Would you like to alter the signs of aging without undergoing facelift surgery? Good news for you. PDO thread lifts are a revolutionary aesthetic procedure that is gaining popularity among physicians and clients alike. The following post explains how this treatment works and if it's the right fit for you.
What is PDO Thread Lift?
PDO is short for polydioxanone. For decades, these biodegradable threads have been used in procedures that need absorbable sutures, such as heart surgeries, orthopedics, and tissue engineering. Now PDO is transforming and making waves in the aesthetics field.
Skin naturally starts losing collagen and elasticity as we get older. This can result in sagging around the midface, eyes, neck, and jawline. The PDO Thread Lift can renew, lift and define sagging areas on your face and restore lost collagen.
Thread lifting with PDO threads is a non-invasive procedure making it a gentler and kinder option in achieving a younger appearance. Through the use of tiny biocompatible threads beneath the skin, the skin is 'lifted' back to a more youthful state while also reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
PDO thread lifting is not just about pulling the skin into a new position but also about stimulating the body's natural response to the threads - creating collagen, increasing blood flow, and pulling the skin tighter.
Instantly, your skin becomes firmer as the threads lift and tighten sagging skin. You continue to see improvements in your skin's appearance for four to six months as your body creates more collagen in the treatment area. Results can last up to 12 months, depending on how your skin responds to the treatment.
What Areas Can This Treatment Improve?
The great thing about a PDO thread lift is that it can improve several parts of your face. But mostly, it is done as a lower face thread lift as other non-invasive procedures can't solve it. We recommend this treatment to address the following problem areas:
- Loose, sagging facial skin
- Neck, jawline, cheeks
- Marionette lines
- Deep wrinkles and folds
- The area around the eyes
- Brow/forehead
- Smoker's lines
- Acne scars through thread meshing
PDO Thread Lift Offers a Myriad of Benefits
PDO Thread lifts show results for skin rejuvenation, skin lifting, and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Here are other benefits of thread facelifts:
Immediately Visible and Natural Looking Result
PDO thread lifts, however, show immediate results. Better yet, results improve after a few months as the body creates new, healthy collagen.
The Treatment is Safe
PDO thread lifts are approved by the FDA and polydioxanone has been widely used for cardiovascular surgery and other medical purposes for more than a decade. It is an inherently safe material that the body does not reject. Furthermore, PDO threads are hypoallergenic and safe, meeting all the specifications of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
Customizable Treatment
Thanks to the vast array of threads available and the capability to inject them from many angles, doctors can tailor their treatment to meet each patient's specific cosmetic goals. Thin threads, for example, are great for restoring volume to cheeks and chins. On the other hand, thicker threads work well for lifting and tightening the skin under the neck and around the jawline.
No Down-time, Non-surgical Option
Although many people want to fight the early signs of aging, not all are willing to undergo cosmetic surgery. On the other hand, thread lifts require no incisions or scarring and are done in just one office visit. There's minimal recovery time which means you can resume your regular day-to-day schedule right away. While you need to take some precautions, they will not really interfere with your routine.
Painless Treatment
Threads penetrate only the uppermost layers of the skin. Since there are few nerve endings there, treatment is not painful. The use of topical anesthetics prevents you from feeling any discomfort during the procedure.
Complementary to Other Treatments
One of the best things about PDO thread lifting is combining it with other cosmetic services such as dermal fillers and Botox injections without contraindications and side effects.
How Does the Treatment Work?
To start, we will do a consultation to determine your suitability for treatment, including an examination of your skin and a discussion of your cosmetic goals. We will then ask for specific medical information like past cosmetic surgery, medications, and any drug allergies.
Once we conclude that everything is in order and you qualify for the treatment, then we'll proceed. The average PDO thread lift treatment takes about 30 minutes. The treatment begins with cleansing to remove dirt or oil on your face. Then, we'll numb the treatment area and administer local anesthesia, so you don't feel any pain during your treatment.
Next comes the injection to the treatment area. There are different types of threads to choose from, which will depend on what you want to achieve. Injecting PDO threads can be done with blunt needles or sharp needles, known as cannulas. These cannulas are inserted into different layers of the skin and allow the threads to anchor into place and lift your skin.
Recovery and Post-Treatment Care
In general, the recovery period for a PDO thread lift is about one week. You can expect temporary soreness or swelling during this time, but this will disappear quickly. In the recovery process, you will notice that the texture of your skin will get plumper, and the wrinkles will decrease. Results will continue to improve over time.
Following treatment, you will receive after-care instructions or restrictions for a speedy recovery and ensure the best results. Most of your restrictions and limitations will usually apply for the first 24 to 72 hours. Post-treatment instructions include:
- Keep your head elevated; do not bend for too long
- Don't sleep on your stomach or side
- Avoid strenuous activity
- No facial massage and exfoliation
- Don't use make-up, facial creams, or other skincare products
- Avoid excessive heat (sauna) and sun exposure
- Minimize facial movements like too much smiling or laughing
- Do not chew gum
- Don't drink alcohol or smoke
- You cannot take blood-thinning medications
- Do not touch or rub your face
Frequently Asked Questions About PDO Thread Lift
The results of a PDO thread lift treatment are not permanent and gradually fade over time. Eventually, you may need to do another treatment to maintain results. While the treatment may not be permanent, the results are long-lasting compared to other cosmetic treatments because the skin can produce collagen under controlled healing.
There are many things you can do to make your thread lift results last longer. We recommend you to stop smoking, hydrate with water, drink alcohol in moderation, wear sunscreen when going outside, limit direct sunlight exposure and take vitamins and supplements that are good for the skin.
Here are some precautionary measures you should take one or two days before the treatment to ensure your safety and optimum results:
- Hydrate well
- Avoid products containing retinol
- Do not take blood-thinning medications
- Stop taking ginseng, fish oil, and vitamin E temporarily
- No tobacco use or smoking for a week
First, we will need to schedule an initial consultation. Then we take into account several qualifiers before confirming that you are a good fit for this lift. Here we determine your aesthetic goals, assess your problem areas, and review your medical history. Those who may not qualify are:
- Pregnant women or those with diabetes or autoimmune disease
- Those with severe skin damage due to chronic unprotected sun exposure, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or other lifestyle factors;
- People with keloid histories and those who suffer from irritation, inflammation, or sunburn
Reverse Aging and Transform Your Skin
Today's cosmetic technologies provide non-surgical methods of enhancing your skin and appearance. You do not have to go under the knife to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate your skin.
PDO thread lifts leave no scars, are painless, and offer immediate results with minimal downtime, making them an excellent anti-aging procedure. This is especially true for those not yet ready for a surgical facelift but still want to look and feel younger.
Call or schedule your appointment to learn more about PDO thread lifts and how they can improve your face and skin appearance.