Contour threads - the non-invasive facelift

In this business, there always seems to be the "next big thing", with promises of results that are almost too good to be true. That should arouse your suspicions - I'm sure you can bet how this one is going to turn out...

A few years back, there was a lot of excitement about a new technique for lifting the face, neck or brow. Special sutures - variously known as "Aptos" threads or Contour threads, depending on the manufacturer, were to be introduced under the skin, suspending the soft tissues of the face with their unique barbed design. The effect, it was hoped, would be a non-invasive method of facelifting.

Physicians, particularly non-plastic surgeons, jumped on this - as a way to give the patient a facelift-like effect without actually having to perform the complicated facelift surgery.

Well, the fatty tissues of the face are famous for not retaining sutures like this very well. The phenomenon, known as "cheese-wiring", results in a loosening of the suspension effect, in fairly short order. It's been known about for decades, so it wasn't any surprise when reports of problems started popping up. Patients who had paid several thousand dollars for the procedure were particularly displeased when their results disappeared in weeks to months! Even surgeons who honestly presented their data at medical meetings admitted, at best, the thread-lift probably didn't last more than 18 to 24 months.

Problems of being able to feel the sutures beneath the skin were also reported. Some were painful. Others eroded through the skin, and had to be removed.

Moral of the story: if you need a facelift or neck lift - get a real facelift (or neck lift). And don't let your friends waste their money on a thread lift. When you do less - you get less.