NINE AESTHETICS TREATMENTS, DEMYSTIFIED

Dissolvable threads inserted under the skin create a scaffold around which new collagen and tissue can grow, giving your face a lift.

WHAT’S IMPROVED: Thread lifts have come a long way. “The premise remains the same today – offering skin-lifting effects – but the procedure is now relatively non-invasive with little downtime, compared to face-lift surgery. The threads, previously smooth, now have various barbs and hooks, and are dissolvable,” says Dr Ivan Puah, founder of Amaris B. Clinic.

BEST FOR: Jowls and marionette lines.

WHAT A SKILLED DOCTOR CAN DO: “It’s a skill-based treatment, so a more experienced doctor can deliver a better and safer outcome,” says Dr Puah.

PROS: “It shows more immediate results than radiofrequency or ultrasound procedures, which take time to show,” says Dr SK Tan, founder and medical director of IDS Clinic.

CONS: Bruising may last for a couple of weeks. You may also feel discomfort and “tightness”. “Occasionally, thread ‘extrusion’ may occur – when the inserted thread comes out and has to be removed,” says Dr Tan.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG: Bleeding and a formation of a blood clot, which resolve over time,” says Dr Tan. Dr Puah adds that there are risks of infection and a dimpled appearance on the skin.

HOW OFTEN TO DO IT: In a year or sooner, as the threads dissolve.

NOT SUITABLE FOR: Moderate to severe sagging, poor skin quality or an impaired immune system.

2. Dr SK Tan, founder and medical director of IDS Clinic.

Radiofrequency (RF) waves heat skin’s underlying layers, to induce collagen and elastin production, and skin repair. “It reduces the appearance of fine lines and loose skin,” says Dr Karen Soh, founder of Prive Clinic. It can also help increase skin thickness for better resilience