Instead of opting for a surgical facelift, PDO threads offer a non-invasive method to elevate drooping or loose facial skin. These threads gradually dissolve, not only firming the skin but also stimulating collagen synthesis and tissue contraction. This reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles and improves the overall appearance of the skin.
Creating an immediate lift, with slow, continued improvements to the skin, PDO threads offer a range of advantages for individuals who prefer less invasive, non-surgical treatment options.
Essence Healthcare in Maribyrnong, Melbourne, has a skilled team of injectors proficient in effective treatments tailored to each patient’s needs and facial features. Keep reading to find out if a PDO thread lift is a fitting treatment choice for you.
What are PDO threads?
PDO threads are absorbable, barbed sutures. When inserted in the subdermal plane, just beneath the skin, they can be strategically tightened to produce an immediate lift. These threads are precisely positioned and adjusted to achieve results that align with the patient’s preferences and unique facial structure.
While an immediate lift is achieved, the PDO materials slowly stimulate collagen production, showing improved results in the months following the treatment. The heightened collagen production contributes to smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, ultimately improving the overall skin appearance in the treated area. The threads also induce tissue contraction, triggering fat denaturation and resulting in skin contraction, further smoothing the visibility of wrinkles.
How does a PDO thread lift work?
A PDO thread lift is a non-surgical facelift technique that uses PDO threads to tighten the skin, stimulate collagen production, and induce tissue contraction. The tiny barbs on the threads effectively grip the tissue beneath the skin, facilitating an upward pull of the skin. The objective is usually a subtle lift, but individual patient goals are always discussed during a consultation for a personalised treatment.
Prior to your thread lift, your skin will be cleansed to remove any bacteria, and a local anaesthetic will be administered at the designated entry points. Some patients may experience minor discomfort from the application of the local anaesthetic, but overall, the treatment is typically well-tolerated by most individuals.
With a needle, the threads are inserted through a small entry point, preventing the use of incisions. The specific location of the entry point and the technique for pulling the threads to achieve desired results will be explained during your consultation.
At Essence, all treatments are tailored to individual needs, ensuring that details like the direction in which the threads will be pulled are planned during the consultation. Your practitioner may even sketch the insertion points, providing a visual depiction to ensure you have a clear understanding of the treatment process.
The thread trips are trimmed, and dressings are applied to finish up the treatment. The entire thread lift procedure normally takes 30 to 45 minutes, enabling you to return home afterwards and carefully follow aftercare instructions.
Achieving long-lasting results, your results from a PDO thread lift can be noticeable for up to nine to 18 months. On average, thread lift results often last for 12 to 15 months. Following aftercare steps can help support the longevity of your results. The longevity of results can depend on individual patient factors, such as whether the patient is a non-smoker and will follow a sufficient skincare routine. These are some factors to consider when it comes to determining if you are a suitable candidate for the treatment.
What makes a suitable candidate for a PDO thread lift?
Suitable candidates for PDO thread lifts are those who want to achieve a facelift without surgery. The condition of your skin, the severity of skin laxity, your general health and your personal goals are all important factors when it comes to determining suitability for the treatment.
The treatment is generally ideal for those with mild to moderate sagging and skin laxity, as the threads can achieve subtle to moderate results. Candidates with excessive loose skin or severe skin laxity may benefit from surgery, as a PDO thread lift is unable to remove excess skin, which may be required for best results. A practitioner can assess the condition of your skin and the level of skin laxity during a consultation, helping you decide if a thread lift is a suitable choice.
Candidates should be in good general health before undergoing the treatment, and in particular, not have any health conditions present that can interfere with the skin’s healing process. You will need to let your practitioner know of any health conditions you have, including allergies to any materials or anaesthetic.
Ideally, your personal goals will align with what a PDO thread lift can realistically achieve. Having realistic personal expectations when it comes to results will determine if the treatment is suitable for you. Patients seeking a more extensive procedure, with more drastic results, may need to consider alternative treatment options.
Generally, if you have mild to moderate skin laxity and want to achieve a facelift without surgery, you might be a suitable candidate for a PDO thread lift! When you come in for your consultation at Essence Healthcare, one of our experienced practitioners will evaluate your suitability for the treatment. We will want to ensure that we can achieve effective results with a thread lift and that there are no contraindications to the treatment.
Other important factors to consider
Deciding whether or not a treatment is a suitable choice for you can involve considering a wide variety of factors. One of these factors is that you are aware of the potential risks and complications, understand how your practitioner will aim to minimise these and are willing to follow recovery steps to prevent complications.
The possible complications will be disclosed during your consultation, but it can be helpful to make yourself aware of them ahead of time. Some complications can include infection, abscess formation, foreign body reaction (when the body tries to push the PDO threads out of the skin), thread bending (which can cause a potentially painful lump or spike on the skin), or parts of thread sticking out. Very rarely, permanent nerve damage can occur. Sometimes, patients may be able to feel the thread or see the thread through the skin. You will have aftercare instructions that will help to minimise some of these risks.
Results can be influenced by lifestyle factors, such as smoking or other habits that can negatively affect the condition of the skin. Before undergoing a thread lift, it may be beneficial to consider if you will be happy to make some changes after the treatment, to best support the longevity of your results. Ultimately, this can allow you to get the most out of your treatment.
Essence Healthcare Clinic: Experienced injectors in Melbourne
While a PDO thread lift is not a surgical procedure, it still needs to be performed by experienced practitioners who understand facial anatomy, how to achieve effective results and how to minimise complications. Our team at Essence Healthcare are extensively trained to perform treatments.
To find out if the treatment is right for you, contact us to book your consultation at our Maribyrnong, Melbourne clinic!