POSTED UNDER NovaThreads Reviews
40-something woman & 1st time thread lift for signs of aging - worth it!
ORIGINAL POST
1st Timer for Thread Lift - Worth It!
WORTH IT$1,500
I'm a 40-something year old woman who just started to see the signs of aging (deeper smile lines, drooping nasolabial folds, some laxity in my mid-face area). I tried Juvederm dermal filler in the nasolabial fold area and, although it smoothed out my lines/folds for the first few weeks, the filler eventually migrated upwards so that I had lumps above the nasolabial folds (the dreaded "chipmunk cheeks") - which had the unfortunate effect of accentuating the fold. Definitely NOT what I wanted. So, a few days ago, I had some of the filler dissolved and I got a NovaThreads thread lift. It's only been a few days but, so far, I love the results. And, from what I understand, the results will only continue to improve as the threads stimulate collagen growth. Here are some facts about my treatment:
- I have a very high pain threshold. Still, it did sting/hurt a little during and after the procedure. My entire mid-face and lower face was numbed with a topical cream. After the numbing took effect, the doctor pricked me on the sides of my face (where the thread would be inserted) to further numb me. The pricks stung a bit. Once she inserted the threads, I didn't feel any pain, only some pressure. However, when the thread got closer to my mouth or the side of my cheeks, I did feel a pinch and a sting, like the feeling of getting a shot or a piercing. Then, once the numbing wore-off a few hours later, my mid-face and cheeks were a bit sore and I could feel some of the threads. How I would describe the overall process is, "at times, uncomfortable." It was not painful; but I did feel some discomfort during and after.
- The doctor first performed the thread lift on my right side and showed me the results so that I could compare against my left side. The effect was immediate! The right side of my face felt and looked tighter, plumper, and smoother. The smile lines and nasolabial fold had drastically softened and diminished. To be completely transparent, they are not 100% gone - but they are MUCH better than before and definitely MUCH better than the results I got from filler. The doctor also added some mini-threads around my nasolabial folds to help further lift and tighten that area. The mini-threads didn't hurt at all; I didn't even know she had inserted them!
- There are a couple of small dots/marks on each side of my face, near my temples, where she inserted the threads. Fortunately, these are very small marks and can eventually be covered with concealer. (My doctor cautioned me NOT to cover these marks with make-up until a few days or a week later, to allow them to heal and reduce any potential risk of infection.)
- In terms of recovery, I ate dinner a few hours after the procedure. But, I made sure to take smaller bites because I could feel the threads as I chewed. I could also feel the threads as I drank my water. In fact, when I yawned, on my right side, I heard a "pop" or "snap" that sounded like one of the thread barbs coming undone. I slightly freaked-out. But, my doctor assured me that all of this fine and normal, nothing to worry about. The primary thing to avoid is widening of my mouth and jaw (e.g., avoid going to the dentist, avoid eating a big burger, etc.). And she also asked that I avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours after the procedure.
- My face and cheeks still feel a little sore and they are ever-so-slightly swollen, but I can eat just fine (again, taking small bits). I am still avoiding excessive opening/widening my mouth and jaw so, absolutely no burgers or apples or corn, anything that would require me to open my mouth wide. (I am even trying to avoid yawning or, when I yawn, I only partially open my mouth.)
- I did NOT experience any bruising or excessive swelling. That said, I have very thick skin (literally, not just figuratively, lol). There is zero noticeable sign of threads under my skin.
- The results will last for about 6 months. My doctor was very realistic about this. I am planning to get another thread lift in 6 months and I already scheduled it.
- Overall, I definitely think it was worth it. That said, I do eventually plan to get a surgical face lift and I am only using thread lifts to tie me over until I get a surgical face lift. (Despite what Hollywood culture prescribes, I think I'm too young for a face lift and I know I look too young for a face lift. I'd rather wait a couple of years and, until then, use thread lifts to hold me over. I already spoke to a nurse at the plastic surgery clinic who said that the only thing I need to do before getting my face lift consultation is allow the NovaThreads to fully dissolve so that my natural face and the normal signs of aging are evident, so that the plastic surgeon knows how to operate.)
- I have a very high pain threshold. Still, it did sting/hurt a little during and after the procedure. My entire mid-face and lower face was numbed with a topical cream. After the numbing took effect, the doctor pricked me on the sides of my face (where the thread would be inserted) to further numb me. The pricks stung a bit. Once she inserted the threads, I didn't feel any pain, only some pressure. However, when the thread got closer to my mouth or the side of my cheeks, I did feel a pinch and a sting, like the feeling of getting a shot or a piercing. Then, once the numbing wore-off a few hours later, my mid-face and cheeks were a bit sore and I could feel some of the threads. How I would describe the overall process is, "at times, uncomfortable." It was not painful; but I did feel some discomfort during and after.
- The doctor first performed the thread lift on my right side and showed me the results so that I could compare against my left side. The effect was immediate! The right side of my face felt and looked tighter, plumper, and smoother. The smile lines and nasolabial fold had drastically softened and diminished. To be completely transparent, they are not 100% gone - but they are MUCH better than before and definitely MUCH better than the results I got from filler. The doctor also added some mini-threads around my nasolabial folds to help further lift and tighten that area. The mini-threads didn't hurt at all; I didn't even know she had inserted them!
- There are a couple of small dots/marks on each side of my face, near my temples, where she inserted the threads. Fortunately, these are very small marks and can eventually be covered with concealer. (My doctor cautioned me NOT to cover these marks with make-up until a few days or a week later, to allow them to heal and reduce any potential risk of infection.)
- In terms of recovery, I ate dinner a few hours after the procedure. But, I made sure to take smaller bites because I could feel the threads as I chewed. I could also feel the threads as I drank my water. In fact, when I yawned, on my right side, I heard a "pop" or "snap" that sounded like one of the thread barbs coming undone. I slightly freaked-out. But, my doctor assured me that all of this fine and normal, nothing to worry about. The primary thing to avoid is widening of my mouth and jaw (e.g., avoid going to the dentist, avoid eating a big burger, etc.). And she also asked that I avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours after the procedure.
- My face and cheeks still feel a little sore and they are ever-so-slightly swollen, but I can eat just fine (again, taking small bits). I am still avoiding excessive opening/widening my mouth and jaw so, absolutely no burgers or apples or corn, anything that would require me to open my mouth wide. (I am even trying to avoid yawning or, when I yawn, I only partially open my mouth.)
- I did NOT experience any bruising or excessive swelling. That said, I have very thick skin (literally, not just figuratively, lol). There is zero noticeable sign of threads under my skin.
- The results will last for about 6 months. My doctor was very realistic about this. I am planning to get another thread lift in 6 months and I already scheduled it.
- Overall, I definitely think it was worth it. That said, I do eventually plan to get a surgical face lift and I am only using thread lifts to tie me over until I get a surgical face lift. (Despite what Hollywood culture prescribes, I think I'm too young for a face lift and I know I look too young for a face lift. I'd rather wait a couple of years and, until then, use thread lifts to hold me over. I already spoke to a nurse at the plastic surgery clinic who said that the only thing I need to do before getting my face lift consultation is allow the NovaThreads to fully dissolve so that my natural face and the normal signs of aging are evident, so that the plastic surgeon knows how to operate.)
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