Otherwise known as ‘the lunch-time face-lift’, PDO thread-lifting has become a popular option for anyone who wants to look younger without resorting to the scalpel. Using micro-fine needles, tiny threads are inserted into the skin to form a mesh that stimulates collagen production. The threads themselves are made from an absorbable compound called polydioxanone (similar to that used in surgical sutures), and dissolve after around six months, leaving a matrix of newly-generated collagen in their place. So while it seems like an artificial procedure, PDO thread-lifting is really just an effective way of harnessing the body’s natural skin-rejuvenating process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is PDO thread-lifting good for?
The procedure is ideal for anyone aged 30 years upwards who wants to achieve a more youthful appearance. The procedure can be used to tackle all the tell-tale signs of ageing from crow’s-feet to naso-labial and marionette lines (which run down from the nose and mouth and contribute to so-called bitchy resting face). PDO Thread-lifts are also excellent for treating jowls and a sagging neck, as they help kill off fat cells, giving you an extra firming effect in this area and a more defined jaw. If you want the benefits of a face-lift without the upheaval of surgery, then this is the procedure for you.
What’s involved in the PDO thread-lifting treatment?
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the skin before around 10 micro-fine needles are inserted into the skin. These are then gently withdrawn, leaving the threads in place. On average, it takes about 10 minutes per area being treated. You shouldn’t feel any discomfort, and the needles are so fine, there shouldn’t be any sign you’ve had anything done. In fact, one of the reasons they call it the lunchtime lift is you really can return to work afterwards and no one will be any the wiser.
- 24 hours sensitivity period
- Duration of results: 2 – 3 years
- Procedure time: 30 – 60 minutes
- Results visible immediately, gradually improving over 3 – 6 months
- Back to work: 24 hours
- Full recovery: 7 days
- Anaesthetic topical
- Risk of bruising, infection, swelling
What results can I expect from a PDO thread-lift?
You should notice an immediate tightening up of sagging skin thanks to the scaffolding effect of the threads. These results will continue to improve over the coming months as tubes of collagen form around the threads. Your skin will appear firmer, and any lines will be minimised. The threads dissolve around six months after the procedure, leaving the collagen matrix in their place for two to three years, so the benefits will last some time.