There are various things you can do to improve the look and feel of your face. Thread lifts are one of these procedures, and although they have been around for a while, there is still disagreement as to whether or not they are worth it.
While performing a thread lift is a very common procedure, some patients experience side effects leaving them with doubts about whether or not it will work for them. Thread lifting is a procedure that involves inserting a synthetic thread into the dermis layer of the skin. This technique has become very popular because it allows patients to look young naturally without surgery or downtime.
So, if one needs to get a thread lift, it’s important to know how effective it is. This article explains a PDO thread lift and why you may want one. We will also examine some of the pros and cons of thread lift procedures, so patients can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for them.
What Is a PDO Thread Lift?
Polydioxanone (PDO) is a synthetic polymer commonly used in suture material. It is considered to be biocompatible and non-toxic. PDO thread lift is a non-invasive procedure that is ideal for those who want to improve the look of their skin but don’t want to undergo surgery. PDO thread lift is performed by a physician and can be performed in the doctor’s office.
A PDO thread lift offers a face-lifting result by inserting biodegradable PDO threads into particular depths and regions of the skin. The method induces the formation of collagen and elastin after the stress to the skin tissues generated by this therapy, resulting in instant lifting, tightening, and progressive skin improvement.
The doctor will advise patients on which areas need more attention and how many treatments are needed for optimal results.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so there are no stitches or downtime after the surgery. The cost is $3,000-5,000 depending on where to get it done and what type of lift is needed.
When choosing a doctor to perform this procedure, a good one has been performing this surgery for years and has had good results with other patients. Patients should ask about the results (before and after pictures) before deciding to have this surgery done.
Results?
PDO thread results are immediate but not like a facelift. They are not permanent. There’s an improvement in the appearance over time due to natural collagen production occurring around these treated areas.
Also, while the results of a PDO thread lift can be subtle at first, it’ll begin to notice different looks and feel from collagen production after several months. Over time, the new skin will blend in with its surroundings, giving a more natural-looking contour along the jawline and neck than ever before.
Why Do PDO Threads Have a Poor Reputation?
A lot of PDO threads have been found to be less efficient than others after investigation. They can be ineffective and even protrude out of the skin when implanted wrongly, either too deeply or into shallow sections of the skin tissues.
They can harm facial structures like blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, and veins. This is why it’s so important to pick your PDO specialist carefully and only hire someone completely qualified and who has had extensive training in PDO thread lift.
After the American Food and Drug Administration approved the Contour thread lift in 2005, patients began to report side effects after a few years. Some of these side effects were caused by broken threads which then started to trap bacteria and spread infection. And you can imagine that the removal process was excruciatingly painful.
This necessitated a review by the FDA which saw the Contour Thread lift procedure dropped and revoked in 2007.
Today, using PDO thread lifts will greatly benefit a good facial appearance and self-confidence. Some of the threads that dissolve that you can use include NovaThreads, Euro Threads, Silhouette InstaLift, and Silhouette Soft. But it is safe only if an experienced medical practitioner performs it in a sterile, clinical setting.
Patients must not skimp when it comes to their appearance. You must go with the best. Despite this, as discussed, it’s critical to be aware of potential problems.
PDO Thread Risks
You’ve heard that thread lifting is a great way to lift sagging skin, but did you know it can also cause complications? Find out why and if it’s worth it for your patients.
A study by Aesthetic Surgery Journal has found that 34% of patients experienced complications after a PDO thread lift. Though most of the complications were minor, another study revealed another 17.4 %, which was still a large number.
You can experience serious side effects after thread lifting especially post-operative complications. This is despite the process being non-invasive. They can range from minor issues like bleeding, infection, and swelling to major complications like nerve damage and death.
Here are five serious complications that you should watch out for.
Granuloma
Though rare, some patients have shown that PDO threads cause granuloma formation. Granulomas are masses of giant foreign body cells that surround and encapsulate the foreign object. These masses may become infected and lead to abscesses.
Surgical Site Infection
Surgical site infections are infections that occur at the site of surgery. They are caused by bacteria that enter the surgical wound during the procedure. In addition to causing pain, they can lead to serious complications, including organ failure and death.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage occurs when nerves are damaged during surgery. This can result in numbness, tingling, weakness, and paralysis.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than three months. It can be caused by many conditions, including arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are formed when blood coagulates. When blood clots form in the veins, they block blood flow and prevent oxygenated blood from reaching the organs. If these clots break off and travel to the lungs, they can cause pulmonary emboli. Pulmonary emboli are small pieces of clotted blood lodged in the lungs’ arteries.
Are PDO Thread Lifts Painful?
Since PDO threads are non-surgical, they still require the use of hypodermic needles or blunt-tipped cannula to inject the threads into the deep skin layers. During a PDO thread-lifting procedure, patients experience mild pain, tugging, and pulling sensations. However, any discomfort should be minor with modern products like Mint PDO Threads, more sophisticated methods, and highly efficient topical anesthetic creams.
Pros and Cons of PDO Threads
Polydioxanone is an FDA-approved synthetic polymeric biomaterial used in tissue engineering applications and skin lifting. Polydioxanone is a synthetic polymer that can be used to produce implants. It has many advantages over natural human tissue.
Pros
- It is biocompatible, meaning that it does not cause harmful effects on the body as long as it is used correctly. It does not trigger an immune response in the body.
- Second, it is biodegradable and bioresorbable, which means that it will break down in our bodies over time and return to the environment through normal bodily processes.
- Third, PDO is low-cost relative to other materials used for thread lifting because it comprises simple molecules rather than complex organic compounds like collagen or fibrin.
- It has good tensile strength.
- It has a quick downtime. Unlike a facelift, it’s less intrusive hence the quick downtime. People resume work after a day.
- Dissolvable threads are less risky.
- The procedure offers a more youthful appearance with outcomes that look quite natural.
Cons
Many challenges remain with PDO thread lifting. They are:
- Straight and smooth sutures can actually reduce the lifetime of the lifting benefits. This is because PDO threads have less gripping force as they are loosely attached to the tissue.
- Don’t expect massive changes. They only offer subtle outcomes, unlike a surgical facelift. A thread lift only lifts the top layers of the skin.
- Some users are more susceptible to its cosmetic side effects such as indents, skin-piercing puckering, or thread extrusion.
- Some people may experience nerve injury, palpability (the ability to feel the threads), extrusion, and even scarring. However, these are extremely unlikely.
Can You Resolve Complication Arising from PDO Threads?
Well, at times, what you get most from patients is how the complications resolve. Because squeezing out or whatever attempts you make to remove the threads while fresh is an intrusive act. It can cause further issues like swelling, bruising, and tissue trauma.
As the surgeon, the best thing to do is have them dissolve first before anything. And with PDO threads, they take three to about nine months to completely dissolve. But you can reduce this time frame by using a less invasive process involving radio-frequency heat treatments.
How Long Do PDO Threads Last?
The lifespan of a polydioxanone thread lift will depend on individual skin type, age, and whether the patient is using it as part of a series of treatments or not. Polydioxanone thread lift wears out over time. The longer patients have your thread lift, the more likely it is to break down.
Because PDO threads are completely dissolvable between 6 to 9 months, it’s okay for patients to have more treatments to enhance their looks. The average lifespan of a polydioxanone thread lift is about 12 months. But it can sometimes be much longer if you use threads with cones or barbs.
A study revealed that barbed threads immediately improved sagging, but after a year, those effects vanished.
You may not see the results instantly. In fact, the initial lifting can disappear in as little as six months. Most people prefer a surgical facelift for a more dramatic, lasting lift.
PDO threads won’t reverse the signs of aging, but they will improve facial features, tighten and tone your skin, and lessen some lines and wrinkles.
Mostly, the skin will lose elasticity and sag again, so it needs to be rejuvenated with another lift. The procedure must be repeated every year if needed.
Thread lifts are designed to be redone multiple times, so they last longer than other types of sutures. But even if you’ve never done a thread lift, they’re still easy to learn how to use and maintain properly.
How Is Aftercare After PDO Threads?
Aftercare is the period following surgery when the patient recovers from the procedure. In the case of thread lift procedures, aftercare involves taking care of the wound site and ensuring that the area heals properly.
Swelling
Swelling occurs due to the incisions made during thread insertion. Swelling is not always bad; however, it might cause scarring. Some medications and ointments, as prescribed by the surgeon, are suitable.
DO NOT:
- Use alcohol-based products. Alcohol can dry out the skin and irritate it.
- Apply any ointment directly onto the wound site. Ointments have oil-based ingredients and may clog the pores. Instead, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) over the area.
- Rub the site.
- Use ice packs. Ice packs can freeze the skin and cause pain.
- Use hot compresses. Hot compresses can burn the skin and increase swelling.
- Use cold compresses. Cold compresses can chill the skin and slow healing.
- Have any other facial operations done after your PDO threading; wait for four weeks. Other facial treatments, excluding laser procedures, can then be planned. You can talk to your doctor about these and make plans based on the results.
- Have particularly vigorous exercises.
So, Are PDO Thread Lifts Worth It?
Yes. This far, you are sure you need PDO threads for your patient’s skin-lifting procedures. You have realized that PDO threads have less downtime, are biocompatible and biodegradable, dissolve within six months, and can last to a year. What else? They are less invasive and less expensive than other biocompatible polymers.
So, don’t hesitate to contact us for your thread lift suppliers. Let your patients enjoy a fresher, younger look without going under the knife. We have the best threads at competitive prices. Contact us now!