PDO Thread Lift Explained

A PDO thread lift uses fine, dissolvable threads placed under the skin to give a modest lift to sagging tissue and to encourage the body to make new collagen. It is a non-surgical option for mild to moderate laxity, most often in the lower face, jawline and neck. It does not replace a surgical facelift, and results are subtle and temporary.

What PDO threads are

PDO stands for polydioxanone, a material that has been used for many years in dissolvable surgical stitches. The threads used in aesthetic treatment are very fine and come preloaded inside a thin needle or blunt cannula. Once placed, they are gradually broken down by the body over several months.

As the threads dissolve, the body responds to them with a mild healing reaction. This is thought to stimulate new collagen and a small amount of tightening around where the threads were placed. Evidence for this collagen effect comes mainly from small studies and clinical experience, so expectations should stay modest.

Lifting threads vs collagen-stimulating threads

Not all threads do the same job. They are generally grouped into two types.

Smooth and twisted threads

These have no barbs. They are placed in a grid or mesh pattern, mainly to support skin quality and stimulate collagen. They do not physically lift tissue in a meaningful way. They may be used for areas of mild crepiness, such as the neck or under the jaw.

Barbed (cog) threads

These have tiny barbs or cones along their length that grip the tissue under the skin. After insertion, the tissue can be gently repositioned upward along the thread, creating a visible lift. Barbed threads are the type most people mean when they talk about a "thread lift". They also stimulate collagen as they dissolve.

Many treatment plans combine both types, using barbed threads for lift and smooth threads for texture support.

Who may be a good candidate

Thread lifts tend to suit adults who:

• Have early to moderate sagging along the jawline, jowls, cheeks or brow
• Have reasonable skin thickness and quality
• Are looking for a subtle change and understand it is temporary
• Are not ready for, or do not want, surgery
• Are in good general health

People with significant loose skin, heavy jowls or a large amount of neck laxity are often better served by a surgical consultation. Threads cannot remove excess skin, and placing them in very lax tissue can produce a disappointing or short-lived result. Very thin skin can also make threads more likely to show or be felt.

Who should not have a thread lift

Treatment is generally avoided or postponed if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have an active skin infection, acne flare or cold sore in the area
• Have an autoimmune condition, bleeding disorder or poorly controlled diabetes that has not been reviewed
• Tend to form raised or keloid scars
• Have permanent fillers or implants in the treatment area
• Have had recent dental work or facial surgery that has not fully healed

Tell your physician about all medications and supplements. Do not stop any prescribed medicine, including blood thinners, without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it.

How the procedure works

After a consultation and consent, the skin is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic. Small entry points are made, and each thread is passed under the skin along a planned path. The needle or cannula is removed, leaving the thread in place. With barbed threads, the tissue is then gently adjusted. The ends are trimmed so nothing is left on the surface.

The appointment is usually completed in under an hour, depending on the number of threads. You can typically go home the same day. Swelling, tenderness and some tightness are expected afterward. Our article on recovery after a PDO thread lift covers the first few weeks in detail.

How long results last

It helps to think of threads as a modest boost rather than a lasting structural change.

The immediate lift from barbed threads often softens over the first few weeks as swelling settles and tissues relax. The collagen effect develops more gradually over two to three months. Overall, many people notice some benefit for roughly six to twelve months, and sometimes longer, but this varies widely.

Some people choose to repeat treatment, while others find the change too subtle to be worthwhile and move on to other options. Either decision is reasonable. Factors such as skin quality, age, the degree of laxity, sun exposure and smoking all influence how long effects last. Threads do not stop ageing. Repeat treatment may be considered once the threads have dissolved.

Main risks and side effects

Common, short-term effects include swelling, bruising, tenderness, a pulling or tight feeling, and mild asymmetry while tissues settle. Less common issues include:

• Dimpling or puckering of the skin, which often settles but may need adjustment
• A thread end that can be felt or seen under the skin, or that works its way out
• Infection, which needs prompt medical treatment
• Uneven results that may need correction or thread removal
• Rarely, irritation of a nerve or salivary gland, or prolonged discomfort

Because of these risks, thread lifts should be performed by trained medical professionals in a clinical setting with a plan for follow-up.

Frequently asked questions

Is a thread lift the same as a facelift?

No. A surgical facelift repositions deeper tissue and removes excess skin, with much longer-lasting results. A thread lift is a smaller, temporary procedure for milder changes.

Will I be able to feel the threads?

For the first few weeks, many people can feel some firmness or tightness, especially when opening the mouth widely. This usually fades as tissue heals.

Can threads be combined with filler?

Sometimes. Threads address sagging, while filler addresses volume loss. Our comparison of PDO threads and filler explains how they can complement each other.

Deciding whether threads suit you

A thread lift is one of several options for early sagging, and it is not right for everyone. Skin-tightening treatments, filler for volume support or a surgical referral may better suit some people. If you are curious whether you are a candidate, a consultation with HealthPark Medical Aesthetics can give you an honest view of what threads can and cannot do for your face.