If you’ve been considering a facelift but aren’t ready to commit to that type of surgery, a thread lift with PDO threads may be the alternative you’ve been looking for. This revolutionary treatment has the ability to help you restore a more youthful appearance to your face, and is one of the treatment options we offer here at Advanced Dermatology Center of Wolcott, CT.
How Long Do PDO Threads Last?
A Year or More
You can expect your PDO threads to offer you powerful results for a year. The truth is, many patients can enjoy visible results for even longer than that. Whether your individual results last a year or a little longer can depend on several factors.
While it may not be possible to nail the exact timeline down, during a consultation we can go over your needs and may be able to give you a more individualized estimate of what you can expect.
What Is the Thread Made Of?
The thread is made of polydioxanone, which is a safe, absorbable polymer. Not only does it physically help lift the face, but this treatment can also help bring additional collagen production into the treated area.
Collagen is largely responsible for youthful-looking skin, so boosting this production helps maintain the treatment’s results, even after the threads have been naturally absorbed by your body. The threads themselves are absorbed after about four to six months, leaving crucial collagen behind to continue rejuvenating your face.
How Does It Work?
A tiny catheter is used to make sure the injected polymer arrives at the dermis. Once the threads are in the correct position, they will anchor themselves into place. Our experienced staff will then tighten the PDO threads to produce the desired effect. This can both lift and contour your face at the same time.
How Long Will the Treatment Take?
The entire process typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, which makes it easy to fit into even the busiest schedules. It’s a gentle and quick process that doesn’t involve any downtime and can offer truly dramatic results.
Benefits
Instant Results
Many facial treatments involve some wait time before you see any results. Since the threads are tightened during the initial treatment, the results of a thread lift are immediate. This can be especially helpful for patients who want to see the benefits right away or have an upcoming event. In addition to immediate results offered by the threads themselves, collagen takes time to develop. That means you’ll actually see those initial results continue to improve for several months.
If there’s something specific you want to look your best for, like a wedding, let us know during your consultation. We can give you advice on when you may want to schedule your treatment.
It’s Non-Surgical
Surgical facelifts are extremely effective and can be a great option for patients who want permanent results. That said, they’re not a good fit for everyone. A patient may be starting to see the signs of aging skin and may want to boost their self-esteem, but aren’t ready for surgery yet.
A patient may also want to hold off on the cost or recovery time associated with surgery or may have a health concern that prohibits them from a surgical facelift. No matter what your reasons are, PDO threads can help give you some of the same benefits as a facelift with less hassle.
It Can Be a “Trial Run”
If you think you may want a facelift surgery in the future, this treatment can be a perfect trial run. While the results of a thread lift are long-lasting, they aren’t permanent. That means you can try it out without a life-long commitment.
If you’re happy with the results and feel as though you’d like a more permanent option in the future, you can then look into scheduling a surgical facelift with us.
It Battles Wrinkles on Several Levels
The physical lifting effect of the threads paired with increased collagen production makes this treatment a powerful ally in the fight against wrinkles. Not only will the lifting help smooth wrinkles and fine lines away, but the collagen helps improve the skin’s elasticity, health, and vitality, which encourages a more youthful overall complexion.
No Scars
Since this treatment uses injection sites instead of incisions, you don’t have to worry about facial scarring.
You’ll Look Like a Younger Version of Yourself
There are many patients who are afraid of looking “artificial” or over-tightened. This is one reason why trusting your care to the right team can make all the difference. Our team’s experience and communication with our patients help guide everything we do.
Our goal is to bring you the best possible results. This treatment is able to compliment your natural facial structure, all while gently lifting and smoothing out loose skin to help you look like you just stepped back in time.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where Can It Be Used?
The Forehead
We use our foreheads in a lot of our expressions. We raise our eyebrows in surprise or furrow the brow when we squint or scowl. Time, use, and sun exposure can all play a role in the forehead beginning to show signs of age.
If your forehead is starting to look heavy, or its wrinkles have deepened to the point where you want to address them, this treatment can help lighten the brow and reduce the appearance of its folds.
Jowls
Jowls are areas of excess skin extending from the chin and jawline to the neck, and it’s an extremely common effect of aging, due to a loss of skin elasticity. Unfortunately, sometime in our twenties the body begins to produce less collagen and elastin each year. This prevents the skin from keeping its proper shape and causes it to weaken and become thinner over time.
All of these factors decrease the skin’s ability to resist the pull of gravity, so it will begin to sag. Rapid weight changes can lead to premature development of jowls. By giving the skin a gentle lift, PDO threads can help your skin fight back at gravity.
The Eyebrows
The eyes and eyebrows are both crucial aspects of how we make almost any expression. As such, the area around the eyebrows can be one of the first areas where you may notice signs of aging skin. Skin above the eyebrows may start to droop, or the eyebrows themselves may sink down closer to the eyes.
A thread lift is able to help secure the eyebrows back into their proper position for a more vibrant and alert expression.
Under the Eyes
Treating under the eyes can be a challenge, as this skin is thin and delicate. Many treatments can’t be used under the eyes, but a thread lift can address this area by gently smoothing and reducing the appearance of eye bags and fine lines.
Your Cheeks
As we age, the cheeks can begin to look more hollow. Dermal fillers can be a helpful way to combat this, but a thread lift can help reduce this effect by smoothing the skin and encouraging collagen production all throughout the treated areas.
Nasolabial Folds and Marionette Lines
Nasolabial folds start behind the nostrils and can extend past the mouth. Marionette lines start at the corners of the mouth and reach down to the jaw. Many patients dislike the appearance of these folds and lines, especially when they’re pronounced. If this is true for you, a thread lift may be a good option for addressing them.
The Neck
The neck tends to age right along with the face. Sometimes it may age even faster, especially if the patient consistently remembered to put sunscreen on their face, but neglected to do so for their neck. Vertical and horizontal lines, loose skin, and folds can all be part of the aging process.
If you’re concerned with the appearance of your neck, reach out to us and we can let you know if a thread lift may be the right tool for the job.
2. How Can I Protect My Results?
The best way to protect the longevity of your results is to protect your skin. There are many ways to do this, but here are some helpful ideas to get you started.
Avoid Sunburn
Some people tend to see sunburn as a “pre-tan,” and don’t realize that each time they get sunburned, their skin could potentially be receiving permanent damage. A good tan isn’t worth damaging your skin or risking its health, so remember to wear protective clothing and sun protection as needed.
Keep Hydrated
Our skin needs moisture to stay healthy and regenerate itself. As skin ages, it becomes less effective in producing and retaining this moisture. Make sure you’re keeping yourself hydrated so your skin is able to get what it needs and use a high-quality moisturizer if you notice your skin drying out.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Even though the brain is a member of the body, it can be easily forgotten that how we feel can affect the body as a whole. As such, stress can actually have a negative effect on our skin. Taking some extra time to rest and unwind can help you feel and look your best.
Watch Out for Skin Allergens
Sometimes we may wear cosmetics and not realize it’s irritating our skin. When you try out new cosmetics, try it on your arm first, and watch for any signs of irritation or itching. Also, be mindful to clean makeup off your face every night before bed.
Clean Your Face Mindfully
Keeping the face clean is important, as leftover makeup can exaggerate the appearance of wrinkles and clog the pores. That said, being too rough on your skin isn’t good either. Take a balanced approach when it comes to skin care.
3. Am I a Good Candidate?
If you’re comfortable with the idea of injections and are struggling with loose skin or wrinkles throughout your face, this could be a good treatment option for you. It provides results that tend to last longer than many dermal fillers while being less of an intense process when compared to surgery.
When you come in to visit us, we’ll go over your health and your needs to make sure a thread lift has the best chance of giving you exactly what you’re looking for.
Take Back Your Face
If these answers haven’t resolved all your questions, our team would be happy to address the rest of them during a consultation. Our team pairs extensive knowledge and experience with compassion, and we strive to find the right fit for each patient who trusts us with their care. Reach out to us at Advanced Dermatology Center of Wolcott, CT, today to set up your appointment.
