Jowls and Sagging Skin

What is Threadlift?

Dr Mei-Heng Tan performs the ThreadLift procedure with tiny surgical sutures to gently lift and support sagging eyebrows, drooping cheeks and jowls, and sagging of the jawline and neck.

It is a no scar, minimally invasive, safe and effective procedure that offers subtle, natural-looking results.

Ideal candidates for a ThreadLift are women and men in their thirties through sixties with moderate drooping of the soft tissues of the brow, face and neck, who want a more dramatic and long lasting effect than fillers and Botox® or other treatments can provide, but do not want a full face lift or brow lift procedure.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes less than 1-1½ hours to complete. Patients are able to go home soon after, and can return to work within 2-3 days to 1 week after the procedure.

The threads have tiny, lateral extensions that grasp on to and lift the soft tissues. The clear threads are inserted in precise locations behind the hairline, and once under the skin, open in an umbrella like fashion to form a support structure, creating a suspension effect that gently lifts and repositions sagging tissues into a more youthful position. The surrounding tissues act to hold the threads in place. Once in position, the body generates new collagen bundles that surround each thread to help maintain the lifting effect.

During the time of consultation, Dr Tan demonstrates the relative amount of lift that a threadlift procedure can achieve. The procedure can be combined with other lift enhancing techniques and does not preclude a more definitive facelift in the future.

Dr. Tan and her staff will be happy to discuss this procedure with you. Call for a private consultation or email Dr Tan with any enquiries you may have. 

What is Thermage?

Thermage is a safe, non-laser energy, radio-frequency device that allows for tightening of skin without surgery or injury to the skin's top layer (epidermis). It was developed as the result of extensive research by Thermage, Inc. (Hayward, CA).

How does the Thermage work?

The energy delivered with this device tightens skin tissue at varied levels while cooling the outer layers of skin. Deep, intense, uniform, sustained heat in the tissue underneath the surface of the skin will produce contraction of collagen and tightening of loose skin. This leads to cosmetic improvement without any obvious wound.

Is the procedure suitable for me? This treatment can accomplish what has been unobtainable with prior laser devices. Those who wish to forestall a surgical facelift or surgical browlift can accomplish some tissue tightening. Those who want to tighten lose abdominal, knee, arm or elbow skin can do the same. Treatment is undertaken and a patient immediately returns to normal daily activities. This technology is not meant to replace a more aggressive surgical procedure. It is an ideal alternative for the younger person who is just beginning to see some jowls, drooping of their eyebrows or hanging skin elsewhere on the body.

What areas can be treated?

Tightening skin in certain key areas can be advantageous for cosmetic improvement. For example: Treating the skin of the forehead can lift the eyebrows and enhance the appearance of the eyes, making the eyes look more open, less tired, more alert. Previously, this result could only be obtained with major surgery or Botox.

Other areas of the face, such as, the skin of the cheeks, jaw line, and upper neck can also be treated to reduce sagging and tighten the skin. Other areas of the body are currently being tested.

Is it painful?

With each pulse there is a sensation of heat in the area. An anesthetic cream applied one-hour prior to the procedure will make this quite tolerable.

Fortunately this heat sensation lasts only a couple of seconds and is followed by a cool sensation, which also helps with the discomfort felt. This is the result of the use of cryogen spray, which is delivered before, during, and after the application of heat.

How long will the procedure take?

The procedure itself may take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours, depending on the size of the area being treated.

Do I need special preparation?

You may continue to use your topical creams and any oral medications up until the time of the procedure. Please avoid wearing jewelry and makeup on the day of your appointment.

When can I return to my normal activities?

You may return to your activities immediately, as there is no down time. Minimal redness is seen in some patients, but it disappears within an hour. Swelling, bruising, and pain are uncommon after the procedure. There is no special care needed afterwards either, unless you develop crusting which can occur rarely. If crusting is seen, Bactroban ointment should be applied twice daily.

When will the results show?

Although in some patients the results are seen immediately, in most patients changes will occur gradually over 4 to 6 months or even up to a year. Since the effects are so gradual, the patient may not be aware of the extent of the changes. Photographic comparison with pre-operative pictures usually will demonstrate the difference.

How many treatments will I need?

 For many patients one treatment will suffice. Repeat treatments may be needed for others.

When can I have another treatment?

A decision regarding further treatment can be made as early as three months; however, since benefits are delayed, a more accurate evaluation can be made at 6 months or even up to a year after treatment. Further treatment should not begin for 6 months after the initial procedure.