Thread Lift is the Key To  

Fighting Your Aging Skin

Aging skin isn’t just an issue for the elderly; every year after we turn 20 we lose 1% of our skin’s collagen. That percentage can double after we turn 30. Like any other aspect of aging, preventing skin damage is more effective than trying to reverse it, and one of the best ways to do both is through thread lifts.

 

PDO threads have been used for decades in a variety of surgical procedures, with their most recent use being in the aesthetic field. After insertion, the thread absorbs into the body’s natural tissues over the course of four to six months. There have been no reports of allergic reactions or long-term complications with PDO threads.

 

The key to PDO’s success is its capability to stimulate the body’s natural collagen formation, essentially prompting the skin to heal itself. The threads themselves are made of a biodegradable, synthetic, non-animal based polymer. They are inserted beneath the skin to restructure and tighten the appearance of aging skin for uniquely effective results.
PDO thread can be used to contour the face and body, remove wrinkles, tighten, lift, and increase the collagen levels of the skin, which explains its rapid rise as one of the most popular aesthetic procedures of the last decade around the world.

 

caliber. Many of my patients return to work the day after their procedure, and none have ever needed anything more than Tylenol afterward. That being said, thread lifts are not replacements for surgical facelift procedures, which are much more invasive, dramatic, and longer-lasting. Thread lifts do not involve the removal of extra skin, and therefore have limitations. For patients with high amounts of sagging and loose-hanging skin, surgical facelifts are the only option. Discuss with your doctor which procedure is right for you.

 

Good candidates for thread lifts can range from 25 to 80 years old, although the procedures vary by age group. Younger patients use threads to prevent skin sagging and stimulate collagen formation, undergoing the procedure as a preventative measure. Older patients use threads for a lifting effect and targeted collagen formation in more localized areas.

 

The key to a successful thread lift is finding an honest, well-trained, and experienced doctor who has extensive knowledge of the various threads on the market and their specific strengths and weaknesses.

 

I invite you to visit my website and social media to see some of the results and testimonials from my patients. Consultations at Pristine Wellness Center are always free.

 

Thread lifts can be paired with a personalized treatment plan for those with aged skin, which is why finding the right doctor is essential. I commonly recommend a preparatory PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) facial in order to resurface the superficial layer of skin, which is then followed by a PDO or PLACL thread lift. This allows the skin to be rejuvenated on both a surface and structural level.

 

Many non-medical professionals and untrained practitioners have begun offering PDO thread procedures, which is why the UK-based APDOT (Association of PDO Thread) was established in 2016. They have standardized the techniques, training, and product quality of PDO threads in order to protect patients.

 

Choosing the right type of thread is key to a successful procedure, but the wide variety of threads on the market can be confusing for consumers. Non-absorbable threads have become less common in recent years for good reason. Contour threads, which came into vogue around 2004, lost their appeal because their lack of absorption could cause discomfort or botched appearances. Aptos threads are non-absorbing, invasive, and require long downtimes. Silhouette soft threads from Sinclair Pharma are made of PLA (polylactic acid monofilament) with molded cones; They can be the most expensive type of thread lift, despite “underlying weak tensile strength, [reported] issues of repositioning of the cones, granuloma formation, an increased risk of skin puckering, cone visibility and a lack of lipolysis…†as explained by Professor Syed Haq, the chairman of APDOT.

 

As for absorbable threads, there are four main types available in the United States. PDO threads are shorter lasting, PLLA (which are made of the same material as Sculptra) can be too stiff, and PLC can be too soft. PLACL threads are perfect for long-lasting and impressive results, as they use a combination of PLC and PLLA materials.

 

This article was published in Atherton and Los Altos Hills living magazines in 2021.