Some are opposed to the introduction of any foreign substances under the skin, while others go to various tricks to improve their face and body, prolong their youth and preserve beauty. Such radical changes as surgery are not a suitable option for everyone, but sparing procedures like fillers or mesothreads are a real gift for connoisseurs of the golden mean. Both treatments are very effective, safe and reasonably priced. Which option is better and what is the difference? We will talk about this further.

About mesothreads

Principle of operation, features

A truly magical development of South Korean scientists has taken one of the leading places in the world of cosmetology. Mesothreads or the so-called «threadlifting» is, in fact, a non-surgical facelift. The procedure involves the subcutaneous injection of mesothreads with the help of the finest flexible needles made of high-quality steel. The main goal is to tighten the skin of the face, neck, chest, even the whole body.

Mesothreads are biological threads made of various materials. According to the type of action and the rate of splitting of the material in the human body, the threads can be of several types:

1. Smooth threads (linear, monofilament);

2. With notches (mesothreads) — have the longest effect;

3. Surgical lifting options (spiral threads) — have shape memory — after subcutaneous injection, they tend to return to their original shape, thereby enhancing the lifting effect.

Mesothreads also differ in the type of material used and are absorbable, long-term absorbable, non-absorbable. Absorbable mesothreads are the absolute favorite among the existing ones. It is to them that the term «threadlifting» refers.

Important. Threads for facial lifting are often made from polydioxanone — it is synthetic. But there are other compositions, including those based on gold. If we talk about synthetic materials, then they do not have either pyrogenic (increasing temperature) or antigenic properties. Therefore, mesothreads are considered absolutely hypoallergenic and do not cause significant tissue swelling.

How do mesothreads work? If we talk about polydioxanone, then its «viability» is represented by 2 phases. The first is tissue lifting by creating a kind of mechanical frame, maintaining the strength and structure of the threads. The duration of the stage is about 90-120 days. The second is the gradual loss of mass and strength of the threads. In place of the disintegrating threads, collagen is formed due to tissue biostimulation: the production of hyaluronic acid by the body is activated. The duration of the stage is 180-240 days.

After splitting the threads, a formed natural frame (bio-reinforcement) remains, which lasts up to 1.5-2 years after the procedure. The number of threads used in one procedure ranges from 5 to 50, depending on the severity of the problem and the desired effect.

How is the procedure? Threadlifting involves the introduction of microneedles through punctures in the skin. Following the needle is a thread that is inserted to a certain depth. After that, the needle is carefully withdrawn, and the thread remains fixed inside the tissues. The procedure is carried out exclusively under sterile conditions after skin treatment with an antiseptic and an anesthetic.

Advantages of mesothreads

Although the threadlift procedure is considered quite new in the cosmetology world, it has managed to gain momentum in popularity, not least due to its unique advantages:

1. Composition safety — all mesothreads are hypoallergenic;

2. Painlessness — due to the use of the finest microneedles and anesthetic, threadlifting is considered a procedure that does not bring discomfort;

3. Versatility of application — with the help of mesothreads, not only lifting is possible, but also 3D modeling, reinforcement of various parts of the body;

4. Quick rehabilitation after the procedure — within a few hours after leaving the cosmetologist’s office, the skin will begin to recover;

5. Fast and long-lasting results — the effect of the procedures is already noticeable during the first week, the maximum result appears after a couple of months and lasts up to 2 years.

Recovery after the procedure

The rehabilitation period after threadlifting, as a rule, does not exceed 5-7 days, subject to the recommendations of the beautician. During this period, painful sensations on the skin are possible, traces of punctures with needles are noticeable, slight bruising is allowed.

During recovery, it is not allowed to visit swimming pools, baths, sports. For at least one week, it is important to lead a measured lifestyle, remember about antiseptic skin care, and then the rehabilitation will be comfortable.

About fillers

Features of action, classification

Fillers include drugs designed for the purpose of facial contouring. The composition of such preparations includes hyaluronic acid, collagen, calcium hydroxyapatite, polylactic acid, etc. The main purpose of fillers is to give additional volume to tissues at the injection site of the filler.

Today, the cosmetology market offers such a variety of drugs that differ in a number of parameters that it will not be superfluous to have an idea of ​​​​the main categories, especially for those who decide on the procedure.

According to the features of the action and the substances that make up their composition, fillers are divided into 2 large categories — absorbable and non-absorbable. Absorbable fillers (so-called biodegradable fillers) are considered one of the most sought after cosmetic procedures on the beauty market. Such drugs are absolutely safe for the human body, biocompatible, participate in metabolic processes and gradually break down. Fillers are based on biochemical macromolecules of natural origin.

Conditionally divided into several groups:

1. Hyaluronic — in the composition — hyaluronic acid. This polysaccharide does not cause allergic reactions, addiction and side effects (in rare cases). Due to the lack of disadvantages, hyaluronic fillers are the most popular. They are used to correct the volume of the lips, cheekbones, cheeks, facial oval, to eliminate small facial wrinkles and nasolabial folds. The duration of the procedure, as a rule, does not exceed 30 minutes, and the duration of the result is about 1 year.

2. Collagen — pioneers in the field of fillers. It was collagen fillers that were the first to be injected under the skin to achieve the desired aesthetic effect. Today, this option is losing its popularity due to the short duration of the effect (up to 6 months) and the likelihood of an allergic reaction, since collagen is a protein.

3. Others — This category includes injectable fillers with the longest lasting effect of existing fillers. They are based on a combination of biocompatible and synthetic substances. The duration of the result reaches 4-5 years. True, there is one “but”: if the correction is unsuccessful or a complication occurs, serious intervention will be required, since today there are no enzymes that can break down such drugs.

Non-absorbable fillers (biodegradable) are the group of the most “primitive” drugs. Represented by polymer gels that are not able to break down after entering human tissues. Depending on the type of base, there are acrylic, silicone and polyacrylamide.

This is the most inexpensive option presented, hypoallergenic, non-toxic and gives a fairly long-term result. Only the probability of developing complications is quite high: a foreign substance can be isolated by cells with further development of a connective tissue capsule, there is a possibility of tissue compaction around the injection, etc. and with a bioindegradable drug, this is not possible.

This group also includes another type of fillers — autologous — the body’s own fat cells. Human adipose tissue is taken from one area of ​​the body and injected into another that requires correction of shape or volume. In case of successful engraftment, such fillers provide the longest result with a minimal likelihood of negative effects.

A striking example of an autologous filler is lipofilling. This method also has its drawbacks: an unpredictable effect after the removal of adipose tissue, the trauma of the procedure and a long period of rehabilitation. But at the same time, the probability that the tissue will take root is very high, and the cost of the material is low, since it is taken from the patient himself.

Filler Benefits

All procedures in which fillers are used are considered the most popular today and there are several reasons for this:

1. Versatility of application — gel-like fillers can be safely used to adjust the shape and volume of absolutely any part of the body, not only the face;

2. The versatility of drugs — fillers allow you to adjust the shape of the body and face, increase skin elasticity, make wrinkles minimal, almost invisible or completely hide them;

3. Minimal risk of developing an allergic reaction — in most cases, fillers are represented by hyaluronic acid, which is known to be hypoallergenic;

4. The speed of the procedure and the manifestation of the result — the introduction of fillers usually takes no more than 20-30 minutes, and the result is noticeable for a couple of days.

5. Painless injections.

Indications and contraindications for procedures

Both fillers and mesothreads have a number of common indications for carrying out:

1. Pronounced nasolabial folds;

2. Folds behind / in front of the auricle;

3. Ptosis of eyebrows, cheeks;

4. Vertical and horizontal wrinkles;

5. Creases on the chin and neck;

6. Nasolacrimal groove;

7. Uneven skin relief (although mesothreads will be a little more effective here), etc.

Separately, we can highlight the preference of threadlifting over fillers in a number of cases:

1. Correction of age-related changes such as ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), deep horizontal wrinkles, nasolacrimal and nasolabial furrows, crow’s feet in clients aged 35 to 45;

2. Auxiliary means of tightening the skin before the introduction of threads with notches (for patients over 35 years of age);

3. Correction of mimic wrinkles in areas of the face inaccessible to botulinum therapy.

Despite the safety and versatility of both procedures, There are a number of contraindications for their implementation:

1. blood diseases;

2. Somatic pathologies;

3. Hemophilia;

4. Mental and neurological disorders;

5. Autoimmune pathologies;

6. Acute infectious conditions;

7. Inflammation of the skin at the injection sites;

8. Ischemic heart disease, etc.

Comparative characteristics