cheek
  • Foreign body reaction, thread knot exposure
  • Irregular sunken skin

Surgical advantages

  1. Extremely minimally invasive with rapid recovery.

  2. Results are immediate and obvious.

  3. Results last longer than other thread lifts.

  4. No need for major surgery to obtain a better tightening result than what an Ulthera or a Thermage can offer.

  5. No risk of nerve injury.

  6. Able to conduct thread lifting from different directions and parts depending on patients’ requirements and not subject to incisions.

  7. Able to be repetitively performed.

  8. Scar-free.

Surgical drawbacks

  1. Surgical results not as long lasting as traditional face lift.

  2. Patients over a certain age or those with severe sagging are not suitable for this treatment.

  3. Possible thread knot exposure or foreign body reaction.

  4. Temporarily sunken needle hole on the other side of cheek

  5. Possible irregular sunken skin if silhouette too close to surface.

  6. Can get pricy as number of silhouettes increases.

Possible procedures in conjunction