Various Threadlift Techniques

There are a number of different types of Threadlift facelift and necklift procedures, and they are not all the same. However, all Threadlift facelift procedures fall under one general category - Suture Suspension Lifts. To help clear up any confusion, below is a list of many of the different (and not so different) Suture Suspension Lifts.  

The best features to find in a Suture Suspension Lift include:

Easy insertion

Lack of palpability

No visible suture

Adequate and symmetric suspension

Durability and longevity of suspension

Ability to adjust amount of lift post-op

Utilizing advanced techniques based on years of experience, Dr. Summers meets all of these goals in a customized fashion for each of his patients with his advanced version of the SMART Facelift™ and neck lift.

Suture Suspension Lift Variations

 Aptos Threadlift: The Aptos Threadlift Facelift procedure was originally developed by Dr. Sulamandize, a Russian physician, in the 1990's. The aptos Threadlift Facelift procedure involved insertion of a polypropylene suture with bi-directional barbs. The Aptos Threadlift suture was inserted using a needle and was not secured to deeper tissue.

 Silk-Lift: The SilkLift facelift is another name for the Aptos Threadlift facelift.

 Endo-Aptos Threadlift: The Endo-Aptos Threadlift Facelift is a modification of the original Aptos Threadlift. In this procedure, a small incision is made in or near the hair-line so the threads can be secured to the deeper tissues. A uni-directional barbed Threadlift thread is used for the facelift and necklift.

 Sling Lift: The Mid-Face Sling Facelift is the procedure described by Dr. Summers. This has been deprecated by the Endo-Aptos Threadlift Facelift technique, which is a combination of the Aptos Threadlift Facelift and the Mid-Face Sling Facelift procedures.

 Contour Lift^™: Technically, the Contour Lift^™ Threadlift facelift is the same procedure as the originally developed Aptos Threadlift facelift. The barbed suture in this case was developed in the U.S.A. by Dr. Ruff and granted FDA clearance for marketing in 2002. A variation on the Contour Lift^™ Threadlift facelift involves anchoring the suture in a manner similar to the Endo-Aptos Threadlift facelift.

 Featherlift: Although the term Feather Lift has been used to describe the original Aptos Threadlift, "Featherlift" is now being used as a marketing term for a new type of suture suspension thread marketed by KMI, a medical products company. The new facelift thread is called a "Silhouette Suture". Compared to Aptos Threadlift barbed sutures, the real-life advantages and/or disadvantages of the Featherlift facelift thread, if any, are yet to be determined.

 Gentle Lift: The Gentle Lift facelift is another name for the Contour Lift^™ Threadlift facelift.

 Curl Lift: In the 1970's, Dr. Guillemain, a French physician, described using a loop of suture to suspend drooping tissue - this became known as the Curl Lift Facelift and Necklift. There are several disadvantages to this type of facelift and necklift, including: "cheese wire" cutting through tissue and significant dimpling distally.

 Loop Lift: A Loop Lift facelift or necklift is essentially the same procedure as the Curl Lift facelift or necklift.

 Soft Lift: The Soft Lift Facelift is another marketing term for the Curl Lift Facelift.

 

Mini Facelifts

There are dozens of variations on a mini-facelift. Recently, several surgeons have been marketing themselves using "trademarked" and "patented" names for their specific variations on the mini-facelift procedures. These procedures are not suture suspension lifts, but are mentioned here to clear up some of the confusion which can occur.

 QuickLift^™: This is a true facelift. The deep soft tissue (SMAS) is elevated and excess skin is excised around the ear. Sutures are removed after one week and swelling can be present for several weeks.

 LifeStyle Lift^®: Another variation on the mini-facelift performed by other physicians not affiliated with Dr. Summers. Attempts are made to keep incisions small. As with any procedure of this type, swelling and bruising are possible and can result in more than a week of downtime, despite claims to the contrary. 

One of the patient complaints of the Quicklift^™ facelift and Lifestyle Lift^® facelift are that the skin can appear "bunched" behind the ear and this may not resolve on its own.  Other concerns about the Quicklift^™ facelift and Lifestyle Lift^®  facelift include a lack of longevity -- in addition to technical limitations of the procedures common to other mini-facelift techniques, lack of longevity may also be due to inappropriate patient selection by novice physicians.

Note: Lifestyle Lift^® is the registered trademark of Lifestyle Lift Holding, Inc.  Dr. Summers and Maryland Plastic Surgery are not affiliated with Lifestyle Lift Holding, Inc.