What are the recommendations to be followed after Aptos thread lift?

Apply ice packs immediately after the procedure

• Take analgetics in case of pain for 2-3 days
• Refrain from applying make-up for a minimum of 24 hours
• Sleep face up, in an elevated position for about 3-5 nights
• Wash face gently without rubbing or massaging for 5-7 days
• Avoid excessive face and neck movements for about 2 weeks
• Avoid face and neck massages for 1 month
• Avoid over-exposure to direct sunlight for 2 weeks
• Avoid sports and exercise for 2 weeks
• Do not use saunas for about 3 weeks
• Avoid dental surgery for 3 weeks
• The doctor will prescribe antibiotics if there is a substantial risk of infection

Follow your doctor`s recommendations and enjoy youthful skin!

The Aptos thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure and does not require general anesthesia to correct small areas such as the face and neck. General anesthesia is used for armoring and lifting of body (breast, buttocks, thighs, etc.)

In both cases, the thread lifting procedure is not associated with pain or other discomforts. After the preparation of the correction zone, the patient undergoes local anesthesia with an anesthetic solution, which is in action after a few minutes.

All that can be felt during the procedure is the insertion of the cannula but without any pain.

The procedure lasts about 15 minutes, leaves no scars or other marks, and does not require a long recovery.

Thread lifting is classified as a minimally invasive technique. However, minimally invasive procedures also involve some contraindications.

Below are the most common ones:

• Allergy to plastic, biomaterial, non-absorbable fillers
• Active acne or skin infection
• Keloid predisposition
• Auto-immune diseases: scleroderma, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, etc.
• Anti-coagulant medication: coumarin & heparin (aspirin)
• Haemophilia
• Hypertension stages 2 and 3
• Severe diseases
• Collagenosis
• Neurological and mental disorders
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding
• Malignancy/Chemotherapy
• Hepatitis B & C, HIV
• Porphyria

In order to avoid complications, always honestly share your medical history with the doctor, and, if necessary, undergo the appropriate examinations.

And remember, your health comes first!

To be informed about any side effects before any manipulation is a must!

Even if it is a minimally invasive procedure when the needle touches the skin there is a possibility of side effects, although not everybody experiences them. Today we are sharing with you all types of side effects, what causes them, and how to fix or avoid them if possible.

• Pain or discomfort during the first couple of days can be eased using any painkiller that works well for you.
• Swelling is normal after any invasive procedure, it can vary depending on the procedure area or how intense the invasion was.
• Temporal asymmetry is either caused by swelling of certain parts of the face or by intentional hypercorrection to compensate the natural asymmetry of the corrected area.
• Transient rippling or dimple formation sometimes happens when the thread was inserted closer to the skin surface and will pass after the swelling comes off or can be fixed by a doctor.
• Transient hematoma or bruising is also the normal effect after injection or thread lifting. It is temporary and to lessen or prevent the bruising the Ice pack application is recommended a couple of hours after the procedure.
• Slight depression or skin irregularity can be caused by the above-mentioned swelling or hypercorrection, especially if the corrected area has extra skin.
• Inflammation can be caused by improper preparation or holding of the procedure, touching the injection area with dirty hands, or as a system`s individual reaction. It`s also quite easy can be treated and avoided by prescribing antibiotics, only if needed. 

If you experience any side effects don`t hesitate to talk to your doctor.

One of the best things about Aptos thread lifting is that a specially trained doctor is always prepared to fix any of them during and after the procedure.

All of the possible side effects are well studied and have a whole range of treatment protocols to avoid any long-term complications.

There are more than 10,000 Aptos certified specialists around the world! How to find a doctor near you?

It is already well-know that thread lifting does not require general anesthesia and skin incisions.

Does this mean that any surgeon, cosmetologist, or specialist in a related profession can perform a thread lifting procedure?

Of course not.

Thread lifting affects the deep layers of the skin, so the procedure requires to be carried out by a professional with higher medical education and excellent knowledge of skin and subcutaneous anatomy. In addition, the doctor must also undergo appropriate trainings in thread lifting methods.

This is how we guarantee safe procedures and perfect results with Aptos thread lifting!

To help you find Aptos specialists easily and conveniently we’ve created Aconnect.

No special preparation is required prior to the Aptos thread lift.

However, it is recommended to discuss your expectations and ask your doctor any questions you have before the treatment. The patient selection criteria are a very important part of the thread lifting procedure.

The doctor must evaluate the patient`s face, considering their age, skin condition, the grade of ptosis, and asymmetries.

All these criteria are giving the specialist a possibility to decide which thread type and method from a wide range of Aptos products are suitable for a specific patient.

For example, in some patients, especially for those who have extra skin, heavy tissue, signs of III-IV degree ptosis is recommended to choose surgical methods or adjust their expectations with the possible thread lifting outcome. 

Inform the doctor of any treatment you have already received and of any medicines, you are currently taking. Perform the test for local anesthetic allergies if necessary.

The best results can be achieved in combination with proper skincare, device procedures, injectables (mesotherapy, biorevitalization, PRP), botulinum toxin, and fillers.

Ask your doctor which procedures will help you to prepare the skin before the thread lift, and which are great to maintain or prolong the effect.

The success of the thread lifting procedure depends on the correct selection of the patient.

Being on the verge of plastic surgery and cosmetology, thread lifting is able to solve a wide range of problems, in case the patient selection criteria are met.

Ideal candidates for thread lift include people with minimal signs of aging who need just a small lift. Usually, these are women and men between 30 and 55.

Right candidates are those patients who have:

• the prominence of the jaw
• a relaxed / sagging mid-facial appearance
• slight bags under the eyes or on the neck
• those who have had some relapse from a previous procedure such as a facelift or neck lift

Aptos methods can be used to treat various parts of the face and body:

• Contours of the face
• Jawline
• Cheeks and mid-face area
• Eyebrows
• Neck
• Breast
• Arms
• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Inner thighs
• Knees

Poor candidates:

• Those patients who have excessively sagging skin at an advanced age will show a very limited improvement
• Those patients who are obese, or have very heavy, rugged skin too will show no improvement. In these patients, thread lift can be combined with liposuction

Are you an ideal candidate for a thread lift?

Ideal candidates for thread lifts include people with minimal signs of aging who need just a small lift. Usually, these are women and men between 35 and 55.

Right candidates are those patients who have:

• the prominence of the jaw
• a relaxed/sagging mid-facial appearance
• slight bags under the eyes or the neck skin ptosis
• some relapse from a previous procedure such as a facelift or neck lift

Aptos methods can be used to treat various parts of the face and body:

• Contours of the face
• Jawline
• Cheeks and mid-face area
• Eyebrows
• Neck
• Breast
• Arms
• Hands
• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Inner thighs
• Knees

Poor candidates are those patients who:

• have excessively sagging skin at an advanced age, the procedure will show a very limited improvement
• are obese, or have very heavy, rugged skin, the procedure will show no improvement. In these cases, thread lift can be combined with liposuction

Everyone will notice, no one is going to know!

What is the most pleasant about Aptos thread lifting results is the improvement of facial features and volumes without visible signs of intervention.

Unlike traditional surgical facelifts, Aptos threads rejuvenate the face without changing your natural features. Usually, soft tissues are just re-positioned to their original location. After a thread lift, you can typically expect to look like you did several years ago.

It has been almost 25 years since the first Aptos thread and method has been introduced to the aesthetic world. It was first developed in 1996 by Dr. Marlen Sulamanidze.

Aptos threads are currently available in 75 countries. Millions of threads are sold all over the world.

Aptos products comply with the requirements of European Pharmacopoeia. Products have a CE mark and the production is certified according to ISO 13485, that guarantees the quality throughout the entire manufacturing process.

As there is no cutting of the skin and only a local anesthetic is used, the procedure is considered less complicated than a full surgical face lift.

For thread lifting, a strict procedure protocol has been developed, which implies compliance with septic and antiseptic standards for minimally invasive interventions. Compliance with all recommendations, numerous studies and the composition of the thread ensures the minimization and prevention of any complications and unwanted consequences from the procedure.

It is important to remember that thread lifting can only be performed by a licensed doctor who has undergone special Aptos training.

It all started with an idea ...

The history of Aptos development goes back to 1987, when the Georgian plastic, reconstructive surgeon Marlen Sulamanidze was inspired by the idea of ​​avoiding a long rehabilitation period and reducing the risks associated with traditional interventions of plastic surgery.

Now the Aptos product line is a large selection of threads of different composition, shape, and purpose.

Aptos threads are made of both non-absorbable (polypropylene) and absorbable (poly-L-lactic acid + caprolactone) material. Polypropylene threads are used in surgery as a suture material for more than 50 years, as well as Polylactic threads which are composed of fully absorbable, non-allergic material.

Last year Aptos inventors presented a revolutionary new formula of thread composition - the 3rd Generation Aptos Thread with Hyaluronic Acid.

An improved formulation ensures additional benefit for the skin, provides less traumatic procedure, faster rehabilitation. Skin elasticity and texture improvement are visible right after thread implantation.

As we age, the effects of gravity become more noticeable on our faces. The supporting tissue of the cheeks weakens and starts to sag, facial fat is lost, the jaw line that used to be firm and tight forms jowls at the edges of the mouth that drift down towards the chin and the lower face and neck sags. This sagging or drooping action of the tissue is referred to by doctors as ptosis.

Traditionally, the tendency for sugging would lead most people to a cosmetic surgeon in search of a facelift, however, there is now a less invasive procedure available that can lift, contour and suspend the sagging tissues of the face, neck and body; in those people who need only little to moderate rejuvenation.

Thread lifting is a procedure which involves elevating different parts of the face and body using specially designed threads without having to make incisions as per the classical face lift.

Dr Marlen A. Sulamanidze, thought that if you took prolene (a plastic non-absorbable suture) and cut barbs (very small “teeth”) along its length, it could act as a rope to hold up a drooping brow, cheek or jowl; and this resulted in the development and creation of APTOS threads in the late 1990’s. These barbed threads have now been patented, and further developed. Other forms of threads or sutures, both barbed and smooth have also now been developed for use in thread face lift procedures.

If you're considering having APTOS thread lift, the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on the patient and the surgeon, but please do ask your surgeon about anything you don't understand.