PDO Thread Lifts

Love it or hate it, gravity is an escapable force that affects us all. With each passing year, our skin loses its resilience and becomes more vulnerable to the downward pull of gravity, leading to concerns like fine lines, wrinkles and sagging. But as collagen production declines and we start to notice the telltale signs of aging, we’re often left frustrated by ineffective treatment options that don’t address what’s really going on beneath the surface of the skin. 

At De La Belle Wellness & Spa, our goal is just that — to target the underlying signs of aging with innovative, nonsurgical treatments that help you look as young as you feel. If you’re bothered by sagging skin and facial wrinkles, PDO thread lifts can rejuvenate your appearance without the risks and downtime associated with invasive surgery. 

What is a PDO Thread Lift?

The PDO thread lift is an increasingly popular rejuvenating treatment for people with mild to moderate facial sagging and wrinkles. It works by lifting and tightening the skin from within to support its underlying structure and lets you achieve long-lasting results without the risks, side effects or downtime of more invasive procedures. Because of this, PDO thread lifts are often considered the go-to nonsurgical alternative to the facelift. 

Thread lifts are an excellent standalone procedure, but they can also be used in combination with other nonsurgical treatments for more comprehensive results. During your initial consultation, ask our nurse practitioner about combining thread lifts with dermal fillers, injectables and other skin care treatments to help you achieve your desired results. 

How Do PDO Thread Lifts Work?

Most anti-aging treatments work by removing excess skin or filling in unwanted lines or wrinkles with dermal fillers, but PDO thread lifts target the underlying structure of the face to rejuvenate your appearance and provide longer-lasting results without surgery. 

PDO thread lifts utilize thin sutures inserted beneath the skin to lift and anchor sagging facial tissues, providing some much-needed added support to minimize the signs of aging. They also stimulate the body’s natural collagen production to improve the overall tone and texture of your skin. Collagen is an essential protein that gives your skin structure and elasticity — a decrease in collagen production is one of the main causes of an aging appearance.

The sutures are made of polydioxanone (PDO), an FDA-cleared, biodegradable and synthetic polymer that’s both flexible and durable. PDO is used in a variety of medical procedures and has been extensively tested for its safety and efficacy. It is a strong material that is well tolerated by the body, making it ideal for supporting the facial tissues. 

Ideal Candidates for PDO Thread Lifts

PDO thread lifts are ideal for patients who are bothered by concerns such as facial or neck sagging, fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging, but don’t want or need invasive surgery to rejuvenate their appearance. PDO thread lifts are often called a “weekend facelift” and can provide outstanding results without extensive downtime, recovery or scarring. If you’re interested in PDO thread lifts, you may be a good candidate if you:

• Have mild to moderate wrinkles and skin laxity in the face, neck or jawline
• Want to achieve a more lifted, contoured look
• Are unhappy with the appearance of jowls
• Experience volume loss in the mid, lower or upper face
• Don’t want to commit to a lengthy recovery
• Prefer a nonsurgical option for lifting and tightening the skin
• Are between the ages of 30 and 60

PDO thread lifts are a great alternative to the surgical facelift. They can also be used instead of other anti-aging procedures like dermal fillers or Botox for longer-lasting results, or combined with these treatments to provide even more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face and neck. At De La Belle Wellness & Spa, our team of skin care experts will evaluate your needs and craft a unique treatment plan tailored to your aesthetic goals.

Types of PDO Threads 

PDO threads can be inserted into different areas of the face to provide a lifting, rejuvenating effect. However, there are also different kinds of PDO threads available with various textures that can be used to produce a desired result, allowing for a highly customizable procedure. The types of PDO threads that can be used during treatment include: 

• Smooth PDO threads: These threads are used for more superficial fine lines and wrinkles. They are inserted into the skin using a needle and then pulled to create a skin-tightening effect and small amount of lift.
• Barbed PDO threads: These threads have small hooks or barbs along their length that anchor to the skin, allowing for a more significant lifting effect. They are used for deeper wrinkles and sagging skin.
• Screw PDO threads: These threads have corkscrew-like twists along their length and are used to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. They are inserted into the skin and then rotated to create a tightening effect.
• Cog PDO threads: These threads have barbs that are arranged in a spiral or “cog” pattern along their length. They are used for lifting and tightening skin in specific areas, such as the cheeks, jawline, and neck.

During your initial consultation, our nurse practitioner will evaluate your skin and discuss your unique concerns, needs and goals to recommend the right type of threads for your procedure. This may include one specific type of PDO thread, or a combination of smooth or barbed threads to help you achieve your desired effects and highly personalized results.

What to Expect During Your PDO Thread Lift 

PDO thread lifts typically take between about 30 to 45 minutes to complete, but this can vary depending on your individual needs and goals. The procedure is done in-office with local numbing, meaning you’ll be awake, but your face will be numbed to prevent discomfort. We also offer nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) to help you relax and further increase your comfort.

During the procedure, our aesthetic experts will insert the threads under your skin using a small, thin needle or a cannula. Once in place, they will be carefully anchored to the underlying tissues and manipulated to achieve the desired lift and tightening effect. You may feel some pressure or pulling sensations, but the procedure is generally not painful.

After your procedure, you may experience some swelling, bruising, or discomfort, but these side effects are temporary and typically subside within a few days.

What to Expect During PDO Thread Lifts Recovery

PDO thread lifts have a relatively short recovery period compared to surgical facelifts. You can immediately resume your normal routine with little to no downtime, but you should still plan to take it easy for a few days following your treatment. Try to avoid overly strenuous activities, facial massages or anything else that puts pressure on your face for at least 24 hours.

Most patients experience few side effects, but swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are common in treated areas. These will start to subside on their own within a few days and can be easily managed with ice packs and over-the-counter medication. Most swelling or bruising should be completely gone after a week or two, revealing your full results. 

PDO Thread Lifts Results

The results of PDO thread lifts are immediately noticeable and continue to improve over time as swelling subsides and your body produces more collagen. You’ll notice smoother, tighter and more lifted skin in treated areas, with a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

PDO threads are biodegradable and will naturally dissolve over the next six to eight months once inserted beneath the skin. However, you can expect to keep seeing the benefits of treatment for a year or more thanks to its collagen-stimulating effects. 

You can prolong the results of your procedure by following a good skin care regimen and avoiding excessive sun exposure. Our experienced staff can also provide tips and recommend additional products or procedures to help you get the most out of your thread lift. 

PDO Threads vs. InstaLift 

There are many different types of thread lift procedures available, but two common ones you might encounter are PDO thread lifts and the InstaLift. While both treatments involve inserting threads beneath the skin to lift and tighten sagging facial tissue, the materials, type of threads used and insertion techniques differ to provide unique results.

PDO threads have great collagen-stimulating effects and are anchored in place using barbs or cogs that grip the tissue, then gently pulled to provide the desired amount of lift. In contrast, InstaLift threads are made with poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and use tiny “cones” to gather skin and rejuvenate treated areas. While this material is stronger and more durable than PDO, it doesn’t provide the same level of collagen stimulation as PDO threads.

At De La Belle Wellness & Spa, we use PDO threads in our thread-lifting procedures to provide the optimal balance between lifting the skin and enhancing volume and tightness with increased collagen production, ensuring long-lasting results that look and feel natural. 

Ready for Your PDO Thread Lifts Treatment?

If you’re ready to improve the appearance of your skin and restore a youthful firmness without surgery or downtime, PDO thread lifts may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Our nurse practitioner will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals. To get started, contact or call our office in Memphis, Tennessee, today at 901-433-9024 to schedule your consultation and learn more about how PDO thread lifts can help you look and feel your best.