PDO thread lifts are a popular, non-surgical cosmetic procedure that rejuvenates your face. The expert physicians at Essence Healthcare in Melbourne can help you achieve healthy skin with this non-invasive treatment. Continue reading to learn what PDO threads are and how they work, their benefits over traditional surgeries, the different areas our team treats, a look at before and after treatment, some FAQs, and our results section.
Results achieved are due to immediate tissue repositioning (in a more lifted position) but another added benefit of the procedure is that the PDO material stimulates collagen production, making results even better after a few months!
What Are PDO Threads and How Do They Work?
This non-invasive procedure uses a medical-grade polyester suture called polydioxanone, a biodegradable thread common in surgeries. We pass these absorbable threads beneath the surface of your skin and pull them to provide an immediate mechanical lift of the tissue and collagen stimulation for longer-lasting results.
Benefits of PDO Thread Lift for Face & Neck
The benefits of a non-surgical face or neck lift instead of traditional surgeries include:
- Minimal downtime
- Stimulating collagen and elastin production
- Balance asymmetrical facial features
- Naturally healthy results
- Long-lasting results
Types of Lifting Threads Used in the Skin Tightening Procedure
Overall, three predominant types of thread can be used during a thread lift procedure: polydioxanone (PDO), polylactic acid (PLLA), and polycaprolactone (PCA).
The type of thread used for your treatment will depend on your skin condition and what kind of results you want to see.
All options will be discussed before your treatment. However, Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are the most commonly used ones because they are biodegradable, can easily absorbed by the body, and the threads activate collagen synthesis exceptionally well.
Areas We Thread
We’ll provide your PDO thread lift in areas such as the:
- Jawline
- Neck
- Brow area
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionettes
- Submentum
Who is the Ideal Candidate for a Thread Lift Procedure?
Generally speaking, the best candidate for a thread lift treatment is a person between the ages of 37 and 53 who shows mild yet visible signs of facial ageing and wants a non-surgical and minimally invasive procedure to lift and tighten their skin.
These signs often manifest as wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth, chin, and nose, as well as moderate skin laxity in the mid face region.
Most patients over the age of 53 would benefit more from having facelift surgery.
Pre & Post Non-Surgical PDO Thread Lift
Before your non-surgical facelift treatment, consult our physicians, advising them of any medications or medical problems you might have or use, for example, blood thinning medications. Avoid chemical peels or minor procedures, and post-treatment, sleep on your back in an elevated position to reduce swelling. Our attending physician will check in with you after the procedure to review any pain and assess the results.
For 48 hours post-treatment, avoid:
- Exercising
- Hot showers
- Saunas
- Spas
- Steam rooms
- Sun exposure
- Alcohol consumption
Post Thread Lifting Procedure Aftercare Tips
Once your PDO thread lift procedure has been completed, it is essential to practice good aftercare because this gives the inserted threads the best chance of settling.
Doing this also minimises the potential for bruising, infection, thread displacement, and swelling, promotes higher levels of collagen production, and ultimately expedites the overall recovery process.
Here is an overview of what aftercare practices you should employ.
Up to 12 hours after the treatment
- Do not wash your face, put on makeup, or touch the treatment area for at least 12 hours after the procedure has been completed.
- However, if you are experiencing uncomfortable swelling or bruising, you can ice the treatment area periodically to reduce these symptoms over the next couple of days. (If the pain persists beyond this timeframe, you should consult your doctor).
- You can also take painkillers if required.
Up to 72 hours immediately after the treatment
- Sleep on your back facing up with elevated pillows, as this will help to reduce pressure on the treatment area and minimise swelling.
- Avoid eating foods that require heavy or repeated chewing.
- Do not use active skincare products and only adopt gentle skincare practices, such as washing, drying, and moisturising, until 48 hours have elapsed.
In the week after the treatment
- Try not to rub or push your face too vigorously when washing, shaving, or drying as this might accidentally dislodge a thread
Up to 2 weeks after the treatment
- Refrain from taking aspirin
- Do not schedule dental procedures where you will have to open your mouth widely
- Avoid contact sports or strenuous exercise like running or heavy lifting as this might cause too much movement around the facial or neck area.
- Do not book saunas
Up to a month after the treatment
- Avoid facial massages and other similar skin treatments
Frequently Asked Questions About PDO Thread Lifts
Here are some answers to questions patients frequently ask our team about skin tightening and the thread lift procedure.
What Is a PDO Thread?
A PDO Thread is a polyester suture called polydioxanone, a biodegradable thread common in surgeries. We pass these dissolvable threads beneath the surface of your skin and pull them to provide an immediate mechanical lift of the tissue and collagen stimulation for longer-lasting results, producing a natural lift to counter sagging.
Can a Thread Lift Help Sagging Skin?
Yes, a thread lift can be an effective way to improve your skin texture and give yourself a more youthful appearance. As a non-surgical procedure, it uses medical-grade threads to lift aging or sagging skin.
The procedure can be performed on the face, neck, or body and also helps to stimulate collagen production in these areas.
How Long Does a PDO Thread Procedure Take?
We perform this cosmetic treatment in the consulting room, and it usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.
How Long Does a Non-Surgical Facelift Treatment Last?
Results of a PDO thread lift skin rejuvenation procedure vary, depending on many factors. But, generally, they last between 9 and 18 months.
Some factors that can improve the time frame include:
- A healthy diet
- Exercise
- Adequate sleep
- Drinking lots of water
- Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and smoking
What are the complications and dangers of PDO Threads?
Complications are rare but can include:
- Infection
- Abscess formation
- Foreign body reaction
- Feeling or seeing the thread
- Lump/spike on the skin from a bending thread
- Nerve damage
What Is the Non-Surgical Thread Lift Cost?
Depending on the procedure and the ingredients, a non-surgical facial rejuvenation thread lift costs between $700 and $4500.
Is the PDO Thread Lift painful?
Some pain can be expected from the application of local anaesthetics. This should not be too painful and if you have had local anaesthetics for dental treatments, then this will be much better!
What is the downtime?
Thread face lift has minimal recovery time when compared to other lifting procedures and this is one of the reasons it became so popular.
Usually, you will experience a temporary facial drooping and possibly difficulty chewing and blinking due to local anaesthetics (similar to a dental treatment). This normally takes 2-3 hours to resolve.
Swelling and mild bruising are common but usually mild and can last from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Rippling, tethering or dimpling of the skin is common and will likely last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
What is the difference between a PDO thread lift and anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections address wrinkles caused by muscle movement, whereas PDO threads promote the lifting of tissue and collagen stimulation on the skin. PDO offers a natural-looking approach to skin revitalisation.
Our Results
You can expect a natural lift of the lower face, jowls, nasolabial folds (smile lines), definition of the jawline, neck and eyebrows, noticing an improvement in sagging skin and faint lines.
Why choose Essence Healthcare?
At Essence Healthcare we provide optimised individual comprehensive facial assessment rather than the usual in and out injectable clinics. We pride ourselves on being an excellent cosmetic clinic that only counts on expert cosmetic injectors who have been in the industry for a long time and are well-recognised as industry leaders lead by Dr Lucas de Siqueira, a nationally and internationally recognised cosmetic trainer. At Essence you will have time to talk about the procedures, discuss the best options available, and count on a variety of services that combined will give you the best possible outcomes.
A PDO thread facelift should only be performed by experienced injectors! At Essence Healthcare we are known to be Australia’s leading PDO thread lift experts! is the national trainer for a few different training institutions/cosmetic companies and travels nationally and internationally teaching other practitioners how to perform the procedure, and has personally trained all of our practitioners who have now become nationally renowned as well.
For PDO thread lift treatment, book an appointment with the team at Essence Healthcare in Melbourne today.
For PDO thread lift treatment, book an appointment with the team at Essence Healthcare in Melbourne today.
