If you want to lift areas of the face that have fallen and become a little saggy yet desire a longer-lasting option, then a PDO thread lift may be right for you. This minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure relies on polydioxanone (PDO) threads to lift and tighten the skin around the eyes, jawline, and nasolabial folds for a fresh, more youthful look without significant downtime. But how long do PDO thread lifts last? Here’s everything to know about the treatment, which can provide dramatic results with nearly instant change and long-term improvement. Plus, with a PDO thread lift, your new contoured look will let you put your best face forward.
Average Duration of PDO Thread Lift
PDO thread lifts use absorbable sutures to give sagging skin a long-lasting lift and tightening effect. While the results are dramatic, they aren’t permanent. Since the sutures consist of a safe yet biodegradable polyester commonly used in surgeries, they eventually break down on their own after about four to six months.
Depending on the area treated and the types of threads used, PDO thread lifts last from 6 months to 1 year, making them a good alternative to plastic surgery procedures.
With a PDO thread lift, you will see both immediate and long-term results. Right after the procedure, you’ll see improved facial contours, more definition, and lifted features. Over time, the sutures stimulate collagen production to help add a natural fullness to the skin. See our PDO Thread Lift Cost guide for pricing information.
7 Factors that Affect How Long PDO Thread Lifts Last
Several factors can influence how long the results of your thread lift last including the quality of your skin, lifestyle habits, and the expertise and skill of your provider.
- Skin quality: Skin elasticity and thickness affect how long your PDO thread lift results last. Thicker skin types usually hold onto the results for longer than those with thin skin, which occurs as we lose elastin and collagen with age.
- Lifestyle habits: Unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and UV exposure can affect the quality and quantity of collagen in the skin, leading to decreased skin firmness and elasticity and, therefore, short-lived results.
- Your provider’s skill: Although PDO thread lifts are a minimally invasive procedure, they still require expertise and a strong understanding of the skin’s structure and facial anatomy to create long-lasting results. Seeking treatment with an experienced provider who understands proper thread placement and uses the most advanced techniques will ensure optimal, long-lasting results.
- Your at-home skincare routine: Taking good care of your skin at home shouldn’t be glossed over. Using the right products can help support the treatment’s results by promoting collagen production, enhancing the skin’s structure and health, and improving overall elasticity.
- Following all after-care instructions: It’s crucial to follow all of the post-treatment directions and instructions given to you by your provider after your PDO thread lift so that you do not compromise your results or their longevity.
- The placement of the threads: Where your provider places your threads can impact how long they last since not all areas of the face experience the same degree of regular movement or expression. More dynamic areas, like around the mouth and eyes, move more frequently which can cause the threads to break down faster than other parts of the face.
- The type of threads used: Not all threads are the same, and some are thicker, which may absorb faster than thinner ones.
Signs It’s Time for a Follow-Up Treatment
Since a thread lift is not a permanent fix, you must repeat the treatment to maintain the results. It’s time to schedule another appointment when the initial lifting and tightening effects disappear. Other signs that it’s time for a touch-up include the following:
- Signs of skin laxity like sagging, looseness in the treated areas, and droopiness
- Decreased definition and not as much of a contoured effect as before
- The reappearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin that feels less taut and elastic than it did following the initial procedure
- A tired look that needs some refreshing
It’s important to remember that most PDO thread lifts last 6 to 12 months, with some lasting up to a few years, but everyone is different. Factors like the threads used, treatment areas, skin quality, age, and lifestyle choices can also influence how long your results last.
Tips to Prolong PDO Thread Lift Results
To maintain your results and keep your thread lift looking as best as possible, make sure to follow these tips:
- Don’t discount your post-treatment instructions, especially in the first few weeks after the procedure.
- Always stay hydrated and follow a well-balanced diet. Certain foods, like sugar, can help boost collagen in the skin, while others, like alcohol, can break it down. Drink plenty of water daily to keep the skin supple and healthy.
- Use a good skincare routine consisting of medical-grade skincare products and collagen-producing ingredients like peptides and retinol.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure since UV rays can break down collagen and fast-track aging.
- Steer clear of aggressive facial massages which can dislodge threads.
- Stay consistent with your follow-up treatments so that periodic touch-ups don’t fall by the wayside and the skin doesn’t revert back to baseline.
- Try to get ample sleep every night and resist stressful situations, which can increase cortisol levels and break down collagen.
- Don’t smoke since smoking reduces oxygen to the skin and leads to premature aging and collagen degradation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do PDO thread lifts require maintenance treatments?
PDO thread lifts require maintenance treatments to prolong and enhance the results since normal signs of aging will continue even with the treatment.
How does lifestyle impact PDO thread lift results?
Poor lifestyle choices can negatively impact PDO thread lifts since they can break down collagen in the skin and cause premature aging. Make sure to avoid smoking, excess sun exposure, a poor diet, lack of sleep, and high-stress levels so that you can enjoy the benefits of a PDO thread lift.
Can PDO thread lifts be combined with other treatments for longer-lasting results?
Yes! To make the most of your PDO thread lift, talk to your provider about what treatments are complementary to give you the best results. Dermal fillers, injectables, and light and laser treatments are often paired with PDO thread lifts to create long-lasting results.
Once the PDO threads dissolve, does the lifting effect disappear immediately?
Just because your threads dissolve doesn’t mean that the lifting effect and your results will, either. As the threads dissolve, which is normal, they stimulate new collagen for added skin support and improved skin quality.The longevity of your results is connected to the new collagen that’s created.
