One of the cardinal signs of aging is an increase in skin laxity that invariable leads to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, skin laxity doesn’t have the good manners to occur out of sight, which means these fine lines and wrinkles are visible on your face, particularly around the nose and mouth. If the visible signs of aging are giving you the rude awakening that your skin isn’t what it once was, then you may want to try an anti-aging treatment such as PDO Threads at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT.
What Are PDO Threads?
PDO Threads are a type of non-invasive and non-surgical cosmetic treatment that helps reverse the visible signs of aging on the face and neck. PDO stands for polydioxanone, which is a common chemical compound that has been used in surgical settings, specifically the suturing of incisions, for years. Now, polydioxanone has found a new life in mint thread lift treatments that perfect the appearance of skin and restore a youthful visage.
What Does a Thread Lift Treat?
A thread lift is sometimes called a non-surgical facelift, so it’s purpose is pretty clear; the primary goal of a PDO thread lift is to lift the skin into a higher, tighter, more youthful position. As it is, a thread lift can treat a variety of age-related skin concerns, such as:
- Lax or sagging skin
- Nasolabial lines
- Expression lines
- Hollowness in the cheeks
- Loose jowls
How Do PDO Threads and Thread Lifts Work?
Thread lifts have two goals for treatment; the first is to physically lift and tighten skin, and the second is to encourage the body’s own healing to prolong results. Thread lifts done with polydioxanone accomplish this by first pulling the skin into higher, more taut positions.
Once in place, the PDO thread then has chemical reactions within the sub-dermal tissues of your skin to stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Over time, the threads are fully absorbed into the body.
A thread lift is a fairly straightforward treatment that takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete each treatment appointment. Some steps you can expect from your treatment include:
Step One: Numb
After your face has been sterilized of any excess dirt, oil, and make-up, a topical numbing cream will be applied to your skin to ensure your comfort for the duration of the treatment. The numbing cream may take 10 to 20 minutes to become fully effective; during this time, we will go over your treatment plan and answer any questions you have about the treatment.
Step Two: Insert and Anchor
One of our skilled aesthetic technicians will use a hollow needle containing the PDO thread to insert the thread into your skin. The thread will then gently pull your skin into an ideal position to restore a youthful appearance and then anchor into the sub-dermal layers. You will not be able to see the threads, as they will all be beneath the skin surface.
How Soon Can You See Results?
The results of this treatment are immediate. On the same day as your treatment, you will notice that your skin has fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and you will have a more youthful-looking visage. The results of this treatment will continue to improve as the polydioxanone threads interact with your body’s natural regenerative abilities to increase latent amounts of skin-supporting proteins and acids in the skin.
PDO Threads FAQ
1. What Are Pre-Treatment and Post-Treatment Guidelines?
There are some instructions you will be encouraged to follow before and after your treatment to ensure that you achieve the best possible results. Some pre-treatment instructions you will be expected to follow for at least one to three days before your appointment include:
- Discontinue blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Abstain from alcohol
- Temporarily avoid Retinol products
You will be given instructions to follow after your treatment that should be observed for the duration of your recovery, which will usually take about seven to 10 days. Some of these post-treatment directions may include:
- Discontinue blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Abstain from alcohol
- Do not open mouth widely
- Do not rub, scrub, or massage skin
- Gently wash skin with non-exfoliate cleansers
- Do not use Retinol products
- Avoid direct sunlight, excess heat, and excess sweating
- Always wear SPF 30 or greater
2. Will You Need Multiple Treatments to See Results?
No. One treatment is usually enough to achieve your desired results. This is because a PDO thread lift tackles anti-aging concerns right from the source, manually lifting the skin to reduce skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles. One treatment appointment is enough to create a more youthful visage.
3. How Often Should You Have Treatment?
The results of this treatment can last for six to 12 months at a time, so how long the results of your treatment lasts will determine how often you should have treatment. Many patients opt to have regularly scheduled PDO thread lifts once or twice a year.
Your results may last longer depending on the condition of your skin, your age, and how well your body responds to polydioxanone threads; younger patients may find that results last for a little over a year.
4. Why Is Collagen Important?
Collagen is a key protein in the skin that supports skin structure, especially the volume of the skin. Together with elastin, another skin-supporting protein, collagen is responsible for creating a plush and elastic skin texture. However, as we age, the natural rate of collagen production within the skin slows, which is what leads to thinner and less elastic skin.
The less collagen that is present in your skin, the more likely you are to develop wrinkles that age you. This is why many over-the-counter beauty products, particularly moisturizers, include collagen. Restoring collagen production is most effective when it can be done naturally by the body.
5. Why Should You Care About Hyaluronic Acid?
Just like collagen, hyaluronic acid is another familiar name in beauty and skincare products lately. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring acid within the skin that is associated with retaining skin moisture and volume.
Hyaluronic acid is capable of storing several times its own weight in water, which is why lower levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin can lead to skin dryness and thinness. Hyaluronic acid is equally as important to the youthfulness of skin as collage is.
6. What Are the Benefits of PDO Threads?
In addition to polydioxanone threads working with your body to restore a more youthful visage, there are several other benefits of this treatment that patients find appealing. Some of these benefits include:
Enhance Skin Elasticity and Volume
As a restorative and rejuvenating treatment, a PDO thread lift can enhance skin elasticity and volume. Skin elasticity is the quality that allows the skin to bounce back into shape after movement.
Those with low skin elasticity typically have looser and less voluminous skin, which is what creates the impression of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin, particularly on areas of the face that contain the muscles necessary for facial expressions.
Diminish Fine Lines and Wrinkles
A byproduct of enhancing skin elasticity is the diminishment of fine lines and wrinkles. Fine lines are characterized by faint lines on the skin, particularly around the nose, mouth, and eyes; wrinkles, on the other hand, are more dynamic and deeper, as well as more difficult to treat.
Both fine lines and wrinkles contribute greatly to the appearance of age on the skin. Some people develop fine lines and wrinkles more quickly due to unprotected sun exposure and genetics.
Versatile Use
A PDO thread lift is not only a treatment for the face. It’s common to also use this treatment on the neck to correct loose or sagging skin beneath the chin. The ability to use polydioxanone threads on both the face and the neck means patients can have a customized and more cohesive treatment that creates a more natural-looking anti-aging effect.
Quick and Painless Treatment
The treatment itself is quick and painless, which is hugely appealing to patients who want to avoid complicated cosmetic surgeries and long recovery periods. As a non-invasive treatment, the speed and painless quality of a PDO thread lift are preferable to other treatments that are sometimes not as effective.
Patients experience very little discomfort during and after the treatment. Patients are also free to return to most of their normal activities on the same day as treatment, including work.
Immediate and Long-Lasting Results
The immediate and long-lasting results of this treatment are also major benefits. The immediacy of the results means that you don’t have to schedule your appointment several months in advance of special life events; a minimum of four to eight weeks prior to your event is adequate to enjoy results.
The fact that the results last for such a long time also means there is very little maintenance and that patients can save money on repeated treatments to maintain results.
7. Is This Treatment Safe for Everyone?
Yes. Because polydioxanone is derived from a surgical source, it’s a long-established fact that there is very little risk of allergic reaction when using this type of thread on the skin. This means the treatment is safe for everyone, as well as for every skin type and skin tone.
8. What Treatments Can You Combine With This One?
Many patients are excited to learn that PDO threads are compatible with other cosmetic treatments. Some patients like to combine PDO thread lifts with other treatments to enhance results or achieve other appearance-related goals. Some treatments that can be safely combined with thread lifts include:
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that usually contain acids and chemicals that restore volume lost to the skin, such as hyaluronic acid. Fillers can be used to augment the appearance by filling in cheek hollowness and plumping the lips.
Facials and Peels
Both facials and peels are cosmetic treatments that perfect superficial skin concerns including acne, acne scarring, dark spots, sun damage, uneven skin tone, and uneven skin texture. While chemical peels use acids to restore the appearance of the skin, facials treat skin imperfections. Your options for medical-grade facials include Jet Peel facials, VI Peels, and Acne Decongesting facials.
Skincare Products
You may also consider medical-grade skincare products that are specially curated to support skin health to enhance the results of your treatment. At our clinic, we host a line of skincare products from SkinBetterScience. We can help you determine the best products for your skin type and needs.
9. Are You a Good PDO Thread Lift Connecticut Candidate?
Almost all patients who are seeking an anti-aging treatment to correct skin laxity and promote a more youthful appearance are qualified candidates for PDO threads. Your eligibility will be determined during a consultation appointment, which will include an examination of your skin and a discussion about your skin concerns.
Perfect Skin Appearance With PDO Threads
You don’t have to make peace with the rude reality that your skin is aging. With the right treatment, you can easily combat the visible signs of aging and achieve a more youthful visage. If you believe PDO threads are an ideal anti-aging treatment for you, please contact Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT.
