The aging process brings about several changes within an individual. The most visible of which is observable on your face in the form of drooping, sagging skin caused by reduced collagen production and elastin synthesis. One of the best ways to correct this is through PDO thread lift. But how long does a PDO thread lift last?
For some people, it has a significant impact on your outward appearance and eventually leaves an undesired negative effect on your confidence and self-esteem. For these very reasons, including other concerns, people tend to long for everlasting youthful skin.
There are numerous options to aid in reducing skin laxity and obtaining a younger-looking skin. Some of them are laser skin resurfacing treatments, botulinum toxin injections, and other anti-aging treatments like PDO thread lift, our point of concern.
A thread lift surgery is a minimally invasive treatment for surgical procedures of face lifting. This cosmetic treatment promises to enhance your loose skin by introducing medical-grade thread-like materials, thinner than a strand of hair. Most patients increasingly request minimally invasive comprehensive lifting that is more comfortable, and far less expensive anti-aging treatment with shorter recovery hours. And a thread facelift seems to be the ideal choice. Let us see how?
How does a thread facelift work, and is it worth it? If yes, then how long do PDO threads last? Have a read of this article to get the desired answers to your questions.
A Brief Overview of PDO Thread Lift
PDO thread lift cosmetic treatments have been in the market ever since the 20th century. The advancements in the materials used for thread lift resulted in its increasing popularity during recent years. According to research, the outcome from this procedure begins to wear off and decreases after a year. However, an ancillary rejuvenation lasted for about three years or more.
As technology and methods for giving thread lifts advance, further study carries on to conduct a better understanding of the long-term implications of this strategy.
Even though there seems to be no upper age restriction, the usual average age of the people who opt for thread lifts is between the late 20s to early 50s. A good candidate for this procedure is someone in good health, who notices early signs of fine lines and wrinkles, and who wants to lift sagging skin.
Furthermore, you should choose a thread lift as a better and safe treatment if you are unable to undergo a surgical facelift due to medical issues or other autoimmune disease, as these contribute to making general anesthesia dangerous.
Types of Thread Facelifts for Loose Skin
There are three main varieties of threads offered in the market. These are:
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Polydioxanone (PDO) threads
- PDO threads are the most common and get carefully designed as a synthetic biodegradable polymer, traditionally utilized in surgeries. These sutures begin to dissolve after the span of six to nine months. So, the PDO thread lift lasts for about a year before undergoing another one. They not just smoothen and tighten your aging skin but also give a moderate uplifting effect. Further classification of these types of threads can be into:
- Mono threads that are without barbs, making them smooth. The doctor may hook the suture to position it under the layer of your skin.
- Barbs on the Cog threads remain hooked onto the face, providing support and lifting the drooping tissue for a more youthful appearance.
- Screw threads that include a few interlaced sutures wrapping around the needle, one or two in number help restore the volume of loose regions of the skin.
Because of the characteristics of the most frequent procedure, a PDO thread lift is considerably more successful.
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Polylactic acid (PLA) threads
They compose of a lactic acid-derived biocompatible polymer that is both man-made and natural. Such fibers are biodegradable and renew collagen for a longer duration of time than PDO threads. PLLA threads employ cones to attach to the skin tissues and enhance the tone of sagging parts. They try to maintain the form of the face and add lift to the required facial area. In comparison, PLA threads dissolve after 12 to 18 months.
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Polycaprolactone (PCL) threads
PCL threads that are capable of getting absorbed into living tissues are suspension fibers of synthetic sources. These are the most recent sutures now a part of the advancements in this technique. These threads stimulate collagen production for a prolonged time than PDO and PLA threads and are the most durable of the three.
They leave behind a collagen structure that gives the skin firmness, strengthens it, and keeps it from drooping. The lifted and pulled effect will continue to persist even after the soluble absorption of the sutures due to the fibrotic response induced by the threads.
Although, before choosing the type of thread to use, you must carefully examine the treatment contradictions. So how do you figure out which thread is suitable for you?
Ultimately, the practitioner has to consider the age of the patient, the treatment area, and the goal you are attempting to attain. For creating maximum lift with improved face tightness and rejuvenation, barbed threads rather than smooth threads would be the ideal option.
PDO Thread Lift Treatment
For a thread lift treatment, several steps are involved:
- Numbing: The doctor starts by cleaning and numbing the treatment area for a comfortable experience. Then there’s marking of the problematic location for a point of reference during the session.
- Insertion: The trails of polydioxanone, a suture material, that resemble threads are actually made as the hypodermic needle moves along just beneath the skin’s surface. You will be comfortable reclining throughout your treatment because the area is numbed.
Side Effects of a Thread lift
There is not a thing to worry about because once a barbed thread gets inserted, the healing response of your body triggers. Your body naturally identifies a suture substance and promotes collagen production in the afflicted region, even though there is no harm from the threads under your skin.
Collagen may fill wrinkles and gaps in drooping skin and give your appearance a much more youthful elasticity for healthy skin. Since a PDO thread lift is a low-risk technique, the chances of problems and adverse effects are comparatively fewer than with a surgical procedure. These side effects are temporary and can be with come easily. However, the following include among a few common side effects experienced:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Slight pain at the part where the medical-grade thread got injected
Despite minor bruising and swelling after the thread lift may be apparent, you may immediately resume working if you choose.
Possible PDO thread lift complications are minor and easy to correct. They could be:
- Bleeding
- Apparent dimpling or pulls where the threads got introduced.
Cost
An average estimated price of a thread lift in the United States is around $2,250. However, the price of a thread lift solely depends on where you reside, how much skill your practitioner has, as well as the number of areas you choose to treat.
Upon proper analysis, this technique generally costs forty percent less than a conventional facelift. However, a thread lift used to outline and skin tightening of the chest may be more expensive. Furthermore, since thread lifts do not require a general anesthetic, you will save money on a sedative.
Targeted Treatment Areas
Based on the region you are targeting and your doctor’s recommendations, the PDO threads method may somewhat change. The essential procedure, though, remains unchanged. Most clients choose a thread lift regarding face regions that sag or appear less firm with time. Available in different lengths and diameters, you can use them almost anywhere on the face or body. These are some of those areas:
- Your forehead
- Jowls
- Under-eye region or eye bags
- Eyebrows
- Cheek
Along with all parts of your face that you can consider for a thread lift, you can opt to raise and tighten your chest, particularly after going through pregnancy and weight reduction.
Nevertheless, getting more than just one or several areas treated can be the right choice. Keeping this in mind, it will very obviously cause an increase in the cost.
Licensed doctors
You must seek a qualified licensed specialist who is familiar with the procedures for any crucial performance. Nonetheless, the benefit of nonsurgical facelift threading is that any cosmetic or plastic surgeon can perform the treatment.
The angles of the barbs play a role in the amount of grip gained. The lift will be feeble if the orientation is too little; similarly, if the degree is still too large, the barb can nudge into the thread, forcing it to break.
Additional procedures
If you to enhance the effects of a thread facelift, your doctor may suggest additional treatments or other cosmetic services such as Botulinum toxin injections or Dermal fillers. Be sure that you are aware of any fees that incur as a result of these services.
Thread Lift Precautions
The do’s and dont’s after thread lift is just as important as the operation in terms of obvious and long-term consequences.
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Do’s
It is also necessary to use a cold pack soon following the procedure.
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Dont’s
- Generally, avoid and refrain from applying makeup for at least one whole day.
- Take naps with your head facing upwards and elevated by support under your head. You must do the same for at minimum three to five nights.
Within two to three days, most thread lift patients can return to work and perform their regular tasks.
Final results
The improvements should be visible immediately after the treatment, but you may observe clearer after days of insertion when swelling and bruises subside. Although a thread lift is not permanent and everlasting, its potential outcome might stay anywhere from one to three years. Most patients give positive thread lift reviews, therefore making this method in-famous.
FAQs
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How many times can you have a thread facelift?
Even if the results of this approach to facial rejuvenation are not prolonged, you can decide on receiving follow-up treatment for maintenance from time to time. Depending on the type of thread you use and your requirement, on average, every 18 months is enough to maintain the results.
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Is threading facelift permanent?
PDO threads results however are not a permanent choice. But if you wish for long-lasting enhancing effects, you may consider other dermal fillers alongside or facelift surgery. Though note that this might cost you extra time and money.
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Can thread lifts go wrong?
Studies have shown that with this technique, there are fewer chances of a thread lift gone wrong. Thanks to the innovative approach, other than minor discomfort, you may experience temporary irritation in the treated area.
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