The main difference between a thread lift type of face-lift and what is called a “lunchtime lift” are the materials used to affect the change. Thread lifts have emerged because so many people who would love to have a more youthful looking face simply can’t afford the highly invasive procedure of the traditional method. The recovery time of a thread lift has considerably less downtime and can be done during the lunch break, after work, or on a Friday when the patient will have the weekend to recuperate. There are three kinds of facelifts that is included in the “lunchtime” category.

The Cool Laser method is done with a laser that heats the dermis causing collagen to develop and fill in the wrinkles, removing scars. Since 1995, the thread lift procedure, approved by the FDA, consists of sutures with tiny barbs coming off the thread. The doctor uses a thin needle, he inserts the sutures just under the tissue of the face, neck, or jowls and the barbs grab and lift up skin that sags. On the other end, the teeth anchors skin to the facial tissues underneath. There aren’t any incisions, stitches, scars, or blood.

Two methods of thread lifts are the FeatherLift and ContourLift. Either method will elevate and fix the sagging mid-face, brows, and neck and were approved by the FDA in 2004. Another type called Aptos Thread, developed overseas, achieved pre-market approval in 2005. There were more than 5,000 types of lunchtime lift done in 2006.

The best candidates for the thread lift method are people who just want a small lift with minimal signs of aging. Other people who would benefit are those who have had a traditional face-lift and need a little more help after time as support for the soft tissue around the neck and under the eyes, which was elevated in the previous procedure. Thread lifts are a way of rejuvenating previous surgeries done years before.

The risks involved in a thread lift procedure are many. You may want to consider these points carefully in making your decision. You may not notice any improvement at all after the procedure. So you would go ahead with the traditional life afterwards. Sometimes in women with thin skin, the sutures became visible beneath the skin after the procedure was done. But plastic surgeons that have more experience have said that this problem is due to poor techniques or selection of patients that had less chance of having a successful procedure. Patients have reported to experience less sensitivity and numbness in the treated area. This will usually subside in about two to three weeks. Infection is not a common side effect, but will be treated with antibiotics, and even more rarely, will require surgical draining. Scarring is also a possibility.

There are some surgeons who won’t perform the thread lift until they can assess results in two or three years. This is because clinical studies on the thread lift have not been completed, but are being worked on at three universities in the United States.

When searching for a surgeon, make sure he is board certified. These are the doctors who know the most about thread lifts, and can honestly and accurately guide you to the best procedure approach with the expected results you want. Remember that each patient is individual and doing your homework first will better assure your safety and satisfaction.

Vicki Wallace blogs on beauty topics on her website and shares her opinions and experiences on the pains of being beautiful. You can read more on her blog at http://www.beautypains.com.