If you’ve considered a non-surgical, skin-lifting treatment, you’ve probably heard of PDO threads. These thin, injectable strands can be used almost anywhere on the body to create noticeable lift and minimize the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. However, you may be wondering how long your results could last and if this treatment is right for you. At Beautique Medical in Knoxville, TN, our patients have experienced incredible success through thread lifts. We’re proud to offer this skin-rejuvenating option, which can turn back the hands of time and help you reach your beauty goals.
What Are PDO Threads?
PDO threads, or polydioxanone threads, consist of proteins and are longer and thinner than a normal strand of hair. They were created with the expert input of engineers, specialist medics, surgeons, dermatologists, and medical researchers and are held to the highest medical standards. When used to create a natural, long-lasting lift in the skin, these threads, which are usually textured, are injected under the surface of your skin and then tightened to pull the skin into place. This process temporarily erases lines, wrinkles, and folds in the skin caused by skin laxity and creates a more youthful appearance.
The lift achieved by these threads is enhanced by collagen production, which is triggered by the presence of the foreign threads in the skin and continues even after the threads safely dissolve into the body. While there is no permanent solution to signs of aging, our patients find that regular thread lift treatments help keep their skin looking its best and give them newfound confidence in their appearance.
How Long Will My Thread Lift Last?
Thanks to the combined power of the PDO threads and the collagen production stimulated by the injections, you can expect your final results to last between 1-3 years. The threads typically disintegrate in the first 6 months, and the added benefit of the new collagen keeps your skin smooth and refreshed for the remainder of this time.
Most of our patients opt to return for treatment once their initial results begin to fade. This allows them to build on the success of their first treatment, maintain their ideal image, and keep lines and wrinkles from deepening by combatting skin laxity and encouraging fresh collagen production. In addition, our doctors can recommend other treatments which can be combined with a thread lift to enhance your results.
Where Can a Thread Lift Be Used?
When the thread lift was first created, the target areas were often the nasolabial folds around the nose and mouth, the eyelids and area around the eyes, the glabella, smoker’s lines, brow areas, and the jawline and facial profile. These areas are still able to be treated effectively, but this treatment has expanded to include other parts of the body that can exhibit skin laxity. Our patients have seen success with thread lift treatments in areas such as the abdomen, arms and hands, neck and chest, thighs, buttocks, and the armpits and knees.
The initial injection of the threads, often in a strategic grid pattern to maximize lift, helps smooth the skin, while the collagen production, which provides a longer-lasting framework to hold your skin in place, gives you results that can last years. Our patients find that combining a thread lift with other treatments can enhance their lift and also help target common concerns such as uneven skin texture, stretch marks, and other signs of aging. One of our doctors can help you determine which areas of your body may be ideal locations for this treatment.
How Does This Treatment Compare to a Facelift?
If you choose to pursue facial skin-lifting treatment with PDO threads, it’s important that you have realistic expectations and understand what this treatment involves. The facelift, which was originally the most effective and longest-lasting treatment option for skin laxity in the facial region, offers semi-permanent results. However, it is not able to permanently treat skin laxity, and results last between 5-15 years, depending on the extent of treatment and the skill of the surgeon. The surgery involves the normal, significant risks associated with an invasive procedure along with significant downtime to ensure proper healing.
A thread lift offers results that can last up to 3 years. However, repeated treatments are considered safe and effective for maintaining your new lift and encouraging collagen production. Treatment usually takes less than an hour, and a zero-downtime recovery allows you to return to your normal schedule immediately. We find that a thread lift is often the best option for our patients who are concerned about mild to moderate skin laxity and who wish to pursue a less intensive treatment option with minimal discomfort and downtime and excellent, natural results.
How Does This Treatment Compare to Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are another popular skin-rejuvenating treatment available to smooth and plump your skin. While dermal fillers are also less invasive than a facelift surgery, they can cause more frequent allergic reactions and are more prone to uneven distribution than threads. Dermal fillers also build volume to address wrinkle and fine lines but are less effective at treating skin laxity than threads, which are pulled and adjusted to create instant lift. Both dermal fillers and threads typically dissolve into the skin, but most fillers disappear within 3-4 months, while threads can last up to 8 months.
One of the biggest benefits of a thread lift is the collagen production stimulated by the injections and by the presence of the threads in the skin. While dermal fillers can also trigger some collagen production, the amount of collagen produced usually lower than the amount produced during a thread lift treatment. This means that the results of dermal fillers are rarely prolonged or enhanced by a new collagen framework in the skin. Overall, skin laxity is best treated with a thread lift, although a combination of dermal fillers and threads can help create your ideal image and target different areas of concern on the face.
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
Thanks to its straightforward, minimally invasive nature, a thread lift is considered to be a good treatment option for any adult concerned about the appearance of skin laxity. While many of our patients are over the age of 40, signs of aging can begin developing as early as the mid-20s, and pursuing this treatment early can help keep your skin smooth and wrinkle-free. An ideal candidate has mild to moderate skin laxity, is free from any bleeding disorders, is not allergic to the proteins in the threads, and exhibits no skin irritation or disease in the target area.
In addition, an ideal candidate should have realistic, informed expectations about the nature of this treatment and the results they should expect. Our doctors will discuss these expectations during an initial consultation to help you determine whether a thread lift is right for you.
What Should I Expect?
Our dedicated staff is prepared to answer any questions you may have about this innovative treatment. While every patient’s experience is different, here’s a general idea of what you can look forward to when you choose to pursue a thread lift at our professional office.
Consultation
This first appointment allows you to meet with one of our experienced doctors and determine your candidacy for treatment. Your doctor will examine your skin in the target area, identify the locations on your body that could benefit from a thread lift, and evaluate the skin laxity in each area. They will also review your medical history and any medications you take regularly which could interact negatively with this treatment.
Once you’re approved for treatment, your doctor will explain the treatment and recovery process and review the results you can expect to see from treatment. They will also recommend any additional skin rejuvenating or anti-aging options or ongoing treatment plan which may be beneficial in helping you attain your ideal results. Once your consultation is complete, you can begin looking forward to your first treatment.
Treatment
On the day of your appointment, your doctor will ensure that the skin in the target areas is clean and healthy. They will then use a topical or injectable anesthetic to ensure that you’re comfortable. Once the area is numb, your doctor will use a long, thin needle to place the threads under the surface of your skin, typically in a grid pattern to build a lifting framework for the skin. The threads will anchor themselves in the skin, and your doctor will gently pull each thread to adjust the lift as needed before cutting the thread, which will then be completely invisible under your skin.
A typical appointment takes 15-60 minutes, depending on the extent of treatment. Once your doctor is finished with injections, you will be able to see the instant results of your thread lift. Your skin should appear tighter and smoother, and the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and folds should be noticeably improved. Your doctor will give you instructions for recovery, which you should follow carefully to ensure optimal results. You’ll be able to return to your normal activities immediately after treatment.
Recovery
You may notice some mild tenderness in the treated areas, which is normal and will subside over the first 1-3 days. For the first week after your treatment, avoid touching, rubbing, or pressing on the injection sites to ensure that the threads remain in place. You should also avoid any exfoliating or irritating skin treatments for at least 1 week to allow your skin to heal.
Most patients report that they notice their skin gain a new glow in the first 1-4 weeks after treatment as collagen production improves. This effect will continue for the next several months. Around the 6 month mark, the PDO threads will naturally disintegrate and be absorbed by your body.
Results
Once the threads under your skin dissolve, the framework created by the threads will be preserved by your skin’s refreshed collagen structure. You’ll be able to enjoy your tighter, smoother skin for 1-3 years as collagen production continues. After this time, the collagen in your skin will begin to break down as the aging process continues. Most of our patients choose to return for follow-up treatments at this point, which can help maintain your skin’s new look and keep new signs of aging at bay.
Contact Us to Learn More!
While aging is natural, you don’t need to live with side effects like wrinkles and loose skin. PDO threads can give you an attractive, effortless lift without the risks and recovery time of expensive surgery. Best of all, you’ll be able to enjoy your results for up to 3 years without worrying about your appearance. If you’re ready to learn more about this transformative treatment, contact the experts at Beautique Medical in Knoxville, TN to schedule an initial consultation today! We look forward to serving you!