A thread lift is a less invasive facial rejuvenation treatment. For some people, it is an effective alternative to a facelift. If you plan on having a thread lift, you may want to follow a few dos and don’ts after a thread lift to ensure your skin heals well and you get the best results possible.
A successful thread lift stimulates collagen production and uses the skin’s natural healing process to rejuvenate your skin.
Keep in mind that individual results vary by person. We hope knowing how to care for yourself after the procedure helps you heal well. Since you have invested in your face, chances are you want to do everything you can to help your skin heal smoothly.
Preparing for Your Thread Lift
Ask your provider for specific instructions to prep for your thread lift procedure. While some general tips apply, your provider may have custom-tailored recommendations for you based on your skin type, lifestyle, and any health issues.
Plan to give your skin time to heal. This means plan not to have dental work, facials, or heat spa treatments for at least four weeks while you heal.
During the 2-weeks leading up to your treatment, avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, dental work, and vaccines. The day before, limit consumption of elective blood thinners, including over-the-counter supplements like fish oil and aspirin. Talk with your doctor and provider for more specific advice if you take medications.
Aiding Healing Process for the First 24-Hours
First, it helps to understand what to expect. Many people notice a tugging sensation and a little tenderness in the treated area for the first few days to a week. As you heal, that should diminish and go away. With a few modifications, you should be able to return to your normal life with minimal downtime.
Bruising is common, and you may apply Arnica to help any bruises heal. Another option is to use bromelain in Facial Aesthetics. People heal from bruises at different rates. Usually, it takes between one and two weeks to heal.
Apply a cold compress to help reduce any swelling and ease the discomfort. Just avoid using ice directly on your delicate skin since you don’t want to get frostbite. Apply the compresses every 30-minutes for the first 24 hours after the treatment.
Your skin will be sensitive, especially the injection points. Avoid touching the thread entry points as much as possible while they heal. Also, don’t wear makeup for the first 12 hours today. Wait at least four hours before you lie down.
Some providers also recommend you avoid washing your face or hair or getting your face wet for the first 24 hours.
This may seem like a lot of dos and don’ts, but remember, the goal during the first 24 hours is to allow your sensitive, tender skin to rest and start its natural healing process. Thread lifts cause mild injuries that trigger healing, which rejuvenates the skin.
The First Few Days Are Crucial for Healing
Your skin will continue to heal over the first few days. Since thread lifts are minimally invasive, you will experience less downtime than a facelift and may resume much of your day-to-day life. You will want to make a few exceptions for the first few days.
Sleep on your back for the first few days, as side sleeping may put too much pressure on your healing skin. Also, sleeping on your side or front may cause the threads to move or shift. Get plenty of sleep to aid healing. Carefully follow the aftercare routine recommended by your provider:
- If you were prescribed antibiotics, follow your course precisely as recommended
- After the first 24 hours, try bromelain if you still have swelling
- If you feel pain, consider taking Tylenol as recommended and within the allowed safe dosage. Be sure to read the medication’s packaging for details
Resume your normal skincare routine a day later. First, check with your provider to make sure it is okay. For example, avoid facial massage for a couple of months, so you would also want to avoid masks, skin brushing, and other treatments that involve self-massage.
Keep your follow-up appointment, giving your provider a chance to monitor your healing and results.
If you experience infection, fever, intense pain, or any rare concerning symptoms, contact your provider. If the symptoms are serious, like a fever, visit your primary care doctor, an after-hours care center, or urgent care.
Over the Next Few Weeks
Over the next few weeks to months, your skin continues to heal. The results from your thread lift may start to emerge. While thread lifts are not instant, most people start noticing results within four weeks of the treatment as the swelling goes down. The results typically peak around six months and start tapering down after about one year.
Take a few weeks to a month off from vigorous exercise. Gently walking and general activity are fine. Also, avoid overheating, such as hot tubs, saunas, and facials with steam treatment as this may affect the longevity of your threads.
During that time, also avoid consuming alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is a diuretic that can dehydrate and take important nutrients from your skin. Also, it increases blood pressure, which you want to avoid for the first month after your thread lift.
You may have some light scabbing. Please avoid picking at the scab since that will interfere with your healing and could lead to scarring. Many find taking an OTC (over-the-counter) oral antihistamine such as Benadryl can help reduce itching as they heal.
Plan to avoid dental work for the first three to four weeks after your thread lift for your own comfort and healing. Whenever possible, schedule any planned dental appointments minimally 2-weeks before your thread lift. Also, avoid large or exaggerated facial expressions.
If you smoke, please quit for at least four weeks. Nicotine elevates blood pressure and hinders healing. This includes patches, gum, and other smoke-free nicotine products.
Next Steps
We hope this article about the dos and don’t after a thread lift help you make a decision. If you are interested in the non-surgical skin rejuvenation of a thread lift, schedule a consultation with a skilled provider. The Skin Center by CPS is part of the Charlotte Plastic Surgery family. For decades people trusted their faces to CPS, and our medispa, The Skin Center, also maintains the same commitment to excellence, patient care, and best practices. If you live in or near Charlotte, contact us to schedule your appointment.
