Silhouette InstaLift
We now have more ways than ever to slow the cosmetic aging process. Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor offers patients multiple options for addressing their unique concerns, including the Silhouette InstaLift Threadlift.
What is the Silhouette InstaLift procedure?
The Silhouette InstaLift represents an innovation in the art of suspension suturing for facial rejuvenation. The office procedure achieves immediately-noticeable results that can last up to 24 months at a time.
Video Transcript
Silhouette InstaLift is a fantastic, revolutionary technique for minimally invasively lifting the cheeks of the face as well as the jowls. See the aging process here as the fat atrophies in the face, leading to facial descent and jowling. The Silhouette InstaLift uses cones for a micro-suspension technology. These cones are positioned underneath the skin and grasp and elevate the soft tissue by adhering to and lifting the suspensory ligaments. This allows for cheek mobilization and provides cheek elevation and an instant, immediate lifting effect. The cones dissolve and go away after several months, leading to collagen building.
So here we have the Silhouette Instalift which we’re going to use, and you can see the little cones here, and these are the deployment needles. At the small entry site here, you can see the little black line. That’s the dimension that you deploy the needle down to, and then you turn over…
The result we’re seeing here is a really great OG view, which is a firm, full, high cheek. Then, coming down, there is a nice contour to the jowl with no jowling whatsoever, and a nice sharp finish to the lower portion of the face. We’ve got a nice V-shape of your face. As people age, the V shape goes to an A as the jowls drop down and cheeks become involuted. So the Silhouette Lift takes the loose tissue and pulls it up, and gives you a nice malar mound.
What are the benefits of an InstaLift?
Aside from being a non-surgical procedure that is conducted in the office in under an hour, the InstaLift offers other significant benefits. These include:
- Immediate Results: At the time of the procedure, tissue and skin are elevated to a higher point on the face. This achieves immediate and discreet lifting.
- Ongoing Improvement: The bi-directional cones and suture material used in the thread lift procedure have been utilized in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications for more than three decades. The materials from which sutures are made of have been widely studied and found to interact with fibroblast cells to promote ongoing collagen production. As a result of collagen remodeling, the face receives more volume to complement the contours attained with tissue repositioning.
Dr. R. Brannon Claytor
Dr. Claytor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds over 15 years of experience as a cosmetic plastic surgeon. An innovator and teacher in the field of plastic surgery, he uses advanced techniques like the drain-free tummy tuck and deep plane facelift to streamline recovery and provide natural-looking, durable results.
Who are the ideal candidates for the Silhouette InstaLift procedure?
Healthy men and women who are interested in a subtle rejuvenation process that does not involve surgery may be excellent candidates for the InstaLift thread lift procedure. Dr. Claytor conducts a thorough consultation to answer any questions and ensure that patients understand the capabilities and limitations of this technique.
How does Silhouette InstaLift work?
InstaLift treatment is customized to the individual. This is one of the aspects of treatment that makes this procedure so valuable. Usually, Dr. Claytor will insert between 2 and four biodegradable sutures into the fat pads on each side of the face. These sutures grab onto subdermal tissue with cones made of polyglycolic acid and poly-L-lactic acid, allowing us to gently manipulate the skin and fat to reshape the contours of the face. It’s like reinstating the firm scaffolding that keeps superficial from falling to the lower third of the face.
“Discouraged with the extra skin under chin and also with the marionette lines which made me look like as though I was unhappy. I was recommended to Dr. Claytor by oncologist, Dr. Schnall. I feel 10 years younger and I walk with a spring in my step. Dr. Claytor is very professional and caring. Excellent surgeon!”
Is there any downtime after an InstaLift?
The side effects of an InstaLift are so mild that most patients are back to their usual routine within 24 to 48 hours after their procedure, if not the day of their treatment. In addition to slight bruising and swelling, if they do occur, patients may feel slightly tender due to the gentle manipulation of tissue in the mid-face.
*Individual results may vary.
Are results of a Silhouette InstaLift immediate?
Yes. Silhouette InstaLift patients will be able to see the improvement in their facial contours as soon as the procedure is over. Facial contours and fullness continue to develop for up to six months after the insertion of the threads. This is because fibroblast cells will remain active for several months, rebuilding skin-supporting collagen.
How does the Silhouette InstaLift compare to a facelift?
The InstaLift procedure is similar to a surgical facelift in that it repositions tissue farther beneath the surface. However, the results of a thread lift are much subtler than those achieved with surgical lifting. This is because facelift surgery involves tissue repositioning as well as skin excision as needed to smooth the outermost surface. Conversely, the InstaLift does something a facelift alone cannot: it increases the production of collagen to support youthful, healthy, voluminous facial tissue.
Is the InstaLift different than a thread lift?
Many people question if the InstaLift is just another name for a thread lift. It’s not. Initially, suspension lifts were conducted with sutures that did not absorb into the tissue. This, and the barbed construction of the threads, led to undesirable results such as visible tracks on the skin when a person would make facial expressions.
The InstaLift absorbable coned thread is inserted deeply beneath the surface where it cannot be seen. The softness of the sugar molecules on the InstaLift suture promotes a natural appearance.
Are there side effects to the Silhouette Instalift procedure?
The issue of side effects is another way in which the InstaLift can be differentiated from a surgical facelift. Because the procedure involves the insertion of a few small sutures beneath the skin, there is an insertion point and an exit point, no incisions. This significantly decreases the extensiveness of side effects and recovery.
After an InstaLift, a patient may notice minor bruising and swelling. To decrease the potential for these side effects, we encourage patients to avoid taking aspirin or other medications and supplements that could thin the blood. This step should begin about ten days before treatment.
Can I combine a Silhouette InstaLift with other procedures?
An InstaLift may be complemented by routine injectable treatments like Botox-type neurotoxins to reduce creases on the forehead and around the eyes. Dermal fillers like RHA fillers and Restylane may also continue to be used after an InstaLift, as can light and laser treatments like IPL and fractional skin resurfacing.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Immediate Lift: Silhouette InstaLift provides an immediate improvement in facial sagging and jowls by lifting and repositioning sagging skin and underlying tissues.
- Collagen Stimulation: It stimulates collagen production, leading to long-term skin firmness and elasticity improvement.
- Minimally Invasive: This procedure involves minimal downtime, with most patients returning to their regular activities shortly after treatment.
- Natural-Looking Results: Silhouette InstaLift creates subtle and natural-looking results that enhance one’s appearance without an overdone or artificial look.
- Non-Surgical Alternative: It offers a non-surgical alternative to facelift surgery for individuals seeking facial rejuvenation.
- Minimal Discomfort: Patients typically experience minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.
Silhouette InstaLift: A minimally invasive procedure designed to lift and rejuvenate the face without the need for major surgery. It utilizes special sutures and cones to elevate sagging skin and stimulate collagen production.
Sutures: Threads or stitches used to hold tissues together. In the context of Silhouette InstaLift, these are dissolvable threads that also lift the skin while gradually being absorbed by the body.
Suspension Sutures: Specialized sutures used in cosmetic procedures designed to lift and suspend sagging tissues in the face and neck. These sutures provide support while inducing collagen production over time.
Bidirectional Cones: Small, absorbable cones that anchor the sutures into place beneath the skin. These cones help lift and hold sagging skin, creating a tighter and more youthful appearance.
Minimally Invasive: Refers to procedures that require small incisions or none at all, resulting in less damage to the body, reduced pain, and quicker recovery times compared to traditional surgery.
Subdermal: Pertaining to the area beneath the skin. In Silhouette InstaLift, sutures are placed subdermally to provide lift and support to the facial tissues.
Skin Laxity: The loss of skin’s tightness or elasticity, often due to aging or sun damage, resulting in sagging or drooping appearance.
Dermal Fillers: Injectable substances used to restore volume to the face, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. While they provide some similar benefits, they are different from Silhouette InstaLift in mechanism and duration of effect.
Recovery Time: The period needed for the body to heal and return to normal after a medical procedure. Recovery time varies from person to person and depends on the specific procedure performed.
Collagen Stimulation: The process of increasing collagen production in the skin. Collagen is a crucial protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin, making it appear more youthful and firm.
Local Anesthetic: Medication used to numb a specific area of the body temporarily, reducing or eliminating pain during medical procedures.
Facial Contouring: The modification of the facial structure to enhance aesthetic appeal, often by restoring volume and definition to the cheeks, jawline, and other areas.
Non-surgical Facelift: A procedure or set of procedures aimed at rejuvenating the face without the need for invasive surgery. These treatments provide a lifted, tighter appearance with less risk and downtime than surgical facelifts.
FDA-Approved: Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, indicating that a product or procedure has been thoroughly tested and deemed safe and effective for certain uses.
If you are interested in a Silhouette Instalift, contact us online or call our Bryn Mawr office at (610) 527-4833 to schedule a consultation.
References »
Halepas S, Chen XJ, Ferneini EM. Thread-Lift Sutures: Anatomy, Technique, and Review of Current Literature. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeryg. 2020 May;78(5):813-820. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2019.11.011. Epub 2019 Nov 19.
Archer KA, Garcia RE. Silhouette Instalift: Benefits to a Facial Plastic Surgery Practice. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2019 Aug;27(3):341-353. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2019.03.006. Epub 2019 May 16.
Lorenc ZP, Ablon G, Few J, Gold MH, Goldberg DJ, Mandy S, Nestor MS, Weinkle SH. Expert Consensus on Achieving Optimal Outcomes With Absorbable Suspension Suture Technology for Tissue Repositioning and Facial Recontouring. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2018 Jun 1;17(6):647-655.
Lorenc ZP, Goldberg D, Nestor M. Straight-Line Vector Planning for Optimal Results With Silhouette InstaLift in Minimally Invasive Tissue Repositioning for Facial Rejuvenation. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2018 Jul 1;17(7):786-793.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Feb 20, 2024
