What are APTOS Threads?

APTOS (PLLA/MCA) Threads are absorbable sutures that have undergone extreme scrutiny and have passed high level safety standards in order to obtain Health Canada approval. APTOS threads have safe, successful application for aesthetic procedures of the midface (cheek, jaw, jowls), neck, forehead, brows, and throughout the body (breast, arms, knees, etc.) by instantly lifting up loose skin with minimal downtime. At reduced costs, the delivery system is less invasive as it utilizes needles and cannulas of varying sizes to ultimately spare the patient from the traditional surgery that requires time away from work, general anesthesia and recovery from incisions. 

APTOS Threads provide immediate results and improve over time. The barbed sutures adhere and anchor to the tissues underneath the skin to provide immediate lifting action. 

How do PLLA/MCA Threads Work?

Through simple hydrolysis PLLA/MCA Threads will degrade within 18 to 24 months without leaving any scar tissue. They are completely absorbable. While the sutures are underneath the skin, your skin gently reacts to the sutures creating a selective inflammatory response to produce collagen to create a longer lasting result. Our skin is excellent at repairing itself when PLLA/MCA Threads are introduced in this fashion. The skin will heal itself by creating new collagen naturally. 

What can APTOS Threads do for the Face?

As we age, the effects of gravity become more noticeable on our faces, especially as our facial support ligaments weaken, our skin becomes more thin, our facial fat pads shift, and our facial bones are resorbed. The areas that are generally affected are the eyebrows, areas around the eyes, the cheeks, the jowls and the neck. The result is a longer, more square-shaped and older-looking face. 

A beautiful youthful face has a "V-shape". With the aging of tissues and the action of gravity, this "V-shape" diminishes or inverts. The idea behind the PLLA/MCA Thread Lift is to either create a scaffolding in order to support the tissues and keep them in the "V-shape" or where necessary delicately lift the tissues and reposition the skin to recreate the "V-shape" where it has been lost. 

Can APTOS Threads be used in other parts of the body?

PLLA/MCA Threads can be inserted almost anywhere in the body. These areas include the chest, breasts, knees, arms, abdomen, and thighs. One area where they are especially effective is the neck and jawline. This area is challenging to treat effectively with botulinum toxin or injectable fillers, which are most effective in the upper and middle third of the face, respectively. 

How is the Procedure Performed?

The APTOS (PLLA/MCA) Thread Lift is a minimally invasive procedure. Although nonsurgical, the procedure is performed under sterile technique to minimize chance of infection. Dr. Leonardo may also directly manipulate the cannula using sterile gloves for better control and precision. Once a sterile shield is placed after the injections sites and surrounding areas are disinfected, topical local anesthesia is injected at the cannula entry sites, usually one site per side. An introducer needle is then used to break the skin allowing placement of a small cannula to administer injectable local anesthetic underneath the skin along the proposed track of the APTOS Threads. The threads are introduced into the same entry site, advanced, and released creating multiple tracks that are anchored underneath the skin without use of a suture knot. 

The cannula is removed leaving behind the barbed thread which anchors to the skin. The thread beneath the skin is massaged to allow for complete adherence to the tissue. One treatment administers close to 1 meter of PLLA/MCA threads which is the equivalent of 4 vials of PLLA (Sculptra). 

Depending on the areas treated, the procedure takes 30-60 minutes after appropriate numbing has been achieved. There is mild discomfort during the procedure. We do not want complete total numbness as patient feedback is important during placement of the sutures. If there is moderate discomfort, it signals the practitioner to go more superficially so that there is little to no discomfort. 

Am I a Good Candidate?

As with any aesthetic medical procedure, ideal candidates are generally healthy, nonsmokers with mild to moderate age-related changes. Consultation is necessary to discuss anticipated outcomes based on your medical history and presentation. Please contact the office to schedule an appointment.