Thread lifts have become a minimally invasive alternative to the facelift for patients who are not ready to undergo more aggressive treatment options. Although the effects from a thread lift will be temporary and not as dramatic as a facelift, improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be seen gradually as the procedure stimulates natural collagen production.
The goal of a PDO thread lift is to reposition facial and neck tissues to restore and rejuvenate youthful proportions and appearances to the face.
PDO sutures are a type of material used for thread lifts. PDO, which stands for polydioxanone, is an absorbable polymer that is flexible and durable for minimally invasive thread lifts. PDO thread lifts, sometimes referred to as PDS thread lifts, come in a variety of textures. There are three main textures of PDO sutures: mono, cog, and screw threads.
Mono threads are singular, smooth sutures that are anchored to the face that provide a small lift to the face. For patients who only desire skin tightening and rejuvenation, mono threads may be sufficient.
Cog threads have a barbed texture that provide better lift and increased collagen production.
Screw threads have 1-2 intertwined threads which provide volume to the treated area. Patients who desire more lifting and volume will better benefit from textured cog or screw threads.
Before treatment, the patient's skin will be marked for insertion and direction of the inserted threads. Once marked, the insertion points will be throughly anesthetized. Multiple threads can be inserted through the same point in the skin. PDO threads are attached to a long cannula. The cannula will be pushed through the tissue beneath the skin. When the thread has reached its predetermined end point, the thread will be released and the cannula removed. This process will be repeated until the desired lift has been achieved, with as many 1-15 threads inserted depending on the treatment area and concern being addressed. Any extra thread will be trimmed. The threads will be massaged to ensure the tissue is smooth and no dimpling is present. Recovery is minimal after a PDO thread lift procedure. Most patients are able to resume normal activity within 1 week postoperatively.
Concerns
PDO Thread Lift addresses concerns such as:
Jowls
Fine Lines/Wrinkles
Nasolabial Folds
Quick Guide for the Process:
BEFORE TREATMENT
*Avoid blood thinning medications
*No alcohol for 1 week prior
*No smoking 1 week before
DURING TREATMENT
*Local Anesthesia
*Needles are inserted into the area to be lifted
*Threads are inserted through the needles
*Barbs along the thread act as cogs to grasp and suspend the skin
*Needle is withdrawn and tissue is gathered over the thread
* Excess thread is trimmed
IMMEDIATELY AFTER TREATMENT
*Discomfort
*Do not touch or wash the face for 12 hours
*Limited facial motion for 24 hours
1-7 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT
*Non-strenuous activities can be resumed in 1 day
*Eat soft foods or drink liquids for 7-10 days
*Resume normal activities as tolerated
1-3 WEEKS AFTER TREATMENT AND BEYOND
*Full activity can be resumed in 1 week
*Avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 weeks
RESULT NOTES
*Improvement noticeable immediately
*Results improve over time as collagen production is encouraged
*Maintenance treatments every 18 months
