French lift is a non-surgical treatment method developed in France and carried out using flexible threads made of polyester as internal material and silicone as external material. These threads are stronger than regular ones and have dynamic lift feature without the risk of rupture. They can stretch accordingly with the facial mimics and lift the face without causing distortion. They can last 4-6 years on average and as they are permanent threads they can be simply corrected by tightening and stretching them again without a need of replacement. With a high level of safety, minimum downtime, instant and persistent results, this method is considered excellent in treating sagging skin of patients who are looking for less invasive treatment.

When compared to face lift surgery, French Lift treatment requires very short downtime and almost no visible scarring. The treatment tends to appeal to patients who do not wish to undergo invasive surgeries and/or who do not have to much sagging (and excess skin) on the facial areas.

Patients demand this interference to be performed with minimum risk to their health, minor injury, short post-operative rehabilitation period. The areas which can be treated with the procedure are: sagging eyebrows, asymmetric brows, sagging cheeks, drooping soft tissues of the mid and lower face, sagging neck area, lip and nose.

The best candidate for a French Lift are men and woman who are beginning to experience sagging in the cheeks, brow, jowls or neck area in the age range of 30-60. Patients with partial facial paralysis are also a good candidate for French Lift. The procedure is not recommended for patients who are grossly overweight or extremely thin or if the skin is too loose and needs a full face lift. 

Procedure

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which takes 30-60 minutes. The procedure is performed on sagging area, starting from down to upward. While the skin is pulled to the direction one wish to be, needle is injected in the affected area. The procedure is performed to the face line and outward from the Marionette line. The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the temporal area and the threads are inserted under the skin. The tiny barbs on each thread open in an umbrella-like fashion to form a support structure that gently lifts sagging tissues of the brow, face and/or neck. Once in position, your body generates new collagen bundles that encapsulate each thread to help maintain the elevation of lifting effect. The exact placement of the threads will vary from patient to patient. Patient does not feel any pain during the procedure and can immediately return to their daily routine after the procedure is done. Mild pain can be only experienced after the procedure, alongside with mild bruising and swelling. This can be eliminated by applying cold compress and taking painkillers. 

Results

The duration varies from four to six years (or more) depending on patient’s age at the time of the procedure and the degree of sagging and the threads can be repositioned to renew the effect. French lift procedure rejuvenate the face without changing patient’s natural features. Facial soft tissues are just repositioned to their original location. The duration of result may vary from patient to patient. 

Indications

• lift the whole face
• smaller face
• contour adjustment 
• improvement of the small wrinkles on the face
• promoting skin elasticity
• skin texture improvement

Absolute Contraindications

• having skin infection and inflammation
• during pregnancy
• an anticoagulant medication
• patients who have blood related diseases

Relative Contraindictions

• when sagging is serious and deep
• patients who have scar on the face
• autoimmune disease patients

Complications

• thread expulsion
• pain
• pressure pain
• swelling
• rash
• infection
• internal bleeding (especially around eyes)
• needle scar

Downtime

• couple of days (depending on patient to patient)
• during the first 3 weeks after the procedure, patient should avoid opening their mouth widely or using their mimics excessively
• patients should avoid laying face downwards and also should avoid rubbing their faces for 3 weeks as well

The aim of this article is to give you a general information about the surgical intervention in question. You need to make more research about possible complications and risks of this selected procedure in order to make an informed decision. Please note that complications occur more frequently with patients who are obese, smoke, and have a history or lung or other chronic underlying medical conditions.

Smokers are recognized to have a significantly higher risk of post operative wound healing problems with a subsequently higher potential of infection as well as operative and post operative bleeding. Patients should discontinue smoking for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Although it helps to stop smoking before and after surgery, this does not completely eliminate the increased risks resulting from long­ term smoking. Smoking also has a long term adverse effect on the skin and ageing process.