To achieve effective lifting of facial tissue the bi-directional threads are preferred as they provide immediate anchoring to the tissue and the thread cannot move either way due to the two-way direction of the barbs.
PDO threads have been around the longest of the three and have been used in surgeries since the 1980s. They're made from a colorless polyester that breaks down in your body after about 6 months.
Silhouette Soft PLLA: Poly-L-Lactic Acid material are also used as surgical sutures, and have greater longevity than PDO, averaging 12 months before dissolving. Thus, they can stimulate collagen for a longer duration. Once dissolved, the material breaks down into glucose, carbon dioxide and water.
This means that the MINT™ threads are both stronger and maintain their structural integrity much longer than conventional PDO threads. In fact, MINT thread has a high tensile strength of USP 1-0 – making it the strongest lifting, pulling and holding PDO thread on the market.
Complications: Although thread lift is considered minimally invasive, some sutures and cuts are required. There is still a risk of complications such as bruising, thread breakage, thread extrusion, fever, and infection.
On average, patients require between 2 – 4 threads on each side of the face for a mid-face thread lift. An additional 2 – 4 threads may be needed for the lower face and/or neck.
The Silhouette InstaLift uses tiny bidirectional cones to lift the skin, while a PDO thread lift uses barbs. Barbed threads can lead to undesirable results, such as visible tracks on the skin when a person makes facial expressions. The Silhouette InstaLift requires fewer threads than a PDO thread lift.
The PCL thread remained in the tissue for over a year, while PDO required around 24 weeks for absorption-degradation. They found that a larger surface area between the thread and the tissue induced a greater response in the tissue, resulting in an increase in inflammatory cells, myofibroblasts and fibroblasts.
PDO thread lifting is the most dramatic treatment option for PDO threads but is also the most difficult and managing patient expectations is critical. Lifting threads have barbs, also known as cogs along the length of the thread with the aim of affixing the skin in a position to give the appearance of a minor facelift.
The ideal thread lift candidate is usually in his or her late thirties to early fifties, whereas most patients over the age of about 55 will benefit more profoundly from facelift surgery.
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.
In essence, if you want more drastic and quicker results- threading is the option. If you want longer lasting results, improvement in skin quality, and non-invasive procedure- go with Ultherapy.
With a high strength to weight ratio, nylon is one of the strongest threads available, making it a great choice for stitching upholstery, leather, and vinyl. This bonded 3-ply nylon thread has been specially treated to decrease friction while sewing at high speeds, resulting in smooth stitches.
Thread lifts generally last between 12 and 18 months. However, this is dependant upon the individual patient and their age, lifestyle, skin type and how quickly their body breaks down the sutures. The procedure itself delivers immediate results.
When the sutures begin to dissolve, it is likely you will notice the gradual return of sagging features. However, there is evidence to support that collagen is produced in the tissues surrounding the threads, which can lead to a longer lasting effect.
Threads made from PCL are slowly absorbed into the body within 1 ~ 1.5 years compared to PDO (6 ~ 8 months) and PLLA (12 months).
PCL threads
They last more than 2 years in the body and are also broken down into naturally occurring substances in our skin. Due to the length of collagen stimulation, they are more powerful threads than PDO or PLLA threads. Best used for jawline tightening, nose lift, and mid-face tissue replacement.
Thread lifting is the latest technology to help with facial re-tightening and collagen regeneration. This treatment helps to create facial contouring by naturally lifting and shaping your skin.
Avoid any direct pressure to the face and area where the sutures were placed for one week after the procedure (for example, sleeping face down, excessive chewing, talking, yawning, smiling and other facial movements during the week after your procedure.
Lactic Acid threads, dissolve after 12 to 18 months. PCL, or polycaprolactone threads, are the most durable of the three. They take two to three years to dissolve fully.
PDO threads are excellent for defining of the jaw line as well as lifting and tightening sagging skin of the jowls. Even with slight swelling immediately after treatment, immediate results in this patient can be seen.
Threads are an excellent option in correcting certain problem areas, especially if there is some laxity, drooping, or sagging of skin. On the other hand, fillers are designed to address the fine lines you want gone (or at least reduced in appearance).
If you're bothered by low-hanging jowls but aren't ready for surgery, a polydioxanone (PDO) thread lift might be the solution you need. At Yco Facial Plastic Surgery, our skilled surgeon Mario Yco, MD, provides PDO thread lifts, which can revitalize your facial aesthetic without the risks of surgery.