Suture Lifting

With very little risk or downtime, and no need for general anaesthetic, this is a very clever, alternative face lifting procedure for a subtle and very natural lift to the face.

With ageing and sun damage, the face takes on different appearances. Often, this involves a change in skin texture with a development of blotchy pigmentation and fine lines. This may be more prominent around the eyes and mouth. For those at this stage, laser resurfacing can produce a smooth and rejuvenated appearance with some skin contraction and elevation.

In the next stage, the skin starts to droop from the facial structures, requiring some form for lifting. Until this point there have been two types of facial lifts. The classic face lift that involves cutting and removing skin, and the face skin lift, which is less invasive and has less risks associated with it, but which still involves cutting and pulling that can produce scarring.

How does the suture lift differ from the more traditional face lifts?

• Facial suture lifting requires no cutting (except two small incisions behind the ears) and the skin is lifted with sutures (seams) alone. The sutures are made from a nylon-type material and are placed under the skin and left in place permanently. After a few weeks the skin is held in position by tissue which forms around the sutures.
• Suture lifting is a reversible and less invasive procedure that is performed under local anaesthetic in the rooms.

To whom might this procedure be suited?

• Patients who are not yet ready for face lift surgery.
• Patients who have previously had a face lift and want to improve the residual loose or drooping areas that remain.