Silhouette Soft

Faces By Lina at Glen Dental

Around the age of 40, the face and cheeks can begin to sag and drop, starting to show the signs of age. The Silhouette Soft ® thread face lift is an innovative treatment using bidirectional absorbable thread cones to lift and rejuvenate your facial skin, resulting in a fresher, more revitalised appearance.

At Glen Dental, Dr Lina Kotecha uses Silhouette Soft® threads made by Sinclair Pharmacy for carrying out the thread lift procedures. Lina uses them for a range of facial rejuvenation treatments including:

• Lifting the midface
• Increasing volume in the mid face
• Improving the jaw line and jowling

Silhouette Soft® thread lifts are a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment to lift the skin. They use an innovative technology with a double lifting and regenerating effect, through the action of re-absorbable sutures with bidirectional cones.

Polylactic acid (PLA), the main component of Silhouette Soft® is a well-known polymer that has been used for many years in a number of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. It has a long history of use as resorbable suture, a drug delivery system and in surgery – in particular in orthopaedic fixation devices such as pins, rods and screws. It is also a key material in the development of tissue engineering.

The PLA Silhouette Soft® threads are moulded with cones made of Lactide and Glycolide. The components of the threads are totally re-absorbable in 18-24 months.

The threads act as scaffolding under the surface of the skin to lift sagging soft tissues. The cones both hold the threads in place, and in time stimulates the body’s production of collagen to replace depleted facial volume which diminishes with age.

Free facial analysis consultations at Glen Dental

We offer a free consultation for facial aesthetics, so, if you are considering this treatment with Dr. Lina Kotecha and would like to find out more, please call us on 0116 2593386 today to book.

1. What is Silhouette Soft ®?

   Silhouette Soft® is an innovative technology with a double lifting and regenerating effect, through the action of re-absorbed sutures with bidirectional cones. Made in the USA, Silhouette Soft® was developed on the back of 6 years of experience in the use of suspension sutures with cones in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. It is made of Polylactic and glycolic acid. These components are totally re-absorbable in 18-24 months.

2. Can Silhouette Soft ® be used in complete safety?

   The development of Silhouette Soft ® is based on six years of experience in suture suspension with cones used in reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery in the US. Silhouette Soft ® is made in Michigan in the USA and is subject to numerous sanitary controls. Silhouette Soft ® received CE 0499 approval and the ISO 13485 standards are in accordance with European Directive 93/42.

3. How does it work?

   One Treatment, two actions:

   • A lifting action for immediate yet discreet results: As soon as the treatment is carried, the physician is able to redefine the focused area by compressing and lifting the tissue thanks to the bidirectional and re-absorbable cones.
   • A volumising and regenerative action for gradual and natural looking results: Over time Silhouette Soft® stimulates the regeneration of lost collagen to recapture youthful definition and restore volume. The result is a nuanced, soft and natural looking face.

   Only Silhouette Soft® combines these dual procedures in a two-stage action never achieved before.

4. What is the process?

   Local anaesthetic is applied to the face and Dr. Lina Kotecha inserts the Silhouette Soft ® thread under the skin using a fine needle.

   After inserting the thread, the doctor applies slight pressure on the treated area to reshape
   the surface of the skin and achieve the immediate lift.

5. Which areas can be treated?

   Silhouette Soft ® can be used to treat various parts of the face:

   • Contour
   • Lower jaw
   • Cheeks and cheekbones
6. How long do the results last?

   The visible benefits of Silhouette Soft ® treatment can last up to 18 months.

7. What must be done before Silhouette Soft ® treatment?

   No special preparation is required prior to Silhouette Soft ® treatment. However, we recommend that you discuss your expectations and ask any questions to Dr Lina Kotecha at your initial consultation and before you have any treatment. Inform Dr Lina Kotecha of any treatment you have already received and of any medicines you are currently taking.

8. What happens immediately after Silhouette Soft® treatment?

   After Silhouette Soft ® treatment, as with any cosmetic treatment, some slight swelling, redness or bruising may sometimes be observed, but these disappear within days. There is sometimes some wrinkling of the skin (required for optimisation of the treatment) which disappears very quickly.

9. Is the treatment painful?

   No, the treatment is performed under local anaesthetic of certain points of the area to be treated, so avoiding pain during insertion of the suture.

10. What are the possible side effects?
    • Discomfort-some discomfort maybe experienced during the treatment. Pain and tenderness may occur at the injection points or along the track of the thread for a few days after treatment
    • Bruising/swelling/infection-bruising or swelling of the treated area may occur. Skin infection is a possibility anytime a skin procedure is performed. Slight asymmetry, redness or visible threads may require additional treatment. The results may relax over time and additional treatment may be required
    • Scarring & Pigmentation-Silhouette Soft ® threads are inserted through small puncture wounds, which may take a few days to heal, but small scars, although unusual may occur. Temporary dimpling sometimes occurs at the puncture site and usually resolves within a few days. Healing maybe delayed by smoking, which is strongly discouraged. Changes in pigmentation are usually temporary, but on rare occasions, maybe permeant. Appropriate sun protection is very important (SPF 30 or greater).
    • Damage to deeper structures. Deeper structures such as nerve, blood vessels and muscles maybe damaged during the course of the treatment. The potential for this to occur varies according to the location on the body the treatment is being performed. Injury to deeper structures maybe temporary or permanent.
    • Allergic reactions. In rare cases, local allergies to suture material, or topical preparations have been reported. Allergic reactions may require additional treatment.
11. Cautions/Contraindications

    The Silhouette Soft ® thread lift is not suitable for pregnant/breastfeeding women or anyone who suffers from severe allergies.

    Full list of side effects, cautions and contraindications will be discussed at your face to face consultation.

    Please note: Any injectable procedure will only be undertaken after your face to face consultation with Dr. Lina Kotecha, during which a full assessment will be carried out and full list of cautions and contraindications discussed.

12. After care
    • Mineral make up may be applied gently after 24hours
    • Sleep face up, elevated on pillows (3-5 nights)
    • Wash, shave and dry face gently without rubbing (5Days)
    • Avoid over exposure to direct sunlight and do not use tanning beds (2 weeks)
    • Avoid sports, in particular high impact sports e.g. running (2 weeks)
    • Do not use saunas or Turkish baths (3 weeks)
    • Void dental surgery (3 weeks)
    • Avoid facial massages and facial aesthetic treatments (4 weeks)
13. Treatment Price

    From £1200

    Glen Dental offers Silhouette Soft thread lifts to patients from Oadby, Wigston, Kibworth, Fleckney, Great Glen, Evington, Hamilton, Knighton, Aylestone, Thurnby, Leicester, Market Harborough, and Oakham