Surgical Facelift Versus Nova Threads

Sagging skin doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of aging. Today, you have countless treatments available to tighten your skin. Dermal fillers and laser-based skin tightening can make a difference for a time, but at some point, most people have too much skin laxity to fully clear signs of aging with those treatments. 

Fortunately, at our practice, Norman J. Pastorek, MD, PC, FACS, offers more transformative anti-aging treatments alongside Janice Pastorek, BSN, RN, and our dedicated team of anti-aging experts. With surgical facelifts and minimally invasive treatment with NovaThreads, Dr. Pastorek and our team offer the right level of lifting and tightening for your specific cosmetic goals. 

Which treatment is best for you? Use this guide to learn more about both. 

The basics of a facelift

During a surgical facelift, Dr. Pastorek uses the deep plane technique. This means he doesn’t just lift your skin, but he also adjusts the sagging facial tissue that results in sunken cheeks and sagging jowls. With this comprehensive technique, he gives you a rejuvenated appearance without evidence of any stretching or pulling across your face. 

Dr. Pastorek has extensive experience performing facelifts and does the vast majority of his procedures with minimal scarring and no drains. Be prepared for some downtime, though. Generally, you should plan to take about two weeks away from your usual daily activities. Full recovery from a facelift usually takes about 30 days. 

The basics of NovaThreads

If you want lifted, tighter skin without the downtime, talk to Dr. Pastorek or Janice about thread lift treatment with NovaThreads. These polydioxanone (PDO) threads give us a way to lift and anchor your skin without the need for any incisions.

Instead, we use a thin cannula to thread the NovaThreads through any locations where you want your skin lifted. The threads are either twisted or have barbs along them. This anchors the NovaThread in place, reversing the effects of gravity. 

After about six months, the NovaThread dissolves in your skin. That doesn’t mean your results fade at that time though. The process of placing the PDO thread through your skin stimulates your skin’s collagen production. With more collagen — the protein that keeps skin smooth and supported — the results from NovaThread treatment can last for years. 

Making the right choice for you

While the results from NovaThread treatment can be transformative and long-lasting, they simply can’t compare with the longevity or dramatic change of a surgical facelift. If you’re committed to choosing the treatment with the most dramatic results, a facelift is most likely right for you.

But if you want to turn back the clock without extensive downtime, NovaThreads give you a more convenient option. 

Ultimately, the decision is yours. That said, our team at Norman J. Pastorek, MD, PC, FACS, offers our insights and expert opinions. If you want to talk to an anti-aging specialist about your options, schedule a consultation with our team. 

If you’re interested in a facelift or Nova Threads, or you want help choosing the right anti-aging procedure for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact our office, located in New York City’s Upper East Side of Manhattan. Call us or schedule your appointment online to get started.