Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation
FEATHERLIFT® / APTOS THREADS
Featherlift® is a non-invasive approach to lift up the sagging facial fat pads which cause drooping cheeks, jowls and brows. Unlike a traditional facelift, the Featherlift® requires no cutting, uses only a local anesthetic and produces a natural non-stretched appearance. There is minimal to no significant bruising or pain afterwards, and the procedure can be done safely on an outpatient basis allowing patients to return to work in a few days.
Dr. Presant has worked closely with one of the original U.S. investigator teams for the Featherlift® technique and has accumulated advanced experience.
WHAT IS FEATHERLIFT®?
Featherlift® is a new face-lifting procedure that uses Prolene suture material with small barbs in them to raise the fat pads of the face.
HOW IS FEATHERLIFT® DONE?
Featherlift® is a method of lifting tissue of the face and neck using patented APTOS threads. These are inserted under the skin, uplifting the fallen fat pads, leaving no visible traces of intervention on the skin. The threads are polypropylene sutures modified with sharp dents created with a laser. The threads hold tissue firmly because of the sharp edges to the dents. These are not felt once in place.HOW DOES IT WORK?
The tiny nylon threads have minute barbs cut into them with a laser. When the threads are passed through the fat pads they are “locked” up by hundreds of these tiny barbs.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
As of this time it has been used extensively for five years and about 80% of the face lifts are holding tightly.
WHAT MAKES THEM HOLD FOR SO LONG?
Because there are hundreds of tiny barbs per thread, collagen grows inside each one of them locking them into position.
WHAT AREAS CAN BE DONE?
There are four areas that are usually done. The eyebrows can be elevated, the cheeks are lifted up and out, the “jowls” are elevated and reduced and the neckline and jawline are tightened.
CAN I GET A REACTION TO THE NYLON THREADS?
While anyone can react to anything it is highly unlikely that you will react to the threads. This material is known as Prolene which is the exact same material that we have been sewing you up with for the past 40 years. It has been used routinely in surgery worldwide for decades without significant problems.
IS THERE ANY SCARRING?
There is absolutely no culling what-so-ever, it is strictly performed with needles only, which leaves no visible scars.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME AND WILL THERE BE SIGNIFICANT BRUISING?
Because we use local anesthesia there is a lot of swelling immediately after the procedure. About 70% of this swelling is usually gone by the next morning. We ask all of our patients to take Arnica Montana and Kiwi fruit for one week prior to the procedure and one week afterwards. This minimizes bruising to the point that in one week almost all of the bruising is gone.
WHAT IS THE COST COMPARED TO STANDARD FACELIFTING?
The cost is substantially less than the usual surgical facelift, it varies depending on how many areas you wish to have treated. It generally runs about half as much as standard surgery.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS?
These are extremely rare. Infection and swelling can also occur rarely. Unevenness can also occur rarely. If multiple cogs break by sleeping on your side the suture material will make its way to the surface where it can easily be pulled out.
For more information log on to www.featherlift.com
Make an appointment with Dr. Presant for a free consultation.DIAMOND WIRE
Another minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, the Diamond Wire technique, was developed for the treatment of deep folds in the face, brow and bridge of the nose. These folds, which are common on each side of the nose (nasolabial) and between the eyebrows (glabella), occur with aging through the action of gravity and muscle movement used in facial expression.
The Diamond Wire technique releases the attachment of the skin to deeper underlying tissues, allowing folds or scars to smooth out and elevate upward.
This procedure takes a short period of time to perform, allows a quick recovery time and leaves no scars. It is done on an outpatient basis and only local anesthesia is needed.
The Diamond Wire procedure can be done alone or in addition to other cosmetic procedures.
WHAT IS DIAMOND WIRE?
Diamond Wire is a small straight needle to which is attached a very thin cutting wire.
WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
Diamond Wire is a surgical procedure that leaves no scars and removes the ‘smile lines’ or naso-labial folds.
HOW MUCH BRUISING IS THERE AND HOW LONG WILL I BE OUT OF COMMISSION?
Bruising is variable, but in those patients that have taken Arnica Montana and Kiwi fruit for one week prior to the procedure there is minimal to none the next day. We of course recommend that you continue to take the Arnica Montana and Kiwi fruit for one week after the procedure.
WHAT ARE MY ALTERNATIVES?
There are many good fillers on the market today. Most of these require repeated applications and the results are very dependent on the skill of the injector. Other than a complete face lift there are no other surgical procedures on the market today.
CAN YOU THEN SUMMARIZE THE ADVANTAGES?
• Rapid in and out
• No scars
• Lasts for years
• Does not require repeated injections
• Minimal to no bruising
• Cost effective (especially compared to repeated injections)
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A small thin needle is passed under the skin and up one side of the wrinkle across the wrinkle at the nose and down the other side of the wrinkle. The wire is then pulled through the skin and the wrinkle is then released from the underlying tissue.
CAN I USE COLLAGEN & DIAMOND WIRE?
Yes. If we insert some collagen (or other filler) immediately or soon after the procedure this helps the results last even longer.
For more information log on to www.featherlift.com
Make an appointment with Dr. Presant for a free consultation.