PDO THREADS? YOUR 2021 ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR THE BEST LIFTING THREADS
PDO THREADS? YOUR 2021 ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR THE BEST LIFTING THREADS
Thread lifting procedures have lately invaded the aesthetic surgical industry strong enough to become the third pillar of the non-invasive facial rejuvenation procedures alongside the hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum-toxin (botox) injections.
The best-suited method for this approach in the aesthetic industry is using barbed threads made of polydioxanone or PDO.
This material has been known for decades as one of the most effective resorbable sutures in the industry. The PDO threads have become increasingly popular mainly because of their high degree of safety and efficiency.
So, we are here to provide you with all the information needed to get the optimum results out of a facelift procedure by PDO threads.
Therefore, the most basic question needed to be asked firstly, what is a PDO thread?
As mentioned earlier, polydioxanone (PDO) lifting threads are considered to be biodegradable sutures, that are mainly used to lift the facial sagging skin up to give eventually a youthful, more rejuvenated look.
HOW DO THE PDO THREADS WORK?
Polydioxanone sutures when applied into any dermal layer that is objected for a certain result, fibroblasts are stimulated to produce collagen, type 1 specifically, that is responsible for the healthy skin structure and elasticity, therefore, polydioxanone sutures can help to restore the volume that was lost due to aging.
There are three classifications that PDO threads are classified into:
PDO mono threads: These sutures are smooth to help rejuvenate the facial skin by stimulating cells to produce collagen.
PDO cog threads: These threads are meant to provide support to some parts of the face and lift the sagging parts of the skin.
PDO screw threads: Restoring volume to the sunken parts of the face is the final outcome after applying polydioxanone screw threads, therefore, they are made of one or two intertwined threads, to eventually be able to achieve such complicated results.
Before we move to another point, a very important question has to be asked first.
ARE PDO THREADS PERMANENT?
The short answer is no. The results after the procedure can last for 6 months.
But it was found that patients could remain satisfied for more than 12 and up to 18 months.
This is mainly expected because the PDO threads work on rejuvenation of the skin itself which leads to natural and glowing skin, restored after continuous sessions due to the build-up of collagen.
So, now in what areas do PDOs work the most?
PDO threads are really flexible, they could be used for lifting many parts of the skin, these areas include:
Eyebrows
Crow’s feet
The area under the eyes
Cheeks
Jawline
Jowls
Neck
Marionette lines
Nasojugal folds
Nasolabial folds
Double Chin
Lips
Now, to imagine how polydioxanone (PDO) lifting threads exactly function from the efficiency point of view, let’s discuss the exact techniques and effects for the most significant facial areas using the mono PDO lifting threads.
THE TECHNIQUE IS THE MAIN KEY!
For the most of time, According to IFAAS, it was theoretically discussed that mono-threads are secondary compared to cog threads regarding the intensity of the lifting effect while recent studies have proven otherwise; that inserting the mono-threads into the correct layers of action throughout the time of using the right techniques along the way, polydioxanone mono-threads could be as effective and give the desired effects by itself. And for that to be carried out well, practitioners must know the facial anatomy by heart.
Also, it must be noted that mechanism and techniques may vary depending on whichever part of the face that is being inserted into due to anatomical differences, but generally, the idea of inserting the mono-threads into the deeper layers of the dermis, is what have been known for better results and effectiveness.
PDO THREADS FOR JAWLINE:
The desired results of inserting the PDO mono-threads into the jawline is mainly to give a more improved definition, thus, the polydioxanone mono-threads are inserted into the subcutaneous fat layer and the SMAS layer in a wave-like pattern. This technique increases the dermal areas covered by the threads. Also, the dissolving of the threads themselves can lead to a more defined jawline as with time they undergo fibrosis while decomposing in the dermal layer.
Throughout this cycle, conglutination of fibrotic tissues and contraction of the fat layer might be carried out by the PDO mono-threads resulting in the defined, lifted, and slimming effect in the jawline.
PDO THREADS FOR JOWLS:
Taking into consideration the anatomy of the face while treating the jowls with PDO mono-threads is crucial and fundamental. As the SMAS is not continuous due to the empty space between the zygomaticus major and rigorous m., the stretched deeper fat tissues from aging in the facial skin may cause a bulky appearance of the inner cheek area due to pushing. Altering the fat to reduce the contraction of the skin and the fibrosis effect is a must to be performed by the practitioner by using PDO mono-threads.
If other kinds of threads are used such as cog or screw, volumizing effects are to be expected in this area.
PDO THREADS FOR CHEEK AND NASOLABIAL FOLDS:
If frontal cheeks are saggy, the nasolabial folds might appear irritated, thus PDO mono-threads have to be inserted into the facial area where the frontal cheeks sag above the nasolabial folds.
This may lead to contraction of the fat dermal cells in addition to the conglutination of fibrotic tissues, thus, the desired pushing effects of the slightly swollen frontal cheeks.
If a thicker twister monofilament is embedded from the cheek to the nasolabial fold, a reduced effect of the front cheek might be carried out, and that is by pressing the polydioxanone thread gently using any force.
PDO THREADS FOR EYEBROWS AND AROUND THE EYES:
The different areas around the eyes are the most vulnerable to aging, as the pretty known sagging effect starts to appear after a certain age.
In these cases, a lifting surgery for the forehead or eyelids might be needed to undo the aging effects, but as most patients prefer not to undergo such surgical procedures for face lifting, using PDO threads might replace them while giving the same desired effects.
PDO mono-threads can effectively address the sagging appearance of the eyes by being inserted into the temple area in a radial shape on a spring form. It was proved by some studies that the lifting effect to the eyebrows is obtained and that was mainly because of the small volume in the PDO mono-threads on the spring form. If advanced techniques are followed, the PDO mono-threads could be able to deliver more advanced results by anchoring in the temple area.
