PDO threads are one of three types of sutures commonly used in thread lift procedures. The other two types are made from polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCA).

PDO threads have been around the longest of the three and have been used in surgeries since the 1980s. They’re made from a colorless polyester that breaks down in your body after about 6 months.

The presence of these sutures in your skin triggers cells in your body called fibroblasts to produce more collagen. Collagen is the protein that gives your skin its structure and elasticity. Loss of collagen is one of the main causes of aging skin.

PDO threads can be further divided into three categories:

PDO mono threads. Smooth sutures that help rejuvenate your skin by stimulating collagen production.

PDO cog threads. These threads have barbs that latch into your skin like small fishhooks, to provide support and lift parts of your face.

PDO screw threads. Made up of one or two intertwined threads, these are used to help restore volume to sunken parts of your skin.

A thread lift can treat most parts of your face that are experiencing signs of aging. The areas around your cheeks, jaw, neck, and eyes are among the most commonly treated areas.

Because the results of thread lifts aren’t as drastic as the results of facelift surgeries, thread lifts are commonly used together with other anti-aging procedures such as ultherapy or dermal fillers.

The authors of a 2019 studyTrusted Source found that a PDO thread lift caused immediate improvements in skin sagging after the procedure. However, there was a noticeable decline in results 6 months later. Improvements were no longer apparent after 1 year.

In a studyTrusted Source published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, a surgeon with 16 years of thread lift experience says he has seen results last anywhere from 1 to 9 years. Younger people tend to have results that last 3 to 4 years. Older people with poor skin volume or elasticity tend to only see benefits for 1 to 2 years.

PLA and PCA thread lifts tend to last longer since the sutures take longer to dissolve.

Precisely how long a PDO thread lift will take will depend on the area being targeted, but in most instances, it can be carried out in between 45 and 60 minutes. Including preparation and the time following treatment, you can expect the entire appointment to last a maximum of 2 hours.

A great benefit of a PDO thread lift is that the side effects are minimal. You may notice a little swelling and bruising that lasts for a few days, after which time it should fade. There is no downtime and you can get back to your usual routine right away.