If you’re noticing the visible signs of aging on your face and aren’t happy with what you see, you could get a face-lift, but that’s an invasive surgical procedure that also requires a lot of downtime. If you’re not ready for a face-lift but still want a fresh look, a PDO thread lift might be just the thing for you.
At Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics, our team of experts understands that sometimes less is more. That’s why they offer the minimally invasive PDO thread lifts to their patients in the Puyallup, Washington, area looking to look younger again without going under the knife. Are PDO threads right for you? Here’s what you need to know.
The face-lift’s humble beginnings
We know the first face-lift took place around the beginning of the 20th century, but the exact details of the process have been lost to history. That’s not surprising because, at the time, cosmetic procedures were considered “frivolous,” and doctors were reluctant to advertise those kinds of services. During the 1920s, the American medical community even tried to ban cosmetic surgery outright, but they were unsuccessful.
After World War I, though, there was an increased need for facial reconstructive surgery. That led surgeons to try different ways to surgically “lift” the features; the more youthful appearance was merely a byproduct of the process.
Over the last few decades, we’ve seen a trend toward more minimally invasive procedures to de-age the face, including neurotoxins like Botox® and injectable dermal fillers. Since a “thread lift” is also minimally invasive, the time was right for the procedure to come of age.
The first “thread lift” debuted in the late 1990s, using surgical thread to lift lax and sagging skin. It was heralded as a “kinder, gentler face-lift;” however, it came with serious side effects, including infection, scarring, and noticeable lumps under the skin. Now, thanks in large part to advances in technology and technique, the thread lift has threaded its way back to doctors’ offices.
So, what are PDO threads?
The threads in thread lifts are biodegradable sutures, the same kind used for decades in cardiovascular surgery. In 2015, the FDA approved them for use in aesthetic treatments. They’re now made from polydioxanone (PDO), hence, “PDO threads.”
The new threads don’t require anchoring like earlier versions, and they’re completely absorbed by the skin in 6-12 months without leaving scar tissue behind. What’s more, the breakdown products are naturally flushed from your system.
How do PDO threads work?
We can perform the thread lift procedure under local anesthesia, and it takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to complete. You can expect minimal downtime.
Your provider inserts the PDO threads deep under the facial skin to lift the cheeks, jowls, and neck bands. The threads cause the fatty tissues to contract, and when they pull the threads taut (just like in sewing), it “lifts” the skin, tightening it and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles while reducing fat.
As a bonus, the PDO threads also kickstart the production of collagen, a structural protein that gives your skin strength and resilience but whose production starts to decrease in your mid-20s. In addition, the procedure creates new blood vessels, improving your face’s circulation and promoting skin cell renewal.
You can expect to see some immediate tightening of your features following treatment since the skin was lifted, and you’ll see continued improvements over the next several months as collagen production increases.
It’s true that PDO thread lifts can’t replace a full surgical face-lift for longevity, but they’re ideal for people who aren’t ready for the knife but who still want to de-age their face.
If you’re not ready for a face-lift but still want a younger look, a PDO thread lift may be right for you. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation with one of our aestheticians, call Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics at 253-268-3400 today.