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PDO thread lifting of the face and body in depth!
PDO Thread lifting, a non-surgical face and body lift, has radically changed the way we proceed with our appetite for youthfulness. Traditional Face lifting involves a few hours of anesthesia and surgery which became associated with undesirable side effects like “plastic” or “pulled skin” appearance. PDO thread lifting was born due to being an in-office procedure without anesthesia or scalpel use to achieve desirable and aesthetically pleasing appearance. While there are many different types of thread lifts, such as PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), PCL (polycaprolactone), the PDO (Polydioxanone) thread lift is amongst the most popular today. The threads are made in United States and South Korea, and is one of the most commonly performed skin lifting procedures today.
What is the PDO Thread Lift?
The PDO Thread Lift is a treatment which lifts and tightens sagging skin tissue, using threads made of PDO, PLLA or PCL. The threads introduces them into the deeper layers of the skin. Once introduced, the threads produce 3 effects in the skin:
- Instant Skin Lifting through mechanical effects from the threads
- Cellular Renewel, through Collagen stimulation, and neovascularisation to improve skin texture, fine lines and elasticity
- Skin Tightening, by contracting fat tissue
The PDO threads (which dissolves in about 3-6 months, PLLA threads (dissolves in 12-18 months,) and PCL (dissolves in 2 years) will start to disappear through simple hydrolysis (they are absorbable). Your skin cells stimulated to produce new collagen in the lifted position and the effects of face lifting last for another 3-6 months. The lifted facial contours will have cellular rejuvenation effects and natural collagen production.
How is PDO Thread Lift Done?
A PDO Thread Lift is a minimally invasive procedure. After numbing and infusion of local anesthetia, the PDO threads are inserted via blunt tip needles (called cannulas) into the skin. Once inserted, the threads anchor the skin and lift it upwards towards desired position. The excess threads are then cut off.
Depending on the areas treated, the procedure takes 30-45 minutes. There should be no discomfort during the procedure due to our experience and local anesthesia injection.
Are There Different Types of PDO Threads?
There are many types of PDO threads – and this can be confusing for patients, and even doctors.
In general, PDO threads can be divided into barbed threads and non-barbed threads.
PDO Threads – Different Kinds of Threads
Barbed Threads – These are threads with hooks or barbs, anchoring the deep layers of the skin and effectively pulling in the direction desired. You can have uni-directional or bidirectional barbs to pull the skin. i.e the face and the neck uses bidirectional but the nose will use uni-directional. These threads are thicker as it needs the strength to pull on the skin and maintain the tensile strength.
Non-barbed Threads – These are the same threads without the hooks or the barbs. These are used anywhere where there is a wrinkle or filling needed. i.e use these threads for under eye treatments, wrinkles in the forehead, frown lines, lifting eyebrows, around the mouth wrinkles or in the crows feet. These threads are thinner and therefore can be inserted in small wrinkles to fill the defect or the area.
At NewSkin Laser Center, we have different kinds of threads, shapes and sizes. Dr. Alan Darush has been effectively using the threads to perform skin lifting and rejuvenation needs.
Is PDO Thread Lift Safe? What are the Possible Side Effects?
This treatment is surprisingly safe. Compared to fillers, the side effects are, in fact, much milder and almost very little bruising. Because PDO threads are inserted via a cannula, the risk of injuring a nerve, artery or a vein is minimal.
- Expect some mild swelling and soreness for 3 to 5 days after the procedure,
- Mild sensation of tightness up to 2 weeks.
- Temporary mild dimpling of the skin can also occur – and resolves in a few days.
Some side effects are related to the technique of insertion, and the types of threads used. These include surface depressions, facial asymmetry, prolonged pain, and prolonged dimpling. It is extremely important to have the procedure performed by an experienced and reputable physician like Dr. Alan Darush at NewSkin Laser Center to minimize and prevent the side effects.
The face has a very complex anatomical structure. Intimate anatomical knowledge is required to perform a PDO thread lift well, and to avoid serious side effects. We actually see patients who have had the procedure which they are not satisfied or have serious side effects such as nodule formation or infections. It is also important to know what kind of PDO is being used as they can also cause problems. Threads are not created equal – they can create problems or reaction in the face. Your doctor’s training in the procedure is also extremely important in ensuring a good outcome with minimal side effects from your procedure.
The side effects are mostly manageable – removal of threads may be required in cases such as migration and extrusion.
The list of possible side effects from a PDO thread lift procedure include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Prolonged pain
- Nodular formation – lump or nodule formation after thread lift.
- Asymmetry – correction with threads
- Dimpling of the Skin – needs redirection or extraction of the thread
- Infection – will require antibiotics
- Thread breakage –
- Lumps – Lumps after thread lift is easily corrected.
What Do I Need to Take Note of Before and After The Procedure?
- Like other treatments involving injections, avoid alcohol, supplements such as Vitamin E, Omega Fish oils, NSAIDs, and gingko for 1-2 days before the procedure
- Avoid going to the steam room, sauna, and engaging in heavy exercise for 2 weeks
- For the first 2 weeks after the PDO Thread Lift, you are also discouraged from undergoing any dental treatment
- Do not open mouth excessively for 2 weeks – eating a large apple
- Do not apply pressure for 2 weeks in the treated area as it may cause breakage of the threads
How is the Treatment Designed?
The PDO Thread Lift procedure is designed according to what you want to treat, and which areas you want to concentrate on. For example, for lifting, we use a combination of barbed threads of different thickness and lengths, inserted in 3-4 entry points. The treatment can also be designed according to your lifestyle needs – if you can take more swelling, I will insert more threads, and vice versa.
PDO threads can be used for lifting, rejuvenation (improving skin texture and wrinkles), and volumizing. Different threads are used for different purposes. Every doctor’s technique is different, and the possibilities are endless.
What Areas Can Be Treated with PDO Thread Lift?
The PDO thread lift is very versatile, allowing practically all areas of the face to be treated, including the:
- Undereye area
- Eyebrows
- Eyebrows Lifting and shaping
- Crow’s feet (wrinkles around eyes)
- Cheeks
- Nasolabial folds
- Naso jugal folds
- Wrinkles around mouth
- Jaw line
- Jowls
- Neck
- Butt lifting
- loose tummy tuck skin
The cheeks and lower face, in particular, benefit greatly from the procedure, allowing a lift which is synergistic to other skin lifting treatments such as Ultherapy and Venus Freeze (radio frequency).
What Results Can I Expect After The Treatment? How Long Do They Last?
Your skin is immediately lifted after a PDO thread lifting procedure, as the threads provide support to lift skin in its new position. Over one month period, the collagen synthesis occurs and the new collagen will support your lifted skin. You may look slightly tighter than the final result, but in about 1 week, you will begin to look much more natural.
The rejuvenative effects kick in after 1-2 months – you will notice better skin texture, firmer and smoother skin. Depending on the type of thread used, it can last you anywhere from 9 month (PDO), 18 months (PLLA), to 2 years (PCL). We recommend repeating the procedure 12 months after the first procedure, to allow for a long lasting and maintenance of the result up to 3 years.
Who is Suitable For a PDO Thread Lift?
The PDO Thread Lift is an effective non-surgical facelifting treatment that is suitable for anyone looking to improve the appearance of sagging skin. Most patients are between 35 to 65 years old who want a lifestyle with minimal downtime. This treatment is suitable for someone who wants an immediate lift of the facial contours without undergoing a facelift surgery. It is best suited for men and women who are unwilling to tolerate the long downtime of a facelift surgery but want to look refresh and lifted – naturally.
Compared to non-invasive face lifting options like Ultherapy and venous freeze, the PDO thread lift works faster, and has more visible results. However, the procedures work even better when combined for synergistic results.
There Are Now PDO, PLLA and PCL Threads. which are better?
PDO, PLLA, and PCL are all names of different types of materials. These have been made into threads because they have high tensile strength, and are inert, so that they do not cause problems with excessive inflammation.
The main difference is in longevity, stiffness and tensile strength:
PDO (Polydioxanone) dissolves after 6-9 months
PLLA (Poly L Lactic Acid) dissolves after 12-18 months
PCL (Polycaprolactone) dissolves after 24- 36 months
While PLLA and PCL last longer than PDO threads, we choose the type of the thread to be used that best suites you.
Which Treatments Work Well With PDO Thread Lift?
The PDO Thread lift can be combined with other treaments such as Ulthera (ulterhapy) to give a natural lifting result. It works particularly well with biostimulating fillers such as Radiesse and Hyaluronic Acid fillers – to provide a comprehensive anti-aging solution which now allows us to turn back the clock for our patients, like never before, without surgery. The treatment is now indispensible in my practice.
At NewSkin Laser Center, we are offering the most advanced medical technologies and services like Ultherapy Skin Tightening, Sculpsure, Radiofrequency skin tightening, ablative and non-ablative laser machines to improve your skin to more youthful, vibrant you. We are also offering non-invase face lift with our latest PDO and PLA thread lifting.
We also offer wide variety of Botulinum toxin like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau along with fillers like Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse.
We have two locations Northridge and Simi Valley, to serve Los Angeles County and Ventura County. We have been serving the vicinity communities of Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Valencia, Santa Clarita, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, West Hills, Woodland hills, Encino and Tarzana.
PDO Thread Lifting Procedure | Simi Valley | Thousand Oaks | Westlake Village
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