The threads are made of the same absorbable material used for surgical stitches – polydioxanone or PDO. PDO continuously stimulates collagen synthesis under skin, which means the results improve over time. When inserted, they act as a ‘scaffold’ for the skin that helps to hold it against the effects of gravity. The threads are reabsorbed in 4 to 6 months, leaving only the new skin structure, which holds for another 18 to 24 months.

After treatment it is expected that you will start to see an improvement instantly, but considerable improvement appears after 2 or 3 months, when induction of new collagen begins.

Usually only 1 treatment is needed to achieve your desired lifting effect. The treatment takes approximately one hour and you will see results immediately after. The effect lasts from between 18 months and 2 years.

Your practitioner will take a detailed medical history and an assessment of your needs and expectations to ensure this is an appropriate treatment for you.

Best results are achieved on patients who have Grade 1 or 2 ptosis, this means that for those whose nipples are below the infra-mammary fold (the crease of the breast) the outcomes will not be as good as those whose nipples lie above the fold.

Treatment is not suitable for patients who:

• Have a past or current history of breast cancer
• Have breast implants
• Are pregnant or are breast feeding
• Have bleeding disorders
• Have a fear of needles

All treatments carry a degree of risk. With PDO breast lifts there is always a risk of bruising but this will settle after the first week. After the treatment your breasts will feel slightly sore. There may also be a risk of skin puckering, but this soon settles.

You may feel slight stinging sensation during treatment which is likened to an acupuncture treatment. A local anaesthetic is applied prior to thread insertion.

For a few days after the procedure, your breasts will be sore and feel heavy. Therefore it is advisable to take regular paracetamol and wear a support bra for the week following your treatment.

Patients can resume normal day to day activity after the treatment. Reddening at the thread introduction points will disappear between 3 and 5 hours after the treatment. Your breasts will be taped for 48 hours after the procedure to achieve best results.