The MINT LIFT officially arrived in Singapore a few months ago. The non-surgical thread lift has become one of the more popular skin lifting procedures around the world. There are many brands and types of thread lifts, including Silhouette Soft, APTOS, Happy Lift for example. The Korean PDO thread lift, in particular, is one of the most widely performed procedures, in part due to its convenience and good results.

MANY TYPES OF PDO THREADS

Previously, I described down the different types of Korean PDO Thread Lifts . With PDO threads there are many confusing names, but they can largely be classified into a 2 groups: Barbed or non-barbed. The barbed threads can further divided as shown in he diagram. The types of barbs differ – they can be either cut or molded. There are many brands of PDO threads. Some of the more popular ones include N-Cog, ART Lift, the Blue Rose, and of course, the MINT Lift.

MINT LIFT- MOLDED, HELICAL BARBS

The MINT Lift is the only FDA approved PDO thread lift. The MINT lift thread is a barbed thread. However, instead of the normal barbs, MINT threads have molded barbs, shaped like an arrow. The molded barbs are also arranged in a helical configuration, to hook on the skin tissue it is trying to lift in a 3-dimensional fashion.

The MINT threads are able to achieve this unique configuration through a patented molding press technology used in the manufacturing process. For other PDO threads, the barbs are cut into the body of the thread. This weakens the tensile strength of the thread, decreasing its pulling power.

The molded barbs of MINT thread lift have these advantages over other PDO Threads:

1. Stronger tensile strength due to better thread integrity as the barbs are not cut into the body of the thread
2. Stronger lifting power, due to the molded arrow barbs which have a larger surface area to hook onto skin tissues. Each molded barb is twice as large as a cutting barb. The helical configuration of the barbs also give a better lift.
3. Long Lasting Lift, as the molded barbs do not degrade as fast as cutting barbs

MINT LIFT – CLINICAL EFFECTS

As we age, the fat and skin on our faces sag due to gravity and weaker supporting structures. MINT Lift is used for lifting sagging skin, and repositioning fat which occurs with aging. In my experience, the best areas where it works is the jowls, the cheeks, the jawline, and the double chin area. After the treatment, the skin is visibly more lifted, firmer, and more youthful. As with other PDO threads lifts, the MINT Lift produces several beneficial effects in the skin:

• Instant Skin Lifting through mechanical effects
• Cellular Renewel, through Collagen stimulation, and neovascularisation to improve skin texture, fine lines and elasticity
• Skin Tightening, by contracting fat tissue

MINT LIFT – PROCEDURE AND SIDE EFFECTS

The MINT Lift is performed in a very similar way to other thread lifting procedures. After planning, your face is cleansed. Local anesthesia is injected, and the threads are inserted either via a cannula (blunt needle) or with a needle. You can see an example of the procedure here.

The MINT lift has one of the  strongest lifting and pulling power amongst the non-invasive thread lifts. While this means the procedure gives you more visible results, it also means that side effects can be amplified as well.

The possible side effects from a thread lift. such as:

• Swelling and bruising
• Skin dimpling and puckering
• Asymmetry
• Pain after procedure

can be more pronounced than with other PDO thread lift procedures. These side effects, however, can be minimised if your doctor has enough experience. Hence, always look for a doctor who knows what he or she is doing. Ask for serial photos – of the patient before, immediately after, and months after, to understand what the recovery period is like, and to have realistic expectations of what the procedure can do for you.

THREAD LIFT – PROMISING BUT NOT MAGIC

The non-invasive thread lift, such as the MINT Lift is an excellent procedure to lift sagging skin, but it cannot replace a surgical facelift. There are some instances when surgery is required to achieve the desired results. Often, the thread lift needs to be combined with other procedures such as fillers and toxins for best results. Also, other skin-lifting procedures, such as Ultherapy, actually work better for some patients.

Have an extensive conversation with a doctor who is familiar with the different skin lifting modalities and treatments, to have a comprehensive understanding, of whether the non-invasive thread lift is the right procedure for you!