You want the anti-aging results of a facelift but you don’t want to undergo a facelift. Luckily, there is a non-invasive anti-aging solution that supports your skin without the preparation or recovery of getting a facelift. At Timeless Laser & Skin Care in Westlake, OH, we’re excited to offer the PDO thread lift to help our clients achieve the facial rejuvenation of their dreams. Here’s what you need to know about how PDO threads rejuvenate your face.
What Is a PDO Thread Lift?
A PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive anti-aging treatment designed to lift loose, sagging skin and improve the health of the treated skin. The results of this treatment are just as dramatic as the results of a facelift but you don’t have to prepare extensively for an invasive procedure and there isn’t a long recovery period.
How Do PDO Threads Work?
PDO threads, also known as polydioxanone, work by acting as an anchor in the deeper layers of your skin. Then, the skin is lifted up, supported by these anchors. Once it is supported and lifted with the threads, the ends of the threads are snipped off. Polydioxanone threads are used because they promote the induction of regenerative properties. This type of thread is also used in heart surgery due to its facilitation of regenerative properties.
PDO threads are usually used to provide the same results as an invasive procedure. What does this look like, exactly? Here’s what you can expect throughout this process.
A Primary Evaluation
Your PDO thread lift process starts with a primary evaluation. At this time, we will ensure this treatment is safe for you and will effectively address your cosmetic concerns. This is achieved by evaluating the condition of your skin and discussing what, exactly, you are looking for. Additionally, we will review your medical history, previous aesthetic services you have received, allergies to pharmaceuticals and drugs, and supplements you are currently taking.
Preparation Steps
If we determine during your initial consultation this treatment is appropriate for you, we will advise you regarding what you need to do to prepare for treatment. You must adhere to all of the pre-treatment steps for the best treatment and recovery experience possible. Among the things you must do to prepare for treatment are:
- Drinking enough water to remain hydrated
- Avoiding nutritional supplements that cause blood thinning
- Avoiding blood-thinning pharmaceuticals
- Discontinuing the use of vitamin A-based products
- Abstaining from tobacco products and alcohol for several days
Drinking Enough Water to Remain Hydrated
It is absolutely crucial that you are hydrated when you come in for your treatment. Unfortunately, feeling thirsty is a terrible gauge of whether you are hydrated. By the time you feel thirsty, you have been dehydrated for quite a while. Additionally, most people mistake their thirst cues for hunger and eat a salty snack. Check the color of your urine to see if you need to drink more.
Avoiding Blood-Thinning Drugs and Supplements
It is also very important to avoid drugs and nutritional supplements that can affect the viscosity of your blood. For example, you should avoid taking NSAIDs for pain relief. If you’re taking an antidepressant, ask your psychiatrist if it is safe for you to stop taking certain MAOIs. Remember, always check with your general physician before you stop taking certain drugs or supplements. Supplements you should stop taking include fish oil supplements and vitamin E supplements.
Discontinuing the Use of Vitamin A-Based Products
You should also stop using vitamin A-based products. Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A is most commonly found in anti-acne creams. However, it can also be found in many moisturizers. To ensure you don’t accidentally use a product with retinol in it, read the entire list of ingredients for each of your skincare products. Furthermore, don’t take any nutritional supplements that contain vitamin A.
Abstaining From Tobacco Products and Alcohol
It is also very important that you don’t consume tobacco products or alcohol for at least a week before your treatment session. Alcohol dehydrates you and flushes essential micronutrients out of your body. These micronutrients are necessary for rapid healing. Since it dehydrates you, it also elevates your blood pressure. Tobacco products also elevate your blood pressure and will diminish your skin’s ability to heal itself.
What to Expect on the Day of Your Treatment
Numbing
When you come in for your appointment, we will first cleanse your skin so there is no oil, dirt, or other debris trapped in your pores or on the surface of your skin. Then, we will apply a topical numbing agent to the areas that will be lifted. If you are extremely sensitive to pain, you may also want a local anesthetic to supplement the topical anesthesia. We will discuss this with you during your initial evaluation.
On average, it takes 15 minutes for topical anesthesia to numb the treatment area. However, you may need to wait 10 or 20 minutes for your skin to become numb. Regardless, once your skin is numb, it will remain numb throughout your treatment process. You won’t feel any pain or discomfort.
Marking
Once your skin is numb, we will use a temporary pen to mark exactly where the cannula will be inserted into your skin. While this adds a few minutes to your treatment time, it allows us to achieve your desired results with fewer threads. We will remove the pen marks before you leave our office.
Threading
The third step that occurs is the threading process. This step occurs after your skin is numb and the entry points of the cannula have been marked clearly. During this process, we will insert a thin, hollowed-out tube, called a cannula, into the marked entry points. The cannula houses the PDO threads and guides them into the sub-dermal layers of the skin.
The threads hook onto lax tissue within the skin and reposition it as the cannula is removed. This results in skin that is instantly tightened and lifted. Depending on the extent of lifting and skin rejuvenation you need, this part of the process may take between half of an hour and a full hour. The average threading process takes 45 minutes.
How to Care for Yourself After Treatment
After your treatment session is complete, you need to take care of yourself. Luckily, the recovery process is short and easy. Here are some of the things you will need to do to care for yourself after treatment:
- Don’t touch or rub your face
- Don’t take blood-thinning drugs or supplements
- Avoid sweating by staying out of the hot sun
- Don’t exercise strenuously
- Eat light meals
- Take all medication as prescribed
- Don’t chew gum
- Keep your facial movements to a minimum
- Keep your head elevated
- Don’t drink alcohol or use tobacco products
To reiterate, it is very important that you follow all post-treatment care instructions. Failing to adhere to all of the instructions provided may result in a recovery process that is longer than necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know during your initial consultation, talk to us about them after your treatment or call us after you have left our office. We want you to have the best possible experience.
What to Expect During Your Recovery Period
On paper, the recovery period following a PDO thread lift is 14 days. However, it is important to understand that most of the restrictions last only for 24 to 72 hours after your session. One of the most important things for you to do after your thread lift is to keep your head elevated for a week. This ensures there is no uncomfortable swelling following your treatment.
Feel free to take your prescribed analgesic once the anesthesia has worn off. Just be aware that you can’t operate heavy machinery, like cars, within 24 hours of taking certain prescription analgesics. We strongly recommend that you have someone drive you to and from your appointment because you shouldn’t drive after receiving anesthesia.
What You Can Expect From the Results of Your Treatment
Your skin will be noticeably lifted and tightened as soon as your treatment is over. However, the benefits don’t stop there. Shortly after your treatment session, you will notice that your skin is thicker and more supple. You will also notice that your wrinkles and lines have disappeared shortly after your treatment.
However, it will not be until roughly four to six weeks after your treatment session that you can enjoy the full extent of the results. PDO thread lifts are so effective, in part, because they puncture the fibroblasts deep beneath the top layers of your skin, kicking the collagen production process into a higher gear. Unfortunately, it can take between four and six weeks for the extra collagen to be reduced and rejuvenate your skin further.
Frequently Asked Questions About PDO Thread Lifts Answered
Will the Results of My Treatment Last Forever?
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Even an invasive facelift can only provide results that last for five to 15 years. However, it takes quite a while for the results of a PDO thread lift to fade. You won’t have to think about a maintenance session for years.
How Long Will the Results of My Treatment Last?
Although the results of a PDO thread lift won’t last forever, they will last a very long time. Most people can enjoy the results of their treatment for two to three years. However, depending on the health of your skin and the type and gauge of the thread used, the results may last for up to five years.
Although this isn’t exactly comparable to the longevity of a facelift’s results, a PDO thread lift is far more affordable than a facelift and you won’t need to take a week or two off from work following a thread lift. Furthermore, the results are far more durable than other non-invasive anti-aging solutions, like dermal fillers. Depending on the condition being treated, you may only enjoy the results of dermal filler injections for four months.
Can I Extend the Longevity of My Treatment Results?
Yes, if you care for the health of your skin, you can extend the longevity of your treatment results. This can be accomplished by staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, not smoking, keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum, and getting your RDA of micronutrients.
Discover How to Rejuvenate Your Skin Today
PDO threads can shave years off of your face without the extensive preparation and recovery associated with an invasive facelift. Reach out to us at Timeless Laser & Skin Care in Westlake, OH now to book your initial evaluation. We look forward to answering any more questions you have about how it works, what to expect or how to prepare.