By Amina Abdul Salam Wrinkles which appear on facial skin can be the result of several factors: ageing, smoking, exposure to the sun for a long time without using sunscreen, or neglecting the skin in general. With passing years, the number of fibroblast cells responsible for producing collagen decreases or become weak. Consequently, the collagen in skin decreases. The skin then loses its radiance and freshness and the features of ageing appear. In the light of medical developments, is there a safe and efficient non-surgical treatment to overcome the contours of ageing? Dr Mohamed Hussein Abou Hadeed, Assistant researcher of Dermatology and Andrology, National Research Centre says that Thread Lift is one of the best available solutions. It overcomes wrinkles and sagging and has immediate results. The effect of this procedure, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lasts for a couple of years and overcomes wrinkles and sagging . Threads are made of poly -lactic acid (PLA) fits in completely with the body tissues and is absorbed in a period that ranges from one and half to two years. The threads have knots at equal distances of about five to eight millimetres and between every two knots there are cones. Dr Abou Hadeed says that threads work through the cones stimulating the fibroblasts to produce collagen around the cones thus giving lifted fresher look for the skin. The common areas that are treated with threads are the eyebrows, the jaw line, the cheeks and the neck. Dr Abou Hadeed said that the Thread Lifting is an easy procedure that involves introducing the threads into the skin using local anesthesia in about 20 minutes only, and the procedure lasts according to the number of threads to be used usually around 2 years. Dr Abou Hadeed recommends the procedure for both males and females aged 40 or more or whenever indicated regardless of the age especially those with lax saggy skin of the face or the neck to get the most satisfactory results. He stressed that there was no harm in using Threads with injections of botox or fillers.The procedure had no side effects maybe slight redness, swelling or discomfort lasting only for 2-3 days. He recommends avoiding exposure to the sun and hot weather and avoiding sleeping on areas where the threads have been placed for a week after the treatment.
