Novathreads™ are absorbable polydioxanone synthetic surgical sutures which have been widely used in cardiovascular surgery for 30 years. Novathreads™ offers three types of thread procedures using barbed, smooth, and twist techniques.

Novathreads™ are inserted under the skin to provide lift for dermal laxity. Improvement is noticed in the folds of the skin, crepiness, skin texture, lower face, jawline, and neck. Barbed threads provide a grip underneath the skin and the lifting technique results in an immediate repositioning of the skin. Novathreads™ naturally resorb over six months. The threads stimulate collagen in the area of treatment.

Consultation with your provider is recommended to establish a customized treatment plan.

The lifting effect is seen immediately after placement.

The effects are temporary. The threads resorb in six months. However, the collagenesis process provides results for 9-15 months depending on the area treated and the number of threads placed. The results from new collagen formation remain from the treatment. However, the procedure does not stop the aging process.

Novathreads™ for lift can be placed in the midface area (cheek), lower face to improve jawline, neck, and brow.

Yes, the Novamesh™ procedure can improve the skin texture, laxity, and crepiness using smooth threads for collagen stimulation. Improvement in softening lines is also possible: necklines, lines of the décolleté, cheeks, under the chin, and around the lips. Twist threads can be used for adding volume to the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and creases across the chin.

Yes, these treatments can be combined for overall aesthetic improvement depending on the patient’s goals.

A topical numbing anesthetic is used prior to treatment. In addition, lidocaine is injected into the insertion sites and throughout the treatment area prior to the procedure. Most patients find the procedure very tolerable.

The lift or barbed threads are passed through the tissue using a blunt-tipped cannula which glides over nerves and vessels. The cannula technique also reduces the possibility of bruising.

Generalized swelling occurs for 3-5 days. Bruising is not common with the procedure but may be patient dependent. Patients are more predisposed to bruising when taking aspirin, vitamin E, fish oil/omega supplements, blood thinners, NSAIDs (ibuprofen), and also with alcohol consumption.

Soreness, tenderness, and tightness are observed for several days. Patients notice these effects when eating and chewing. Ibuprofen is recommended immediately post procedure.

The available fillers have limited ability to lift and provide improvement in laxity especially in the lower face and jawline. Biostimulating fillers such as Sculptra™ are used in conjunction with threads to improve volume in the temples and to improve cheek crepiness.

These procedures are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or in areas of active infection, pre-existing scar tissue, or areas of keloid scarring.