Dissolvable PDO (Polydioxanone) threads are safely inserted underneath the skin and are then tightened and pulled back, re-suspending areas that are sagging. This gives the skin a lifted, boosted and rejuvenated appearance. The PDO threads are inserted via blunt tip needles, called cannulas, or sharp-tipped needles. This is the case for any treatment to be undertaken in this way.
Key points to take good note of
PDO threads have been used for decades, although they only recently became a widely used cosmetic treatment. Historically, medical practitioners used these threads as sutures during surgery. That’s because they can be safely absorbed by your body over time. Unlike the PDO threads used for surgical sutures, most doctors use PDO threads that have directional barbs or twists along them.
They place these threads wherever your skin needs a lifting and tightening effect. They use cannula to place the thread in the desired location. Once in place, the barbs or twists anchor the thread, ensuring that it can lift your skin to the desired location. But that’s not all. The placement of the thread itself triggers your skin to produce collagen, the protein that keeps your skin smooth and tight. As your skin slowly absorbs the thread in the coming months, it’s replaced by a new network of collagen. This means the results from a PDO thread lift can last a year or more.
There are benefits to take good note of from this treatment
You can expect the following benefits from the treatment:
- Tightened, firmer skin
- Improved skin texture
- Increased skin elasticity
- Fewer lines and wrinkles
- Improved facial contours
- Long-lasting results
The procedure
PDO threading starts with the application of a topical numbing cream and a lidocaine injection in the treated area. That way, medical providers ensure the patient doesn’t feel any discomfort. The medical provider inserts a hypodermic needle or cannula (blunt-tipped needle) containing a PDO thread into the treatment area. The procedure lasts for 30-45 minutes. After the needle is removed, the PDO thread stays under the skin to support and lift the area. The body reacts to the perceived injury by building more collagen.
This process counters collagen loss, the main cause of skin aging. The number of PDO threads per treatment depends on the treatment area size and how much lifting and tightening it needs. Some areas require as few as six threads, while others as many as 20. PDO threads dissolve within six months, but the lifting effect is visible for at least one year.
Overall
The results of PDO threading are immediate. The skin is visibly tightened and refreshed right after the treatment. As the body builds new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in the months following the treatment, the face becomes plumper and acquires a more youthful look. The PDO thread lifting effects peak at about six months after the procedure. It will take time though this can be a great treatment.