Silhouette InstaLift™ Explained

For a long while, the only effective way to tackle loose skin in the middle and lower face was with a major surgical intervention, such as a facelift. In recent years, researchers and medical innovators have developed safe non-surgical options, including Silhouette InstaLift™, to improve facial contours. As pointed out by one of the only two trainers for this procedure in the entire state of Texas, Dr. Ellen Turner, who is based in the Dallas area, Silhouette InstaLift™ lifts and adds volume to the face without incisions or a lengthy recovery time.

With the passage of time, the general quality of the skin tone diminishes, and wrinkles tend to develop. However, aging also takes a toll on the appearance of the face in other ways. The facial bone structure decreases in volume, muscle tone is lost, and underlying fat pads become thinner and drift downward. The overall effect is flabby, sagging skin and unwelcome changes to facial contours.

In addition to these changes, the overall face shape transforms over time due to the pull of gravity. Younger faces have a more heart-shaped or inverted triangle look with fuller cheekbones leading down to a narrower jawline. As we age, this can reverse, as the lower face becomes heavier and the mid-face is more sunken in.

FDA-approved Silhouette InstaLift™ is an ideal treatment for patients searching for a more natural solution that bridges the gap between the more dramatic results from plastic surgery and the convenience of non-invasive lunchtime procedures. The treatment is a modern variation of a thread lift, which physically elevates the cheeks and jawline area via internal sutures.

Some people may not be good candidates for facelift surgery due to medical reasons. Others may not be prepared for the emotional, physical, and financial investment of a major procedure, or may simply have not reached the stage of skin damage that makes a facelift a good choice. While Silhouette InstaLift™ does not “replace” surgery when it comes to addressing severe skin laxity, it does provide lasting improvements for loose skin.

Collagen is one of the essential components of healthy skin, helping to keep it strong, elastic, and hydrated. Starting from around our mid-20s, however, this once-plentiful protein begins to rapidly break down, and our body makes less of it to replace what is lost. The result is thinner, saggier skin.

During a Silhouette InstaLift™ session, dissolvable threads are placed in strategic locations to re-structure the face by repositioning and securing underlying facial tissue using micro-suspension technology (MST). The sutures are anchored in place with bidirectional cones. The procedure is fully customized, as the threads will need to be adjusted differently for each person’s unique facial characteristics. In addition to providing instant elevation of sagging tissues, the dual action approach also promotes gradual collagen generation over the following weeks and months while the threads dissolve. Surgical procedures do not carry this same benefit.

Also unlike surgery, Silhouette InstaLift™ is relatively fast, there is less pain involved, and there is virtually no downtime needed. Some minor swelling can be expected in the following days, but this usually goes down after about 48 hours. The lifted outcome lasts between 18 to 24 months on average.

As a complementary treatment, Botulinum toxin type A neuromodulators like BOTOX® Cosmetic temporarily relax facial muscles to minimize heavy lines around the upper area of the face, like crow’s feet or horizontal wrinkles on the forehead. Women and men searching for a less invasive, more subtle improvement for flatness, laxity, and folds on the center and lower part of the face can try temporary dermal fillers like the Juvederm® collection. Dr. Turner and her team will work with each person on an individual basis and weigh a variety of factors to help decide whether Silhouette InstaLift™ is the best choice.

Ready to get started with Silhouette InstaLift™? Schedule a consultation with The Dermatology Office of Dr. Ellen Turner by calling (214) 373-7546, or send a message for more details.