PDO Threads FAQ's

Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are thinner-than-hair medical grade absorbable threads that lift and tighten sagging skin tissues. These threads are implanted into the subcutaneous layer of the skin using small needles or cannulas. Once the threads are inserted, the skin looks rejuvenated, filled and lifted. 

The treatment will be scheduled for 1.5 hrs but the actual procedure will take between 20 and 40 minutes.

Before treatment starts, we will apply a topical numbing agent, local anesthetic to the treatment site, and intraoral injections to completely numb the area. The needle used during this treatment is so fine it will not cause any pain. However, we provide anesthesia to ensure you feel no discomfort during the treatment. 

Once the anesthetic has taken effect, your treatment will begin. The PDO threads are inserted via blunt tip needles, called cannulas, or sharp-tipped needles. Once inserted into the appropriate layer of skin, they act as anchors as the skin is lifted upwards. Then, the excess threads are cut off. 

After the treatment you may experience mild discomfort, bruising, swelling, and tenderness.

This treatment is completely safe. It is approved by the FDA for safety and efficacy. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of treatments have been performed and there are no reports of allergic reactions, sensitivities to the threads, or serious side effects or risks. 

Since PDO thread lifts are non-invasive, there isn’t a lot you need to do to prepare. However, there are some precautionary measures you can take to ensure the best results from your treatment. Here are things you should avoid one to two days before treatment:

• Alcohol
• NSAIDs 
• Ginko
• Omega fish oil supplements
• Vitamin E
• High-intensity workouts
• Steam rooms and saunas

To reduce your risk of a bruise you can take Arnica tablets for 3-7 days prior to your procedure.

There are not a lot of special aftercare requirements to this treatment. However, you should hold off on any dental treatments for the first two weeks after your PDO thread lift. Holding your mouth open for an excessive period of time can affect the results of your treatment. Moreover, you’ll want to sleep on your back for the first couple of weeks. This ensures you don’t put too much pressure on one side of your face. 

Purchase Arnica cream to apply to any bruising and reduce healing time.

Because a PDO thread lift is so versatile, it can treat virtually any area of the face. These include:

• Neck
• Jowls
• Jawline
• Nasolabial folds
• Crow’s feet
• Under eye area
• Eyebrows
• Cheeks
• Marionette lines

The cheeks and the lower face/neck region are the most commonly treated. The cheeks and lower face are great regions to treat because they lend themselves well to synergistic skin lifting treatments like Ultherapy.

The PDO threads dissolve after four to nine months, but their effects can last up to two years, thanks to the production of collagen.

You will experience an immediate initial lift which will dissipate slightly when swelling subsides. Full results will be visualized in 4-6 months following treatment. Results may last up to two years. 

The best complementary treatments to your PDO thread lift depend on the results you’re looking to achieve. If you are extremely concerned about lines and wrinkles exacerbated by facial motions, neuromodulators (botox) work best. If you’re more worried about static lines and wrinkles, dermal fillers (juvederm) or microneedling are the perfect complement for your PDO thread lift.