What To Expect When You Get Sugar Threads

Before and after results of a PDO thread lift that was performed at Qazi Cosmetic Center in Newport Beach, California.

Whether you first read about it on Goop or saw it on Instagram, you probably already know that sugar threading is being called “the future of facelifts.” And it’s true! Sugar threads are a revolutionary, new facelift that gives you instant results with no surgery and no downtime. Celebs and other A-listers are flying all the way to Paris for this treatment, but now you can get it right here in Orange County at Qazi Cosmetic Clinic!

What is a Facelift With Sugar Threads?

Also called a PDO Thread Lift, a facelift with sugar threads is a non-invasive anti-aging technique that  uses barbed polydioxanone threads to lift and tighten your skin instantly. Because the threads are made of sugars, your body will naturally absorb them over time. This means that a thread lift is one of the most natural and effective alternatives to a surgical facelift on the market. 

Cosmetic physicians like Dr. Nadir Qazi love sugar threading because it is highly versatile and safe for patients of all ages. Whether you want to reduce the appearance of your jowls, take a few years off your face, or contour your face, a thread lift can help! Thread lifts are the secret behind the “cat eye” look that has been popularized by Arianna Grande and Gigi Hadid. It can also create natural, effortless contour that will have you skipping the makeup more and more often. 

Thread lifts are best for treating:

  • Droopy jowls 
  • Smile lines
  • Forehead wrinkles 
  • Crepey skin on the face
  • Lack of contour 
  • Loose skin on the face

For older patients who are unhappy with their appearance, a sugar thread lift can help! It can be daunting to go under the knife to get a surgical facelift. No one wants to end up on Botched or have your friends and family whispering about your unique, new look behind your back. Similarly, if you feel that you are too young for a facelift, but still want to rejuvenate your face, a thread lift is the way to go. 

The best about sugar threading is that it is suitable for nearly everyone! The ideal candidate is someone who wants to improve their overall appearance with a non-surgical solution. While threading is more popular among women, it is also a suitable treatment for men. Dr. Qazi has seen an assortment of male patients, from beauty gurus chasing the “cat eye” look to men who just want to tighten up a few wrinkles here and there. If you have questions about whether a thread lift is right for you, schedule a consultation at Qazi Cosmetic Clinic to learn more. 

How Long Does a Thread Lift Last?

Thread lifts are not permanent. Overtime, your body will naturally dissolve the sugar threads. This can be a pro or a con, depending on what you want to get out of your treatment. One benefit of the threads being temporary is that you can feel comfortable knowing that you won’t have a foreign substance in your body forever. The dissolvability of the threads makes them safe and easy to reverse if you don’t like your new look. 

On average, your sugar threads will last between 6 and 8 months before they dissolve. If you want to maintain your youthful, contoured look then you will need to book a follow-up appointment to have new threads put in. Even after your threads dissolve, they can still help improve your skin. When the threads are inserted, they begin to boost your body’s collagen production. Collagen is one of the proteins that is responsible for maintaining your skin’s elasticity and texture. Over the next 9 to 12 months, you will notice your skin texture and elasticity improving, even after the threads dissolve. 

For the best results, Dr. Qazi recommends that you take good care of your skin after your PDO Thread Lift. This means that you should avoid smoking, wear sunscreen whenever you are outside, and refrain from using harsh chemicals on your skin. These lifestyle changes can help you maintain your results for as long as possible, as well as give you clearer, healthier skin. 

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    There are several benefits to how long thread lifts last: 

    1. If you don’t like your new look, all you have to do is wait a few months and try something different. 
    1. What is in style changes very rapidly. Once the “cat eye” and the contoured look go out of style and get replaced by something else, you will be glad that your transformation wasn’t permanent. For example, do you remember when thin eyebrows were all the rage? Now, thick eyebrows are the way to go. Temporary procedures allow you to adapt to the new style and try out different looks without being stuck in a particular decade. 
    1. Sugar threads are a good test run for a surgical facelift. Many patients don’t think that they are old enough for a facelift, so they get a thread lift in the meantime. It allows them to see if they like a more youthful look before they commit to it for good. 
    1. If you are young but have a few areas that you would like to tighten up, a thread lift is a great option. It usually isn’t worth undergoing anti-aging surgery when you are too young to have that many wrinkles, but threading can easily correct those minor issues without too much fuss. 
    1. Procedures that are not permanent are more comfortable, involve less recovery time, and come with fewer risks. This is ideal for people who are not comfortable with a highly involved procedure and who don’t want to risk adverse side effects. It is also a good option for people who can’t take 2 weeks off work to heal from a surgery. 

    How Often Should I Get a PDO Thread Lift?

    There is no limit to how many times you can get a thread lift. Once your threads dissolve, you are safe to come to Qazi Cosmetic Clinic for a follow-up thread lift. Most patients get sugar threads every 12 months to maintain their look. 

    One benefit of thread lifts over procedures like Botox is that there is no point where the threads will cease to produce results. With Botox and other neurotoxins, it is possible to develop a resistance because your body has built up antibodies against the botulinum toxin. It is also possible for your body to metabolize the Botox too quickly, which results in sub-par results.

    Instead of continuing to get more and more Botox to overcome the resistance, Dr. Qazi recommends switching to a different anti-aging procedure. Sugar threads are normally very effective for people who want to treat their forehead wrinkles, but who are not getting the results they want with Botox. 

    At first, it may sound like a pain to get follow-up treatments every 12 months, but when you really think about it, you’re supposed to see a doctor and a dentist more often than that. And we assure you, a thread lift is much more comfortable than the average dentist visit. Because Qazi Cosmetic Clinic is a med spa, the environment is calm, relaxing, and enjoyable. Dr. Qazi also offers a variety of facials that will replenish your body and soul. When you come in for your next threading appointment, consider getting a facial too for a little bit of “me time!”

    What To Expect When You Get a Thread Lift

    The first step to contouring and transforming your face is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Qazi. The purpose of a consultation is to give you a chance to ask questions and to provide a time for Dr. Qazi to give his expert opinion. During this visit, Dr. Qazi will also examine your face and create a customized treatment plan to help you get the look that you want. 

    When you arrive for the procedure, you will be escorted into one of the comfortable treatment rooms by a member of our team. If you have any concerns, please let us know right away. The procedure does involve needles, so let us know what we can do to keep you comfortable. In some cases, a topical numbing cream may be used to ease discomfort. 

    Most patients describe sugar threading as a relatively comfortable experience. It is a little similar to Botox because the sensation of the needle feels like a small pinch. 

    Once you are ready, Dr. Qazi will revisit his customized treatment plan and prepare to insert the sugar threads. The procedure uses a small, hollow needle to deliver the threads into the tissues of the face. Sugar threads have barbed ends, so they will hook into the tissues that you want to lift. Don’t worry, you won’t feel the barbs at all. 

    After the threads are in place, Dr. Qazi will remove the needle and gently position the threads. If you are happy with the lift that you are getting with the threads, Dr. Qazi will secure the ends and trim off the extra length. 

    Depending on how many areas are being treated, sessions usually last between 30 minutes and 2 hours. You are welcome to sit for a minute – especially if you have trouble with needles – before you drive yourself home. One benefit of sugar threading is that you are safe to go about your day immediately after the appointment. 

    Your initial results will be instantly visible, but it takes about 3 months for the threads to boost your collagen production enough for you to see the full results. 

    After the procedure, a small amount of bruising and some light swelling is normal. You are safe to go right back to work or school. Dr. Qazi recommends that you avoid rubbing your face, sleeping face down, and using moisturizer for the first week or so. It is also best to avoid sauna and high intensity workouts for 7 to 10 days because it may harm your results. 

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      How to Prepare: Dos & Don’ts 

      What you should do before a thread lift: 

      • Maintain your skin care routine as normal
      • Avoid excessive sun exposure 
      • Ask Dr. Qazi all your burning questions (there is no such thing as a bad question)
      • Get super excited about getting sugar threads
      • Read every article you can find on it so that you are ready to go
      • Cancel any sauna sessions or scheduled high-intensity workouts
      • Discuss all your medications with Dr Qazi 

      What you should NOT do before a thread lift:

      • Drink alcohol 
      • Go crazy on the pimple-popping 
      • Take blood thinners (including ibuprofen) a week before the procedure 
      • Get a tan 
      • Work yourself up over the fact that the procedure involves needles
      • Text your ex 

      How To Get the Best Results From Your Thread Lift

      There are 3 tricks to getting the best results out of a cosmetic procedure. 

      1. Only receive procedures from experienced, board-certified cosmetic physicians. This is not the kind of thing that you should DIY, nor should you trust the sketchy person who claims to be an esthetician and works out of their basement. A good doctor will be able to understand your face shape and give you results that best accentuate your bone structure. 
      1. Following all the preparation instructions, no matter how small they seem. Things like having a drink or popping an ibuprofen before a procedure seems harmless. However, both those substances are blood thinners, which will cause you to bleed much more when you get your sugar threads. It can also result in excess visible bruising and adverse side effects. 
      1. Know all the side effects and keep an eye out for them. If you have concerns or are in pain, contact Qazi Cosmetic Clinic right away because something may be wrong. Because sugar threads are so safe, side effects are very rare; however, you should still be aware of the risks. Some complications include: dimples, an allergic reaction to the threads, bleeding, migration of the threads, skin appearing bumpy or uneven, infection at the injection site, and tightness under the skin. 

      The most dangerous complication is the risk of infection. If you develop a headache or fever after the procedure, it is possible that the treatment area has become infected. Lingering swelling that lasts more than 48 hours and unusual discharge can also indicate infection. If you notice any of these complications, contact Qazi Cosmetic Clinic immediately. 

      Learn More About Sugar Threading!

      Don’t worry, you won’t need to fly to Paris to lift years off your face. Qazi Cosmetic Clinic is conveniently located in Orange County, CA. If you are interested in seeing what all the buzz is about, schedule a consultation to learn more about the new, non-invasive facelift!

      By: Dr. Nadir Qazi

      Dr. Nadir Qazi is a board certified physician specializing in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and an instructor for advanced injections and laser techniques.

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