APTOS The latest generation of Thread Lifts
- Are you concerned about the increasing laxity in your face with the development of jowls, loss of jawline definition, deepening nose to mouth folds and sagging mouth corners?
- Does the ageing process in your neck developing a ‘turkey neck’ laxity under the jaw get you down?
- Do you spend more time each day staring at your own face on a computer screen and concerned about the ‘Zoom Face’ or ‘Tech Neck’ that you see?
- Would you like to try and restore the youthful ‘V’ shaped face that you once had?
- Would you like to see a subtle lift of your brows to open your eyes and take away the heaviness?
- Are you looking for long-lasting, natural solutions that don’t involve surgery?
- Have you been disappointed with previous thread lifts, which have only lasted a relatively short period of time (6-12 months)?
- The new generation of thread lifts by APTOS maybe the solution you are looking for?
APTOS threads are the brainchild of Georgian Plastic Surgeon, Dr Marlen Sulamanidze, who was one of the pioneers of non-surgical thread lifts back in 1999. The concept, at the time, was to reposition sagging facial tissues which had lost their deeper anchors through collagen loss associated with the ageing process, and the negative effects of gravity, exerting a downward force on the facial tissues when upright. An effect known as PTOSIS.
This is where the name APTOS was derived from anti-ptosis. Thread lifting in its many forms has subsequently become an increasingly popular method of addressing laxity issues and facial sagging without the need for traditional facelift surgery with all the accompanying risks, trauma, prolonged healing, recovery time and high cost.
The latest generation of APTOS threads contain combinations of well-known collagen stimulators including PLLA (found in SculptraÔ) and PCL (found in EllanseÔ), alongside hyaluronic acid, HA. The combinations of these bio-compatible and bio-stimulatory materials in the threads allow a long-lasting lift as well as significant skin rejuvenation in the areas treated by stimulating the production of both collagen and elastin. Unlike many other threads, APTOS produces many different types of threads to allow us to customise the treatment to the patient, depending on their particular needs.
APTOS thread lifts are effective for:
- Sagging jowls
- Redefining the jawline
- Lifting the marionette lines and mouth corners
- Redefining and lifting the cheeks and nasolabial folds
- Correcting facial asymmetry from Bells’ Palsy or after a Stroke.
- Tightening and lifting the upper neck
- Brow lifts including ‘fox eyes’
- Nose tip lifting and reshaping, non-surgical rhinoplasty
- Breast lifting
- Vaginal tightening
APTOS threads contain both PLLA and PCL which are both well known and effective collagen stimulators with long lasting results. The threads are bio-compatible and are completely broken down and reasorbed by the body over a 12 to 18 month period, much longer than other threads available such as PDO and Silhouette Soft. Once inserted, APTOS threads stimulate collagen and elastin, recreating the subdermal or deeper anchors beneath the skin holding the skin and subdermal fat tissue after repositioning the tissues. This new collagen produced by the threads is predominantly Type 1, or healthy collagen, not Type 3 collagen which is scar tissue. This new collagen can remain for many months after the sutures have been completely reasorbed, allowing the results of the treatment to often last more than 2 years.
APTOS threads are available in many different forms to allow us to customise your treatment dependant on your needs. This allows us to treat a wider range of patients and conditions than previously with other threads, such as PDO and Silhouette Soft.
The latest generation of APTOS EXCELLENCE VISAGE threads now also contain hyaluronic acid (HA). This further increases the collagen stimulation as well as reducing inflammation following thread insertion, thus reducing pain and swelling. The difference between other threads, such as PDO and Silhouette Soft, is that the threads are much longer, with multidirectional barbs along the whole length of the suture (190mm), allowing various insertion patterns to gain maximal fixation of the tissues either in the face or neck.
APTOS LIGHT LIFT LINEA threads are similar to Silhouette Soft by virtue of being bidirectional, but rather than having a needle on each end of the suture for insertion they have a blunt atraumatic cannula attached. Another advantage of the Light Lift Linea thread is that it is up to 500mm long with fixation points all the way along the thread which makes it significantly more effective for treating neck laxity than any other threads available.
APTOS threads are inserted using atraumatic blunt tip cannulas rather than needles, this reduces the pain and discomfort of insertion, minimises the risk of bruising and significantly reduces the risk of damage to important structures such as nerves. This is another significant advantage over other thread types such as Silhouette Soft.
APTOS have also developed the VITIS and NANO SPRING threads which can be used more superficially for what is known as ‘armouring’ of the tissues specifically targeted at the superficial skin in the face, neck and body to induce collagen and elastin to help correct fine lines and wrinkles and generally improving skin quality.
The APTOS SPRING threads are designed to work as a ‘spring’ allowing fixation in mobile parts of the face, lifting and supporting the tissues long term. They are ideal for use around the mouth to lift mouth corners and nasolabial folds as well as used for nose tip lifting and brow lifting.
We often use a combination of the APTOS threads to create a bespoke and personalised treatment tailored to your needs to create natural, but long-lasting results.
Dr Strawford with over 10 years experience of thread lifting using both PDO and Silhouette Soft is recognised as an international expert and trainer of thread lifting and was one of the first doctors in the UK to introduce APTOS threads in 2020 to Skin Excellence Clinics.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia with minimal discomfort.
What do I look like immediately after the treatment?
The lifting of the skin will be evident immediately after the procedure and there may be slight swelling and temporary puckering of the skin, which usually settles within the first few days. Bruising is uncommon and is usually easily covered by makeup. The facial tissues will feel lifted and tighter and may be slightly tender for the first few days. Most people are happy to return to work within 1 to 2 days following treatment.
Are the threads visible after treatment?
No. Following insertion, the threads are under the skin and not visible unlike other previous thread treatments have been in the past.
What precautions do I have to take following APTOS threads?
For 2 weeks following the treatment, you should avoid routine dental surgery, facial massage and beauty treatments, as well as any other activity that would cause a downward tension on the threads. We advise you to refrain from vigorous exercise that would also cause excessive movement of the facial tissues, such as jogging, aerobics and horse riding. After 2 weeks, the new collagen is forming around the threads making a secure connection to the skin, maintaining the lift, and you can resume your normal activities.
How long before I see the full results?
Following the initial lift of the skin and tissues, there will be a gradual improvement of the result in most cases, as new collagen and Elastin is formed, resulting in tighter, firmer and smoother skin.
Which areas can benefit from an APTOS thread lift?
Any area of mild to moderate laxity of the skin of the face and neck can be lifted and tightened with the threads including the jowls, cheeks, marionettes, nasolabial folds. APTOS threads are the best threads for addressing upper neck laxity and improving skin quality. With increasing age there is a weakening of the collagen under the skin holding the facial tissues up, against the downward effect of gravity. If you are able to lift the sagging tissues up by 1 to 2cm using your fingers, and are happy with the lift, then you would be considered suitable for treatment with APTOS threads. Unlike other threads, APTOS threads can be used for nasal tip lifting and nose reshaping. They offer a much safer alternative to fillers as there is no risk of blocking the arteries, which can cause necrosis of the skin and even blindness which have been associated with fillers. Brow lifting with APTOS threads are much more successful than with other threads.
What age is the best for the APTOS threads?
You can have a thread lift at any age to treat mild to moderate laxity that is causing gravitational descent of the tissues as well as nose reshaping and brow lifting which can be done at any age. Patients in their 30s or 40s who are starting to notice a loss of definition along the jaw line or the development of folds around the nose and mouth, are excellent candidates for the procedure. We can achieve a natural lifting of the tissues, avoiding the excessive volume or ‘pillow face’ look associated with overfilling with dermal fillers. Patients in their 50s, 60s, or above, are also good candidates for face and neck-lifting with threads, as long as they are in good health and don’t have excessive laxity of the skin associated with heavy smoking and sun damage.
If there is thinning of the skin or loss of volume in the face, this needs to be corrected first, ideally using an injectable collagen stimulator, such as Sculptra or Ellanse, prior to lifting with APTOS threads to achieve best results. Dr Strawford has pioneered the use of combination treatments with collagen stimulation and thread lifting. He has a wealth of experience in these ‘natural face-lifting techniques’ and at your initial consultation will be able to advise which treatment or combination of treatments best suits your needs.
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APTOS Thread Lifts
Treatment Summary
No. of treatments
Usually, one treatment session needed per area including the face, neck, body and brow lift.Recovery Time
1-3 days, occasionally longerProcedure time
60-120 mins depending on the number of areas receiving treatmentBack to normal
Most patients feel able to return to work/normal activities within 1-3 days, excluding vigorous sporting activity, which is not advised for the first 2 weeks.Discomfort level
Mild discomfortDuration of results
Usually up to 2 years depending on the age and health status of individual patients.Anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic injectionFinal Results
Immediate results seen following APTOS thread liftsDISCLAIMER: We are all unique. This means that treatment plans, the results, down time and recovery following treatment will vary from patient to patient. The information we provide is based on the extensive experience we have gained from treating a wide variety of patients, both men and women of different ages and is based on an average treatment experience. For more accurate information about how the treatment experience would be for you, we suggest you make a CONSULTATION with Dr Strawford at one of our clinics.
Why choose Skin Excellence Clinics
What makes Skin Excellence Clinics so special and why should you choose to have your medical cosmetic treatment with us?
- The guiding principle of Skin Excellence Clinics has always been to deliver exceptional patient care: this was the focus in 2005 when Dr Strawford started in the field of medical aesthetics and has remained the ethos we have followed for the past 11 years.
- Dr Ian Strawford, founder of Skin Excellence Clinics will help you to find the right solution: but only if appropriate for your needs and expectations
- You will receive a medical consultation, where you will be given plenty of time and space to consider all of your options, before deciding if treatment may be right for you.
- We source the best products through official UK Pharmacies: we do not risk the safety of our patients, the quality of our service or the results of your treatments.
- Whilst many people naturally assume that cosmetic treatments are all about beautification: we can help to reduce the psychological and emotional effects of scarring, acne, rosacea, excessive sweating, hair loss and skin lesions.
