Welcome to our balanced comparison of approaches that address common skin concerns associated with ageing. Ageing is a natural, universal process. While many people feel comfortable embracing these changes, others choose to explore options that may soften lines or improve skin quality. This article provides general information about several approaches, including facial treatment with suspension threads, and compares them with other commonly discussed options. It is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with an appropriately qualified health professional.
The Rise of Facial Treatment with Suspension Threads
Facial treatment with suspension threads has become more widely discussed in recent years. This non-surgical technique places dissolvable threads under the skin to gently support areas of mild to moderate sagging. In some people, the presence of threads may stimulate collagen, which can contribute to gradual changes in skin elasticity over time. This approach is typically less invasive than surgery; however, suitability, recovery and results vary between individuals and should be discussed in a consultation.
Facelifts
Facelifts, also known as rhytidectomies, are surgical procedures that lift and reposition skin and underlying tissues to address more significant sagging and deeper wrinkles. While surgery can achieve more pronounced and longer-lasting structural changes than facial treatment with suspension threads, it also involves anaesthesia, a longer recovery period and surgical risks that need to be carefully considered with a specialist surgeon.
Muscle Relaxant for Wrinkles and Lines
Muscle relaxant is commonly used to soften the appearance of lines caused by repetitive movement, such as frown lines and crow’s feet. It works by temporarily relaxing targeted facial muscles. Muscle relaxant does not address skin laxity or sagging. As this involves a prescription-only medicine, details about suitability, dosing and product selection are discussed with an appropriately qualified health professional during a consultation.
Treatments for Facial Volume Loss and Lip Treatment
Options used to address facial volume loss or to enhance lips are designed to add volume and soften static lines. These treatments can contribute to a refreshed look in selected areas. They are not designed to lift sagging skin and are often considered alongside other modalities. Product choice, technique and maintenance plans are individualised after assessment.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing uses focused energy to improve texture, tone and the appearance of fine lines by removing targeted layers of skin and promoting collagen. It can be effective for surface irregularities. It is not a substitute for procedures that reposition deeper tissues where there is marked laxity. Downtime and aftercare requirements depend on the device and settings used.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels apply a carefully selected solution to exfoliate the outer layers of skin. Depending on depth, peels can improve texture, fine lines and some pigmentation. Peels are not designed to correct significant sagging. Depth, recovery time and aftercare vary with the type of peel and individual skin characteristics.
Microneedling
Microneedling (collagen induction therapy) uses fine needles to create controlled micro-channels in the skin. This process can stimulate collagen and may improve texture and the appearance of fine lines in suitable candidates. It is generally considered for surface quality rather than for lifting.
Comparing the Treatments
This summary provides high-level, educational information. Individual assessment is essential to determine suitability, expected benefits, risks and likely maintenance.
Treatment Purpose:
Facial treatment with suspension threads: Support and gently reposition areas of mild to moderate sagging and refine facial contours.
Facelifts: Address pronounced sagging and deeper wrinkles through surgery.
Muscle relaxant: Temporarily softens lines related to muscle movement.
Facial volume loss treatment or lip treatment: Add volume and soften static lines in targeted areas.
Laser resurfacing: Improve texture and tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Chemical peels: Exfoliate and renew the surface layers of skin.
Microneedling: Stimulate collagen to help refine texture.
Effectiveness:
Facial treatment with suspension threads: Considered for mild to moderate skin laxity and contour refinement in carefully selected patients.
Facelifts: Considered for more significant laxity and deeper wrinkles where surgical correction is appropriate.
Muscle relaxant: Suitable for dynamic lines that appear with expression.
Facial volume loss treatment or lip treatment: Helpful for volume restoration and softening certain static lines.
Laser resurfacing: Often used for textural concerns and fine lines.
Chemical peels: Used for surface rejuvenation; depth and outcomes vary.
Microneedling: Used to encourage collagen; incremental improvements are typical.
Recovery Time:
Facial treatment with suspension threads: Recovery needs differ; temporary swelling, bruising or tenderness can occur.
Facelifts: Requires a longer recovery period; timeframes depend on the extent of surgery and individual healing.
Muscle relaxant: Most daily activities can usually be resumed shortly after treatment; any specific precautions are discussed during consultation.
Facial volume loss treatment or lip treatment: Temporary swelling or bruising can occur; aftercare will be advised by your practitioner.
Laser resurfacing: Downtime varies with device and settings, ranging from minimal to more noticeable recovery for deeper treatments.
Chemical peels: Healing time depends on peel depth, from short peeling periods to longer recovery for deeper peels.
Microneedling: Short-term redness and sensitivity are common; your practitioner will advise on skincare during recovery.
Longevity of Results:
Facial treatment with suspension threads: Changes are time-limited and vary by thread type, placement and individual factors.
Facelifts: Surgical changes can be longer lasting, but ageing continues and individual experiences differ.
Muscle relaxant: Temporary effect; maintenance is required to sustain results.
Facial volume loss treatment or lip treatment: Longevity depends on the specific product used, area treated and individual metabolism.
Laser resurfacing: Improvements can be sustained with skincare, sun protection and, where appropriate, maintenance treatments.
Chemical peels: Duration of improvement depends on peel depth and ongoing skin care.
Microneedling: Gradual changes are expected; periodic sessions may be considered where appropriate.
Costs:
Costs vary based on the practitioner, setting, product or device used, areas treated and the number of sessions recommended. A clear itemised quote, including follow-up care where relevant, should be provided before proceeding.
Choosing the Right Approach
The most suitable option depends on your priorities, medical history, examination findings and the balance of potential benefits and risks. A consultation with an appropriately qualified health professional will help determine whether non-surgical care, facial treatment with suspension threads, laser or peel options, volume restoration approaches, or surgery may be considered. No procedure is guaranteed and outcomes differ between individuals.
If your main concern is early laxity with mild descent, facial treatment with suspension threads may be discussed. Where there is marked laxity and deeper folds, surgical options may be more appropriate. If lines are primarily movement-related, a muscle relaxant may be considered. For contour or volume concerns, a tailored plan for facial volume loss treatment or lip treatment may be appropriate. For texture and tone, laser resurfacing, chemical peels or microneedling may be suitable.
Risks and Recovery
All procedures have risks and require aftercare. The following is general information only. Your practitioner will discuss individual risks, alternatives and expected recovery during consultation.
Facial treatment with suspension threads: Possible side effects include pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling, dimpling, asymmetry, thread visibility or palpability, infection, and rare thread breakage or displacement. Recovery instructions may include sleeping position changes and limiting facial massage for a period.
Facelifts: Surgical risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, nerve injury, seroma or hematoma, anaesthesia risks and prolonged swelling. Recovery can take weeks, with staged return to activity as directed by the surgeon.
Muscle relaxant: Possible effects include headache, local tenderness, bruising, temporary asymmetry, unintended weakness in nearby muscles and, rarely, eyelid or brow droop. Effects are temporary. Specific product information and suitability are discussed during a professional consultation.
Facial volume loss treatment or lip treatment: Potential risks include swelling, bruising, lumps or unevenness, tenderness, infection and, rarely, vascular complications that require urgent management. Follow aftercare instructions and seek prompt review if you experience severe pain, colour change or vision changes.
Laser resurfacing: Risks can include redness, swelling, pigment change, scarring, infection, sensitivity and prolonged healing. Strict sun protection and tailored skincare are important during recovery.
Chemical peels: Risks depend on peel depth and can include redness, peeling, pigment change, sensitivity, infection and, rarely, scarring. Post-peel care and sun avoidance are essential.
Microneedling: Temporary redness, swelling and sensitivity are common. Infection or pigment change is uncommon but possible. Gentle skincare and sun protection support recovery.
Important: Outcomes vary from person to person. Photographs or examples relate only to specific individuals and do not predict your results. Time between treatments and the frequency of maintenance, if any, are determined individually. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must attend consultations, and cooling-off periods apply for higher-risk procedures. If you feel pressure to proceed, consider seeking a second opinion.