There’s no need to cake your face with pounds of makeup with nose thread lifts – a revolutionary non-surgical procedure that can help patients achieve the “perfect” nose.
It is not uncommon to see many Asians undergoing nose enhancement procedures to correct a flat or low nose bridge and upturned (over-rotated) nose tip that is lacking in definition. Given that the nose plays a much bigger role in facial symmetry and proportion – which scientifically determines how “beautiful” you are, it’s no wonder than many Singaporeans are turning to nose thread lifts.
Thread lifts aren’t exactly new either – back in the late 90s, it was considered an under the radar approach to anti-aging, but thanks to recent technology advancements and new research data, the procedure has quickly rebounded to make headlines again.
In order to better understand a procedure, it isn’t enough to simply do your research on the benefits. Let us go through the reasons as to why your nose thread lift might not work, and why.
Ultra V Hiko
Often dubbed as the “lunchtime procedure”, the Hiko nose thread lift was first developed in Korea over 15 years ago. Just like its name, which means “high nose” in Korean – the procedure involves the insertion of Polydioxanone (PDO) threads into the nose bridge through the nose tip in order to achieve a higher and straighter nose bridge, sharper nasal profile and a slimmer nose tip.
The magic in nose thread lifts boils down to what we call the “Lifting Effect”:
- Mechanical lifting effect: the threads act as a scaffolding structure that allows our doctors to sculpt and shape your nose into the desired look in just 15 minutes.
- Biochemical lifting effect: inserting the fully bio-compatible threads into the nose stimulates the regeneration of natural collagen for continued and sustained firming and tightening even after the treatment.
The procedure has pretty much no downtime at all except for minimal bruising and swelling that can occur, but other than that – results are natural-looking and can last for up to 12 to 18 months.
Not to be confused with nose fillers, nose thread lifts is considered to be a minimally-invasive treatment that has a different set of benefits from its more traditional counterpart. While fillers tend to come with higher risks such as blindness or skin necrosis that is practically non-existent with nose thread lifts, their lifting effect isn’t as prominent as the results seen with the latter. While there is no procedure that is better than the other, in majority of cases, patients tend to have the best results when a combination of both is used to create a more holistic “3-D” nose lift.
Given all the benefits that come with the procedure, nose thread lift prices are considered to be highly affordable. In general, nose thread lifts in Singapore cost between $1000 to $2500, depending on the number of threads required to achieve the desired look.
With the satisfaction rates of Hiko nose thread lift constantly hovering around 90 to 95 percent, it seems like nothing can possibly go wrong – or can it? Here are factors that can lead to nose thread lifts that DON’T work, i.e., infections, sub-optimal results and a weird, unnatural looking nose that is out of proportion to the face.
1. The Type of Threads Used
The type of threads used is an essential key to the success of the procedure. There are currently three types of threads available in Singapore, namely: PDO, Poly L Lactic Acid (PLLA) and Polycaprolactone (PCL). Most of the threads are designed with barbs or cogs that help to “hook” the skin upwards – the driving mechanics behind the lifting effect. PDO is often the preferred choice due to its tensile strength and reliability – allowing doctors just the right amount of malleability for sculpting the “ideal” nose. Each type has its pros and cons that should be tailored to every single patient.
The Ultra V Hiko nose threads used in our clinic mainly uses PDO threads that help maximise the lifting effect.
2. The Thickness & Length of Threads Used
The thickness and length of the threads used can also largely impact your end results. Considering that each individual’s nose is different, your doctor will have to select the most suitable thread length and thickness on a case-by-case basis. For example, patients who want a more natural effect should go for a thread that is thicker. The outcome? A nose with more definition but lower height lift to avoid the look of an obvious nose job.
3. The Number of Threads Used
During your consultation with our doctors, the exact number of nose threads to be inserted will also be determined. Since the threads help to add volume, depending on your nose, this will influence the maximum number of threads that can be placed to refrain from pulling the skin too tight.
On average, 6 to 12 threads are used in a single session for lifting the nose bridge, while 3 to 8 threads may be used for the nose tip.
4. Execution Using the Wrong Techniques
Since threads are not dissolvable like fillers, this makes it even more crucial for the execution of proper techniques throughout the procedure. Failure to do so can give rise to migration, deviation and extrusion of threads to the skin surface – which is the last thing that patients would like to see after forking out both the courage and money to undergo treatment.
Our doctors are fully accredited and certified to make the best judgement in regard to all the aforementioned factors, therefore maximizing the potential of this safe and minimally-invasive treatment.
5. Underlying Patient Conditions
While nose thread lifts in Singapore are suitable even for patients who have previously done nose fillers, certain contraindications such as ongoing skin infections, pregnancy, blood clotting disorders and the presence of autoimmune diseases are also important considerations that can influence whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the treatment.
Certain noses require more work than others, so don’t be too worried if the results aren’t quite what you expected – for those who have a wide-nose problem, fleshy or bulbous nose tips, our doctors will then introduce the best combination of solutions to get you one step closer to your dream nose.
6. Depth of Threads Placed
The correct depth at which the threads are inserted into the skin is absolutely critical to achieving the ideal nasal tip projection. Placing threads too close to the surface of the skin can cause irritation and unwanted tightness to the skin. On the other hand, inserting threads too deep can result in poor results and in worst-case scenarios – scarring. Getting the best results means inserting the threads at a precise depth that only an experienced and competent doctor is able to pull off.
7. Wrong Alignment During Insertion of Threads
During your treatment, your doctor will have to determine the ideal height and point for insertion. Typically, this is a single location at the tip of the nose which will be marked in order to ensure the accurate alignment of the threads. If the wrong insertion point is marked, this will result in a poor entry point – for nose thread lift treatments to work, the PDO threads has to be placed at specific planes of the nose at the correct depth. Failure to do so causes an uneven and irregular insertion of threads that result in an asymmetrical look and feel.
8. Doctor’s Poor Knowledge of the Golden Ratio
According to surveys, celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson is blessed with the “perfect” nose; however, there really isn’t a definite formula that is followed at our clinic. Typically, an “ideal” nose has a nasofrontal angle of 115 degrees to 130 degrees, and other key facial angles that are important for evaluation is the nasolabial and nasofacial angles.
Our doctors are extremely well-informed and proficient in attaining the “golden ratio” – in addition to what is most harmonious with the rest of your facial features.
9. Poor Sterilization Techniques
As with any form of cosmetic treatment, there will always be several risks involved. We assure you that our clinic prioritizes and practices the highest standards of sterilization, paired with the proper instruction of pre-and-post aftercare for all our patients in order to minimize the possibility of infections and maximize results.
10. Inexperienced Doctor
After going through the list, it sounds perfectly logical that only an experienced doctor will be able to effectively execute this intricate procedure from start to finish. Our doctors are masters at their art, utilizing only high-quality threads and advanced techniques that is performed in our professional, state-of-the-art clinic.
When nose thread lifts are administered under the right hands, “threading” on thin ice suddenly doesn’t sound so scary after all.