PDO Thread Lift

A typical treatment involves placement of the desired number of threads. Depending on your desired results and your practitioner’s recommendations, this may involve a single thread per side of the face, or it might involve anywhere up to 50 threads or more to treat the entire face and neck.

Various entry points are considered depending on the individual face shape and requirements. Local anaesthetic may be injected to make the procedure as pain free as possible.

The threads are introduced with a needle or a blunt ended cannula, which is removed once the threads have been positioned. Threads which are used to reposition the skin will have the ends protruding after insertion, so they are trimmed to below the level of the skin once the desired lift has been achieved. Smooth threads are anchored to lift the skin and stimulate collagen.

PDO threads are used to lift sagging skin, primarily around the face and neck. Some areas are more commonly targeted during a PDO thread lift, including:

• Brow lift
• Sagging cheeks (jowls)
• Nose to mouth folds
• Jaw line
• Neck

Patients who have opted for a PDO thread lift report a lifted and anchored appearance in the skin, as well as improvement in skin firmness.

You can expect an immediate lift to the treated area, but this will always relax somewhat once the initial swelling has settled down. Immediate side effects should reduce within 2 weeks, with your appearance then expected to gradually improve over a period of 2-3 months as collagen remodelling occurs. Overall, the results of a PDO thread lift can be expected to last for 6-12 months.

Your practitioner will take a detailed medical history to ensure you have no conditions that might increase the risk of unwanted side effects. Your consultation will also be an important opportunity for you to discuss your expectations and whether this treatment is able to meet them.

PDO thread Lifts are most suitable for those between the ages of 35-65 with moderate 'sagging' or skin laxity. Surgery options or combined treatments will be recommended to some patients to ensure expectations can be met.

A PDO thread lift is not recommended if:[GE1] 

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• You are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• You are taking steroids or have an autoimmune disease.

If you have concerns about whether you are a suitable candidate for a PDO thrad lift, consult with your practitioner. They will conduct a thorough medical check with you to ensure that you are able to receive the treatment.

If, having had treatment, you are at all concerned about symptoms you were not expecting or not happy with, please contact your practitioner for advice. If necessary, an appointment will be made for you to be seen.

PDO Thread lifting is safe, but not entirely risk free. Your practitioner will discuss all the risks and benefits with you at consultation and again prior to treatment. 

 A local anaesthetic may be is injected to make the procedure as comfortable as possible, but some patients will find this procedure painful and some tenderness after the anaesthetic has worn off is to be expected.

All make up will need to be removed prior to treatment, so please come ‘fresh faced’ if possible. We are happy to remove your make-up for you prior to treatment.

Alcohol, aspirin, Ibuprofen and a range of dietary supplements including St. John’s Wort, fish oils, Gingko Biloba, and Vitamins C and E may all contribute to bruising, and are best avoided 24 hours before treatment.

Treatment cannot be administered if there is an active skin infection, including acne or cold sores, or if you are unwell. This includes colds, coughs, sore throats, etc. Do contact the clinic to discuss any illness or new medicines prior to attending.

Most people are able to continue with normal activities with immediate improvement in their confidence of appearance. Some will have some redness, pin prick marks, and some degree of swelling. You may also experience some puckering along the site of the suture, and/or indentations at the insertion or exit points. The immediate side effects are expected to settle within 2 weeks.

For up to a week after the procedure, your skin may feel tender around the sutures. If necessary, you can take some simple paracetamol to help with this, although most patients do not find this necessary. You may feel the stitches and the anchoring cones beneath your skin, especially when you apply your skincare products or make up, but you should not be able to see them.

You will be advised to:

• Sleep on your back for 5 nights.
• Not wear make-up for 12 hours.
• Avoid facials or facial massage for 10 days.
• Not make any extreme facial expressions for 2 weeks.
• Apply anti-biotic cream as advised.
• Attend a review appointment as advised.
• Avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, sun bathing, and extremes of heat or cold for 14 days post-treatment. These activities have been found to increase and prolong swelling.

You should also expect that swelling may worsen in the first 24 hours, but it should settle within the first few days. Cold packs can be helpful in reducing swelling – as this goes down, so should any tenderness.

Bruising may take a few days to appear, and arnica can be helpful in clearing this. It is advisable to avoid aspirin and alcohol for 12-48 hours after treatment.

We know what to check and how to check it, so there’s no uncertainty when you’re choosing a non-surgical practitioner for your chosen cosmetic procedure. All practitioners listed in Save Face’s database have passed our rigorous 116-point assessment. This means you can be confident that the person you’re choosing:

• Is who they say they are.
• Is a registered nurse/midwife, doctor, dentist or prescribing pharmacist with specialist training and insurance in each treatment listed on their profile.
• Uses licensed products sourced from reputable suppliers.
• Has all of the necessary paperwork in place to protect you from undue risk and harm.
• Has a safe and hygienic clinic.

Start your search here to find the practitioner that’s right for you and your PDO thread lift treatment.