What is Silhouette InstaLift?

The production of elastin and collagen slows down as we age, causing our skin to sag, which can be especially bothersome on the face.

A traditional facelift includes surgery accompanied by extensive recovery. Non-invasive procedures with lasers, radiofrequency energy, and fillers have helped, but have some limitations for areas such as the cheeks, jowls, and neck.

The Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England now offers the Silhouette InstaLift, a new option for facial rejuvenation. The Silhouette InstaLift uses completely dissolvable surgical threads to lift and suspend sagging facial areas such as the cheeks, nasolabial folds, jowls, and neck.

How is the Silhouette InstaLift performed?

The Silhouette InstaLift has been used in Europe for almost 15 years and is the only FDA-cleared dual-action device for cosmetic rejuvenation.

To perform the Silhouette InstaLift, a thread is inserted through a tiny incision and placed under the skin, where the cones anchor it into place, lifting and suspending the skin and tightening the area. The results provide a subtle facelift without invasive surgery and downtime. As the threads begin to be absorbed, they trigger a wound response, stimulating the production of new collagen in the area, which provides further skin tightening and volume.

Would I be a good candidate for a Silhouette InstaLift?

The Silhouette InstaLift delivers the best results if you are in the early stages of facial and jowl sagging. It’s also a good option for those who have had a previous facelift but are starting to see some sagging again as the aging process continues. The treatment offers instant results that continue to improve over time, creating a youthful appearance that lasts up to 2 years.

Where areas can be treated with a Silhouette InstaLift?

• Jowls along the neckline
• Drooping skin under the chin
• Sagging cheeks
• Nasolabial folds from the nostrils to the mouth

How does the Silhouette InstaLift work?

The threads provide a mechanical fixation of the underlying tissue. This provides instant lifting and firming of the areas where the threads are placed. The cones are positioned in two directions along the threads they integrate with the skin. The entire procedure takes less than an hour.

What are the threads made of?

The secret behind this Silhouette treatment is the suspension sutures. The threads are extremely safe and made from the same material used for over three decades in various biomedical applications. It is called glycolide L-lactide, a biomedical copolymer long used for dissolving sutures, and it is completely accepted by the body. In fact, as the body slowly absorbs the threads, it creates the secondary collagen stimulation of the procedure.

Is there recovery with a Silhouette InstaLift?

Following treatment with the Silhouette InstaLift, you may experience minor pain, swelling and bruising. Recovery time is minimal, with most patients returning to normal activities within 2-4 days. To allow the threads to intertwine with your tissue effectively, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise or exertion for a week.

When will I see results and how long do they last?

Lifting is noticeable immediately and continues to improve as the threads integrate with your skin. The body’s reaction to the threads is to produce collagen in the area, which further enhances the skin tightening over time. Your body eventually absorbs the threads. Your results will last approximately two years.

Are there risks with an InstaLift?

After placement of the threads, patients may experience a minimal acute inflammatory reaction in their skin. Symptoms may include minor pain, swelling, and bruising. These resolve quickly. Rare side effects are possible sensory nerve issues, asymmetry, and banding.

How does the Silhouette InstaLift compare to other thread lifts?

Other thread lifts do not provide the same amount of lifting because they use smooth, curved, or slightly barbed sutures for the lifting portion of the treatment.

Rather than being smooth or barbed, the InstaLift threads contain sutures interspersed with tiny cones that effectively grab the tissue. This allows the threads to gather more skin, producing a more noticeable lift to the cheeks and jowls. The InstaLift treatment provides longer-lasting results, while others last 6 months to 1 year.

Is the Silhouette InstaLift safe?

As mentioned above, the human body accepts glycolide-L-lactide, the material the Silhouette InstaLift threads are made from, so reactions are rare. This is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. But there are a couple of exceptions to who can safely have this procedure done. The Silhouette InstaLift device should not be used in patients with any known allergy or foreign body sensitivities to plastic biomaterial or in situations where internal fixation is otherwise contraindicated (e.g. infection). The InstaLift should also not be performed for patients who have very thin, soft skin on their faces, as the threads may be visible or otherwise apparent.

Can I have a Silhouette InstaLift in combination with other procedures?

You could combine a InstaLift Treatment with other treatments we offer at Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England. It’s a good idea to not have any facial skin procedures at the same time, however. Otherwise, a body sculpting procedure such as truSculpt, sclerotherapy to remove spider veins on your legs, even laser scar or stretch mark treatments could be done in combination.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your options if you choose to add another treatment or procedure to your appointment.