Pre and post care instructions
Mint Lift® / Anchor / Spiral/Monofilament PDO Threading procedure
Mint®/Anchor/Spiral/Monofilament PDO Threads are a type of skin suture made of an absorbable medical polymer called Polydioxanone. There are multiple types of threads including uni- or bi-directional barbs and moulded anchors that are built into the suture and hold tissues in place. Monofilament threads are plain sutures and Spiral threads are used in highly mobile areas of the face. The components are fully absorbable. All threads used in the practice are FDA approved.
Threads are used to promote collagen synthesis in the skin. Mint and Anchor threads also create a lifting effect in the face and many parts of the body. The treatment involves the insertion of a surgical quality dissolvable suture using a high-quality blunt cannula or needle. The thread length ranges from 60mm to 150 mm. A local anaesthetic is injected at the entry point and the procedure is usually comfortable and relatively painless. Generally, no other pain relief is required for the procedure.
Pre care instructions:
- Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatories eg: (Myprodol®, Brufen®) Omega 3, Arnica tablets or high-dosage vitamin E supplements for 3-10 days leading up to the thread procedure. This is to avoid bruising. If it is medically important for you to take blood thinners, please continue but let the doctor know so that special care can be taken to reduce bruising.
- Ideally, there should be no Botox® or filler injections in the area to be treated with PDO threads a week before the procedure.
- A topical anaesthetic can be applied 10-15 minutes before the procedure.
- Any aesthetic procedure causing an inflammatory effect should not be performed 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after the procedure, for example, Laser, IPL, Fraxel, Dermapen®
- Please come to your appointment with a clean make-up free face.
What to expect after the procedure
- Temporary swelling or tenderness may occur. If necessary, take an analgesic such as Panado® or Stopayne®. Avoid oral anti-inflammatories as they negatively affect the collagen cascade and increase the risk of bruising. However topical natural anti-inflammatory preparations such as arnica or Patricia Clarke ® gel will help soothe the area. You will be given a small tub of bruising gel after the procedure.
- There may be some bruising after the treatment. This will settle in a few days, though bruising can sometimes persist for a couple of weeks. Apply ice packs or a cold towel to the area immediately after the procedure for 5-10 minutes. Apply post procedure gel as needed.
- Occasionally you may be aware of a tightness or pulling or “prickly” sensation especially when you suddenly move your face. Please keep facial movements to a minimum for two weeks. Avoid excessive chewing, laughing, yawning, wide smiling or drinking from a straw.
- Sometimes there might be a slight depression or skin irregularity at the entry points, or slight puckering of the tissues. These inconveniences will disappear after a few days
Post care instructions
For the first few nights after the treatment keep the head elevated, at least at 30 degrees. The use of a horseshoe-shaped airplane pillow helps you to sleep on your back. Arnica-type gel or ice may be applied for the first 24 hours. Any direct pressure to the face should be avoided for three weeks. In this recovery time, avoid excessive chewing, laughing , yawning or contact sport. For pain, oral paracetamol should be sufficient but anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen, should be avoided.
- Apply Bactroban®, Fucidin® or Chloromex® to the entry point/needle marks twice daily for 3-5 days or until the prick marks have completely healed.
- Keep the head elevated for the first three nights if possible.
- Avoid direct pressure to the face and areas where sutures were placed for 2 weeks after the procedure. When PDO threads have been used, it may be slightly uncomfortable to lie on the treated area for a few days. The use of an aeroplane horseshoe-shaped pillow at night will keep you lying on your back and reduce discomfort. Try to sleep face up for 5 nights.
- If there is any puckering of the skin this will take a few days to settle. Likewise, if there is a small collection of fluid in the jowl area, it will resolve over a couple of weeks.
- Wash treated area gently with a mild facial cleanser and pat dry. Do not rub the area for 5 days.
- It is permitted to apply make-up, shave and wash hair but be very gentle for the first 5 days.
- Avoid direct sunlight and don’t use tanning beds for 3 weeks.
- Avoid facial massages and other facial treatments for 3 weeks.
- Avoid contact sports for 3 weeks.
- Don’t use saunas or steam rooms for 3 weeks.
- Avoid dental work for 3 weeks if possible.
- It takes approximately 3 weeks to start seeing results and the full effect is seen after 4-6 months
- No Radiofrequency or Ultrasound should be done on the same area for 4 months following your last threading procedure as it will dissolve the threads.
- Any aesthetic procedure causing an inflammatory effect should not be performed 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after the procedure. E.g. Laser, IPL, Fraxel®
- A follow-up appointment in 2 weeks is advised and available should you have any concerns.