Safety Profile of Thread Lifts on the Face and Neck: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review

Treatment with synchronized radiofrequency and facial muscle stimulation: Histologic analysis of human skin for changes in collagen and elastin fibers

BACKGROUND

Skin's exposure to intrinsic and extrinsic factors causes age-related changes, leading to a lower amount of dermal collagen and elastin.

AIM

This study investigated the effects of a novel facial muscle stimulation technology combined with radiofrequency (RF) heating on dermal collagen and elastin content for the treatment of facial wrinkles and skin laxity.

METHODS

The active group subjects (N = 6) received four 20-min facial treatments with simultaneous RF and facial muscle stimulation, once weekly. The control subject (N = 1) was untreated. Skin biopsies obtained at baseline, 1-month and 3-month follow-up were evaluated histologically to determine collagen and elastin fibers content. A group of independent aestheticians evaluated facial skin appearance and wrinkle severity. Patient safety was followed.

RESULTS

In the active group, collagen-occupied area reached 11.91 ± 1.80 × 106 μm2 (+25.32%, p < 0.05) and 12.35 ± 1.44 × 105 μm2 (+30.00%, p < 0.05) at 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. Elastin-occupied area at 1-month and 3-month follow-up was 1.64 ± 0.14 × 105 μm2 (+67.23%, p < 0.05), and 1.99 ± 0.21 × 105 μm2 (+102.80%, p < 0.05). In the control group, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in collagen and elastin fibers. Active group wrinkle scores decreased from 5 (moderate, class II) to 3 (mild, class I). All subjects, except the control, improved in appearance posttreatment. No adverse events or side effects occurred.

CONCLUSION

Decreased dermal collagen and elastin levels contributes to a gradual decline in skin elasticity, leading to facial wrinkles and unfirm skin. Study results showed noticeable improvement in facial appearance and increased dermal collagen and elastin content subsequent to simultaneous, noninvasive RF, and facial muscle stimulation treatments.

Experimental investigation of biostimulatory effects after polydioxanone thread insertion in a pig model

BACKGROUND

Polydioxanone (PDO) threads have been widely used to tighten and lift the facial soft tissue.

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to determine the collagenation and inflammation changes that occur in the adipose tissue over time when different types of threads are implanted.

METHODS & MATERIALS

Three threads types, PDO, poly glycolic-co-lactic acid (PGLA), and nylon, were inserted in the subcutaneous fat of 12-month-old Bama miniature pigs. Collagen production and inflammatory response were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining at 1, 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks.

RESULTS

The integrity of the PDO thread lasted up to 24 weeks with mild inflammation and collagen production. The PGLA thread integrity lasted until 12 weeks and had a strong inflammatory response. The nylon thread's integrity was maintained for 48 weeks and showed minor inflammation and collagen production.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that PDO thread is the best choice for clinicians, as it has a mild action process with minimal irritation, moderate collagen production, a reasonable explanation time, with obvious bridging fibrous tissue, and thickening action for the superficial fascia.

AVF of superficial temporal vessels after thread brow lift, report of a case

This report presents iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of superficial temporal vessels after thread brow lift, which emphasizes on consideration of such rare complications during the procedure. A young woman presented with pulsatile mass of scalp after tread brow lift. Color Doppler and duplex sonography of the mass revealed an AVF (arteriovenous fistula) of superficial temporal vessels, a complication that in a few articles has been mentioned. Patient had received conservative treatment and the mass became very small and about to be disappeared. physicians must be aware of possible vascular injury during thread face lift and should be trained enough to avoid it.

Expert Opinion on Non-Surgical Eyebrow Lifting and Shaping Procedures

Eyebrow elevation and reshaping are common concerns that we handle in everyday practice, and we have noticed that the trend is shifting from a medical concern to a cosmetic one. Several eyebrow lift methods are available, both invasive and non-surgical. The method of choice depends on several factors, such as patient expectations and beliefs, financial budget, acceptance of downtime and the available tools in the practice. In this article, we review the recent literature on non-surgical eyebrow lift methods to provide an overview of the current state of this field. We discuss seven different methods for eyebrow lift and reshaping, including botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, fractional radiofrequency, high-intensity focused ultrasound, thermo-mechanical ablation, lasers, and threads. Moreover, we provide practical insight into the procedure, injection techniques, expected results, and patient satisfaction rate.