Mesothreads: expectation and reality

Recently, a massive marketing wave of advertising for mesothreads has attracted more and more attention, presenting them as a panacea for all problems associated with the struggle for youth and beauty. And with this she “enslaved” multimillion-dollar crowds of fans and hunters for the magic “elixir”. Signing up for thread lifting has gained massive attention and has led to an unreasonably high price for the service.

The high demand for the procedure has led to an increase in cosmetologists wanting to learn this technique. And then the number of not only younger patients increased, but also victims of a high-profile marketing project, problems began with certification, SES, and a huge number of attempts to import uncertified materials for this procedure appeared.

Mesothread lifting is one of the types of anti-aging lifting procedures, which is gaining more and more popularity from year to year. And, of course, like any cosmetology technique, it has its indications and contraindications. As a result, thread lifting using mesothreads is also questioned. And today it is impossible to find the truth in the contradictions and battles that arise around mesothreads, among fans and specialists who deny the technique.

Let's look at some of them that concern both specialists and their patients.

Expectation

After the thread lifting procedure, mesothreads do not replenish the lost volume of the face, wrinkles and folds are not eliminated, which means the rejuvenation procedure is ineffective

Reality

A misunderstanding of the mechanism of action of mesothreads and the status of this procedure misleads many. Mesothreads were invented to tighten and create clear contours of the face, that is, 3D-4D mesothreads cannot restore lost volumes and fill in gaps on the face. The lifting effect consists of modeling the framework lost with age and stimulating metabolic processes. The result of the mesothread procedure is obvious: it appears instantly and reaches its maximum after 1-2 months.

Expectation

The surface of the skin after mesothreads may be embossed, with traces from their introduction.

Reality

Mesothreads are inserted into the skin with a very thin injection needle or a blunt cannula-guide. The cosmetologist carefully guides the guide needle with the thread inside under the skin, guided by the initially chosen technique. Mesothreads reinforce fabrics and create the effect of gentle stitching. After the procedure, small grooves or nodules may be noticeable at the site of needle insertion and, sometimes, along the thread. These marks disappear within 7-14 days. When placed correctly, the thread itself is not noticeable; it does not show through the skin. In addition, the threads consist of polydioxanone, and this is a material that dissolves on its own within 210-320 days (depending on the type and thickness of the thread). As the thread dissolves, it forms a frame of new fibrous fibers. In addition, mesothreads do not cause changes in facial expressions, even if they are very active.

Expectation

The procedure is completely safe and easy to perform.

Reality

As for safety, there are no guarantees. Moving along a given path, the needle pulls the thread and “stitches” the thickness of the skin. Then the guide needle must be removed, and the thread itself must be left in the tissue. When there is a slight deviation from the insertion trajectory or its correct depth, it is impossible to return both the needle and the thread to their original position (with the exception of some types of mesothreads, where the thread is completely in the cannula). If sutures made from a non-resorbable material are used, which may not be absorbed for years, then the situation becomes even more complicated.

There is a nuance when installing smooth threads. The likelihood of them shifting is quite high because they do not have notches or cones, making displacement unlikely. It is also possible that the thread itself can be visualized under the skin if it is placed more superficially than it should be.

Expectation

Threadlifting with mesothreads is a very uncomfortable and painful procedure.

Reality

This procedure is not one of the pleasant and 100% painless manipulations, like any procedure in cosmetology that involves puncture and penetration into tissue. Of course, everything depends on the patient’s pain threshold, emotional state, etc. For a comfortable procedure, topical anesthesia is applied and, if necessary, injections of ultracaine or lidocaine at the puncture sites and along the thread. In this case, the procedure should not bring the patient a lot of discomfort and acute pain. Within 10-14 days after insertion of mesothreads, slight tension, swelling (in the presence of bruises and hematomas) and tingling may be felt. This reaction is absolutely normal and passable.

Expectation

Mesothread can be rejected by the body, as it is a foreign material.

Reality

Mesothreads consist of polydioxanone coated with polylactic acid. It is a skin-compatible material, completely biologically inert and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.

PDO is a well-known synthetic suture material that is used in medicine for suturing. I repeat that in our body this composition tends to dissolve after 7-12 months, leaving behind a lifting effect and remodeling of facial contours. And in combination with other minimally invasive procedures and a timely course of thread lifting, it can be a good alternative to surgical intervention.

Expectation

The supplied threads have a revitalizing effect and leave behind a frame of new collagen fibers.

Reality

The skin cannot undergo a revitalizing effect due to the composition of the material from which the thread is made: PDO does not have a moisturizing factor and does not affect skin restoration processes. Quite a lot of sources write that after biodegradation, the thread leaves a long-lasting lifting effect due to the collagen frame.

Collagen is a substance responsible for the level of skin turgor, and therefore for its smoothness, absence of wrinkles and clear contours. But collagen is mainly produced exclusively in the deep layers of the dermis. The components of the extracellular matrix, including collagen, are synthesized by fibroblasts - cells of epithelial (connective) tissues. But threads made of synthetic suture material cannot be placed into the dermis - they are placed deeper.

In this expectation, the information is true that an additional framework is indeed being formed. But what this frame consists of is false information. And it consists not of collagen, but of fibrous (scar) tissues that arise during the rehabilitation process.

So…

The thread lifting procedure using mesothreads really gives good lifting, a clear facial contour and skin tightening. Of course, this effect does not last forever. The client must do combinations with other injection and cosmetic procedures, lead a healthy lifestyle and always be under the supervision of his cosmetologist.

Reviews from women who have tried this lifting method on themselves are mixed. It suits some people more, others less, everything is individual. The procedure for installing mesothreads is a safe method of rejuvenation, but safety depends largely on the qualifications of the doctor.