Minimally invasive nonsurgical alternatives are now available for many surgical cosmetic procedures. Silhouette soft thread lift is considered one for a surgical facelift.
While facial thread lifting has been around for quite a few decades, its technology continues to evolve. And with that, their use becomes more popular, especially considering their minimal downtimes.
However, even though it’s widely popularised that treatments like the silhouette soft thread lift are alternatives to surgical facelifts, the truth is that there are significant differences. This is especially true as far as the results are concerned.
What Is Silhouette Soft Thread Lift?
Silhouette soft is a type of thread lift that uses biocompatible and re-absorbable threads with bidirectional cones (4-8) on each end and knots between them.
Cones are inserted underneath the skin to provide an immediate mechanical lift. However, its manufacturer, Sinclair, also claims that it stimulates the production of collagen for a more lasting effect.
It has been used in different areas of the face, such as eyebrows, cheeks, jawline and even the neck, for lifting the skin up and tightening it.
Who’s A Candidate For Silhouette Soft Lift?
You’re a good candidate for silhouette soft thread lift if you’re experiencing early signs of ageing (which starts happening in your late 20s).
Since the procedure doesn’t involve the removal of excess, hanging skin, it doesn’t provide satisfactory results for that. So, you can get good results from this procedure as long as your problem is mild.
Sinclair also reports that the European Union has approved the use of this product for:
- Facial asymmetry (inherited or traumatic)
- Ptosis (droopy eyelids)
This procedure may, however, be contraindicated if you are pregnant or have an autoimmune disease (to prevent a reaction to the foreign object in your skin).
How To Prepare for Silhouette Threads?
Before coming to the clinic, your doctor may advise you to do the following:
- Stop taking any blood-thinning medications or supplements.
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid wearing any makeup, and make sure to have a clean face.
- Remove any piercings that you’re wearing.
Doing so will help you avoid any unnecessary delays.
What’s The Procedure For Silhouette Facelift?
Your practitioner will begin by administering a local anaesthetic so that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Once it takes effect, they’ll use a fine needle to insert the silhouette threads underneath your skin. This is done without any need for making incisions.
Once the sutures are in place, they’ll be held in their position by the two sets of cones that are facing opposite directions. It’s an outpatient procedure, and you’ll be in the clinic for less than an hour.
What Are The Side Effects Of Silhouette Soft?
Following the silhouette facelift, you may experience the following side effects:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Inflammation
An allergic reaction to these threads is also possible so if you have a history of it, make sure to tell your doctor about it.
What’s The Recovery & Aftercare For Silhouette Soft Thread Lift?
Silhouette soft facelift has a downtime of 2-3 days. For a few weeks, you may experience some side effects, but they should eventually subside. Medications may be prescribed to manage them.
For the swelling, you may be recommended to sleep at an angle and use cold compresses. And for 1-2 days, you might not be able to wear any makeup or use any face creams. Avoid the urge to touch your face.
Other than that, you’ll probably be advised to avoid physical activity for a couple of weeks. Moreover, you may need to maintain a soft diet for some days to prevent your face from moving too much.
How Long Does Silhouette Soft Thread Lift Last?
The results of silhouette soft are immediate and temporary and last anywhere from 4 months to 2 years.
Keep in mind that the threads used in the silhouette soft procedure are absorbable, so they won’t stay underneath your skin permanently.
However, by stimulating the production of collagen in your skin, it can give you results for a long time (even after the threads are gone).
But you need to keep in mind that the results will be subtle. You won’t notice a dramatic change (even years after) through this procedure.
Is Silhouette Soft Thread Lift Safe?
The threads used in silhouette soft are made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA – which is also used in a type of dermal filler) and Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA), both of which are considered safe.
These are biocompatible and have been used in different clinical applications over the years.
On their website, Sinclair warns of certain adverse events following a silhouette soft thread lift procedure, including:
- Infection
- Hematoma
- Formation of dimples and “rippling”
- Nerve damage
- Migration of the sutures (moves somewhere else)
- Noticeable suture ends or the knots in them
You may also have puckering from the thread. So, make sure to discuss these with your practitioner before you get the procedure.
How Much Is Silhouette Soft Thread Lift?
In the UK, a silhouette soft procedure can cost you anywhere from £2,500-3,000. Keep in mind that you’ll have to get it privately since it’s a cosmetic procedure.
In the US too, it’s somewhere around $2,000-3,500.
The prices can vary depending on the areas being treated, the experience of the practitioner and where their clinic is located.
Silhouette Soft vs Facelift: Which One’s Best?
Each procedure lifts the skin differently, but there are also other differences between them that you should know.
| Silhouette Soft | Surgical Facelift | |
| Procedure | Biocompatible threads are inserted into the skin for an immediate lift. | Excess skin and fat are removed and the muscles underneath the facial skin are tightened. |
| Anaesthesia | Local anaesthetic used | General anaesthetic used |
| Procedure Time | Less than 1 hour | 2-3 hours |
| Candidates | Very mild skin sagging (the late 20s to early 30s) | Moderate to severe skin sagging (the mid to late 30s and above) |
| Results | Very subtle & temporary Last for 4 months to 2 years | Immediate & dramatic change Permanent |
| Downtime | 2-3 days | 2-4 weeks |
| Cost | £2,500-3,000 (In the UK) | £6,000-10,000 (In the UK) £2500 (In Turkey) |
Before deciding on any treatment, make sure to discuss your needs and expectations with the surgeon.
If you have significant sagging and are looking for a significant improvement in the signs of ageing, it would be better for you to go ahead with a surgical facelift.
Conclusion
Silhouette soft thread lift is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure for lifting slightly sagging skin. The cones in the threads mechanically lift the skin, and their placement also stimulates the production of collagen.
And it’s not just for the face, you can also get these threads for the droopy skin around the neck. Still, it’s not exactly an alternative to a surgical facelift.
This is because, in a facelift, the surgeon will remove all the hanging skin that contributes to the contour changes in your face. And once that’s done, you’ll notice a dramatic change in your appearance.
The procedure that will best meet your needs will depend on your age and the quality of your skin. For that, it’s important to get in touch with a board-certified medical professional.
Reviewed and approved by Prof Dr Fuat Yuksel.
