Thread Lift (Medical Interventions)

What It Is

PDO (Polydioxanone) threads are placed under the skin to lift tissue and stimulate collagen production.

Treatment Protocol

• 1 treatment
• Threads break down over 6-12 months
• Maintenance: New threads every 12-18 months
• Costly over time

Procedure

1. Local anesthesia (injections)
2. Marking of insertion points
3. Threads inserted with cannula
4. Threads tightened and secured
5. Excess thread cut

Duration

45-90 minutes

Pain Level

Moderate discomfort to pain. Local anesthesia used.

Downtime

• 3-7 days
• Swelling and bruising
• Social downtime: 5-10 days
• Work: 3-5 days (depending on job)

Healing Time

Immediately:

• Visible lift (if cog threads)
• Swelling
• Bruising at insertion points
• Tenderness

Day 1-7:

• Swelling (3-7 days)
• Bruising (5-14 days)
• Tightness and discomfort
• Asymmetry possible (often resolves)
• Restrictions on facial movements

Week 2-4:

• Swelling gone
• Threads "settle"
• Collagen production starts
• May feel threads under skin

Month 1-3:

• Optimal lift effect
• Collagen builds
• Result stabilizes

Month 6-12:

• Threads gradually break down
• Lift effect diminishes
• Some collagen persists

Month 12-18:

• Return to baseline for most

Side Effects

Very Common:

• Swelling (3-7 days)
• Bruising (5-14 days)
• Tenderness (1-2 weeks)
• Dimpling (small depressions) - resolves
• Initial asymmetry (often resolves)

Common (30-50%):

• Visible/palpable threads
• Tightness sensation (weeks)
• Small nodules at insertion point
• Temporary asymmetry

Less Common (10-20%):

• Persistent asymmetry
• Infection
• Thread migration
• Thread extrusion (must be cut)
• Swelling that does not resolve

Rare (<5%):

• Nerve damage
• Scarring
• Permanent asymmetry
• Serious infection

Aftercare

First 24 Hours:

• Do not lie down (head elevated)
• Ice regularly
• Do not touch the area

First Week:

• Avoid exaggerated facial expressions
• Do not open mouth wide
• Sleep on back
• No massage
• Mild pain normal

First 2-4 Weeks:

• Avoid intense facial massage
• No dental treatment
• No facial treatments
• Be careful with chewing

Who Is This For

• Mild to moderate skin laxity
• Good skin quality
• 30-60 years old
• Realistic expectations
• Not a candidate for surgery

Who Is This Not For

• Severe skin laxity (surgery better)
• Very thin skin
• Keloid tendency
• Unrealistic expectations of dramatic lift

Important Information

• Subtle to moderate lift
• NOT a replacement for surgery
• Temporary effect (6-12 months)
• May be asymmetric
• Risk of visible/palpable threads
• Costly for duration

Documented Effect:

• 2-5mm lift immediately
• Additional improvement from collagen production
• Duration: 6-18 months
• Individual response varies

Contraindications

• Pregnancy/breastfeeding
• Infection
• Autoimmune diseases
• Keloid tendency
• Bleeding disorders
• Unrealistic expectations

Warning Signs

Contact If:

• Increasing pain/swelling
• Signs of infection
• Thread protruding
• Significant asymmetry
• Nerve damage (numbness, weakness)

Individual Variations

Good Response (30-40%):

• Visible, symmetric lift
• Minimal complications
• Satisfied with result
• Duration 12-18 months

Average (40-50%):

• Subtle lift
• Some asymmetry (resolves)
• Moderately satisfied
• Duration 6-12 months

Poor Response (10-20%):

• Minimal lift
• Complications (visible threads, asymmetry)
• Not satisfied
• Duration <6 months

Maintenance

• New threads every 12-18 months
• Costly over time
• Collagen effect may last longer than threads