Silhouette InstaLift absorbable sutures have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to lift sagging facial features and restore lost volume and contour by stimulating new collagen formation without surgery. Thanks to their dual mechanism of action, they are a highly effective method for restoring a youthful appearance to the face.
Silhouette Instalift, what is it?
The first questions to ask when considering any medical treatment are, first, is it safe, and second, is it effective. For Silhouette Instalift threads, when used in an appropriate patient by an experienced provider, the answer to both questions is a definite yes. This answer is based on years of clinical outcome data for the Instalift sutures and a similar suture that has been in use in Europe since 2012. Additionally, there are decades of safety data on the polymers that comprise the sutures, PLLA and PLGA, which have been used in various medical devices and surgical sutures since the 1970s. In 2015 Silhouette Instalift threads received FDA approval for the indication of lifting and recontouring mid-face tissues. They are the only FDA-cleared, minimally invasive, absorbable treatment option for tissue repositioning of the midface.
The suture design includes a central monofilament with two groups of evenly spaced cones. The cones are bidirectional, meaning they are oriented in opposite directions. The oppositely directed cones allow the tissue to be advanced over the cones and then held in a suspended position, creating lift, improving mid-face contour, and decreasing lower face wrinkles and jowls. Because InstaLift absorbable sutures are made of a fully absorbable, biodegradable material, there is no need for a secondary procedure to remove the threads, as they dissolve on their own over time. In clinical studies, patients have noticed increased facial lift and contour lasting 18-36 months, after which additional threads can be inserted if desired.
Another benefit of InstaLift absorbable sutures is that they are minimally invasive, meaning there is less risk of scarring, infection, or other complications associated with more invasive procedures. The small needle holes made during the treatment typically heal quickly and are barely visible after a few days.
What is Silhouette Instalift made of?
The monofilament suture and the cones are composed entirely of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly-lactide-co-glycolide copolymer (PLGA). These two polymers have over 50 years of safe use in medical devices, implants, and absorbable sutures. Since the 1970s, they have proven to be biocompatible, meaning they can exist in contact with human tissue without being harmful or toxic. PLLA has also been used as an injectable cosmetic filler material to restore soft tissue volume since 1999 in Europe and 2004 in the US (marketed as Sculptra). PLLA stimulates the body to increase collagen production by inducing subclinical inflammation adjacent to its placed areas. PLLA has a long history of clinical effectiveness in restoring facial volume via increased collagen production. Silhouette Instalift suture design and molecular composition are notable for the dual benefits of mechanically lifting tissue, followed by volumizing tissue through increased collagen production over the ensuing months. PLLA and PLGA are metabolized by the body to lactic and glycolic acid, respectively, and are excreted through normal physiologic pathways.
How is Silhouette Instalift done?
The InstaLift procedure involves inserting small, dissolvable sutures through an opening made with a needle into the subcutaneous tissue of the face. Lidocaine is used to numb the entry and exit points of the suture. Once the suture is in place, the sagging tissue of the lower face is gently massaged in a superior direction over the suture until the cones engage the tissue and hold it in a lifted position. The other end of the suture is massaged into the subcutaneous tissue along the hairline, allowing the cones to grip the tissue and act as an anchor to maintain the lift. Once the tissue is adequately repositioned and symmetry is achieved, the suture ends are trimmed, and nothing is left visible on the skin surface. The procedure takes about one hour. The manufacturer recommends refraining from high-impact exercises, massages, dental procedures, and exaggerated chewing motions for two weeks to allow the suture to integrate with the tissue and begin recovery.
If you are looking for a Silhouette Instalift thread lift in Portland, OR, or the surrounding areas, contact Aluma and book a consultation. Dr. Brigham will review your anatomy, discuss your treatment goals, and determine if you are a good candidate.
