Featherlift^®/Contour Threads^®/ Thread lift

As we age, gravity and muscle action create changes in the tension and elasticity of facial skin. This leads to sagging skin, wrinkles, creases and deep grooves around the mouth and in the forehead. Many patients are concerned with correcting these outward signs of aging as well as other physical imperfections in the facial area.

For many patients treatment with soft tissue fillers, such as collagen, Restylane® and Radiesse™, can be inefficient and require repeat treatments. This is because these patients need more than soft tissue replacement, but are not ready for a full facelift.

Featherlift^®

Many physicans now offer a new, more economical, non-surgical procedure called a Featherlift which can give a lasting lift to sagging facial tissues without the expense and prolonged recovery of a full facelift. The procedure is safe, simple, conservative and leaves no visible traces of the procedure on the skin. It can make a patient look five to seven years younger.

How does a Featherlift work?

The Featherlift uses a patented suture material called an “APTOS” thread made of Proline. The unique feature of this suture is the hundreds of tiny barbs that are laser cut all over its surface.

The procedure is done using local anesthesia and can take from thirty minutes to one hour. Your doctor gently threads the APTOS suture through your sagging tissues and then retracts it. This gentle retraction causes the barbs to lock onto and lift the sagging tissues, allowing your doctor to reposition them under the skin. Once in position, your body begins generating new collagen around each barb to hold them in place.

Who are the best candidates for a Featherlift?

The best candidates are patients with:

• Mild to moderate sagging of soft tissues of the face and neck
• Premature aging and sun damage
• Weakly pronounced aesthetic features and contours
• A flaccid, flat face

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure only takes about thirty minutes and is performed using local anesthesia.

How many treatments will I need?

One treatment is all that is needed.

What areas respond the best to a Featherlift?

• Eyebrows can be elevated
• Cheeks can be lifted
• Jowls can be elevated and reduced
• Neck and jaw lines can be tightened

How does a Featherlift differ from a conventional facelift?

A Featherlift is a much less invasive procedure. As a result, it only requires local anesthesia so there is much less risk and no recovery due to the general anesthesia that is required for a facelift. A Featherlift is done on an out-patient basis in your doctor's office. And the final difference is that a Featherlift is much less expensive than a facelift.

What about scars?

Since the procedure is performed with needles there are no incisions and therefore no visible scars.

How long do the results last?

Most Featherlift patients are happy with their results which are holding tightly after about five years.

What is recovery like?

Following a Featherlift downtime is minimal. You probably won’t even need bandages. However, you may want to apply some ice to reduce swelling. Most patients resume full normal activities in two to three days.

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