The third generation barbed lifting threads: Added value of hyaluronic acid

Introduction: Facial thread lifting is a highly demanded procedure in esthetic clinics worldwide. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and overall patients' satisfaction of a new generation of barbed threads, in which a hyaluronic acid (HA) coat was added to the PLLA/PCL threads and compare the results with PLLA/PCL threads without HA.

Materials and methods: Twenty patients treated with the PLLA/PCL threads with or without hyaluronic acid (HA) were compared for FaceQ scales: Age appraisal, psychological function, skin satisfaction, satisfaction with facial appearance, appraisal lines of nasolabial folds, satisfaction of lower face, and jaw were compared at baseline, 4 and 12 months post-treatment. Early impact on life and the skin adverse effects were assessed 1 week post-treatment. Finally, patients and two physicians provided the GAIS score at 4 and 12 months and a comparison was made between the two groups.

Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in all scales of FaceQ for all included patients at baseline and at 4 and 12 months post-treatment. Importantly, there were less skin-related adverse effects such as skin redness, uneven tone, irregular surface, burning, and itching sensation at a recovery period (1 week post-treatment) in the group receiving HA-containing threads.

Conclusion: A notably higher long-term improvement in aging appearance, satisfaction with face appearance, lower jaw and face as well as GAIS was seen in the group treated with HA-containing threads compared to the other treatment arm.