Woffles Lift is a nonsurgical facelift with special bidirectional, self retaining barbed sutures made of polypropylene (Woffles threads). These threads are used to lift the sagging facial tissues by suspending them from the dense, immovable tissues of the scalp, thus regaining initial double S facial curve (ogee curve). We can achieve that by volumetric restoration of the midface and upward redraping of the lower face and jowl skin.
The basic principle of the facelift is that the lifting effect is achieved without disruption of the relationships of vital structures such as skin, muscles, veins and nerves.
Woffles Wu, the innovative surgeon from Singapore, founded this new technique in 2002, after he had analysed the advantages and disadvantages of APTOS facelift invented by my mentor, Marlene Sulamanidze. APTOS is less suitable for face lifting because there are no stable fixation points, but it still represents a usable technique for facial rejuvenation as it tightens and strengthens the tissues. It gives best results in the cheek area, as it brings a fresher and younger look by soft tissue bunching and tightening.
There are three variations of Woffles Lift. They all have 60-cm barbed polypropylene, Woffles threads in common. Threads are introduced into the facial tissues by a special long and hollow needle. The main idea is to minimize the possible complications, efficiently lift the tissues and get a long-lasting effect.
- Woffles Lift version 1.0 – entry points for the threads are along the temple anterior hairline, where the tip of the thread (loop) is inserted. Both ends of this ‘’vertical V loop’’ are then directed towards the temporal scalp, threads are tightened and then fastened. The threads are well fixed into the tissue due to the multiple barbs in the free ends of the thread and this suffices to give a stable fixation of the soft tissues. In this way, the tail of the eyebrow can be lifted passively and so is the lateral canthus, the midface, the yowls, depending on the tag vectors and number of threads.
- Woffles Lift version 2.0 – threads are inserted into face as ‘’inverted-V slings’’, such that the apex of the V is up in the temporal scalp, free limbs of the sling are aligned within the face such that each limb actively elevates one of the six key suspension points of the face to the temporal scalp. Key suspension points are located on nasolabial and marionette line and mandible.
- Woffles Lift version 3.0 – is a combination of both previous versions and is developed to minimize ” cheese-cutting ” effect, when the barbs have no strong tissue hold and the lift becomes inefficient. As V loop points lay opposite to each other, they are interlocked high up in the temporal scalp and thus they support each other. Loops connected in this manner can efficiently minimize the negative effect of each of them.
Woffles Lift is performed in local anaesthesia. The procedure takes between half an hour and an hour.
Woffles LIft is an exceptional nonsurgical method for facial rejuvenation mostly because it does not change or damage the vital facial structures, complications are rare, and there is minimal or no downtime. Patient can return to the regular daily activities in a day or two.
Woffles Lift belongs to the nonsurgical methods that require a minimal downtime – like Botox, synthetic fillers, IPL and radiofrequency skin treatments.
It is advisable to repeat Woffles Lift every year or two if we want to maintain a good facelift effect.