InstaLift®
Address Mid-Face Sagging and Lift Your Cheeks without Surgery in the St. Louis Area
Many people notice signs of aging in the mid-face area, where naturally rounded cheeks gradually give way to flattened patches—or even hollows. Not only can this make the mid-face appear gaunt, but the loss of volume can also cause tissues to sag and form jowls at the jawline. While a facelift can address these changes, there is an effective non-surgical solution in InstaLift®. St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons offers this option for women and men who want more youthful contours, but who are not ready for surgery.
Want to discover more about how a minimally invasive treatment can transform your face? Schedule a consultation for InstaLift® with St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons by calling (314) 996-8800 or requesting a consultation.
Why Does the Face Start to Sag in the First Place?
While genetics and sun exposure certainly play a role in how we age, many of the visible signs of facial sagging and jowling stem from gradual structural changes beneath the skin. As early as your 30s, collagen and elastin—the proteins that keep skin firm and resilient—begin to break down. Simultaneously, the fat pads that give the cheeks their youthful roundness start to shift downward due to gravity and weakened support tissues.
Muscle laxity, loss of bone density, and thinning skin all contribute to a softer, less defined jawline. The result? Hollow cheeks, sagging skin, and early jowl formation that can make you look older than you feel. That’s where a thread lift like InstaLift® becomes a powerful option—providing visible lift and support in the mid-face before more invasive procedures are needed.
More patients than ever in 2025 and heading into 2026 are choosing non-surgical facial rejuvenation options like InstaLift® as a convenient, effective solution for early signs of aging.
What is InstaLift®?
Technically known as a "micro-suspension" treatment, InstaLift® is the name for studded sutures designed to be injected beneath the skin. This technique allows the provider to elevate the sagging tissues and hold them in place without removing excess skin. The result is a rejuvenated look with minimal recovery required.
How Does InstaLift® Work?
InstaLift® sutures are made of vicryl (an absorbable material commonly used in sutures) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA, which stimulates renewed collagen production). These two components work together, with the vicryl serving as a structural element to physically hold facial tissues in an elevated position, and the PLLA encouraging the skin to build collagen on the synthetic framework. Even as the body absorbs the vicryl, the remaining collagen from InstaLift® will continue to serve as scaffolding in the skin to keep the mid-face rounded and elevated.
Each InstaLift® suture features small cones that serve as anchor points along its length. As a result, the InstaLift® sutures hold fast in the deep layers where they are inserted, instead of allowing tissues to gradually slide along a smooth surface.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
InstaLift® and facelifts are both popular methods for addressing facial sagging and volume loss—but they cater to different goals, timelines, and preferences. InstaLift® is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that requires little to no downtime. It’s ideal for patients who want a subtle, refreshed look and aren’t quite ready for surgery.
A surgical facelift, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive option that delivers dramatic, longer-lasting results. It typically involves repositioning deeper tissues and removing excess skin to correct more advanced signs of aging.
The right choice depends on your skin's current condition, how much lift you're looking for, and whether you're comfortable with a longer recovery. During your consultation, we’ll help you compare both options and choose the one that aligns best with your needs.
If you're asking yourself, "Is Silhouette InstaLift worth it?"—you're not alone. This treatment is ideal for people in their late 30s to early 50s who are beginning to see the effects of mid-face volume loss or mild sagging but aren’t ready for surgery. Good candidates are typically healthy individuals with realistic expectations, good skin elasticity, and mild to moderate sagging in the cheeks or jawline.
InstaLift® may not be suitable for those with significant skin laxity, very thin or highly textured skin, or for individuals seeking permanent or dramatic lifting effects. In those cases, surgical options such as a facelift or facial implants may be more appropriate. We’ll evaluate your anatomy and goals during your consultation to help determine whether InstaLift® is your best option.
Getting ready for an InstaLift® thread lift is simple, but taking the right steps beforehand can help ensure optimal results and a smooth recovery. During your consultation, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, but here are some general guidelines:
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E for at least one week prior to your InstaLift® appointment, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
- Stay well hydrated and maintain a healthy diet in the days leading up to your InstaLift® treatment.
- Refrain from alcohol consumption 24 to 48 hours before your procedure to minimize bruising.
- Try to arrive with a clean face, free of makeup or skincare products.
If you’ve recently had other cosmetic treatments, we’ll review your timeline to make sure your skin is ready. You may also be advised to avoid dental appointments or facial massages for a short time afterward an InstaLift® to protect your results.
What Happens After an InstaLift® Session?
Since no post-surgical recovery time is needed, patients who choose InstaLift® can quickly return to daily activities. Some side effects to expect include a few days of swelling, redness, and bruising.
The newly lifted contours will be apparent right away, with continued improvements for months after an injection session. The more youthful contours can last a year to a year and a half. Newly formed collagen will gradually break down, allowing the mid-face to thin and sag again. Talk to us about ongoing maintenance to keep cheeks full and preserve a defined jawline with InstaLift®.
Are There Other Facial Contouring Options?
The dermal filler Juvederm Voluma® is an injectable gel that uses hyaluronic acid to add volume and fill out mid-face hollows. This can also provide some lift to reduce the severity of jowls. Sagging below the chin and on the neck can also be treated with Ultherapy®, which uses ultrasound energy to tighten lax tissues. The result is a more defined profile.
Patients who want a longer-lasting, more dramatic effect can choose a surgical lift or facial implants.
A sort of "middle ground" is fat grafting, which involves collecting fat cells from a suitable donor area on the body, then processing and transferring them to where they are needed for added volume. Injecting these fat cells into the mid-face area can provide natural volume and a rejuvenated look.
Book a consultation for InstaLift® at St. Louis’ West Country Plastic Surgeons today by calling (314) 996-8800 or sending a message online.
