What are PDO Threads?
Polydioxanone (PDO) thread lifts use a biodegradable polyester suture. They’re best suited for rejuvenating and lifting saggy skin.

The presence of these sutures in your skin triggers cells in your body called fibroblasts to produce more collagen. Collagen is the protein that gives your skin its structure and elasticity. Loss of collagen is one of the main causes of aging skin.

A PDO thread lift is a procedure that uses dissolvable sutures to rejuvenate and lift sagging skin. It’s a cheaper and faster alternative to facelift surgery, but the results don’t last as long and aren’t as dramatic. Recovery from the procedure is minimal and it’s often possible to return to work the same day. As with anything else, expect there to be some maintenance involved so that you keep that lift nice and tight!

• PDO smooth threads. Smooth sutures that help rejuvenate your skin by stimulating collagen production.
• PDO barbed threads. These threads have barbs that latch into your skin like small fishhooks, to provide support and lift parts of your face.
• PDO twist threads. Made up of one or two intertwined threads, these are used to help restore volume to sunken parts of your skin.

How long does a PDO Thread lift last?
The authors of a 2019 study found that a PDO thread lift caused immediate improvements in skin sagging after the procedure. Also, in a 2019 study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, a surgeon with 16 years of thread lift experience says he has seen results last anywhere from 1 to 9 years. Younger people tend to have results that last 3 to 4 years. Older people with poor skin volume or elasticity tend to only see benefits for 1 to 2 years. The rejuvenated skin tightened effects kick in after 1-2 months. You will notice better skin texture, firmer and smoother skin. The lifted facial contours will remain for about 3-6 months more, due to the cellular rejuvenation effects. Your skin cells are stimulated to produce new collagen, and new blood vessels to improve skin microcirculation.

The Procedure
You’ll be advised to avoid alcohol and tobacco use at least 5 days before your procedure, along with anything else that may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising, such as:

• Advil and ibuprofen
• aspirin
• omega-3 fatty acids
• green tea or green tea extracts

On the day of your procedure, Camille will talk you through the procedure steps and give you advice about your recovery. You will be numb and these procedures do not hurt. The only thing you might feel is some slight tugging. In general, it will probably look something like this:

1. As you sit in a reclined seat, Camille will clean your face with hibiclens and then disinfect your face with alcohol. She’ll apply a local anesthetic with a needle under your skin.
2. Your nurse will then make a small incision with another needle and then insert a device called a cannula into the small hole.
3. Camille will anchor the thread into place and pull out the cannula.
4. She’ll finish by cutting the thread and making sure it’s secure in place.

You’ll be free to go home shortly after the procedure.

Recovery and aftercare
Recovery from a PDO thread lift is minimal. You may have some swelling and bruising for the first 24 to 48 hours but you can return to most of your daily routines right away.

You should avoid rubbing your face as much as possible the week after your procedure to avoid accidently dislodging the thread. You’ll also likely be advised to avoid pursing your lips, smoking, and drinking through a straw for the first several weeks.

Other activities you may want to avoid for 1 to 2 weeks include sleeping on your side, intense exercise, and visiting saunas.

Sleeping with your head propped on a pillow can help you avoid accidentally rolling onto your face during the middle of the night.

What areas can be treated with PDO Threads?
The PDO thread lift is very versatile, allowing practically all areas of the face to be treated, including the:

• Undereye area
• Eyebrows/Brow lift
• Crow’s feet (wrinkles around eyes)
• Cheeks
• Nasolabial folds
• Wrinkles around mouth (smoker’s lines)
• Jaw line
• Jowls & Neck
• Lips

PDO Thread Lift Price
The price of a thread lift can vary widely and depends on many factors. Prices are affordable and start at $300 and increase depending on how many threads are used and which type. Making Faces has thread packages that can ideally suite your needs.