We are fortunate to live in a time with so many incredible aesthetic options at our fingertips for smoothing lines, brightening our complexions and looking our personal best with relative ease. With so many options, however, it can get confusing trying to figure out which treatments are right for us. Case in point: Dermal fillers versus thread lifts. Both treatments are indicated for smoothing away lines and providing a “lift” to targeted areas. How do you know which treatment is right for you?
Our mission at Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine is educating and empowering you, our amazing clients. During your personal consultation, we will help you understand all your options in detail so you can make informed decisions. In the meantime, here’s a primer on fillers and thread lifts to get you started.
Fillers are volume enhancers.
Probably the most important characteristic of dermal fillers to remember is that they replenish lost volume to the face and hands. If you’re noticing that your cheeks or chin are falling a bit, causing nasolabial folds, neck folds, slight jowls or a sunken look to your cheeks, this is a sign that you have lost some volume in the face, which is a normal sign of aging caused by decreased collagen and elastin levels in the skin. Dermal fillers are extremely effective at replacing this lost volume using a smooth gel made of modified hyaluronic acid (HA) molecules.
PDO thread lift helps lift and support skin without adding volume.
PDO threads provide a scaffolding type of support structure underneath the skin, helping to lift sunken areas and smooth lines using fully dissolvable sutures which are inserted parallel to the skin’s surface. At Belle Marin, we offer three types of NovaThreads: Smooth threads for stimulating collagen and elastin while tightening lax skin; twist threads for providing the same benefits as smooth threads while also filling in wrinkles; and barb threads for providing the same benefits as smooth threads while also lifting and smoothing sagging skin.
Do you need volume or a lift?
This is the million dollar question. Generally speaking, if you’re in the early stages of aging and showing a moderate level of laxity and/or “falling” of your facial contours, you may benefit from fillers only. If you’re noticing more severe “falling” and more pronounced jowls and sagging, you may need PDO threads rather than fillers.
Are you addicted to filler and need a change?
Volume enhancement with filler helps millions of patients to look younger and more refreshed. However, there is such a thing as having too much filler. Too much filler can distort your natural contours, detracting from your natural beauty. In the event you’ve been using fillers for a long period of time and are at risk of looking “overfilled,” we may gently advise you to consider adding thread lifts to your regimen. Or, we may gradually wean you off fillers and administer thread lifts exclusively. During your personal consultation, we can help you figure out the ideal treatment or combination regimen for you.
Keep in mind that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to look your best. We will tailor your treatments to your exact needs and goals, helping you achieve your personal best on your terms. Many of our clients achieve amazing results with combination treatments including fillers, PDO threads and laser skin rejuvenation treatments. The world is your oyster! To discover your unique aesthetic regimen, please call (415) 887-8718 or request a consultation today.
