Non-Surgical

PDO Thread Lifts 101

Close-up beauty portrait of a woman touching her face

In short: PDO thread lifts insert polydioxanone threads under the skin to pull and lift sagging areas, stimulating collagen production for smoother, firmer skin. The threads dissolve naturally within 3-6 months, but Results Medical Aesthetics & Wellness notes visible results generally last around three years after a single 30-60 minute session.

As your skin loses elasticity over time, it becomes more susceptible to developing permanent wrinkles and lines. It can also make your skin more vulnerable to the forces of gravity, which can lead to jowls and frown lines in your face. A handful of cosmetic procedures, such as laser resurfacing or injectable filers, can improve these symptoms, but they are often temporary or better suited for treating very early, fine lines. On the other end of the spectrum, facelifts provide more permanent results but requires the patient to undergo invasive surgery. Fortunately, there’s a modern, semi-permanent solution for aging called PDO thread lifts.

What Is a PDO Thread Lift?

PDO threads are made of polydioxanone, an extremely flexible synthetic material that’s often used for surgical purposes. During a PDO thread lift, the threads are inserted under the skin in different areas of the face, pulling and lifting the skin to produce a more youthful appearance. After a period of 3-6 months, the body will naturally metabolize the PDO threads and excrete them as waste. Many medical professionals prefer PDO threads because they have less side-effects than other materials, making recovery easier and faster for the patient.

Along with the face, thread lifts can be used to treat loose skin in the neck and under the jaw. Most patients need just one session to visibly transform their face. For optimum results, thread lifts can be safely combined with other non-invasive treatments, such as microdermabrasion, Botox, or chemical peels.

Benefits of a PDO Thread Lift

1. Safe and Effective

The PDO thread lift requires no general anesthesia, incisions, or scarring, effectively eliminating all risks associated with surgery. In most cases, the patient will be treated with a local anesthetic before the threads are inserted. A typical procedure will last between 30-60 minutes and only require several days of downtime, which is much preferable than the months it would take to recovery from facelift surgery.

2. Stimulates Collagen Production

When the skin undergoes trauma, it increases collagen production to help damaged cells heal. Thread lifts delivers damage in a strategic, controlled way, paving the way for visibly improved skin by boosting collagen production. As the skin produces collagen, it will become more elastic and less susceptible to forming wrinkles.

3. Smooths Wrinkles

Once inserted, the threads will tighten the skin and anchor it into place, reducing the amount of visible wrinkles in the skin. The increase in collagen levels also enhances skin volume, which has a plumping effect.

4. Produces Semi-Permanent Results

After the threads are inserted, the skin begins to repair itself around the threads. This is why the skin remains visibly improved after the threads have been absorbed. Generally, results from this procedure are expected to last around three years.

Contact Us Today

Due to these benefits, many patients choose to get multiple treatments over time to safely prolong their thread lift results. If you’re interested in learning more about the PDO thread lift, contact Results Medical Aesthetics today to book a consultation.

This article is general education from Results Medical Aesthetics & Wellness and not a substitute for an evaluation by a licensed provider. Individual results vary. Treatments described are available only after a consultation.

Quick answers

Questions this article answers

What is a PDO thread lift and how does it work?

PDO threads, made of polydioxanone, a flexible synthetic material used in surgery, are inserted under the skin to pull and lift it into a more youthful position. Over 3 to 6 months, the body naturally metabolizes and excretes the threads as waste, while the skin remains visibly improved from the collagen the process stimulated.

How long do PDO thread lift results last, and is recovery difficult?

Results generally last around three years, and most patients need only one session to see a visible transformation. The procedure uses local anesthetic, requires no general anesthesia, incisions, or scarring, takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and needs only a few days of downtime, compared to months of recovery after a surgical facelift.

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