Cosmetic Enhancements
POD Threads
What Are PDO Threads?
PDO Threads are non-surgical and cosmetic. They are used for treatments to restore volume or fullness to the face and they work by reducing or eliminating lines, wrinkles, folds in the skin, as well as skin tightening – just like a face lift. The effect can be seen immediately after treatment, but it is also progressive and gets better with time as the collagen builds up around the dissolving threads.
The Principles Of PDO Thread Lifting
PDO Threads are one of the most popular and highly effective non-surgical means to lift & tighten loose, sagging skin tissues as well dissolve small areas of fat on the lower face and body. PDO (polydioxanone) is a synthetic fibre and in aesthetics, the threads help to lift sagging skin as well as stimulate new collagen - your own natural collagen. Another interesting effect of the threads are their ability to induce lipolysis (fat cell death) which is quite effective in treating facial and body stubborn fat areas as well as inducing collagen and tightening the skin. It’s an amazing discovery!
About The Procedure
Thread lifts have become a minimally invasive alternative to the facelift for patients who are not ready to undergo more aggressive treatment options. Although the effects from a thread lift will be temporary and not as dramatic as a facelift, improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be seen gradually as the procedure stimulates natural collagen production.
PDO, which stands for polydioxanone, is an absorbable polymer that is flexible and durable for minimally invasive thread lifts.
There are three main textures of PDO sutures: mono, cog, and screw threads:
• Mono threads are singular, smooth sutures that are anchored to the face that provide a small lift to the face.
• Cog threads have a barbed texture that provides better lift and increased collagen production.
• Screw threads have 1-2 intertwined threads which provide volume to the treated area.
For patients who only desire skin tightening and rejuvenation, mono threads may be sufficient. Patients who desire more lifting and volume will better benefit from textured cog or screw threads.
PDO Thread Lift addresses concerns such as:
Jowls, Fine Lines & Wrinkles, Nasolabial Folds, Facial Skin Laxity, Neck & Jawline Definition, Brows... and more.
The Process
Before treatment, the patient's skin will be marked for insertion and direction of the inserted threads. Once marked, the insertion points will be thoroughly anesthetized. Multiple threads can be inserted through the same point in the skin.
PDO threads are attached to a long cannula. The cannula will be pushed through the tissue beneath the skin. When the thread has reached its predetermined end point, the thread will be released and the cannula removed. This process will be repeated until the desired lift has been achieved, with as many 1-15 threads inserted depending on the treatment area and concern being addressed. Any extra thread will be trimmed. The threads will be massaged to ensure the tissue is smooth and no dimpling is present.
Recovery is minimal after a PDO thread lift procedure. Most patients are able to resume normal activity within 1 week postoperatively.
The goal of a PDO thread lift is to reposition facial and neck tissues to restore and rejuvenate youthful proportions and appearances to the face.