FAQs: PDO Thread Lifts

The PDO thread lift is predicted to see a massive surge in popularity in 2022. It’s easy to understand why —the downtime is virtually non-existent, while the benefits are profuse and long-lasting. A PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive treatment that uses dissolvable sutures to tighten loose skin on the face. Patients will see an immediate improvement in the treated area, along with continued results over time since the treatment encourages collagen production. 

How long do results from a PDO thread lift last?

The short answer is around three years. 

Here's the timeline for a typical patient: 

• Immediately following treatment, your patient will see some thread lift results, such as skin lifting and contouring effects.
• For the first two weeks, your patient should take several minor precautions, such as sleeping on their back and not scheduling dental appointments.
• Final results will become apparent within one to two months of treatment, depending on the patient's age and collagen production levels.
• The PDO threads will dissolve naturally within six to nine months.
• Your patient should return for a consultation after six to nine months to determine if follow-up work is needed.
• Your patient shouldn't need another PDO thread lift for approximately three years. However, patients may schedule complementary treatments in the interim for additional results.

How long does this treatment take?

A PDO thread lift only takes fifteen to thirty minutes.

Thread lifts are quick and efficient. So much so that your patients can schedule their treatments over their lunch breaks! After the treatment, the patient is free to return to work or other daily plans.

What can a patient do to prepare for the treatment?

One of the beautiful things about a PDO thread lift is that it's minimally invasive, so there is not a lot of preparation involved. However, there are a few things your patient should avoid in the day or two before treatment, like:

• Certain vitamins and supplements, including:
• Ginko
• Omega fish oil
• Vitamin E
• Alternative medicine
• High-intensity exercises
• Saunas and steam rooms

Avoiding these things is simply a precautionary measure to ensure the best thread lift results possible.

What is the recommended post-treatment care?

Since PDO thread lifts are minimally invasive, there are very few after-care requirements. 

However, for best thread lift results, there are recommendations for post-treatment care, including:

• Patients should avoid putting too much pressure on one side of the face, so they should sleep on their backs for the first two weeks post-treatment. 
• Patients should avoid holding their mouths open for an extended period, potentially affecting thread lift results. For this reason, patients should not schedule dental appointments within the first two weeks following treatment. 

Are there potential side effects or complications?

Thread lifts are minimally invasive treatments approved by the FDA for safety and efficiency and are considered safe treatments. Since PDO thread lifts entered the market, trained medical providers have performed thousands of treatments without issue. PDO thread lifts carry a low risk of complications or side effects.

Minor complications may occur, but they are easily corrected. Potential complications may include:

• Visible sutures, particularly in people with thin skin
• Pain
• Minor bruising
• Infection
• Inflammation

The minor complications associated with thread lifts are much lower than the risks associated with facelift surgeries. With facelift surgeries, the complications may include the risk of scarring, severe bruising, or bleeding. 

What is the difference between a PDO thread lift and an InstaLift^®?

It's easy to confuse a PDO thread lift and an InstaLift^®, especially if you aren't familiar with both treatments. Let's look at some of the similarities and differences between the two treatments.

Similarities between a PDO thread lift and an InstaLift^®

There are a few similarities between thread lifts and InstaLifts^®. Both treatments: 

• Are minimally invasive treatments.
• Are performed in a medical office.
• Take less than an hour.
• Allow patients to resume normal activities fairly quickly.
• Offer an instant lifting effect.
• Promote natural collagen production.
• Can be paired with other nonsurgical treatments to create more dramatic results.

Differences between PDO thread lifts and an InstaLift^®

While there are some similarities, there are also notable differences between the two treatments:

• While both treatments take under an hour, PDO thread lifts are more efficient, taking between fifteen and thirty minutes. InstaLift^® treatments typically take between thirty and forty-five minutes.
• InstaLift^® patients need to wait about twenty-four to forty-eight hours to resume normal activities, while PDO thread lift patients can usually go about their day immediately following the treatment.
• InstaLift^® treatments promote skin tightening results for an average of one year to one and a half years, with the best results in the first six to twelve months, while PDO thread lifts last for three years.

PDO thread lift versus InstaLift^®

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two thread lifts:

Are thread lift results worth it?

PDO thread lifts are a quick, easy, and effective way for patients with a busy schedule to receive an optimal, minimally invasive facelifting treatment. The risks of serious side effects are near-zero, while the risk of minor side effects is minimal. Thread lift results offer a physical lifting effect to the face while improving the patient's natural collagen production in the facial region to promote natural, long-lasting, beautiful facial rejuvenation. 

To learn more about how you can incorporate PDO thread lifts into your practice, speak to a Portrait specialist today.