Ever wish you could turn back the hands of time and look more like your younger self? While surgical procedures like a facelift and brow lift are options, some people aren’t ready for or don’t want surgery to help smooth away some of the effects of aging. If this is the case for you, you might have some questions about Silhouette InstaLift, like “How long does it last?” and “How does it work?”
This guide answers the most frequently asked questions about this nonsurgical facelift treatment to help you decide if it could be the right solution for you.
How Does InstaLift Work?
Silhouette InstaLift works in two stages. The first is by carefully placing absorbable threads with small bidirectional cones attached beneath your skin. Your cosmetic surgeon will use a needle to place these threads in your mid-face area, helping to lift your skin to create a tighter, firmer and more youthful appearance.
However, because your body fully absorbs these threads, they won’t be permanent. The second way that InstaLift works to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin is by triggering your skin’s natural production of collagen — an important structural protein. When new collagen is produced, your skin can support itself in the new lifted position for much longer, well after the threads have dissolved.
How Long Do Silhouette InstaLift Results Last?
Expect to see continued improvements in lines, wrinkles and sagging skin over the next 3 to 6 months after your InstaLift treatment. These results typically last for 12 to 18 months, since new collagen has formed around the dissolved cones and is now supporting your skin.
Some people choose to get an InstaLift every 18 months or so to maintain their same great results. It can also be combined with other nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments.
How Long Does an InstaLift Appointment Take?
After your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon, you’ll schedule your InstaLift appointment, if you decide that it’s right for you. Including prep time, the average InstaLift appointment only takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
Your cosmetic surgeon will start by marking treatment marks along your face where the threads will be placed. A local numbing cream or injection will be administered where the needle will enter and exit your skin. Your cosmetic surgeon will then gently thread the InstaLift along the markings, remaining under the surface of your skin until the thread is complete.
What Does InstaLift Feel Like?
You may notice an instant lifting effect after your appointment, but results will continue to develop over the next weeks.
InstaLift is a relatively painless procedure, and most people describe the sensation as similar to the feeling of getting a shot at the doctor’s office or getting injectable fillers. Because a numbing agent is used, you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure.
The threads are also placed in the fatty tissue under your skin and shouldn’t pass through any nerves. So while you may feel a strange sensation when the threads are moved under your skin, it shouldn’t be painful.
Is There Down Time after Silhouette InstaLift?
No, InstaLift doesn’t require any formal downtime afterward, although you may experience some swelling and bruising for the first few days. For this reason, it’s not recommended that you schedule your appointment directly before an important event — give yourself some time for any swelling and bruising to diminish.
Your cosmetic surgeon might also recommend that you avoid very strenuous workouts or other activity for about a week after your InstaLift appointment. Otherwise, you should be able to resume your normal daily activities directly afterward.
At Hamilton Surgical Arts, our cosmetic surgeons have over 40 years of combined experience to help you find the treatment option that’s right for you. Both Dr. Lowery and Dr. Jackson are recognized leaders in the cosmetic surgery field, providing the highest quality care in the Indianapolis area.
