Silhouette Soft® is a bidirectional, bioresorbable thread suspension made of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) and Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) with unique cone technology to anchor the threads deep in the dermis.

A Silhouette Soft® Lift boasts a twofold face-lifting effect. Firstly, through compression and reposition of facial adipose tissue as well as mechanically lifting the skin, Silhouette Soft® threads provide an instant lift to sagging facial skin, visible immediately after treatment.

Silhouette Soft® also triggers a secondary regenerating effect, stimulating collagen production (neocollagenesis) in the tissue surrounding the threads to increase volume gradually and restore a natural shapeliness to the face. This is a result of the biocompatible polymer from which the suture and cones are formed. The capacities of both PLLA and PLGA for stimulating collagen synthesis are well-established, having been used in surgical sutures for decades.

Silhouette Soft® Lift is the ideal treatment to correct ptosis of the brow, midface, and chin (jowls), lift sagging neck skin as well as irregularities in the parotid and malar regions such as malar mounds and loss of volume which cannot be corrected with dermal filler.

The duration of a Silhouette Soft® Lift is approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. After marking the proposed placement patterns of the threads on the upper epidermis, the area is fully anaesthetised both at the point of insertion and under the skin.

An entry point is created with small needle in the middle of the line where the thread will be inserted; this is so the sutures can be inserted in each half in accordance with the orientation of the cones. The Silhouette Soft® threads are then inserted into the subcutaneous tissue with a fine needle and secured in place by the bi-directional cones.

After inserting each suture, the doctor applies slight pressure to the skin in order to reshape the skin’s surface, making it visibly smoother and more lifted. The ends of the suture threads that are not fully inserted are cut off.

No incision or cuts are necessary. You will simply have twoor three entry points for the needle on each side of your face, depending on the lifting technique used.

A Silhouette Soft® Lift is performed under local anaesthetic making the procedure virtually painless. Any post-procedure discomfort can be managed using over the counter pain medication such a paracetamol.

Silhouette Soft® Lift is an extremely safe procedure and most patients experience non complications following treatment. Common side effects include bruising, swelling and some discomfort which can be eased with paracetamol but may last up to 5 or 10 days.

It is important to rest and restrict facial movements for at least 24 hours subsequent to treatment. Avoid straining or placing pressure on your face as it may result in threads’ misalignment. Ideally you should also sleep on your back for 3-5 nights, with your head in a slightly elevated position, propped up by pillows to avoid flattening your face whilst asleep.

It is important to avoid washing or touching your face for at least 12 hours after treatment, and to do so gently for at least five days after that. It is recommended that you wait three weeks before pulling, massaging, scrubbing or exfoliating facial skin. Avoid applying makeup or facial cream for at least 48 hours.

It is crucial to refrain from excessive face and neck movement, rubbing or massaging the treated area for 2 weeks subsequent to treatment. This includes beauty treatments such as facials. It is also recommended that overexposure to sunlight and UV rays is avoided during this time.

Light exercise can be resumed after a week but don’t perform any exercises that may strain the treated area. Yoga or other meditation exercises that requires bowing your head below the heart must be avoided for at least a week. You should consult your practitioner before you resume heavy exercise and strenuous activities such as weightlifting.

It is advisable to avoid high impact sporting activities, the use of saunas or having dental work done for at least three weeks following treatment.

Some effect will be seen instantly instantly because the suspension suture and cone technology reposition skin and fat, particularly around the cheeks and jawline, immediately redefining and enhancing facial contours. Skin is lifted, smoother and more toned.

However, it should be noted that the appearance of the outcome immediately after treatment is likely to be affected by bruising or swelling. After post-procedure swelling has subsided, the extent of the instant lifting effect achieved by a Silhouette Soft® Lift
will become clear.

Once the suture is applied, the PLLA acts deep in the skin to stimulate neocollagenesis (the body’s natural process of creating collagen). This collagen synthesis continues over time and helps increase the volume of depressed areas to restore shapeliness to the face.

The outcome of this secondary regenerating effect depends on a patient’s individual biochemistry and can take a few months to appear. This is because the body’s process of collagen synthesis, that is triggered by the biomaterials in the Silhouette Soft® sutures, takes a few weeks. The time elapsed is compounded by the level of collagen synthesis required for an increase in facial volume to be significantly noticeable.

Ultimately, the process of restoring volume in the facial dermis is a gradual one but should become apparent after 1-2 months.

The Silhouette Soft® sutures will be broken down and absorbed by the body over time. The timescale for this process is roughly 12 months.

However, the effects of a Silhouette Soft® lift persist beyond the absorption of the sutures themselves due to the neocollagenesis that is triggered by the suture material. Collagen production slows over time and therefore the stimulation of collagen synthesis is pivotal to providing long-term improvement of the face and neck contours.

The longevity of the treatment effect varies patient to patient, depending on an individual’s biochemical processes (such as ageing rate) as well as their lifestyle. Typically correction lasts for a time period of roughly 18 to 24 months.

Both the K Thread Lift and Silhouette Soft® Lift are excellent skin lifting procedures.

However, there are very important differences. PDO lifts the skin better due to its configuration which retains its tensile strength for longer, while Silhouette Soft® compresses skin tissue to produce a volumising effect due to the neocollagenesis triggered by the suture material.

The technology is also very different. Silhouette Soft® uses cones to lift sagging skin where K Thread Lift uses PDO sutures that are barbed. Compared to a Silhouette Soft® procedure, more threads are used during a PDO thread lift.

In Dr Sebagh's opinion, the two procedures complement each other, and work even better when performed together in a combination thread lift treatment.