A surgical facelift was once the only way patients could achieve tighter and lifted skin, but that’s no longer the case. There’s a unique treatment that can naturally reverse aging, and it’s called the PDO thread lift. We offer this specialized anti-aging treatment here at Cynthia Salter-Lewis MD Anti-Aging and Cosmetic Medicine in Marlboro, NJ, and can customize it for your exact need to help you effectively reverse and delay the natural aging process.
What Is a PDO Thread Lift?
The PDO thread lift is a treatment that uses PDO threads, which are made of polydioxanone, a safe and fully absorbable material. Polydioxanone sutures have been used in the medical world for decades to perform various surgical procedures. They’re a safe option for patients who want to reverse the aging process and lift and tighten their skin.
What Are PDO Threads?
PDO threads are tiny sutures administered directly into the skin via an injectable device called a cannula. These threads typically have tiny barbed shapes, so once administered to the skin, they adhere to the tissue and immediately lift it higher to treat skin laxity. Their presence in the skin also stimulates natural collagen and elastin production at the treatment site. So, not only do you get immediate results, but you’ll get gradual and long-lasting results.
Over time, your body will produce more collagen and elastin in response to the PDO threads’ presence in your skin, and they’ll slowly break down and be absorbed within six months. Once the body metabolizes the ingredients, you’ll be left with natural collagen, increased skin volume, and healthier and tighter skin.
What Are the Treatment Benefits?
Patients who schedule this anti-aging treatment can expect firmer and more lifted skin after a single session. It’s an excellent alternative to a surgical facelift because it requires no surgical techniques and no lengthy recovery post-treatment. Other treatment benefits include the following:
- Results are immediate and gradual
- Treatments can delay and reverse the aging process
- Treatments are relatively quick and comfortable
- We can customize treatments to address each patient’s specific needs
- Maintenance treatments can help patients continue to address the signs of aging or slow the natural aging process
What Can It Treat?
The PDO thread lift can treat the most common signs of aging, including facial folds, loose skin, lines, wrinkles, and volume loss. By stimulating natural collagen and elastin production, the treatment naturally increases skin volume and firmness and improves skin texture.
What Areas Can Be Treated With PDO Threads?
Jawline Contouring
The jawline is a common area for sagging skin. As the skin in the area loses collagen and its elasticity, it can lead to a lack of definition along the jawline. We use PDO threads to instantly lift this area and restore some of the lost collagen that has caused the skin to sag.
Cheek Lifting
Loss of volume in the midface can cause the cheeks to appear flatter or to sag downward. Threads reposition this skin by anchoring it to higher points to give the midface a more youthful shape. While fillers are great for adding volume, threads focus on structural support. Patients with mild to moderate sagging in the cheek area can be great candidates for this treatment.
Brow Lifting
As the skin above the eyes loses elasticity, the brows may start to look heavier. Threads can help reposition the brow arch without adding bulk, which keeps your results looking natural. This approach is useful for patients who want to lift their brows without undergoing surgery. We can offer a subtle or more dramatic lift, depending on your preference.
Nasolabial Fold Reduction
When you smile, you may notice a fold that appears from your nose to your mouth. As you age, these lines can become deeper and can remain even when your face is neutral. These folds are called “nasolabial folds,” and they are one of the areas that we can treat with PDO threads. Threads support this area by repositioning tissue slightly upward and encouraging collagen to help fill in the area.
Loose Skin on the Neck
The skin of the neck is prone to horizontal lines and thin or sagging skin. Threads can be inserted under the skin to minimize lines and give the skin a firmer texture and appearance. If you have mild to moderate laxity and want a less invasive option than surgery, you can talk to us about PDO threads.
Different Types of PDO Threads
- Smooth: These threads are placed beneath the skin to stimulate collagen production and don’t provide as much instant lift. They work well for patients who want to improve skin texture and elasticity.
- Barbed: Barbed threads are the best choice for patients who want a more significant lift. The barbs can hold the skin in a more upward position after insertion and can also stimulate additional collagen with time. They are often used in the cheek, jaw, and neck.
- Twisted: These threads have a coiled structure and are more effective at adding volume. They are often placed in the cheeks or nasolabial folds to restore this lost volume. Their design enhances collagen production while subtly improving definition in treated areas.
What to Expect During a PDO Thread Treatment
The Consultation Process
Before starting, we’ll look at your facial structure, see how much skin laxity you have, where volume loss has occurred, and where sagging is most noticeable. We also talk about whether you’re looking for a subtle lift, skin tightening, or a combination of both. You’ll learn how different types of threads work and where they will be placed. If PDO threads are the right option, we’ll outline a customized treatment plan for you.
The Treatment Process
We begin by marking the areas where the threads will be inserted. We will also use an anesthetic to numb the skin and make a small hole in the skin to prepare it for thread insertion. The threads are inserted under the skin using a fine cannula and adjusted until they are perfectly in place. Once they are under the skin, we remove the cannula and smooth and adjust the threads to help them provide even more lift. We then trim the edges of the threads so they are invisible underneath the skin. You will feel minimal discomfort during the treatment process.
Post-Treatment Expectations
With certain types of threads, you’ll notice a lift right away, but the full effects continue to develop as collagen forms around the threads. Some redness or tenderness can be present for a few days, which is normal. The skin continues to improve in texture and firmness over the next few months as the threads integrate with the tissue and finally dissolve. Our goal with the treatment is to provide results that look natural rather than overdone.
Enhancing Your Treatment Results With Cosmetic Injectables
We can schedule a treatment with PDO threads to help you achieve full facial rejuvenation, but there are also ways to enhance your results to make them even better. We can pair a PDO thread lift with a customized neuromodulator and dermal filler treatment plan.
Neuromodulators
Neuromodulators are cosmetic injectables that work on the muscular level to relax the skin by temporarily inhibiting communication between the brain and nerve signals so the muscles can’t make exaggerated contractions. These injectables can significantly improve the appearance of expression lines on the upper half of the face.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers treat volume loss and restore natural volume to the skin with a hyaluronic acid-based formula that contains HA particles that closely mimic what the body produces naturally. When we pair one or both of these injectables with PDO threads, we can fill hollow areas, smooth expression lines, lift and tighten the skin, and help you achieve total facial rejuvenation.
Frequently Asked Questions About PDO Threads
Is There Any Downtime?
After your treatment, you can resume most of your normal daily activities, but you must follow some aftercare instructions to promote healing and ensure that you achieve the best possible results. If you combine dermal fillers and neuromodulators with your thread lift, you’ll also need to follow all of the post-care instructions typical of a cosmetic injectable treatment, including avoiding:
- Hot environments
- Anything that increases your body temperature
- Strenuous workouts
- Touching the treatment area
- Anything that could put pressure on the injection sites
After your thread lift, you must also avoid putting pressure on your skin and disrupting the threads. It’s also important to avoid sleeping on your face or side for several days after the treatment to promote healing and avoid interfering with your results. You’ll also need to use products that won’t irritate the treatment sites, and we can make recommendations after your appointment so you know exactly how to care for your skin.
Is It Painful?
This treatment process is comfortable because we can apply a topical numbing cream before administering the PDO threads to your skin. Our goal is to ensure that you have a comfortable and exceptional treatment experience from the moment you walk in the door and throughout your treatment. You can rest assured that we will not only customize a treatment plan based on your skincare goals and needs but also take steps to promote your comfort.
How Long Will My Results Last?
The benefit of this treatment is that your results can last several months to a year or longer. Because you cannot stop the natural aging process, you may see additional signs of aging at some point after your treatment. When that happens, you can schedule a follow-up session to undergo another customized session to address any new or additional concerns.
Am I a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for the PDO thread lift are patients who want to treat or reverse the aging process. It can meet the needs of those who are just beginning to see signs of aging or those with more advanced lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity who don’t want to commit to or cannot undergo a surgical procedure to achieve their desired results. We can confirm your treatment eligibility at the initial consultation and confirm this treatment is the best option.
How Soon Will I See the Results?
Some improvement is visible immediately after the threads are placed, as they provide structural support right away. Over the next few weeks, facial rejuvenation continues as collagen builds around the threads, enhancing skin firmness and lift. The most noticeable results develop within two to three months as the body naturally integrates the threads, creating a smoother and more youthful appearance.
How Often Can I Get PDO Threads?
The longevity of results varies based on the type of thread used, skin quality, and lifestyle factors. For skin tightening, most patients see benefits lasting anywhere from six months to over a year. Touch-ups can be done every 12 to 18 months if desired. If additional lifting or collagen stimulation is needed, we adjust the treatment plan to optimize long-term results. We can also discuss additional treatments such as neuromodulators, fillers, or resurfacing treatments to address any other concerns you may have.
How Much Do PDO Threads Cost?
Pricing depends on the number of threads used, the treatment area, and the complexity of the lift. It also depends on the type of threads used. During your consultation, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown so you know exactly what to expect.
Why Choose Us for Your PDO Threads?
We always make sure that our PDO thread lift is personalized based on your facial structure and cosmetic goals. Dr. Cynthia Salter-Lewis specializes in non-invasive treatments that give you a more youthful appearance and healthier skin without surgery. Whether you’re looking to lift sagging skin, improve collagen production, or refine facial contours, we customize each treatment to create natural-looking results. With expertise in anti-aging and cosmetic medicine, we focus on subtle enhancements that complement your features rather than altering them. Patients from Marlboro, Manalapan, Freehold, Old Bridge, Morganville, Monroe, and Shrewsbury trust us for treatments that blend artistry with medical precision.
Lift, Tighten, and Rejuvenate Your Skin With PDO Threads in Marlboro, NJ
At the office of Cynthia Salter-Lewis, M.D., our PDO thread lift provides patients with a minimally invasive and long-lasting solution that can naturally and effectively treat visible aging. If you want to learn more about the PDO threads and how they can help you reach your aging-related or cosmetic goals, and how we can combine them with dermal fillers and neuromodulators for total facial rejuvenation, we can give you all the details at your pre-treatment consultation. Contact us online or by phone at (732) 724-1294 for more information.
