What are PDO threads and what can they do?

By E. Ronald Finger CONTRIBUTOR

In the 1990s, thread lifts came about and had some success, but with lots of complications because they used permanent threads. They had “barbs,” allowing them to lift the face. Because of the complications, these original threads have been discontinued, as they should have, in my opinion.

Now, for the past few years, new absorbable threads have been invented, some also with barbs, and they are hugely successful. They are PDO threads, which is short for “polydioxanone.”

PDO threads have been used for years as an absorbable suture material, and it has been noted that the product stimulates the formation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which we all need more of.

For a bit of history, these suture materials have been and continue to be used for

30 years in orthopedic, general, ENT and plastic surgery. The threads were first used successfully in people with facial paralysis. As with anything, particularly a face, it must be individualized to the patient’s needs. The value in the threads is that they vo lumize aging faces as do various fillers, and they also lift sagging skin. Volumizing with fillers also lifts, but not as much. Additional benefits of the PDO threads is they thicken the skin, reducing some wrinkles, and over a period of time improve the texture of the skin.

While the PDO threads last only about six months, the new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid will last about two years re sulting in more of your normal elasticity for a more permanent lift, and more volume. We all know that much of the sagging that occurs with age is from loss of volume of fat as well as bone, so increasing volume definitely makes for a more youthful and