Silhouette Lift or Facelift for 34 Year Old Woman?

Thread lifts of any kind including the Silouette Lift, Countour Lift, etc just don't last. The small barbs on the sutures (threads) just pull through the soft tissue of your fact until you are left with little signs of improvement and permanent foreign bodies (i.e. threads) left behind. There are a number of mini facelifts to choose from with minimal scars rather than a traditional facelift. My advice is to see a board certified plastic or facial plastic surgeon to see if you are a good candidate.

Thank you for your question.  The Silhouette Lift consists of small entry points made in your skin by a needle.  There is no scalpel used.  No incision scars.  This is all good news if someday you might need or want a formal facelift/necklift.  You can also receive another Silhouette Lift a couple years after the first if you are still not ready/not a candidate for a facelift  The material is the same that we use with Sculptra injectable.  Often patients will come back every few years for a touch up.  34 is usually early for a formal Facelift/Necklift.  Best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Otolaryngologist, (ENT).  They will be able to let you know what might work best in your case, (Silhouette Lift vs. Fillers vs. Surgery), as they do all of the above.  Please call with any questions.
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

The Silhouette Instalift consists of absorbable threads fitted with mini-cones that lift the lower facial skin and stimulate collagen.  The jawline can often be improved with the Silhouette Instalift, as well.  This is a fairly pain free procedure performed with local anesthesia in the office.  There are restrictions for a week or two to your activities, after the procedure, to ensure that the cones stay in position.  Within a few days you will see a refreshed results that is natural looking. Your appearance will actually improve over the 6 months that it takes for the threads and cones to absorb and, in doing so, stimulate your native collagen. A surgical facelift is for more extensive laxity of the facial tissues. It lifts the mid-face, smooths the jawline and tightens the sagging neck.  The healing phase is longer but for the appropriate individual it is a great rejuvenating procedure. The question arises why a 34 year old would require either procedure. Unless there is a large amount of loose and sagging tissue from weight loss it would be preferable to seek out other alternatives.

Thank you for your question.  The Silhouette Instalift is a minimally invasive solution that delivers a great option to patients for whom a facelift surgery is not their preferred approach. There have been several different suture lifts in the past that may have been pulled off the market because due to complications.  The Instalift differs in that the material is resorbable and the suture material actually stimulates collagen as well.  One of the main materials used in the Instalift is the main active ingredient in Sculptra which is commonly used by advanced injectors for facial rejuvenation for collagen stimulation.  In addition, Instalift uses bi-directional cones to reposition the subdermal tissue and facial skin to a more lifted and youthful position.  Over time the implanted sutures and cones also stimulate your own collagen for natural and long lasting results. Please contact a Silhouette certified physician for a consultation.  Best of luck!

   If you are concerned about the tear trough, Restylane to the area may be a better choice and far less invasive.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

As a Facial Plastic Surgeon I have significant experience in correcting the problems related to thread lifts. The threads often extrude, coil up, become infected or simply fail. Its not a useful technique and is really just a fad. You are much safer at your age to have conservative maintenance treatment with skin care, fillers and Botox if needed. Don't believe the hype. Attached here is a video that explains age related changes to our facial features over time. Cheers!

Dear c1ro, Thanks for sharing a photo. It does not adequately provide enough information so I recommend the following general remarks.Obtain proper consultation by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate you, your desires, medical history and skin laxity and/or skin excess. For laxity, consider non-invasive Obagi, ZO Skin Health tightening, minimally invasive dermal threads (such as newer EuroThread), Sculptra and ThermiTIGHT.For lifting of the deeper tissues, ThermiTIGHT and barbed EuroThreads have worked well in my hands.For skin and deeper tissue laxity and excess, consider a Brow, Face, Neck lift as required. I wish you well!

The Silhouette
InstaliftTM is a minimally-invasive FDA approved fully absorbable
suture procedure to lift, recontour, and reposition midfacial subdermal (below the skin) tissues.  Studies are coming out that show very high safety profiles and high patient satisfaction scores.  
The sutures are not a replacement for surgery and will not get patients
a facelift result.  The Silhouette Instalift is ideal for patients with mild to moderate aging changes in the mid-face including nasolabial folds, flat cheeks, down turned corners of the mouth and marionette folds.  These patients are usually not quite ready for a facelift.  Patients with very loose skin and thin skin are not good candidates for this procedure.  
Being a good candidate depends on many factors including your facial examination, expectations, and goals.  I recommend a consultation with a qualified surgeon in your area to discuss the procedure and determine if you are a good candidate.  Since results with the suture procedure are more subtle, you may want more dramatic results or longer-lasting results that you would only get with a surgical lift.   In my opinion and experience, the Silhouette Instalift procedure is an option for you.  A consultation with a qualified surgeon will help determine if it is the best option.  

Personally I don’t recommend face lifts until the patient is much older. Anything you have done will still be affected by gravity, health, and aging. So why start with the most invasive, painful procedure?  It will pull tired skin tighter over bones. Think along the lines of making your skin healthier.  Things like Botox is a paralysis and a poison. Face lifts pull thin old skin tighter over bones. We use Thermi which is a natural, intense deep heating, which is temperature controlled.  Thermi stimulates collagen production. Silhouette Instalift is also a stimulant of collagen. Then add the addition of collagen to your diet while working on your overall health. You will be amazed at how great you feel and look. 

The great thing about Silhouette Instalift is that it's a non-surgical procedure that is done in about 45 min to an hour. The Doctor will use local anesthesia and requires no incisions. On the other hand, a Facelift is more extensive and it does require incisions to lift the skin of the face. Please note that there are more factors with this procedure, for example recovery time, bruising, swelling and soreness. If you would like to get more information, meet with a board certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss both procedures along with the pros and cons. Good luck!