SAN DIEGO, July 27 (UPI) -- A new technique can provide many of the same advantages of a facelift without the downtime and risks, according to a U.S. dermatologist.
Dr. Victor A. Neel, director of dermatological surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told the summer scientific meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology that thread lifts can be an alternative to a facelift for patients who want lifting and tightening of their cheeks, midface, jowls or eyebrows but don't want to undergo major surgery.
"Patients find that it gives a more natural result and is very easy to tolerate because it is done with local anesthetic in the doctor's office," Neel said.
The dermatologist places a special thread below the skin to lift the sagging skin and tissue and anchor it underneath the hairline to give the patient a more youthful look. Most patients can resume normal activities within a couple of days, according to Neel.
Side effects include bruising and swelling that can last for a week, and some patients have reported being able to see or feel the sutures under their skin. The procedure lasts two to three years and can be repeated, Neel said.
