As with dermabrasion and chemical skin peels, a laser face lift involves the uppermost layer of skin being burned off and then growing back tighter and firmer than before.  But it has a couple of marked advantages over the first two methods.  One of those is that the doctor can control the depth of the laser, resulting in a better effect that’s custom suited to the patient’s face and wishes.  A laser face lift also stimulates the collagen matrix beneath the skin and encourages growth, which gives a fuller and more youthful effect instead of simply reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

The results of a laser face lift can be rather dramatic, but it only works well for certain candidates.  If you are fair, with light skin that is not oily or acne prone, you would probably do well with it.  But it is not recommended for people who have darker or problematic skin, as they can end up with permanent changes in pigmentation.  A laser face lift is also more effective when used to treat horizontal forehead creases, lower eyelids, fine cheek wrinkles, and fine creases around the lips.  In general, it does less for very deep creases and indentations, and in certain areas like the upper eyelids and the neck.  If these are areas of concern for you, you would be best off looking into a different sort of non invasive face lift.

Recovery from a laser face lift comes in stages.  The first week or two is the hardest, and the skin is painful, sensitive, and discolored during this time. It will also crust, but after about a week that will stop and it will turn bright pink.  Only once the bright pink fades to light pink will you be able to cover it up with makeup.  And it will be a full six months that you’ll have to stay out of the sun.

This is one of the biggest drawbacks to a laser face lift.  There is nothing discreet about it, and it can actually be quite embarrassing to walk around with what looks like a terrible sunburn for a month or more.  While a laser face lift is one of the more popular types of a non invasive face lift, there are options out there that impact your life a lot less.  A laser face lift costs around $2,250, and another similarly priced non invasive face lift, the thread face lift has a much shorter recovery period.  But the bottom line is that you will need to meet with your plastic surgeon to discuss what method is best for you and your needs.

Choosing a thread lift over a traditional face lift is a much less expensive option, costing roughly $1,500 to $4,000 where a surgical face lift would amount to $6,000 to $15,000. While there is certainly a range in costs, the average thread face lift bill is around $2,500. The variance in price is based on which surgeon you choose to use and what exactly you need to have done. The procedure takes about an hour from start to finish, and this is the reason that the thread lift is often referred to as a “lunchtime” or “weekend face lift.” Expect a shorter recovery time as well– approximately a week, during which you’ll need to eat softer foods, keep your head elevated, use ice to keep down the swelling, and take acetaminophen as needed for pain relief.

A thread face lift can give excellent results for people who want to look more youthful, but aren’t yet showing very advanced signs of aging. The ideal patient is somewhere between 35 and 45 years old and is starting to lose the underlying facial fat, giving them sagging cheeks, some bagging under the eyes, and a more prominent jaw line. It is also extremely beneficial for those suffering from facial palsies. If a woman has more advanced signs of aging, she would probably need a more complicated procedure, but that more thorough facelift might include a thread lift.

As with any type of cosmetic face lift, you want to make sure that you get the results you want from a thread face lift. Make sure to end up looking the way you want to by selecting a good face lift doctor who can show you photos of his results that you are satisfied with. Bringing in a picture of yourself a few years back is a good idea, so you can discuss with your doctor if you have realistic expectations for a thread lift before you begin.

A thread face lift also gives you the opportunity to give your input during the actual procedure. As you’ll only have local anesthesia (but expect lot’s of little shots all over your face), and you’ll be totally conscious, you can watch your doctor work and tell him or her exactly how you’d like the threads to be adjusted. Though not for the faint of heart, this is another reason that a thread face lift is such a popular option today, as you can have more control over the end results with a thread lift than with a different type of facelift.