PDO Thread Lift
PDO (polydioxanone) threads are absorbable sutures placed beneath the skin to lift and reposition tissue and stimulate collagen production. Treatment is minimally invasive and requires a consultation to assess whether your anatomy and goals are appropriate candidates.
What PDO threads are
Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are sterile absorbable sutures made from the same material used in surgical suturing. In aesthetic medicine, they are inserted beneath the skin using a fine needle or cannula to mechanically lift and reposition sagging tissue and to trigger a wound-healing response that stimulates new collagen. The threads dissolve over several months; the collagen they stimulate can persist longer.
What PDO threads can address
PDO threads are used to improve tissue laxity in the mid-face, jowl, brow, and neck areas, and to add subtle lift to the cheek and jawline. Smooth threads are also used in the skin surface to improve texture and stimulate general collagen. They are not a substitute for surgical lifting when significant laxity is present.
Who may be a candidate
Adults with mild to moderate skin laxity who want modest lifting without surgery. Candidates should have realistic expectations — threads produce subtle improvement, not surgical-grade results. Good skin quality and adequate subcutaneous tissue are important factors. Candidacy is determined at consultation after examination.
Who should avoid or delay treatment
PDO threads are not appropriate for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have active infection or inflammation at the planned treatment area, have a history of keloid scarring, have significant skin laxity that exceeds what threads can meaningfully address, or have certain autoimmune conditions. Patients on blood thinners have increased bruising risk and should discuss this at consultation.
What to expect during a session
After consultation and consent, the skin is cleansed and topical numbing is applied. Local anesthetic is injected at insertion points. Threads are placed using a needle or blunt cannula and positioned to provide lift or texture improvement. Excess thread is trimmed flush with the skin. Sessions typically take 30 to 60 minutes depending on the number of areas treated.
Recovery and downtime
Some swelling, bruising, and tenderness at insertion points is expected for several days. Dimpling or puckering of the overlying skin is common in the first one to two weeks and usually resolves as the tissue settles. Avoid vigorous facial massage, facial procedures, and excessive facial animation for two to four weeks. Sleep on your back if possible during recovery. Most patients return to regular activity within one to three days.
Risks and side effects
Common: bruising, swelling, tenderness, temporary skin dimpling or puckering. Less common: visible or palpable threads under the skin, asymmetry, thread migration, infection at insertion points. Rare: thread extrusion through the skin surface. If threads become visible or you develop signs of infection — increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge — contact us promptly.
Alternatives
Alternatives for mild tissue laxity include dermal fillers for structural support, neuromodulators for certain lifting effects, radiofrequency skin tightening, and focused ultrasound devices. For significant laxity, surgical consultation is appropriate. We discuss alternatives at your consultation.
How long results last
PDO threads dissolve over approximately four to six months. Collagen stimulation effects may persist for 12 to 18 months. Lift results vary depending on the thread type, number placed, anatomy, and individual healing response. Results vary. Maintenance treatments may be appropriate over time.
When to contact us
Contact us if you develop a visible thread at the skin surface, increasing pain or swelling beyond the first week, signs of infection, or asymmetry that concerns you after the initial recovery period. Seek emergency care if you develop any signs of severe allergic reaction.
Clinical notice
Information on this page is educational and does not replace an in-person consultation. Treatments are recommended only after reviewing medical history, anatomy, goals, and clinical suitability. Results vary. Appropriate candidates are determined at the time of consultation.
If you experience severe swelling, vision changes, difficulty breathing, signs of vascular compromise, or another urgent symptom after treatment, seek emergency care immediately.
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