At the request of a patient, I recently looked into the Ribbon Lift. Although I have never performed the lift I am very familiar with the product and technique. It is the same idea as the thread lifts but just uses a different “leash” to pull the skin. I think that the results will certainly be temporary since the ribbon itself dissolves within 3 months. There is not any true layering or repositioning of the tissue but rather just a pulling and bunching up of the tissues. I would be very concerned that it could easily be seen in someone thin. To the extent it is used on anyone with any more than a very minimal amount of need, it would cause a significant amount of skin bunching which would need to be removed and result in more than just the small little incisions that they show. Finally, I am skeptical of claims that it lasts 3-5 years since I don’t think it has been out that long, and certainly if it was really that good, all of the Plastic surgeons would be doing it!
Here is a link to the company’s website where they describe the lift: www.coaptsystems.com/products/endotine-ribbon.html .
In short, be careful of clever marketing out there. I believe in technology and advances, but I also believe in giving trustworthy results that really work. Remember if it’s “too good to be true” it usually isn’t true.
Let me know what you think.
Dr. S
