What is PDO Thread Lift? – Understand the Basics

Learn the basics from dermatologists about the PDO thread lift

Aging is a natural process that brings multiple unwanted changes with it. Some of these changes such as the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin are more prominent and can be aesthetically unpleasant. To reverse these signs of aging and to preserve a youthful appearance, aestheticians use multiple treatments.

PDO thread lift is one such popular procedure that uses a biodegradable Polydioxanone (PDO) polyester suture to rejuvenate, tighten and lift facial skin. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in 45-60 minutes. It is a lot more convenient than facelift surgery although the results will not last for as long as the former.

Let us take a detailed look at what the PDO thread lift procedure is and what to expect from it.

PDO Threads – What Are They?

• They are a type of biodegradable sutures that are used in thread lift procedures. They start to degrade inside the human body after 6 months of insertion. Polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCA) are two other types of sutures that are used for different purposes.

Once inserted, PDO sutures interact with the skin and trigger the production of fibroblasts. As a result, collagen production is stimulated. Enhanced levels of collagen fix wrinkles and fine lines and give elasticity and structure to the skin. Hence, PDO threads are effective in reversing the signs of aging.

PDO Thread Lift – How Is It Performed?

5-8 days before undergoing the procedure, the doctor advises abstaining from the following edibles and medicines as they increase the risk of bleeding:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Green tea
• Advil and ibuprofen

Before performing the treatment, the doctor will walk you through it and educate you about the potential complications and aftercare routine. Following steps are performed in a PDO Thread Lift procedure:

• The patient is seated in a reclined chair. His face is disinfected with alcohol. Then local anesthesia is applied with the help of a minute needle.
• Once the anesthesia sets in, the surgeon makes a small cut in the face and inserts a tiny cannula into the gap created.
• The surgeon will then anchor the PDO thread through the cannula into the face of the patient.
• The cannula is then pulled out and excess thread is cut out after making sure that it has been securely set in place.

This procedure takes 45-60 minutes. After that, the patient is free to go home.

What to Expect After The Procedure?

• The downtime for this procedure is very limited. Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, you may experience some swelling and bruising initially. But it is not enough to keep you away from your daily routine.

Results become apparent three to five days post-treatment, once the swelling and bruising start to subside. The antiaging and face lifting results from this procedure aren’t permanent – rather they last for 1 to 3 years. The reason being that the PDO threads will eventually get absorbed by the tissues and will lose their effect.

Some of the post-treatment aftercare tips include:

• Avoid rubbing your face vigorously.
• Avoid sleeping on the side of the face where the treatment has been made for the first few weeks after the treatment.
• Sleep with your head propped up.
• Skip daily moisturizer for a few days after the treatment.
• Avoid saunas, jacuzzis, and high-intensity workouts for the first week after the surgery has been performed. Waiting this length of time is important to let the results sink in.

This information has been brought to you by Alladerm.

source https://alladerm.com/what-is-pdo-thread-lift-understand-the-basics/