Are Fillers Safe After Thread Lifting?

Thread lifting and dermal fillers are two of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures, particularly for those who wish to enhance their appearance without undergoing invasive surgery. Both procedures offer remarkable results, but many people wonder if it's safe to combine them, especially when it comes to the timing of these treatments. If you’ve undergone a thread lift or are considering one, you might be asking, “Can I safely get fillers after my thread lifting procedure?” Let’s take a closer look at this question, exploring the safety, timing, and benefits of combining thread lifts with dermal fillers.

What Is Thread Lifting?

Thread lifting, also known as a thread facelift, is a minimally invasive procedure designed to lift and tighten sagging skin, particularly in areas like the face, neck, and jawline. During a thread lift, dissolvable threads are strategically placed under the skin using a needle. These threads provide an immediate lifting effect, while also stimulating the production of collagen over time for a natural, youthful appearance.

Thread lifts are generally favored by those who want to rejuvenate their facial contours without going through a full surgical facelift. The procedure is less invasive, with a relatively short recovery time compared to traditional surgery.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable substances used to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. Unlike thread lifts, which provide a lifting effect, dermal fillers are often used to add volume to specific areas, such as the cheeks, lips, or under-eye hollows. Fillers are typically made from hyaluronic acid or other biocompatible substances, and the results can last from several months to over a year, depending on the type of filler used.

Both fillers and thread lifts share a common goal: to restore youthfulness, smoothness, and contour to the face, but they work in different ways. While thread lifts provide a lifting effect, fillers add volume where it's needed, which can be complementary in achieving a balanced, rejuvenated look.

Safety of Combining Thread Lifting and Fillers

The short answer is: yes, fillers can generally be safe after a thread lift, but it depends on various factors.

1. Timing is Key:

The timing between a thread lift and the application of dermal fillers is crucial. After a thread lift, your skin needs time to heal. Typically, you’ll want to wait for a period of at least 4–6 weeks before getting dermal fillers. This waiting period allows your skin to settle and ensures that the threads have properly integrated into your tissue, which is essential for achieving long-lasting and natural results.

Trying to add fillers too soon can interfere with the healing process, and in some cases, it could even cause complications such as displacement of the threads or uneven results. Additionally, some swelling and inflammation after the thread lift are normal, and getting fillers too soon might make it difficult to evaluate your final result from the thread lift.

2. Individual Assessment:

Each patient’s skin and anatomy are unique, and the safety of combining these treatments will depend on your specific situation. If you’ve had a thread lift and are considering fillers, it’s essential to consult with a qualified, experienced practitioner who can assess your condition and determine the optimal timing for fillers. Dr. Jung Keun Park and the team at Face Plus Plastic Surgery, for example, will consider factors such as your skin type, the area treated with threads, and your aesthetic goals before recommending any filler treatments.

3. The Type of Filler Matters:

The type of dermal filler being used can also impact the safety of combining these treatments. For example, hyaluronic acid-based fillers are often the safest and most commonly used. These fillers are highly biocompatible with the body and are less likely to interfere with the results of thread lifting.

On the other hand, more rigid or permanent fillers, such as silicone, may have a greater risk of affecting the placement of the threads or creating unnatural-looking results. Always ensure that your practitioner is using the right type of filler for your individual needs and that they have experience working with these combined treatments.

4. Post-Procedure Care:

After both a thread lift and dermal filler treatment, following post-procedure care instructions is crucial. Some basic guidelines include avoiding pressure on the treated areas, keeping the skin clean, and refraining from intense physical activities for a few days. Your practitioner will provide detailed instructions to ensure that both treatments heal properly, minimizing the risk of complications.

Benefits of Combining Fillers with Thread Lifting

When combined appropriately and at the right time, thread lifting and dermal fillers can enhance one another’s effects. Here are some potential benefits:

• Complementary Results: Thread lifting primarily focuses on lifting and tightening sagging skin, while fillers restore volume to areas that may have lost it due to aging or facial structure changes. Together, they create a balanced, harmonious look, with the lifting and volumizing effects enhancing each other.

• Customized Treatment Plans: Combining both treatments allows for a highly tailored approach to facial rejuvenation. For instance, if you’ve had a thread lift to improve the jawline and neck area, you might consider fillers for areas like the cheeks or lips to enhance the overall youthful appearance.

• Longer-Lasting Effects: By combining both procedures, you can achieve longer-lasting results. While the effects of a thread lift may last around 1–2 years, dermal fillers can help maintain a fuller, more youthful look for months, prolonging the overall aesthetic outcome.

• Minimally Invasive Approach: Both thread lifting and dermal fillers are non-surgical, making them appealing for patients who prefer less invasive treatments. By combining them, patients can enjoy more comprehensive facial rejuvenation without the need for invasive surgery or a lengthy recovery.

Risks and Considerations

As with any cosmetic procedure, combining treatments carries some risks, and these should be carefully considered. Some potential risks include:

• Infection: While thread lifting and dermal fillers are both relatively safe procedures, combining them too soon or under improper conditions may increase the risk of infection, especially if you don’t follow aftercare instructions correctly.

• Displacement of Threads: Getting fillers too soon after a thread lift could cause the threads to shift or become displaced, leading to uneven or unnatural-looking results.

• Overfilling or Over-tightening: Overdoing the number of fillers or threads in one area could lead to an over-tightened or overfilled appearance, which might look unnatural. The key is subtlety and balance.

Conclusion

In summary, fillers can be safe after thread lifting, but it’s important to wait the appropriate amount of time (usually 4-6 weeks) and choose an experienced practitioner who can guide you through the process. By taking a cautious and personalized approach, the combination of thread lifts and dermal fillers can result in a refreshed, youthful appearance that complements your natural features.

If you’re considering both treatments, it’s best to consult with a qualified professional, such as Dr. Jung Keun Park at Face Plus Plastic Surgery. With over two decades of experience in aesthetic procedures, Dr. Park can provide you with a personalized treatment plan that takes into account your specific goals and ensures both safety and effectiveness.

Whether you’re seeking to lift, tighten, or add volume, a customized approach combining thread lifting and dermal fillers could offer the best of both worlds—achieving a youthful, rejuvenated look without the need for invasive surgery.