21 Mar Study Reveals Why a Surgical Brow Lift is Better than Trending “Thread Lifts”
We’re living in an era where non-surgical alternatives are trending, but there’s only so much non-surgical solutions can do—and when it comes to addressing sagging and folds in the brow region, you might want to think twice about a thread lift. At RefinedMD, we only offer surgical brow lifts because this procedure has been shown in numerous studies to offer great, long-lasting results. As for a thread lift, which uses Polydioxanone (PDO) threads, it’s a short-term solution in comparison.
One study analyzed data from a private clinic in Ankara, Turkey, where 50 women underwent thread lifts. These lifts require local anesthesia and entry points marked between the lateral canthus and the lateral tip of the eyebrow. Threads were then introduced strategically, resulting in an immediate repositioning of descended brows with minimal downtime.
How Thread Lifts Unfold
Fast forward three weeks, and the position of eyebrows improved for 16% of patients, much improved for 36%, and very much improved for a whopping 48% according to the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). The satisfaction survey brought more excitement: 40% were satisfied and 60% were extremely satisfied. These are great figures, but you can expect the same (or perhaps better) results with a surgical brow lift.
Threads, whether absorbable or non-absorbable, have been part of the beauty landscape for a while. PDO threads, the material triggering collagen synthesis, add an extra layer of oomph to the lift. Providers weave through multiple tissue planes and tie knots for added stability. While the literature often questions thread lifts for midface rejuvenation, eyebrows seem to be the exception. Like a surgical lift, thread lifts offer immediate results—but the lift doesn’t last.
The Downside
This study reveals that the procedure’s effects last for about 15 months. For those seeking results beyond this timeframe, a surgical brow lift might be the better option. Bear in mind that if you love the results of a thread facelift, which is likely, you will need to have it performed on nearly an annual basis. That is a lot of expense when a surgical lift can last for several years. Plus, it is very common to combine a brow lift with an upper eyelid lift and/or lower eyelid lift (which is not possible with a thread lift). This means you can combine surgeries, compound anesthesia and downtime, and get much better results with surgery because you’re addressing sagging and wrinkles around the eyes and not just the brow.
The researchers do point out that there are limits to the study, what with it being retrospective with a modest sample size. Still, other studies and experts of thread facelifts alike say that thread lifts only last 12 – 18 months on average. It might be a good fit for someone who wants to see if surgical intervention is in their future, a means of “trying on a surgical facelift” of sorts. Just remember that you can’t actually compare the two. Surgery is surgery and a thread “lift” just … is not.
Consulting for Surgery
If you do think a brow lift and/or eyelid lift(s) are for you, the first step is scheduling a consultation with a facial surgery expert. You don’t want a jack of all trades with surgery, so make sure the surgeons you’re considering are board-certified and specialize in just a few procedures. Before and after galleries are a great way to see if they have a history of rendering the kind of results you want.
A low, sagging brow can make you look older than you are and oftentimes angry. Brow lifts not only turn back the clock but shift your appearance to a more positive light. Our faces are our first impressions, and you deserve to give it your best. Today’s surgical brow lifts usually call for much smaller incisions than in the past, which leads to a surprisingly quick downtime and easy-to-hide incision scars. To learn more or to schedule your consultation at RefinedMD, give us a call or fill out the contact form now.