What are the effects of a shopping lift on improving lines? Number of units and downtime are also explained.
I am concerned about my smile lines, but I am not comfortable with scalpel treatment.
I'm losing my firmness and elasticity."
How many shopping lifts does it take to improve lines?"
Do you have any of these problems?
Hello. I am a doctor at Smart Skin Clinic, a cosmetic dermatology clinic.
Shopping Lift (Shopping Threads)" is a treatment in which threads are inserted without using a scalpel. The "laugh lines" extending from the sides of the nose to the mouth are a common problem not only for those who are older, but also for those who are younger.
For those who are concerned about their laugh lines, we will explain the effects of the shopping lift, downtime period and symptoms, advantages and disadvantages, the number of threads required, and maintenance frequency, all in an easy-to-understand manner from the perspective of a cosmetic dermatologist.
*If you want to know more about each item immediately, you can jump to the table of contents below.
Shopping lift is effective for some lines.
In some cases, the shopping lift is effective for lines and in other cases it is not. If the cause or condition of the laugh lines is not an indication for a shopping lift, other treatments are preferred.
Since the causes of the laugh lines are complex, there is a possibility that a synergistic effect can be obtained by undergoing a combination of procedures, even if the shopping lift is not directly indicated.
For more information on the benefits of shopping lifts, please also see the following articles
Mechanism of action of the shopping lift on the laugh lines
In the shopping lift line treatment, threads thinner than a hair are inserted around the lines.
The 30-40 mm threads inserted into the dermis layer deep in the skin stimulate fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin. It is expected to stimulate the skin around the laugh lines and restore firmness and elasticity. The effect will be easier to obtain if a number of threads are inserted in a cross-like pattern.
Both in the process of the threads being absorbed into the body and for a while after absorption, the increase in collagen and elastin can be expected to make the furrows in the lines shallower and the wrinkles less noticeable.
Characteristics of lines for which a shopping lift is effective
So what kind of lines are most likely to benefit from a shopping lift?
This section describes the indications for the laugh lines and shopping lifts.
Indications for shopping lifts for laugh lines are in the initial two stages
Symptoms of the lines gradually deepen in the following order 1-4.
[Stages of the laugh lines]
- Fine lines and wrinkles appear due to dryness of the surface epidermis of the skin
- Sagging appears due to a decrease in the firmness and elasticity of the dermis, which lies behind the epidermis.
- Further sagging due to muscle wasting and fat drooping under the skin.
- Sagging is aggravated by volume loss of these underlying bones.
The first two stages of the lines are the first two stages of the shopping lift.
Lines that have progressed to the third and fourth stages cannot be improved with a shopping lift, but can be used in conjunction with other treatments as a preventative measure in the future, since it is assumed that the symptoms of the first and second stages may also be included.
Causes of fine lines ➀ Fine wrinkles due to dryness
In the first phase, shopping lifts can be used preventively.
Moisture retention factors in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, keep the skin moist, but when these factors decrease due to aging or other factors, the skin becomes dry.
When the skin dries out, shallow fine lines and wrinkles form on the surface. If the surface lines are left untreated, the wrinkles may extend further into the dermis layer of the skin, so as soon as dryness is noticed, skin care and treatment should be utilized to address the problem as soon as possible.
Causes of laugh lines (2) Sagging skin
The second step is the adaptation of a shopping lift.
There is a layer in the skin called the dermis, which maintains firmness and elasticity. Sagging is the result of a decrease or degeneration of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which are the source of firmness, elasticity, and moisture, due to aging, UV rays, and lifestyle habits. Sagging skin is unable to support the fat in the cheeks, and lines become more prominent.
Collagen and elastin do not increase naturally, but increasing them through treatment improves sagging skin.
Causes of lines (3) Fat gain, muscle wasting, and tissue drooping
Underneath the skin are fat and muscles. The face has many fine muscles, called facial muscles, which support the skin and fat.
As the muscles that serve as the skin's foundation weaken and the fat in the cheeks grows larger, the fat and skin in the cheeks cannot support the skin and the lines become more prominent. It should be noted that the number of fat cells does not change in adulthood, but the size of fat cells increases with weight gain.
Some people say, "If I don't move the facial muscles around my mouth in my masked lifestyle, the sagging around my mouth and face line will become more noticeable. Although there are exercises for the facial muscles, treatment that approaches the facial muscles and fat can effectively reduce drooping of the tissues.
Note that lines caused by muscle or fat are not an indication for a shopping lift.
Causes of laugh lines (4) Skeletal deterioration and tissue volume loss
In addition, it is known that bones lose weight with age. As the bones of the face lose weight, there is excess skin and sagging. Sagging can be improved by filling the space left by bone loss.
This stage is basically an indication for hyaluronic acid or fat injections and not for a shopping lift.
How many shopping lift threads are needed to improve laugh lines?
The minimum number of shopping lift threads needed to improve laugh lines is 10 on each side and 20 on each side.
Since collagen forms around the threads, the more threads you have, the better the effect you will feel. If your problem is extensive, such as the cheeks including the laugh lines or around the mouth, the number of threads required will increase accordingly.
For more information on the number of other areas, see also the following articles.
When is the Shopping Lift effective on the lines and for how long?
Shopping lift does not have an immediate effect and its effects are not permanent.
As with other areas of the body, the effects of the Shopping Lift on lines appear as early as one to two weeks after surgery. Collagen and elastin will continue to increase after about 3 months, and the effect will continue for about 1 to 1.5 years.
Maintenance is required to maintain effectiveness.
The effect of a shopping lift on lines is not permanent and varies from person to person because of age-related changes.
The key to maintaining good condition after treatment is to perform regular maintenance before the effect is lost; it is recommended to perform maintenance once or twice a year.
Postoperative course and downtime symptoms and duration of shopping lift
Some people may be concerned about how much "almost" downtime there is with a shopping lift, although it is said that there is almost no downtime. What symptoms will appear after the shopping lift surgery, and how will they affect our daily lives? Let us introduce some specifics.
Postoperative course and downtime
Downtime symptoms in the treatment of lines with a shopping lift are as follows
| symptoms | Period |
| Redness/warmth | a few hours |
| Swelling and pain | several day period |
| internal hemorrhage | Gradual fading over 1-2 weeks Can be covered with makeup |
| Tightness and discomfort around the mouth | several day period |
| Scar (needle hole) | Almost unrecognizable |
After treatment around the laugh lines, swelling, pain, burning, scarring, and internal bleeding may appear around the mouth. Redness, swelling, and pain often subside by the end of the day, while internal bleeding may vary from person to person.
Also, although you can talk and receive dental care, some people may experience discomfort or pain when moving their mouths, so if you plan to have dental work done, it should be done in advance.
In the unlikely event of prolonged or increased pain and swelling, consult the clinic for possible infection. If infection is found, treatment with antibiotics is necessary.
Downtime symptoms are basically relieved by cooling
Downtime symptoms such as pain, swelling, and redness are relieved by cooling.
One of the downtime symptoms that may be noticed by others is internal bleeding. If the procedure is limited to the area around the laugh lines, it can be concealed with a mask even if you have to work, but if you are worried about being noticed when eating or drinking water, you may want to cover the area with a dark concealer in advance.
To end internal bleeding as quickly as possible, we recommend cooling the area for a week after surgery and then warming it up.
How to spend downtime and aftercare
During the downtime, the following points should be kept in mind
| Make | Possible from the next day ・Possible on the same day except for the area to be treated |
| Face wash/shower | Allowable on the same day; do not rub the affected area hard. |
| take a bath | Allowable if swelling has gone down; avoid for long periods of time |
| Sauna, excessive alcohol consumption, and other activities that promote blood circulation | Avoid for about 1 week |
| Strenuous exercise and facial massage | Avoid for about 1 month until the threads are fixed. |
During the downtime, desk work and household chores will have little effect. However, there are certain restrictions on activities that stimulate blood flow, such as bathing and exercise, as these can interfere with wound healing and increase downtime symptoms.
Note that even if the area to be treated is only the laugh lines, downtime precautions will be taken for the entire body.
Risks of shopping lift include allergy, infection, and finish.
Risks of a shopping lift include "allergy" from anesthesia, "infection" from the threads and wounds, and "less than ideal results.
Although it is not possible to avoid 100% allergy in any treatment, the threads used in the procedure are medical materials that are also used in surgery and are relatively safe. In addition, because absorbable threads are used, they do not remain in the body, reducing the risk of infection over the medium to long term.
The effectiveness of cosmetic treatment is affected by the appearance of the results. In particular, the left-right difference in the finish of the lines will be noticeable. To avoid unsatisfactory results due to insufficient counseling or a doctor's lack of skill, it is important to select a clinic with good word-of-mouth reviews and a large number of case histories and to choose the right doctor.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Shopping Lift in the Treatment of Lines
Advantages and disadvantages of shopping lifts include the following
As for the disadvantages, knowing the characteristics of shopping lifts will not seem like so much of a disadvantage. Also, there are ways to deal with each of them.
| Advantages | Demerit |
| ease Less likely to leave scars Little or no downtime Natural finish Increased elasticity and luster Partial treatment is possible | Pain during treatment Symptoms of downtime. There are postoperative activity restrictions. No immediate effect. Effects are not permanent. |
For more information on the disadvantages and countermeasures of shopping lifts, see the following article.
To avoid failure in the improvement of lines with a shopping lift
There are three key points to avoid failure in the treatment of laugh lines with a shopping lift.
- Selecting the right clinic by gathering information on key points
Find out about the benefits of treatment as well as the extent of benefits, maintenance period, disadvantages, risks, and downtime.
In addition, you can avoid risk and prevent failure by checking clinic case histories and reviews, and by choosing a clinic with a proven track record. - Preliminary counseling and consultation to confirm indications
Formal counseling can lead to failure. During the counseling, confirm what you could not find out from the website, share your concerns and ideals with the doctor, and only accept treatment after you are satisfied with the results. - Take precautions after surgery.
Postoperative lifestyle precautions are a promise between the patient and the clinic to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. It is important to understand the implications of the precautions included.
If there are any difficulties or questions, please check with us during the counseling session.
Long-lasting effects of a shopping lift are maintenance and lifestyle
Since lines are primarily a symptom of aging, it is possible for them to reappear. To maintain the effect as long as possible, it is advisable to repeat treatments on a regular basis before they become darker or deeper. Maintenance once or twice a year is recommended.
It is also important to maintain a lifestyle that prevents the formation of lines. Insufficient daily skin care leads to dryness, sagging, and lines. Let's review your daily skin care routine for lack of moisturizing, lack of UV protection, and friction caused by incorrect skin care methods.
The better the skin condition, the easier it will be for the treatment to be effective.
Shopping Lift Lines Treatment at Smart Skin Clinic
Have we answered any questions you may have had about the Shopping Lift line treatment?
There are various causes of laugh lines, and if shopping lifts are indicated, they can be effective. At Smart Skin Clinic, we will assess the condition of your laugh lines and suggest the best treatment method for your needs.
If you have any concerns about shopping lift or smile line treatment, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
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