Everything About Thread Lift

What Is a PDO Thread Lift, How It Works & Which Threads Deliver the Best Results

Learn how PDO thread lifts work, who they’re suitable for, and how to choose the right threads for different treatment areas.

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None of us want to look as old as we actually are. Some of us even look older than our chronological age due to genetics, health conditions, smoking, excessive drinking or repeated unprotected sun damage. Whatever your reason for wanting to look younger, thread lifting can help you look and feel younger and better about yourself.

What is Thread Lift?

A thread lift procedure is a shorter procedure type that focuses on targeting the signs of aging on the lower face and involves subcutaneous placement of PDO threads which are pulled to achieve the desired skin lift effect. Although it can address eyebrow sagging and cheek sagging, thread lift often focuses its attention on midface, jowl, and neck-lifting.

In addition to being ideal for lifting and tightening the skin, threads combat aging in another way by provoking the body’s “healing response” and causing the body to direct large surges of collagen to treated areas. This is important because of the vital role collagen plays in the aging process.

The goal of a thread lift is to reposition skin tissues, thus restoring youthful proportions and appearances to the face, neck, and body. This lifting and tightening are done by a plastic surgeon who inserts a needle into the skin, threading it bi-directionally through the soft tissues of the face, neck or body to grasp, lift and suspend the facial area. Surgeons use a “cross-hatch” or “basket weave” pattern to achieve the desired lifting effect in the targeted areas. The minimally invasive procedure provides immediate results, but its greater purpose is to encourage new collagen production to stimulate long term results and restore a youthful appearance in the treated areas.

Recommended Threads for Thread Lift Procedures

Explore professional PDO and PCL threads designed for different lifting techniques and treatment goals.

What kind of effects can a thread lift achieved?

Thread lifting results are immediate. You do not have to wait weeks and months to see your results. Although individual results may vary, common results achieved with PDO thread lift include:

• Heart shaped, higher cheekbone contour
• Exotic, cat eye contour
• Snatched, defined jaw line
• Softer smile lines
• Softer eyebrows
• Smoother neck lines
• Tighten loose skin
• Restoring the “V-shape” face
• Smooth out neck lines
• Reserve sagging jowls

Who is a good candidate for thread lift?

Want to know whether thread lift is a good option for you or not? Take a look at some of the best indicators that would make you an ideal candidate for a PDO thread lift.

Generally, the best candidates for a thread lift are people who are interested in the anti-aging results of a face-lift but can’t get or don’t want the surgical procedure. If you want to skip the downtime and discomfort of a facial surgery or you’ve been told you can’t go under general anesthesia because of a health reason like high blood pressure, consider this alternative.

The ideal thread lift candidate is also someone who wants natural-looking results. You can’t achieve the pulled-back look of a face-lift with a thread lift. Instead, you get reduced skin laxity in a way that’s noticeable but not overly dramatic.

Finally, thread lifts are most effective for mild to moderate skin laxity. If you’re starting to see some droopiness of the brow, cheeks, jowls and/or neck and would like to see a lift effect, but do not want the risk, scars, or recovery of a real browlift, facelift, or necklift operation, don’t wait to get this quick, convenient treatment to keep your skin looking tight and youthful.

What areas can be treated with the thread lift?

Most popular treatment areas are the brows, cheeks (midface), jowls, and the upper neck. However, Thread Lift can be performed virtually anywhere on the body, such as to lift loose skin on the upper arms, stomach, thighs and around the knees.

• Early loosening of the facial structures
• Jowls
• Sagging eyebrows
• Premature loosening of the neck skin

Thread Lifts Before and After

Take a look at before and after gallery below to see the amazing results that can be achieved from the thread lifting procedure.

Thread Lift Procedure: How PDO Threads Work

A thread lift is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure designed to lift and tighten loose skin by placing specialized threads beneath the skin. During the procedure, a trained practitioner uses a needle or cannula to carefully insert the thread into the targeted treatment area, such as the cheeks, jawline, brows, or neck.

Before treatment begins, a local anesthetic is typically applied to improve patient comfort. The thread is then positioned within the subdermal tissue layer to provide support and help reposition sagging skin. The specific placement technique and number of threads used may vary depending on the treatment area, desired results, and the practitioner’s approach.

How PDO Cog Threads Create a Lifting Effect

PDO threads are commonly made from polydioxanone (PDO), a biocompatible and absorbable material widely used in aesthetic procedures. Different thread designs are available for different treatment goals, including mono threads, screw threads, and cog threads.

For lifting procedures, PDO cog threads feature tiny barbs along the surface that anchor into the surrounding tissue. These barbs provide mechanical support, allowing practitioners to lift and reposition targeted areas such as the jawline, cheeks, and midface for a more defined facial contour.

Collagen Stimulation After Thread Placement

In addition to the immediate lifting effect, PDO threads also support long-term skin rejuvenation by stimulating the body’s natural healing response. As the threads remain beneath the skin, collagen production is encouraged around the treated area, helping improve skin firmness and overall texture over time.

Different thread types are designed for different aesthetic goals. While cog threads are commonly selected for lifting and contouring, mono threads are often used to support collagen stimulation and improve skin quality.

Absorption and Long-Term Results

PDO threads gradually break down through a natural process called hydrolysis and are absorbed by the body over time. Although the threads eventually dissolve, the collagen and fibrous tissue formed around the treated area can continue to support improved skin firmness and appearance.

Other absorbable materials, such as PCL, offer different absorption timelines and characteristics, allowing practitioners to select the most suitable thread material based on treatment goals and desired longevity.

Before Treatment Care for a Thread Lift

Although it is always best to meet with your plastic surgeon to determine the best plan of action for your specific skin type, professionals agree that thread lift candidates should avoid all alcohol and discontinue smoking for at least a week before the procedure as these things will dehydrate the skin and interfere with the anesthetic. All aspirin-based products should be avoided as well as cause unnecessary bleeding leading to unwanted complications and side effects. Blood-thinning products include Ibuprofen, Neurofen, and Naproxen/Naprogesic.

After Treatment Care for a Thread Lift

Some thread lift patients might feel nausea associated with the after-effects of the anesthesia or the procedure itself and can sip small amounts of clear liquids until it passes. It is also helpful, especially if your skin tends to swell or bruise, to ice the area for 30 minutes 4-5 times a day for the first 5 days.

Otherwise, limit facial motion for 24 hours, avoid facial creams or makeup for 48 hours, do not drink with a straw, keep the head elevated (including bending lower than heart-level) at a 45-degree angle for 5-7 days, eat soft foods or drink liquids for 7-10 days, avoid chewing gum for 2 weeks, avoid heavy exertion for 2-3 weeks and avoid pulling down on face or massaging it for 3 weeks.

Interested in offering Thread Lift treatments?

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Advantages and disadvantages of thread lift?

Determining whether thread lifting procedure is the right one for you will depend on understanding both the benefits and the shortcomings.

Benefits of Thread lifting vs. other options include:

• Rejuvenates the skin, making it look more firm and rested.
• A more defined facial contour
• The procedure is quick and much less invasive than an actual facelift.
• Helps in achieving a more youthful look without needing scarring or even general anaesthesia.
• The recovery time after the completion of the procedure will be minimal – there could be some initial redness and swelling but these will go away in a couple of days.
• This is a really versatile procedure that can be applied to various facial areas in need of rejuvenation, as well as the neck

Some of the disadvantages of importance include:

• This procedure will give you results that are temporary in nature (if you use absorbable threads, you will need to have the thread lift repeated every two years).
• If you have very deep wrinkles or a lot of untreated sagging, you will not get a satisfactory result from a thread lift – it’s only good for the first signs of aging that you experience.
• You will still have to go through a recovery period, regardless of the fact there will be fewer unpleasant post-procedure effects.
• Regardless of the use of local anaesthetics, some people will still experience pain during or after the procedure
• Despite safety procedures, there’s a small risk of complications like bruising, breakage of threads, fever and inflammation

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