As specialists in minimally invasive facial and body rejuvenation, the skilled practitioners at Skin Spectrum are pleased to offer an innovative non-surgical alternative called NovaThreads. At our premier facility in Tucson, Arizona, patients choose this procedure to look more youthful and refreshed without the recovery time of traditional surgery.
WHAT ARE NOVATHREADS?
NovaThreads lift the skin and stimulate the production of collagen without the need for any incisions. Made of polydioxanone (PDO), these synthetic FDA-approved sutures are absorbable and biodegradable, and they have been used in medicine for decades. During the procedure, hypodermic needles containing PDO sutures are inserted under the skin, parallel to its surface. The threads remain in the interstitial tissue when the needles are removed, creating immediate lift and contour. The sutures are naturally absorbed by the body within four to six months, which gradually stimulates collagen production over the following six to eight weeks. The skin appears firmer in the treatment area as new collagen builds where the threads were originally placed.
While the results of a NovaThreads treatment are not as noticeable as those of a surgical procedure, it does not require general anesthesia, it is more affordable, and the recovery period is far less extensive. Patients who have mild to moderate laxity of the face and neck or mild to moderate texture changes on the neck and body areas may find the NovaThreads procedure to be an attractive option.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NOVATHREADS?
NovaThreads create a subtle, yet noticeable, lift on the skin and improve texture on the face, neck, and body. Our dermatology experts may suggest combining your NovaThreads procedure with dermal fillers, neuromodulators, microdermabrasion, and/or a laser/light treatment for more dramatic rejuvenation. Other skin tightening options include Thermage®, which uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten the skin. During your cosmetic consultation, our knowledgeable providers will design a personalized treatment plan with your concerns in mind.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WITH NOVATHREADS?
A local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area prior to placement of the threads, which minimizes any discomfort. The entire procedure is usually completed in 10 to 30 minutes.
The downtime is minimal, but potential side effects include bruising at the thread port site for three to five days and soreness in the treatment area for one week.
Patients typically notice immediate lifting of the skin following the NovaThreads procedure, with additional improvement over the next several weeks as collagen develops and firms the skin. Although the PDO sutures dissolve over four to six months, results can last for nine to 12 months.