Thread lifting treatment

PDO What is it?

Tight thread lift is a novel and safe method added to the non-surgical face tightening and lifting treatments. It involves a novel material and a very simple and quick procedure.

The material from which the threads are made is called PDO (polydioxanone) and is a fully resorbable and biodegradable polymer that has been used for many years in surgical stitches, especially vascular suturing.

Clinical studies have shown that, when inserted in the skin, PDO starts to degrade gradually and new collagen fibres are formed in its place (neocollagenesis). Collagen is responsible for the skin’s elasticity and firmness. It has also been demonstrated that the procedure induces the synthesis of endogenous hyaluronic acid, contributing to proper hydration of the skin. As soon as the threads enter the skin, an instant improvement of the area is observed. Over the next month, the collagen synthesis mechanisms are mobilized and this procedure goes on as long as the threads remain in the skin, namely for approximately 240 days. However, the result of the treatment may last up to 24 months.

The goal of the treatment is to tighten sagging skin. Since the threads are quickly resorbed and have a very fine diameter, there is no risk of not being resorbed by the skin or causing any adverse events.

PDO threads were created five years ago in Southern Korea and have since been used in many countries (Japan, USA, Brazil, Russia and Europe).

Main indications

Tight thread lift can be used in areas of the face presenting sagging and loss of firmness. It is the ideal treatment for lifting the face contours and corners of the mouth.

The results are impressive in the age group from 40 to 55, when sagging is not too pronounced yet.

Tight thread lift on one hand corrects sagging and on the other improves skin quality. This is why it may not fully restore the facial contours at older ages (the result can be from moderate to good), but it surely prevents further loss of firmness and drooping.

It is also used on the hands, abdomen, buttocks and legs to tighten the skin, but unfortunately it cannot be used in all body types. It mostly benefits slim women with localized sagging.

Although tight thread lift can offer very good results, in no case can it replace surgical face lift, when the latter is indicated.

What is the procedure of the treatment?

The whole procedure lasts from 30 to 60 minutes, it is performed in the practice and is essentially painless. It is less painful than hyaluronic acid treatments. After planning the treatment, the doctor uses fine needles or cannulas to insert threads. The type and number of threads are selected individually for each case. Threads are inserted subcutaneously in various directions, forming a mesh that supports the skin. The contour-lifting or the wrinkle-smoothing result is instantly visible.

The improvement continues in the following days and the final result is visible in the first quarter after the treatment. Upon completion of the procedure, there is mild redness on the skin, which subsides in a few hours.

The worst side effects may be some bruising, slight asymmetry or mild edema, which subside in a few days. In general, this treatment does not cause swelling or deformation. Caution is required during the first days, such as avoiding massage, intense physical activity and sun exposure.

Combination with other treatments

Tight thread lift can be complemented with other anti-aging treatments. We can use botulinum toxin on the forehead, restore volume with hyaluronic acid in the middle part of the face and use threads to improve the contour. A few fractional laser sessions can precede or follow (especially in older ages, where skin aging is more pronounced).

Another suitable combination, that maximizes the treatment result and is suggested in therapeutic protocols, is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP or Vampire therapy). Drawing a little blood from the patient and centrifuging it, we obtain plasma and platelets. This autologous material is injected into the skin with a very fine needle (as in mesotherapy), thus utilizing the growth factors contained in our own blood.

Silhouette Soft Thread Lift

These are threads made of polylactic acid. They are bidirectional and help reposition slack and sagging skin. New collagen is formed within 2-3 months, helping to improve the skin quality and firmness. Threads can be used in the face and neck.

They can be completed with PDO threads, as well as injectable fillers.