PDO & COG THREADS
PDO Threads relaxes tendons and muscles and, when inserted into the skin, improves blood flow to the area. This starts the production of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, all of which help support firm skin.
PDO threads are sutures made from the polymer polydioxanone (PDO) and can be used to help lift the face without the long recovery of surgical procedures. They can improve the shape and contour of your face and help firm the skin. Polydioxanone is a flexible and durable material used in absorbable surgical sutures. It has been used for over two decades to help close wounds, and it has been safely approved by the FDA.
Multiple threads can be inserted into the skin with a cannula, which is pushed through the tissue beneath the skin and then removed to release the threads, which then stimulate the growth of new collagen after insertion. This helps to tone and tighten the area where the threads have been inserted. The threads are later absorbed into the body but leave behind new collagen. It also causes fat tissue to contract, which helps give the appearance of tightened skin and a slimmer face.
Thread lifts are very versatile and can be used in many different areas, including:
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Eyebrows
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Cheeks
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Jawline
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Neck
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Around the mouth
They can also treat skin issues such as:
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Under-eye bags
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Sagging skin on the cheeks
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Smile lines
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Crow’s feet
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Forehead wrinkles
There are three different types of textures used in thread lifts: mono, cog, and screw, each with their own benefits.
MONO THREADS
This is a good choice for those who only want skin tightening and minimal lifting. Mono threads are completely smooth, so they need an anchor point in order to give the skin the lift it needs.
To make sure the desired skin has maximum tightening, they are often inserted in a mesh-like pattern. Anywhere from 10 to 30 threads can be used in each individual area to achieve this effect.
COG THREADS
Those looking for a more significant lift might want to use cog threads. Cog threads are barbed, which supports sagging skin tissue and increases the amount of collagen that will be produced.
The barbs hook under the skin, giving the threads a built-in anchor point and providing added skin tightening.
SCREW THREADS
One or two threads are intertwined around the insertion needle to amplify the results. Screw threads are able to offer increased volume to the targeted area. These are best used to reverse sunken areas of the skin to help achieve a V-shape face.
PDO Thread Lifts vs. Surgical Facelifts
VISIBLE RESULTS
With PDO thread lifts, most patients see immediate results, as after the threads are inserted into the skin’s subcutaneous layer, they instantly begin to tone and tighten. Surgical facelifts, on the other hand, can take months to heal and see results.
EASIER PROCESS
Thread lifts are a good choice for those who are unsure about a more expensive and invasive procedure. There are no incisions involved with thread lifting, as the threads are injected using a fine needle. This makes the treatment significantly easier to perform and, as such, cheaper for the patient.
During facelift surgery, patients must be heavily sedated, and the surgery can take anywhere from two to four hours. On the other hand, PDO facelifts generally take half of that time, and a local aesthetic is used, meaning patients are able to drive themselves home and most can return to work after receiving the treatment.
SHORTER RECOVERY
With thread lifts, the pain after the treatment is minimal, and in most cases, patients are able to quickly return to their regular routines without a problem. Because they are noninvasive, thread lifts are low-risk and present a low probability of complications.
Most surgical facelift patients need 24-hour aid for at least three days after surgery. Patients usually need to take a few weeks off of work, too, in order to heal.
How long does it last?
PDO threads disappear with hydrolysis about 6 months after the treatment. After the threads are absorbed in the skin, the lifted effects stay for about 3–6 months longer, although results can last for two years or longer.
Even though it isn’t permanent, the treatment is low-risk, and most patients opt for a fresh set after the old threads have faded. PDO thread lifting is perfect for patients who need a small lift and do not want the risk, scars, or recovery of facelift surgery. It is also a good choice for those who are unable to have surgery performed on them for various health reasons, such as Type 2 Diabetes or cardiovascular disease.