The cosmetic industry has been booming lately. The size of the worldwide cosmetics industry, estimated at USD 254.08 billion in 2021, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2022 and 2028.
Millions of people want to look good and feel good. While the only option to eliminate signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles was a facelift surgery, today, we have numerous options.
Even though skin resurfacing procedures can aid in restoring some firmness, once droopy skin is the problem, only a scalpel can effectively remove it. Although this works for most individuals, not everyone is willing or able to go under the knife.
Patients in this category need to know that there is a brand-new thread lift procedure. It has been created to bridge the gap between noninvasive facial rejuvenation and facelift surgery. And the good news is that we have these threads in various types as PDO, PCL, and PLLA, in most cosmetic facilities.
But how painful is a PDO thread lift? Most cosmetic vendors face this question but don’t have an answer. Well, here’s an answer to your most bagging question. One perk about PDO thread lift is that it is less invasive and has a little discomfort. After all, no one wants to experience unnecessary pain and discomfort, especially when it comes to cosmetic procedures.
What’s more? Let’s find out!
What Is a PDO Thread Lift?
A PDO (polydioxanone) thread lift is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that can be used to lift and tighten sagging skin on the face and body.
PDO thread lifts have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their minimally-invasive nature and relatively low risk of complications. However, as with any medical procedure, there is always the potential for pain and other side effects.
So, how painful is a PDO thread lift? Read on to find out!
But first;
Types of PDO Threads
Screw threads, cog threads, and mono threads are the three varieties of PDO threads.
- PDO Screw comprises two entwined threads that support skin augmentation.
- Barbed sutures on PDO Cog threads latch onto facial tissue to raise drooping skin.
- PDO Mono Threads’ silky sutures revitalize the skin by promoting collagen generation.
And what is the procedure like?
PDO Thread Lift Procedure
Depending on the location targeted and the physician’s preferences, the thread lift technique may differ slightly. Typically, the fundamental method is the same. The process involves the placement of threads made of dissolvable surgical sutures under the skin. These threads act as “anchors” to lift and hold the skin in its new, elevated position. Here’s what happens:
- In the procedure room, the patient will be requested to lie down. The skin will be treated with alcohol and topical anesthetic as it is prepared for surgery.
- The threads will be inserted under the skin using a tiny needle or micro cannula. The PDO thread lift procedure uses two small incisions. The threading process can take between 30 and 45 minutes.
- The threads are inserted into the dermis layer of the skin, lifting the skin and restoring volume. Possible under-skin sensations include gentle pressure or tightening
- After the needles are removed, the operation will be complete shortly, and the patient can return to work.
The PDO thread lift procedure can provide instant results, but it also comes with some risks. Read on if you want to know what causes the pain during the process. Also, to learn more about the pain level of a PDO thread lift and what patients can expect during and after the procedure.
How Painful Is a PDO Thread Lift?
Now, we come to the most nagging question. Well, because most of the thread vendors want to know what they are selling to their customers and have an answer when this question pops up, here’s the answer.
Since incisions must be made with either a traditional hypodermic needle or a micro-cannula, there’s pain. But because these are tiny needles, the incisions are also tiny, and the pain is bearable.
Therefore, the good news is that a PDO thread lift is a relatively pain-free procedure. Many patients report feeling minimal pain and discomfort during and after the procedure. But this depends much on the patient because some are more sensitive than others.
But because everyone experiences pain differently, patients need to learn from the doctor about pain tolerance and options for anesthesia before getting a PDO thread lift. Depending on the pain tolerance, they may even be able to get the process done without local anesthesia.
Oral sedation is an option for worried patients. It is necessary to use local anesthetics, which might be uncomfortable during the infiltration procedure. Also, another concern for pain is the barbs on threads. They can potentially migrate over time and irritate nearby nerves, making them painful long later.
The Pros and Cons of a PDO Thread Lift
Because a thread lift is a non-surgical procedure that tightens loose skin and removes fine lines and wrinkles, it offers patients fewer risks over surgical procedures. So, the pros include:
- Minimally invasive. Most patients resume their normal activities right after thread lift operations.
- It’s relatively pain-free, as most patients report feeling little to no discomfort during the process.
- The incisions are tiny. They leave no visible scars.
- It provides immediate results without surgery or downtime.
- A more youthful smoother appearance. The procedure can help reduce aging effects by tightening facial skin and reducing wrinkles.
- Improved facial contour. A thread lift can help restore the natural position of the eyelids and other facial features, improving the overall appearance.
- Improved facial symmetry. Thread lifts can also help to improve facial symmetry, making people look younger and more beautiful.
- The effects will last a long. Patients can expect to see results within three months of having their treatment. The effects will last between six months and two years, depending on how well the surgeon will take care of their patient’s new look
Cons of a PDO Thread Lift
The main cons of a PDO Thread Lift are:
- It can be costly. In fact, the average cost is about $2025, according to a Realself survey. The price can vary depending on where you get it done and what your insurance covers. Insurance companies often will not cover this procedure, so if you do not have health insurance, it may be an issue for you to get it done.
- There are no guarantees that it will work for all people with excess skin. Some people may not see results because their skin is too tight, and others may not see any because their skin is too loose.
- There are risks involved with using needles to inject threads into the body. Although a PDO thread lift is primarily painless, some people may feel edema, soreness, scarring, or redness afterward.
- There are also risks involved when it is done on older patients. Since there is a higher risk of aging-related complications when undergoing this procedure (like heart issues or diabetes), chances of granuloma, bleeding, etc., are likely to occur.
In reality, a PDO thread lift surgery may be pretty unpleasant. The benefits are also modest. According to specific research, the majority of the lifting that people experience after this kind of operation may be due to superficial edema.
The outcomes of this treatment typically endure less than two years, which is not surprising. Additionally, there is a high chance of problems following the operation, including skin abnormalities like dimpling or lumps. Even if they might not be as severe as a surgical facelift’s side effects, they raise the question of whether the operation is worthwhile.
Not to forget as you treat your patients with these PDO threads, don’t forget to mention to them that these threads can be less painful when they put into consideration some things. For effective results with little discomfort, here are things to do before and after:
Things Patients Must Do Before PDO Threading to Avoid Pain
PDO thread before and aftercare is quite essential. Patients considering the procedure must look at these a few things.
The practitioner will devise an appropriate action plan in accordance with the skin type and the required treatments. The typical recommendations offered are as follows:
- For at least a week before the surgery, smoking and all forms of alcohol must be avoided because they might dry the skin and even disrupt the anesthetic process.
- Avoid ingesting omega fish oils, vitamin E, chili ginseng, garlic, krill, and other similar supplements at least two days before the treatment to hasten the healing process and achieve the best results. Green and ginger teas are also best avoided.
- It is best to avoid aspirin-based medications like Naproxen/Naprogesic, Neurofen, and Ibuprofen because they might lead to bleeding, unfavorable side effects, and problems.
- Avoid exercising at a high intensity and visiting a sauna or steam room.
What Patients Must Do After the PDO Treatment to Minimize Pain
Although the procedure requires little recovery time, patients may still do many things to speed up the process and achieve the most significant outcomes. Due to the anesthesia used during the thread lift surgery, some patients may feel sick afterward. However, if they drink a little water, it will go away.
Following the procedure, they should complete the following additional things:
- If they have mild bruising or swelling, they can ice the treated region for a few minutes four to five times a day for the first week.
- For a day, patients must limit face movements keeping their heads raised for at least a week.
- After receiving the therapy, tell them to rest for the entire day.
- Patients must refrain from vigorous activities or heavy lifting for the next three weeks activities or heavy lifting.
- Following the procedure, patients are permitted to use painkillers as needed. Let them try taking these after a meal to reduce the feeling of queasy.
- For the next two weeks following therapy, it is advised for them to refrain from taking aspirin.
- It’s best to refrain from chewing gum for at least two weeks.
- It’s usual to have a little discomfort the first two days after the treatment, but it will progressively subside.
- For at least three weeks, they must avoid pulling, massaging, scrubbing, or exfoliating their face. Additionally, they must wait at least 12 hours before washing or touching their face.
- Regarding incision wounds, patients must adhere to the care instructions the practitioner tells them.
- To avoid any swelling, they must sleep on their back. Also, they must avoid putting pressure or strain on their face because this could cause the threads to become misaligned and hence painful.
- After receiving the PDO thread lift, patients must wait at least two weeks before getting any dental work done.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from the Pain?
The significantly shorter recovery period after a PDO thread lift treatment is one of its most significant benefits. Patients who may be given much sedation during the non-surgical facelift procedure will require transportation from the hospital to their homes.
However, recovering from a PDO thread lift is relatively simple. Since local anesthetic can be used for thread lift procedures rather than general anesthesia, patients can easily drive home and take care of themselves following the surgery.
After the thread lift, patients can feel swollen or uncomfortable for a few days, but most patients can return to work. Because recovery from a thread lift is not laborious, there are a few minor safety measures patients must take to heal. All these safety precautions are as discussed above.
Get Quality Medical Grade PDO Threads from Yastrid Medical Aesthetics
PDO threads can be purchased from various cosmetic shops or manufacturing industries. We have numerous of these manufacturers in China and globally. However, it is not all about the many vendors but the quality.
With Yastrid, we offer the best medical-grade PDO Threads; they are FDA-approved, and the quality is unmatched. Besides, we have the best team of experts working round the clock to provide the best services! If you are a plastic surgeon, cosmetic professional, or surgeon looking into getting these threads, feel free to contact us anytime!
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