What is a PDO Thread Lift?
Thread lifts are a relatively new form of non-surgical face lift. If your face has loosening or sagging skin and you want a tighter, fresher more youthful look, this treatment may be suitable. There are no cuts or incisions, just injections.
How does it work?
Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are a special medical grade thread that is thinner than hair, made of protein. Research has confirmed that PDO relaxes tendons and muscles, whilst a foreign body reaction improves the blood flow to the area stimulating neocollagenesis (the production of new collagen in the skin). It also stimulates elastin and hyaluronic acid, both substances are key to maintaining firm, youthful looking skin.
Is it safe?
PDO threads have over a decade long safety track record in surgery and wound closure. They have also been used for about 6 years in orthopaedic surgery (frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and cosmetic skin rejuvenation. PDO threads gained FDA approval in 2004.
What happens during treatment?
Topical anaesthetic cream is applied following which threads are introduced into the skin through a fine needle – into either the skin itself, the muscle, or the subcutaneous fat. The treatment results in an immediate improvement in appearance but the results will improve over ensuing days and weeks as the PDO stimulates neocollagenesis, increasing the amount of collagen in the skin. The appearance of the skin improves in terms of overall texture, becoming thicker, tighter and firmer as fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.
Which areas can be treated?
This is a very versatile treatment which can be used in any part of the face and neck to treat sagging brows, naso-labial lines, vertical and horizontal forehead wrinkles, drooping cheeks, marionette lines, sagging jawline, plus wrinkles and folds on the chin and neck.
What results can I expect?
Thread-lift treatments result in an instant and natural looking improvement in the appearance of the skin. A process of natural protein synthesis then begins after about 10-14 days. Over the subsequent weeks results will continue to improve, peaking at around 6 months and lasting for up to 2 years as your own body produces collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Making this form of non surgical facelift a very long lasting treatment. The thread itself is completely biodegradable and dissolves within 12 weeks, after which new collagen has formed around the thread to continue to support results, maintaining a smooth and supple texture of the skin.
