PDO Thread Lifts

PDO Thread Lifts

Dr Martyn King | Cosmedic Skin Clinic | Staffordshire

A PDO Thread Lift is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment designed to lift, support, and rejuvenate ageing facial tissues. Using dissolvable polydioxanone (PDO) threads placed beneath the skin, the treatment provides an immediate lifting effect while also stimulating the body's natural collagen production.

PDO Thread Lifts are particularly effective for patients experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity, facial sagging, jowl formation, and loss of facial definition. The treatment offers an alternative to surgery for suitable patients who wish to achieve a more lifted and youthful appearance with minimal downtime.

In addition to the immediate mechanical lifting effect, PDO threads continue to stimulate collagen production as they gradually dissolve, helping to improve skin quality, firmness, and support over time.

Summary

• Procedure time: 45–60 minutes
• Downtime: Can be significant, 3–14 days
• Discomfort: Moderate discomfort, some find it quite painful
• Anaesthetic: Local anaesthetic required
• Onset of results: Immediate lifting effect
• Peak/final results: Continued improvement over 8–12 weeks
• Duration: Typically 12-18 months
• Maintenance: Usually single treatment with maintenance as required when effects worn off

Pricing

Prices vary according to the number of threads used and treatment areas.

Typical Treatment Prices

• Mid-face thread lift: £850
• Combination treatment programmes: Available following consultation

💡 Final treatment recommendations and pricing are confirmed following a comprehensive facial assessment.

How it works

PDO threads are fine, absorbable medical sutures that are carefully inserted beneath the skin using specialised needles or cannulas.

Once positioned, the threads provide:

Immediate Tissue Support: The threads mechanically lift and reposition selected areas of facial tissue, helping to restore youthful contours and reduce sagging.

Collagen Stimulation: As the threads dissolve over several months, they stimulate the body's natural wound-healing response, promoting the production of:

• Collagen
• Elastin
• Hyaluronic acid

Long-Term Skin Improvement: This regenerative response improves skin quality, firmness, elasticity, and support even after the threads have dissolved.

Treatment is performed under local anaesthetic and is tailored to each patient's unique facial anatomy and ageing pattern.

What areas can be treated

• Midface
• Jawline
• Jowls
• Neck

Am I suitable?

You may be suitable if you:

• Have mild to moderate facial sagging
• Want a non-surgical lifting treatment
• Have realistic expectations
• Wish to improve facial contours and definition
• Are not ready for surgical facelift procedures

You may not be suitable if you:

• Have severe skin laxity requiring surgery
• Have active skin infections
• Have certain autoimmune conditions
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have unrealistic expectations regarding outcomes

A detailed consultation and facial assessment are essential to determine suitability.

Pre-treatment advice

Before treatment:

• Avoid alcohol for 24–48 hours
• Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements where medically appropriate
• Stay well hydrated
• Inform your practitioner of all medications and medical conditions
• Attend with clean skin and no makeup where possible

Photographs will usually be taken as part of treatment planning.

Post-treatment advice

After treatment:

• Avoid excessive facial movements for several days
• Sleep on your back for 3 days if possible
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 1–2 weeks
• Avoid dental treatment for approximately 2 weeks
• Avoid facial massage and aesthetic treatments in the area until advised
• Follow all aftercare instructions carefully
• Some swelling, tenderness, and bruising are expected during the initial healing period.

Side-effects & complications

PDO Thread Lifts are generally safe when performed by experienced medical practitioners, but all procedures carry risks.

Common (temporary):

• Swelling, can be quite marked for the first few days
• Bruising, may be significant
• Tenderness, particularly with facial movement and eating
• Tightness, will feel pulled
• Temporary skin irregularities, such as tethering at insertion points

Less common:

• Thread visible beneath the skin
• Thread migration
• Asymmetry
• Skin puckering or dimpling
• Prolonged swelling

Rare:

• Infection
• Thread extrusion
• Persistent asymmetry
• Nerve irritation/pain
• Delayed inflammatory reactions
• Scarring
• Most minor irregularities settle as healing progresses.

Benefits

• Non-surgical facial lifting
• Immediate visible improvement
• Stimulates natural collagen production
• Improves facial contours
• Enhances jawline definition
• Long-lasting results
• Minimal scarring
• Minimal downtime compared with surgery
• Natural-looking rejuvenation

Advice from Dr Martyn King

Dr Martyn King, Cosmedic Skin Clinic, Staffordshire

"A PDO Thread Lift can be an excellent option for carefully selected patients who are beginning to notice facial sagging and loss of definition but are not ready for surgical intervention. The key to successful outcomes lies in appropriate patient selection, realistic expectations, and understanding that thread lifts offer a subtle, natural-looking enhancement rather than the dramatic changes associated with a surgical facelift."