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KAREN ELLITHORNE reports on the new e are all aware that well-defined plump lips are a signature of youthfulness, as well as hugely on trend and desirable. W trend of using threads for lip augmentation . Many clients have experienced the life-changing benefits of thread lifting treatments Components Threads for lips consist of a biocompatible synthetic substance that helps to build collagen and when placed in the lips, have properties that are able to change the shape and contours of the lips. “Aptos has a lip thread called
The traditional non-surgical hyaluronic acid lip filler that has been regularly administered and in the face and body, including Nano Spring, a thinner thread that is able to stretch so as to work with the natural movements evolved over the years for lip their use in nonof the perioral area. This specific enhancement, has always been a popular choice to achieve the surgical rhinoplasty thread takes approximately a year to dissolve and is made up of perfect pout. Results of this and the pinning poly-L-lactic acid/ caprolactone. treatment modality have always been optimal. back of ears. This ingredient provides a powerful stimulus for fibroblasts
However, there is a new to produce collagen in order to kid on the block that is now plump up the lips,” says Dr Johan an alternative option in lip popularity around the Botha from DermAfrica, enhancement. Lip filler’s new world and have been FDA an aesthetic product supplier rival is rumoured to offer more approved for this purpose. and trainer based in Cape Town. authentic and longer lasting Lip threading, which is not to results. be confused with threading hair Threads vs filler
Many clients have experienced removal from the upper lip, is Threads are capable of adding the life-changing benefits of essentially a treatment that volume and plumping the lips, thread lifting treatments in the involves passing threads through but not as well as the hyaluronic face and body, including their your skin to make the lips more acid that is the generally used use in non-surgical rhinoplasty defined. Compared to fillers, it is ingredient in lip fillers. Threads and the pinning back of ears. said that the thread enhancements are better used to line and define
We now have an option of can be more subtle, especially the lips for a more contoured, lip threads that are gaining around the cupid’s bow area. natural look.
If budget is part of your client’s concern, it is good to note that thread procedures are generally more cost effective than fillers. The two different modalities can be easily combined to achieve a very effective result.
Procedure
If you require contouring of both your top and bottom lip, it would require the administration of between two and six threads, depending on what you are trying to achieve.
Like with any injectable aesthetic treatment, the risk of bruising is always there. This generally takes two weeks to disappear.
The treatment itself is, in most cases, tolerable, but does require the administration of local anaesthetic at the entry points of the threads to minimise discomfort.
Threads is a slightly more invasive treatment than fillers and is difficult to reverse should a client have an allergic reaction.
The benefit of threads is that they are more long lasting than fillers, as the threads take longer to break down naturally.
Side effects
With the body’s usual response to inflammation and foreign substances, one does run the risk of granulomas with both treatment modalities. These are lumps in the skin that will dissipate over time.
If an allergic reaction to the threads happens to take place, the poly-L-lactic acid found in these threads is not dissolvable like a hyaluronic acid filler. You would need to wait for the thread to dissolve naturally.
Having said this, threads that are administered by a qualified and experienced medical doctor are relatively safe.
Dr David Grieve, a Gauteng based aesthetic doctor, says he has worked with both lip threads and filler. Although he has had good results with lip threads, he still personally prefers the results of filler in the lips as opposed to threads, but maintains that both modalities give a nice result.
“Threads will last longer but due to the fact that it is a foreign body, it will be more tender post treatment for a longer period of time as opposed to hyaluronic fillers,” says Grieve.
If you want perfect lips that are not overly enhanced, threads are the way to go, recommends Dr Botha. “They will not, however, give you that plumpness and fullness that hyaluronic acid filler can achieve.”
He mentions that the Aptos threads are also successful to treat other peri-oral ageing concerns at the same time as treating lips. These include wrinkles on the upper lip, the nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
If natural contour and shape is what you are looking for in your lip enhancement session, threading would be your ‘tweakment’ of choice. PB
A qualified aesthetician, Karen Ellithorne has been actively involved in the skincare industry since 1992, working as a lecturer and therapist, as well as successfully importing and distributing various products throughout South Africa.
