Want to Get a Facelift Without the Surgery? A PDO Thread Lift Could Be Your Perfect Option
As we age, our skin loses volume and starts to stretch, which leads to sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
For many of us, this can cause self-esteem issues, as we long to restore the smooth skin and volume we once had.
That being said, a facelift can offer an effective solution, but a lot of people are afraid to go under the knife or be put under with general anesthetic.
As a result, getting a non-surgical facelift has become an increasingly popular option, and a PDO thread lift offers one of the most effective ways of doing this.
But what is a PDO thread lift, and how does it differ from a surgical facelift?
If you’re interested in this procedure, and these are the kinds of questions you’ve been asking yourself, then you’re going to want to keep reading.
Because in this article, we’re going to explain what a PDO thread lift is, how it differs from a surgical facelift, and how to determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure.
In addition, we’re also going to explore the benefits of this procedure and look at potential risk factors, so you can have all the information you need to make a well-informed decision.
What Is a PDO Thread Lift?
Otherwise known as a non-surgical facelift, a PDO thread lift offers just that – a non-surgical option for people who want the benefits of a facelift but do not want to undergo surgery.
And although it doesn’t require surgery, it does require the use of surgical sutures, which are also known as threads.
PDO stands for polydioxanone, which is a synthetic polymer that’s also biodegradable.
That being said, PDO threads are simply surgical sutures composed of polydioxanone.
So, now that you know what PDO threads are, let’s talk about how they’re used to perform this procedure.
In order to perform a PDO thread lift, a doctor will put the thread(s) in a specialized needle, made solely for this purpose, and then inject it into the desired area, before twisting the needle and pulling it out.
This causes the threads, which will resorb on their own within four to six months, to remain under the skin, within the dermis, which is the layer of tissue between the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), and the subcutaneous fat, underneath the dermis.
This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which will form a helix around the thread.
So, even after the threads dissolve, the skin won’t just collapse. It will actually stay in place for a period of time, as there was a support structure there with collagen and elastin forming around it.
It’s also important to mention that there are two main types of PDO threads – smooth ones, which are also called mono threads, and barbed ones, which are also called cog threads.
But typically, the barbed threads are the ones used for a non-surgical facelift, as they latch onto your skin like little fish hooks, allowing it to be stretched out and made smoother.
In a nutshell, a PDO thread lift is a non-surgical facelift done using biodegradable surgical sutures which latch onto your skin from the inside and allow it to be stretched, offering results that are similar to a surgical facelift.
What’s the Difference Between a Surgical Facelift and a PDO Thread Lift?
A surgical facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is vastly different from a PDO thread lift.
The biggest difference is that, as we already mentioned, a facelift does require surgery and typically, it also involves some form of general anesthetic.
But believe it or not, some surgeons will even do these surgeries without the use of general anesthetic, or with only some sedation. This can create an incredibly dangerous situation where you could stop breathing and the anesthesiologist would have difficulty getting access to your airway, since the surgeon is operating on your face!
So, while a surgical facelift may offer even more dramatic results than non-surgical options, it carries a much higher risk, and it’s also much more expensive.
You see, a facelift requires an incision to be made on your face so the surgeon can redistribute and/or remove excess skin and/or fat.
This can cause significant swelling and/or bruising, and may or may not require you to have a surgical drainage tube or have your face wrapped in bandages.
In any case, it will usually require four to six weeks of downtime.
In addition, as with all surgeries, this procedure carries the risk of severe complications, including things like bleeding, blood clots, infections, scarring, cardiac events, prolonged swelling, and issues with wound healing, along with all the risks posed by the anesthetic.
On the other hand, a PDO thread lift does not involve surgery or general anesthetic, and will only require between five days and two weeks’ worth of downtime.
There are other non-surgical facelift alternatives, but if you’re looking to get a facelift without surgery while attaining results similar to a real facelift, this is likely your best option.
What Are the Potential Complications of a PDO Thread Lift?
Before we get into all the potential complications, it’s important that we make one thing very clear: this can be quite a painful procedure.
During the procedure, we’ll use whatever local anesthetic is necessary to numb the pain, and you probably won’t feel much of anything, but afterwards, you can expect to be quite sore.
Typically, Dr. Dheshnie will tell patients to brace themselves, as they’re going to be achy for at least a couple of days post-procedure, if not a couple of weeks.
During this time, patients should do their best to avoid exaggerated facial movements, such as laughing or opening their mouth wide, as this can be very painful. For some people, even eating can become painful after the procedure, so keep this in mind.
However, if you really want a non-surgical facelift, the results you’re going to get are well worth the pain.
That being said, let’s look at some of the other potential complications of this procedure, which include:
- Bruising
- Hair loss
- Infection
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Skin dimpling
- Nerve damage
- Hypersensitivity
- Sensory impairment
- Sutures being visible through the skin
- Rippling, puckering, or folding of the skin
- The formation of hematomas (blood pooling)
So, if you’re thinking about getting a PDO thread lift, don’t forget that even though these complications rarely occur, they can still happen.
Who Should Avoid Getting a PDO Thread Lift?
As with any cosmetic procedure, some people are just not good candidates for a PDO thread lift.
You should avoid undergoing this procedure if you:
- Have a blood disorder
- Have body dysmorphia
- Are allergic to PDO sutures
- Are taking an anticoagulant
- Have an autoimmune disease
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a systemic disease, such as tuberculosis or diabetes
- Have malignant cancer, or are undergoing treatment for cancer
- Have an active infection, open wound, or acne in or around the desired area
It’s also vital to point out that if you’re over the age of 70, or the skin you want treated is extremely saggy, this treatment is not recommended, as it’s not likely to be that effective.
In addition, regardless of age or any other factor, there’s no guarantee of how effective this procedure will be, or how long the results will last, as this is all dependent on what kind of skin you have, so make sure to keep this in mind, as well.
What Are the Benefits of a PDO Thread Lift?
Now that we’ve discussed the potential complications of this procedure, and the reasons why people should avoid getting a PDO thread lift, you’re in a much better place to make a well-informed decision.
With that said, if you’re still considering having this procedure done, it’s also important for you to know about all its benefits.
Among other things, a PDO thread lift offers the following benefits:
- This procedure is versatile – it can be used for many other things besides just a non-surgical facelift, including skin on the neck, nose, under the eyes, or on the arms, knees, or abdomen.
- It offers a highly effective alternative to other procedures, such as those done with dermal fillers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).
- It’s much cheaper – often costing less than one tenth of the price of a surgical facelift.
- The results are long lasting, and can endure for up to two or even three years.
- The threads are dissolvable, so it’s not permanent.
- It’s safer than getting a surgical facelift.
Want to get a facelift without surgery? Getting a PDO thread lift in Vancouver could be your best option. Contact us to book a free consultation, or schedule your treatment today.